Northern District of Ohio

TOLEDO – Michael Zacharias, 56, of Findlay, Ohio was sentenced to life in prison today by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary and ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release, pay a $500 special assessment and pay $25,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Zacharias was previously found guilty after a jury trial of five counts of sex trafficking following a two-week trial in May 2023.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Zacharias was a priest-in-training when he first met the three victims at a Catholic school in Toledo in 1999. The evidence showed that he used his position of authority as a spiritual leader to groom the boys and grow close with their families before ultimately coercing the victims into engaging in commercial sex acts, two of which were still minors but all three of which he victimized in their adulthood, by exploiting their opioid addictions to cope with the trauma of the abuse.
“Michael Zacharias’s victims trusted him, as a spiritual advisor, a confidant, a community leader, and someone in a position of authority. He exploited his position and that trust to target and victimize young boys and their families, causing lasting damage to both,” said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “Zacharias was held accountable because of the courageous testimony of these young men, who gave voice to his betrayal and abuse, relieved this unimaginable horror, and withstood Zacharias’s predictable attempts at trial to attack their veracity. I applaud the bravery of these young men, the people who supported them, and the dogged efforts of the assigned FBI agent, who together exposed this predator, masquerading as a man of faith. Although no amount of time can ever wholly repair the damage that Zacharias inflicted on his victims, the life sentence that he received today is a significant step toward finding justice and protecting our community. It sends a message to others who consider similar conduct that the United States Attorney’s Office will aggressively pursue charges against those who target our children.”

“Using a position of trust while deviously preying on one’s vulnerabilities, especially juveniles, is reprehensible,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “The FBI has zero tolerance for sexual predators and those who commit crimes against children. We will continue to find and investigate individuals and their network who exploit and traffic children and seek justice for the victims and their families.”

Evidence presented at trial, including the testimony of the three victims and family members, established that Zacharias first met the victims when they were just 5-, 11-, and 13-year-old students at a parochial school in Toledo in 1999. Zacharias served as a respected Catholic priest in Northwest Ohio for more than 20 years, while secretly exploiting his victims as they struggled in school, fell into opioid addiction, developed criminal histories, and became even more financially dependent on him to avoid opioid withdrawal and homelessness. Zacharias’ betrayal of the victims’ trust caused them serious psychological harm.

Instead of helping the victims or providing referrals for their needs, Zacharias exploited them for his own pleasure. Zacharias preyed on the victims' ongoing fear of the painful physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal they would suffer without money he paid them, which sustained their growing addictions. Financial and phone records showed that when one of the victims was unavailable due to drug rehabilitation or incarceration, Zacharias incessantly solicited the other victims for commercial sex acts, including the youngest brother of his first victim, who was a freshman in high school and already struggling with opioid addiction when Zacharias began abusing him for sex.
The FBI Cleveland Field Office, Lima and Toledo Resident Agencies investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

TOLEDO – Kyle Brackman, 29, of Delta, Ohio was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick after earlier pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. Judge Helmick also ordered Brackman to serve a 15-year term of supervised release upon release from imprisonment.

According to court documents, the case came to the attention of law enforcement after a high school principal in Iowa contacted local police in 2017 after learning a 15-year-old student was communicating with Brackman and the messages were sexual in nature. It was later determined that Brackman had received sexually explicit material from the Iowa minor.

Brackman was arrested on July 28, 2019, after officers responded to reports of a male making sexually suggestive remarks and gestures to a 10-year-old and 13-year-old, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracey Ballard Tangeman and Frank Spryszak.

CLEVELAND – Federal, state, local, and international law enforcement officials today announced that 11 individuals were charged for their roles in an international drug trafficking conspiracy that involved the importation of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and synthetic cannabinoids into the United States, and the distribution of those drugs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and elsewhere domestically.  Several charged defendants were arrested earlier this morning and transported to federal court in Cleveland, while the others are in custody elsewhere, including Italy.

This announcement is made by United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko, DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, and Ohio Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson. 

“From the confines of the Ohio Penitentiary, Brian Lumbus led an international and interstate drug trafficking organization that brought fentanyl and other, more potent synthetic drugs from overseas factories to the streets of our region,” said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “Several others, both in the United States and outside it, acted in concert with Lumbus to do what he physically could not: obtain, assemble, and repackage those drugs, then mail or deliver them to other conspirators for further distribution.  As this indictment reflects, the United States Attorney’s Office will continue its collaborative efforts with federal, state, local, and international partners to identify, target, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations, whether the suppliers of such poisons are in the Northern District of Ohio or a continent away.  I thank our partners at DEA, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Italian government for their tireless efforts to identify and apprehend significant players in the illegal drug trade.”

“As alleged in today’s indictment, the defendants orchestrated an international conspiracy to peddle fentanyl and other deadly drugs across the Ohio Valley, with complete disregard for the lives of their victims,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Alongside our law enforcement partners across the country and around the world, the Justice Department will relentlessly pursue all those who seek to profit from poisoning Americans—including when they try to exploit international boundaries and digital currencies to disguise their illicit trade.”

“Brian Lumbus led an elaborate drug trafficking network that imported dangerous synthetic drugs and other substances from foreign-based suppliers to then distribute to customers throughout the region” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene. “The outstanding assistance and support DEA received from our foreign and domestic counterparts led to the successful apprehension of Lumbus and his co-conspirators. Today’s actions send a clear message that law enforcement will work locally, and even across international borders, to seek justice against criminal organizations."

“Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Public Safety are extremely proud of the work done by the investigative team in this case,” said Director Andy Wilson, “This investigation is an excellent example of the great work that can be done when you have seamless cooperation between state, federal and international partners. The work done by this investigative team will truly make Ohio a safer place for our friends, our families, and our children.”

The following defendants are charged in the 34-count indictment:

• Brian Lumbus, Jr., AKA B, 43, of Cleveland, Ohio,
• Giancarlo Miserotti, AKA Karl, 51, of Italy,
• Brianna Lumbus, 22, of Cleveland, Ohio,
• Kayla S. Goudlock, 25, of North Royalton, Ohio,
• Jennifer Robinson, 38, of Tennessee,
• Latasha Harris, 40, of Toledo, Ohio,
• Dominique Hammond, 37, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
• Wanda Ward, 46, of Johnson City, Tennessee,
• Marchello Lumbus, AKA Chello, 42, of Cleveland, Ohio,
• Jessica Cochran, 28, of Lorain, Ohio,
• Braisia Lumbus, 23, of Cleveland, Ohio.

The defendants were all charged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Additionally, six defendants were charged with substantive possession with intent to distribute controlled substances offenses.  Nine defendants were charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and eight were charged in an international money laundering conspiracy.  Finally, nine of the defendants were charged with using a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. 

According to the indictment, between as early as April 28, 2016, and continuing through November 1, 2023, the defendants did knowingly and intentionally conspire with each other to distribute and possess with the intention to distribute mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance; as well as Isotonitazene, Metonitazene, Alpha-PiHP, and ADB-BUTINACA, all Schedule I synthetic opioid or cannabinoid controlled substances.  

While incarcerated in an Ohio state prison, Brian Lumbus, Jr., orchestrated the operation, ordering significant quantities of these drugs from Giancarlo Miserotti, an Italian citizen and resident.  Miserotti arranged for kilogram quantities of these controlled substances to be exported from several foreign countries first to Italy, then to the United States, for redistribution by conspiracy members.  Investigators with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction discovered evidence of the criminal activity of this group in the institution and they immediately alerted the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the DEA for further investigation.  It was determined that U.S.-based conspirators received the foreign shipments, cut and mixed the drugs, and redistributed them.  Other members of the conspiracy used Bitcoin cryptocurrency to pay Miserotti for the drugs.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

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

The investigation preceding the indictments was conducted by the DEA, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Egan and Robert J. Kolansky. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.

Federal, state, local, and Italian law enforcement officials today announced that 11 individuals were charged for their roles in an international drug trafficking conspiracy that involved the importation of fentanyl, synthetic opioids, and synthetic cannabinoids into the United States, and the distribution of those drugs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and elsewhere domestically. Several charged defendants were arrested earlier this morning and transported to federal court in Cleveland, while the others are in custody elsewhere, including Italy.

“As alleged in today’s indictment, the defendants orchestrated an international conspiracy to peddle fentanyl and other deadly drugs across the Ohio Valley, with complete disregard for the lives of their victims,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Alongside our law enforcement partners across the country and around the world, the Justice Department will relentlessly pursue all those who seek to profit from poisoning Americans – including when they try to exploit international boundaries and digital currencies to disguise their illicit trade.”

“From the confines of the Ohio Penitentiary, Brian Lumbus led an international and interstate drug trafficking organization that brought fentanyl and other, more potent synthetic drugs from overseas factories to the streets of our region,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Several others, both in the United States and outside it, acted in concert with Lumbus to do what he physically could not: obtain, assemble, and repackage those drugs, then mail or deliver them to other conspirators for further distribution. As this indictment reflects, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue its collaborative efforts with federal, state, local, and international partners to identify, target, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations, whether the suppliers of such poisons are in the Northern District of Ohio or a continent away. I thank our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Italian government for their tireless efforts to identify and apprehend significant players in the illegal drug trade.”

“Brian Lumbus led an elaborate drug trafficking network that imported dangerous synthetic drugs and other substances from foreign-based suppliers to then distribute to customers throughout the region,” said Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene of the DEA Detroit Field Division. “The outstanding assistance and support DEA received from our foreign and domestic counterparts led to the successful apprehension of Lumbus and his co-conspirators. Today’s actions send a clear message that law enforcement will work locally, and even across international borders, to seek justice against criminal organizations."

The following defendants are charged in the 34-count indictment:

• Brian Lumbus Jr., aka B, 43, of Cleveland;
• Giancarlo Miserotti, aka Karl, 51, of Italy;
• Brianna Lumbus, 22, of Cleveland;
• Kayla S. Goudlock, 25, of North Royalton, Ohio;
• Jennifer Robinson, 38, of Tennessee;
• Latasha Harris, 40, of Toledo, Ohio;
• Dominique Hammond, 37, of Pittsburgh;
• Wanda Ward, 46, of Johnson City, Tennessee;
• Marchello Lumbus, aka Chello, 42, of Cleveland;
• Jessica Cochran, 28, of Lorain, Ohio; and
• Braisia Lumbus, 23, of Cleveland.

The defendants were all charged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, six defendants were charged with substantive possession with intent to distribute controlled substances offenses. Nine defendants were charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and eight were charged in an international money laundering conspiracy. Finally, nine of the defendants were charged with using a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.

According to the indictment, between as early as April 28, 2016, and continuing through Nov. 1 of this year, the defendants did knowingly and intentionally conspire with each other to distribute and possess with the intention to distribute mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance; as well as Isotonitazene, Metonitazene, Alpha-PiHP, and ADB-BUTINACA, all Schedule I synthetic opioid or cannabinoid controlled substances.

While incarcerated in an Ohio state prison, Brian Lumbus Jr. orchestrated the operation, ordering significant quantities of these drugs from Giancarlo Miserotti, an Italian citizen and resident. Miserotti arranged for kilogram quantities of these controlled substances to be exported from several foreign countries first to Italy, then to the United States, for redistribution by conspiracy members. Investigators with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction discovered evidence of the criminal activity of this group in the institution and they immediately alerted the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the DEA for further investigation. It was determined that U.S.-based conspirators received the foreign shipments, cut and mixed the drugs, and redistributed them. Other members of the conspiracy used Bitcoin cryptocurrency to pay Miserotti for the drugs.

If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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

The DEA, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Egan and Robert J. Kolansky for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.

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

TOLEDO – Christopher Frater, 46, of Toledo, Ohio, was found guilty of one count of receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct after a four-day trial by jury before U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Helmick.

According to court documents and testimony, in 2017, an undercover investigator downloaded files of child pornography from an IP address assigned to the defendant at his then residence in Lima, Ohio. In January 2018, the FBI executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized his computer and cell phone. A forensic review of the electronics revealed that the defendant was utilizing peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs to receive and distribute child pornography to include 150 images of children under the age of 12 and at least three videos.

Frater, a former Allen County, Ohio Corrections Officer, will be sentenced on March 12, 2024 when he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, although his sentence will be determined by many factors and may be higher than the mandatory minimum. The judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Toledo and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Tracey Tangeman.

AKRON – Ramel Drew, age 45, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 327 months (more than 27 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams. In March 2023, a jury convicted Drew of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Judge Adams also ordered Drew to pay a $400 special assessment and to serve a term of supervised release to follow his term of incarceration.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the FBI and other law enforcement partners conducted a long- term investigation and determined that members of the conspiracy were selling fentanyl to customers at multiple locations in Cleveland, and that Ramel Drew was involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

On August 31, 2021, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at seven houses connected to the drug organization, and seized over a kilogram of fentanyl, numerous firearms, ammunition, high-speed money counters, drug presses, a vacuum-sealer used to package drugs and money, over $68,000 in cash, jewelry, and multiple high-end vehicles, including two Range Rovers and a Jaguar.

One of the houses searched was on East 89th Street in Cleveland, which the FBI had identified as a location where customers came from as far away as Lorain County and Ashland County to buy fentanyl. Video evidence revealed Ramel Drew and other conspirators were selling drugs to customers in the driveway of a residence. Testimony at trial also established that Drew and his coconspirators shared a cell phone that drug customers would call to arrange the drug purchases. 

Drew was one of 24 defendants indicted in the case, which was the result of a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  All 24 defendants, including Drew, were convicted.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Cartel, Gang, Narcotics, and Laundering Task Force (CGNL) and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Investigative Unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cleveland Heights Police Department, the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Task Force (SEALE), the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the DEA, and the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Lewis, Joseph Dangelo, and James Morford.

CLEVELAND –Najeeb Khan, 70, of Edwardsburg, Michigan was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Pamela A. Barker after earlier pleading guilty to bank fraud and attempted tax evasion.  Judge Barker also ordered Khan to pay over $150,000,000 in restitution to the victims of his bank fraud and the IRS, and to serve 3 years of supervised release once released from prison.

According to court documents, Khan owned and operated Interlogic Outsourcing Inc. (“IOI”), a payroll processing company that, at one point, provided services to approximately 6,000 clients. 

Beginning in 2014, however, Khan operated a check-kiting scheme using his company’s business bank accounts to fraudulently obtain funds from various financial institutions, including KeyBank.  Khan used these funds to support the growth of his payroll processing business and fund his lifestyle, which included the purchase of automobiles, aircraft, and vacation homes.

As part of his scheme, Khan wrote checks and made wire transfers between multiple accounts under his control at various banks.  This type of fraud is commonly known as check-kiting, and it involves the perpetrator continually writing checks back and forth between accounts he or she controls to fraudulently inflate account balances, thus deceiving banks into honoring checks written with insufficient funds.

Khan wrote checks from IOI accounts at Lake City Bank for deposit into IOI accounts at KeyBank and then wrote checks from IOI accounts at Berkshire Bank for deposit into IOI accounts at Lake City Bank.  To cover the check funds issued from Berkshire Bank, Khan wired funds from IOI accounts at KeyBank to IOI accounts at Berkshire Bank.

This long-running check-kiting scheme caused a financial loss of nearly $150 million to businesses around the country and to KeyBank in the Northern District of Ohio. Khan also failed to report income gained from the check-kiting scheme on his annual tax return for the tax years 2014 to 2017.

“This defendant essentially gave himself a $150,000,000 loan, spent money however he wanted on himself and his business, then defaulted, all without ever getting the banks’ approval to give him that loan,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko.  “These types of financial crimes undermine the well-being of our financial institutions and harm our entire community.  This office will vigilantly investigate and prosecute persons who engage in such conduct to protect and prevent harm to financial institutions locally and nationwide.”

“Financial crimes can have serious and long-term consequences. Complex financial crimes that impact the economic well-being of institutions is reprehensible,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “The defendant orchestrated an elaborate business fraud scheme that caused extensive monetary harm to financial institutions nationwide. The FBI will work diligently and seek justice for individuals and entities who fall victim to conniving criminals who cheat and lie for the sole purpose of personal gain.” 

This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI and IRS Criminal Investigations (“CI”).  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea S. Rice and Alejandro A. Abreu.

The Justice Department announced today several new commitments as part of its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Instituted by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in May 2021, the strategy focuses on harnessing federal resources, intelligence, and expertise as a force-multiplier with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta highlighted the more than $334 million in critical grant funding to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders awarded today by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The COPS grants announced today include funding to help law enforcement agencies hire over 1,730 new law enforcement officers across the country while also providing critical funding to support school safety and continue to advance community policing nationwide.

They also named the five new cities to join the more than 50 jurisdictions currently part of the Office of Justice Program (OJP)’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which has a proven track record of helping partner sites reduce crime, improve homicide clearance rates, and enhance the quality of life for community members. The 2024 PSP sites are: Knoxville, Tennessee; Minneapolis; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio; and Vallejo, California.

Lastly, the Deputy Attorney General and Associate Attorney General announced that this Dec. 11-13, in Indianapolis, the Justice Department will bring together up to 1,500 local and federal partners from across the country, including representatives from the more than 50 PSP jurisdictions and from Project Safe Neighborhoods for a Violent Crime Reduction Summit hosted by OJP BJA.

“Law enforcement officers across the country are showing up every day to protect their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These grants, which support the hiring of more than 1700 new officers and make critical investments in school safety and crisis intervention efforts, will help provide local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep their communities safe, support officers, and build public trust.”

“The latest data indicates progress on declining crime rates, but the Justice Department recognizes there is far more work to do so that all Americans can be free from violence,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Local communities know best what works, which is why the Justice Department has recently invested over $5.6 billion in community-driven safety initiatives. The grants and partnerships announced today build on past investments and further our pledge to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement and community partners to harness our resources, intelligence, and expertise to reduce violent crime.”

“I can’t emphasize enough how critical these grants are to urban, suburban, and rural communities across the country to address urgent public safety needs and increase police-community trust and collaboration,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “These grants provide vital investments for communities to hire highly qualified and diverse police officers, improve school safety, and strengthen police and community partnerships.” 

Since its creation in 1994, the COPS Office has advanced community policing nationwide and provided grants to over 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 138,000 officers. Funding highlights from the grants announced today include:

• Nearly $217 million to 394 agencies through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) for the hiring of 1,730 entry-level career law enforcement officers in an effort to create and preserve jobs and increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
• More than $73.6 million to 206 school districts, state, and local governments, and other public agencies through the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) to improve security at schools and on school grounds.
• Approximately $43.6 million to support crisis intervention teams, de-escalation training, accreditation efforts, and innovative community policing strategies through the COPS Community Policing Development (CPD) program.

Complete lists of all program award recipients, including funding amounts, can be found here.

“For almost 30 years, the COPS Office has worked to reduce crime and increase trust between law enforcement and the community through the many different grant programs that we offer,” said Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. of the COPS Office. “The funding we are announcing today will go a long way toward advancing this very important work.”

These grant awards build on the $4.4 billion that the Justice Department’s OJP has already awarded in fiscal year 2023 to support state, local and tribal public safety and community justice activities. More than $1 billion of those funds are specifically designed to reduce crime and violence, and support law enforcement. An additional $109 million supports school violence prevention and research.

“Success in reducing violent crime comes from our ability to work together, partnering with law enforcement and communities, building broad coalitions that recognize and address how to promote public safety,” said Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to offer robust support to jurisdictions to address violent crime in critical ways.”  

OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law.

TOLEDO –Kevin A. Clay, age 40, formerly of Perrysburg, Ohio was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary to 51 months’ imprisonment after being convicted during a trial of conspiracy, healthcare fraud, and making a false statement on an application for charitable tax-exempt status with the IRS. Judge Zouhary also ordered two years of supervised release, a $300 special assessment, and forfeiture of property related to the offenses.  Restitution will be determined at a later date. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kevin A. Clay was the co-owner of Theramedical, LLC, a pharmaceutical marketing company specializing in compounded pain and scar cream. The evidence showed that Clay and Theramedical recruited and paid individuals to obtain prescriptions for pain and scar cream, some of which cost as much as $14,000 for a single prescription. The prescriptions were submitted to a Cleveland-area pharmacy, which filled the prescription and billed insurance companies. Members of the scheme concealed the fact that patients were paid to get the prescriptions, and that the prescriptions were often medically unnecessary. In less than two years, Theramedical generated insurance billings of approximately $17 million from the fraudulent scheme. Clay was also convicted of making a false application for tax-exempt status for the Clay Foundation. In his application to the IRS, Clay claimed the foundation was a public charity, however, it was almost entirely funded by fraud proceeds from Theramedical, not the public. Clay conducted little or no fundraising, awarded virtually no scholarships, and purchased gold and silver in his own name with foundation funds.

Three others were also sentenced by Judge Zouhary as part of the scheme.  Matthew Maluchnik, a co-founder of Theramedical, LLC, was sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud and making false statements on tax returns.  Loni Peace, a relative of Maluchnik, was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to health care fraud.  Peace recruited co-workers to obtain prescriptions and received a portion of the proceeds for every patient she recruited.  Suzette Lynn Huenefeld, a medical doctor that operated in Perrysburg, Ohio, was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud.  Huenefeld wrote prescriptions for pain and scar cream for patients referred to her by Theramedical.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Toledo, Ohio, and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations in Cleveland, Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Ohio State Medical Board. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Gene Crawford.

TOLEDO – Martin Lee Wilcoxon, age 31, of Defiance, Ohio was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp III after earlier pleading guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor and receipt and distribution of child pornography. Judge Knepp also ordered Wilcoxon to pay a $45,000 restitution, a $300 special assessment and to serve 10 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, beginning February 2022, Defendant used the social media application, KiK to chat with an Online Covert Employee portraying the persona of a 13-year-old girl. During the chats, Wilcoxon, requested the purported 13-year-old send him naked photos and videos of herself. Wilcoxon tried to arrange various meetings with the purported 13-year-old girl to have sex with her.

On June 16, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Wilcoxon’s residence. Several electronic devices were seized from his home. A forensic examination of his devices revealed more than 11,000 images of child pornography, most of which involved prepubescent females, including toddlers. Wilcoxon was also found to be the moderator of several child pornography chat groups on KiK.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Tracey Tangeman.

WASHINGTON – An Ohio man pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and to using fire and explosives to commit a felony, all in connection with his attempt to burn down a church because of the church’s support for the LGBTQI+ community.

According to court documents, on March 25, Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio.

Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.

Penny was arrested and charged earlier this year with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device.

“Attempting to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland for their support of the LGBTQI+ community is reprehensible,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “There is no room in this country for such biasmotivated violence and terror, and the Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans in their free exercise of religious beliefs by vigorously prosecuting those who target houses of worship. Our churches should be safe havens for all people, not sites subjected to violence motivated by hate and vitriol.”

“Mr. Penny admitted to attempting to burn down a church because he did not like the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Such acts of extremist violence are antithetical to core American values of freedom of expression and worship and we will not tolerate those who would use force to deny our citizens the free exercise of their rights.”

“By pleading guilty, Aimenn Penny has admitted that he attempted to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland because he disagreed with a planned LGBTQI+ event,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Violence is never appropriate to settle differences in beliefs. All members of our community are entitled to peacefully assemble, worship, and express themselves freely, without fear of violence or intimidation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will aggressively prosecute criminals who threaten that right.”

“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force worked in tandem with our local law enforcement and community partners to identify and bring federal charges against a hate-fueled individual, motivated to violence by his extremist ideology,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “He committed these despicable acts in an effort to terrorize and intimidate a religious institution’s free expression, and he should face accountability for these crimes.”

Penny faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act and a 10-year mandatory prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed for using fire to commit a federal felony. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024.

The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepard for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

An Ohio man pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and to using fire and explosives to commit a felony, all in connection with his attempt to burn down a church because of the church’s support for the LGBTQI+ community.

According to court documents, on March 25, Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, made Molotov cocktails and drove to the Community Church of Chesterland (CCC), in Chesterland, Ohio. Angered by the church’s plan to host two drag events the following weekend, Penny threw two Molotov cocktails at the church, hoping to burn it to the ground. Through Penny’s guilty plea, he admitted to using force through fire and explosives, intending to obstruct CCC congregants in their enjoyment and expression of their religious beliefs.

Penny was arrested and charged earlier this year with violating the Church Arson Prevention Act, one count of using fire to commit a federal felony, one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device. 

“Attempting to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland for their support of the LGBTQI+ community is reprehensible,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “There is no room in this country for such bias-motivated violence and terror, and the Justice Department will continue to protect all Americans in their free exercise of religious beliefs by vigorously prosecuting those who target houses of worship. Our churches should be safe havens for all people, not sites subjected to violence motivated by hate and vitriol.”

“Mr. Penny admitted to attempting to burn down a church because he did not like the way congregants chose to express their beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Such acts of extremist violence are antithetical to core American values of freedom of expression and worship and we will not tolerate those who would use force to deny our citizens the free exercise of their rights.”

“By pleading guilty, Aimenn Penny has admitted that he attempted to burn down the Community Church of Chesterland because he disagreed with a planned LGBTQI+ event,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Violence is never appropriate to settle differences in beliefs. All members of our community are entitled to peacefully assemble, worship, and express themselves freely, without fear of violence or intimidation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will aggressively prosecute criminals who threaten that right.”

“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force worked in tandem with our local law enforcement and community partners to identify and bring federal charges against a hate-fueled individual, motivated to violence by his extremist ideology,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “He committed these despicable acts in an effort to terrorize and intimidate a religious institution’s free expression, and he should face accountability for these crimes.”

Penny faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act and a 10-year mandatory prison sentence that will run consecutively with any other prison term imposed for using fire to commit a federal felony. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 29, 2024.

The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Matthew W. Shepard for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren and Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

CLEVELAND – A Parma man was indicted for child pornography crimes. Brandon N. Crites, 32, of Parma, was indicted on one count each of receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Crites, between 2022 and 2023, received and distributed numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possessed a laptop and hard drives that contained child pornography in September 2023, according to the indictment. At the time of the offenses, Crites was employed as a patrolman with the Cleveland Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer King following an investigation by the FBI.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CLEVELAND –United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today that Arthur Fayne, 61, who managed the development of the New East Side Market, was found guilty of all 9 counts of wire fraud for embezzling more than $880,000 in funds intended to help the residents of Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood, but which Fayne used for an extravagant lifestyle with extensive casino gambling. The trial lasted five days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Fayne owned and managed Business Development Concepts, LLC (“BDC”), through which he oversaw construction projects. Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. (“NEON”) was a nonprofit corporation that operated as a federally qualified health center network of community health centers and provided primary care medical services in the Cleveland, Ohio area. As part of that mission, NEON, through a subsidiary, initiated a project to redevelop a vacant building in the Glenville neighborhood into a grocery store and community center called the New East Side Market.  The grocery store was intended to address the persistent food desert challenges in Glenville. NEON entrusted Fayne with control of the project and payments to vendors, and Fayne used that trust to steal funds NEON provided for the project.

Fayne was convicted of embezzling approximately $759,105.92 in funds intended to pay the project’s general contractor, the Albert M. Higley Company (“AM Higley”). Fayne concealed the invoices he received from AM Higley while submitting his own invoices to NEON seeking funds he claimed were for paying AM Higley. He then diverted to his personal benefit more than $750,000 of the funds intended for AM Higley.

Fayne was also convicted of embezzling approximately $125,923.86 in funds intended for audio-visual contractor Crescent Digital. That vendor actually returned roughly half of the money it had been paid at the start of the project, telling Fayne that it could only collect a deposit at that time, and would invoice BDC for the balance when the work was complete. Rather than hold those funds to pay Crescent Digital, however, Fayne had the funds deposited in his wife’s personal account, and then diverted that money for his benefit.

Fayne spent the money on the extravagant lifestyle he lived, which included sometimes gambling tens of thousands of dollars in a single night. Evidence showed Fayne lost over $1 million at casinos during the project. Fayne’s spending of the diverted funds included gambling at the JACK Cleveland Casino, gambling at a New Orleans casino, and making personal expenditures on Louis Vuitton merchandise, services at a New York City spa, and a luxury cruise out of Miami.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland Division of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Vanessa V. Healy.

CLEVELAND – Thomas Brenner, 60, of Orrville, Ohio, was sentenced to 125 months imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, and engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from criminal activity. Judge Nugent ordered Brenner to pay $3,487,938.89 in restitution and serve 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Brenner was a financial broker-dealer and President of First American Securities, Inc., located in Orrville. In March of 2015, Brenner conspired to recruit clients to “invest” in United RL Capital Services, LLC (“URL”), a company that purportedly financed medical laboratory developments.

Investors were solicited by Brenner over the phone, through letters, and in person while he misrepresented material information. Brenner indicated that investors’ money would finance medical laboratory developments; they would receive their money back, with interest, after three years; and that URL was as safe or safer than other existing investments.

Some investors, at Brenner’s encouragement, removed money from their IRAs to invest in URL, and represented this would not result in tax penalties. Instead of apportioning investors’ money, as promised, Brenner used the funds for his benefit, including to make large race car-related purchases, and to pay back tax debts. When investors inquired about their investments, Brenner misrepresented that they were secure and provided some investors with sporadic, minimal payments, disguised as installments of earned interest, all to lull investors into believing their money was safe and being used as promised.

Brenner learned he was being investigated for selling URL securities by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), a congressionally authorized entity that licenses and regulates broker-dealers. Brenner continued to sell URL securities after representing to FINRA under oath that he would stop. He did not tell prospective investors about the investigation, that First American Securities, Inc. could face closure, and that the defendant could be suspended from associating with any FINRA-registered firm, which he eventually was.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn Andrachik and Erica Barnhill.

CLEVELAND – United States Attorneys in Ohio and Michigan today announced a settlement agreement with Huntington National Bank that will make its services more accessible to Social Security Representative Payees (SSRP) and their beneficiaries with disabilities.

Huntington National Bank fully cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio and Eastern District of Michigan to reach a settlement that will restore access to SSRPs who use online services the bank had previously restricted on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities.

In February 2021, Huntington terminated the ability of individuals acting as SSRPs to use Huntington’s electronic banking services. Account holders with disabilities and their authorized representatives were thereby barred from full and equal access to the numerous online banking services Huntington offers.

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits banks like Huntington from discriminating against account holders with disabilities. Under the terms of the agreement, Huntington must provide SSRPs with full access to its online banking system. The agreement also requires Huntington to notify both current and past account holders that it has changed its policies.

Rebecca C. Lutzko, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Dawn N. Ison, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan announced the settlement.

“SSRPs provide an invaluable service to disabled Social Security beneficiaries, and it is critical that we protect their right to use the same banking conveniences available to non-disabled customers, to ensure that they can take care of the basic needs of disabled beneficiaries” said Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko.

“This settlement shows that we will continue to staunchly enforce the ADA and give Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities equal access to online banking,” said Southern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “I commend the attorneys in my office and our counterparts in Northern Ohio and Eastern Michigan for their dedication to this important issue.”

“Collaborating with our partners to ensure our civil rights laws are enforced is one of my key priorities,” said Eastern District of Michigan U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison. “Ensuring equal online banking access to those who need it most, like disabled individuals who use SSRP accounts, is crucial,” she added.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. In agreeing to the settlement terms, Huntington denied all liability under the ADA. Individuals can submit complaints to the Civil Rights Division through its complaint portal at www.ada.gov/complaint. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.

CLEVELAND – Paul Kimmins Lebo, 41, of Lakewood, Ohio, was sentenced today to 48 months of imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Charles E. Fleming after he earlier pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection to a Ponzi scheme. Judge Fleming also sentenced Lebo to pay $635,000 in restitution and serve 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, from August 2017 through October 2021, Paul Lebo persuaded nearly 100 individuals to invest in his non-operational hedge fund, promising them future equity ownership and options trading strategies with assurances that their investments were protected and any deposits would be fully refundable. He also convinced them to provide short-term loans by giving false explanations about why he needed the loans and false assurances about his ability to repay. Instead, Lebo used the money for personal expenses, bad stock market trades, unsuccessful attempts to acquire real estate, and to repay earlier investors. Throughout the scheme, Lebo provided the victims bogus updates about the status of their investments to get victims to invest more. At times he would use new investor funds or his parents’ money to repay the victims or write “refund” checks from accounts that contained insufficient funds.

In addition to his fraudulent hedge fund scheme, Lebo also defrauded multiple people over the internet by offering items for sale without intending to deliver them. Instead, he used the payments from the “sales” to repay his hedge fund investors or make stock trades that ultimately resulted in the total loss of the funds.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erica Barnhill.

TOLEDO – Derrick Murphy, 40 of Toledo, Ohio was sentenced to 320 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick after earlier pleading guilty to enticement of a minor and drug charges. Judge Helmick also ordered Murphy to serve 10 years of supervised release upon release from imprisonment.

Murphy was sentenced to 180 months for his role in a drug conspiracy and for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute narcotics. According to court documents, in late July 2019, FBI agents in Toledo, Ohio received information from FBI agents in San Diego, California and Charlotte, North Carolina that a courier for a Sinaloa Mexico based drug trafficking organization had been identified bringing kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl to Toledo. Further investigation by the Toledo agents identified Murphy as the local distributor leader. After a lengthy investigation, agents in late April 2021 received information that Murphy was expecting another large shipment of suspected fentanyl to be delivered. After surveillance, a subsequent traffic stop led to the seizure of approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl and $17,515 in U.S. currency from members of Murphy’s organization. Subsequent federal search warrants resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Murphy was also sentenced to 140 months for coercing and enticing a minor to engage in the production of sexually explicit materials from December 2020 to May 2021. Both sentences were ordered to be served consecutive to each other.

This case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force and the Toledo Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alissa Sterling.

TOLEDO – United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced that Scott Kelly Hansen, 63, of Toledo, OH, was sentenced to 348 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary after earlier pleading guilty to two bank robberies in Ann Arbor, Michigan and one in Norwalk, Ohio. Hansen was also ordered to pay $44,908.73 in restitution and serve a 5-year term of supervised release upon release from imprisonment.

According to court documents, on July 16, 2022, Scott Kelly Hansen entered the Chase Bank on East Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, Michigan wearing a mask and baseball cap. Hansen approached the teller, while no other customers were in the bank, and said “This is a bank robbery, give me all your cash… including the reserves.” Hansen then patted the area beneath his shirt at his waist, which the teller understood to mean he was implying a weapon. The teller produced approximately $20,000 in cash and gave it to Hansen who fled the bank.

Then on July 19, 2022, Hansen entered the Fifth Third Bank on Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor, Michigan wearing similar clothing and a mask. Hansen drew a pistol, pointed it at both tellers, and said, “Give me all you have.” The teller produced approximately $15,000 in cash, which Hansen took and left. Days later, Hansen returned to the same Fifth Third Bank, but fled once he was recognized by a teller.

On August 25, 2022, Hansen entered Civista Bank in Norwalk, Ohio armed with a pistol, wearing similar clothing and a mask. Hansen ordered everyone to get down on the ground and aimed the pistol at customers and tellers. Hansen then went behind the counter and demanded cash from the drawers and dispensing machines. Hansen said he was just there for the money and didn’t want anyone to get hurt. After growing frustrated with how slowly the teller was retrieving bills from the dispensing machine, Hansen grabbed two plastic money containers from the machine and fled the bank with approximately $82,000. As he left, Hansen instructed everyone to “Stay on the floor. Don’t get up. Don’t watch out the windows.” Customers called 911 and Hansen was apprehended. In Hansen’s vehicle officers found cash and a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Norwalk Police Department, and the Ann Arbor Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ava Rotell Dustin and Matthew Simko.

CLEVELAND ― U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko today announced awards of over $1.2 million in Department of Justice grants to help various programs in the Northern District of Ohio. The grants were awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs and are being awarded to communities nationwide.

The following organizations received funding:

• The City of Cleveland, Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program, Connect and Protect awarded $549,998.00;
• Findlay, Hancock County, Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, The Steady Path Forward awarded $550,000.00; and
• Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Programs awarded $678,139.00.

The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about these and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.

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

TOLEDO – Dr. Oliver Jenkins, age 61 and Sherry-Ann Jenkins, age 59, of Jessup, Georgia, were sentenced to prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary after earlier being convicted by a jury of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and health care fraud. Dr. Oliver Jenkins was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment to be followed by one year of supervised release and a $15,000 fine.

Sherry-Ann Jenkins was sentenced to 71 months imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine. Restitution will be ordered at a later date.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. Oliver Jenkins, who was an Ear, Nose, and Throat M.D. at the Toledo Clinic, and his wife Sherry-Ann Jenkins, who had a Ph.D. but was not licensed to practice medicine in Ohio, started a new business called the “The Toledo Clinic Cognitive Center”. The Jenkinses represented to the Toledo Clinic that patients suspected of cognitive disorders, particularly dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, could come to the Cognitive Center for neurocognitive testing, diagnosis, treatment, and referrals, and that Sherry-Ann Jenkins would administer the neurocognitive testing under the supervision of Dr.Oliver Jenkins. The Jenkinses represented that Dr. Oliver Jenkins would make a diagnosis, and provide medical treatment, or a referral. Instead, the Jenkinses engaged in a scheme to defraud. Dr. Oliver Jenkins never saw or treated patients at the Cognitive Center. Sherry-Ann Jenkins ordered PET scans of patients’ brains, interpreted the scans, diagnosed patients, one as young as 21 years old, with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or other impairments. She also recommended patients take coconut oil to improve memory, and instructed certain patients to see her every 3-6 weeks for the rest of their lives. The Jenkinses billed Cognitive Center patients and health care benefits programs using Dr. Oliver Jenkins’ billing number.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Toledo, Ohio, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General in Cleveland, Ohio, the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Ohio State Medical Board. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian McDonough and Robert Melching.

CLEVELAND – United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today the conclusion of a case involving five Cleveland-area men that were charged in a 47-count indictment for illegally obtaining more than $800,000 in pandemic unemployment insurance benefits using other people’s personal identifying information. The defendants were sentenced to a combined total of 284 months of imprisonment.

According to court documents, from May to October 2020, the defendants, Errol Bennett, Jr., 26, of University Heights; Kojo Lockhart, 29, of Cleveland Heights; Mauri Nichols, 25, of South Euclid; Khyri Grace, 30, of Cleveland Heights; and Malik Grace, 26, of Cleveland Heights; submitted and caused the submission of fraudulent applications for pandemic unemployment insurance benefits to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), and other State Workforce Agencies around the country.

As part of the scheme, the members of the conspiracy knowingly made false statements and omissions on pandemic unemployment insurance benefits applications regarding employment history, residency, and more to appear eligible to receive benefits. As a result, California EDD and other State Workforce Agencies approved more than $800,000 in unemployment insurance benefits in the names of unwitting individuals. The benefits were pre-loaded on bank-issued debit cards and sent through the U.S. mail. After receiving the debit cards, the defendants used the cards issued in the names of other people to make cash withdrawals at various ATMs in the Northern District of Ohio.

The Court determined each defendant’s sentence after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violation. The defendants received the following terms of imprisonment: Errol Bennett, 54 months; Kojo Lockhart, 48 months; Mauri Nichols, 78 months; Khyri Grace, 60 months; and Malik Grace, 44 months. The defendants were also ordered to pay $872,143 in restitution for fraudulently obtained benefits.

The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the Cleveland Heights Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Andrachik and Alejandro Abreu.

CLEVELAND – Stanley Worthy Jr., 41, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko after earlier pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding in the filing of false tax returns. Worthy was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and pay $2,935,933.35 in restitution jointly and severally with co-defendants. A special assessment of $4,200 was also ordered by the court.

Worthy pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and 36 counts of aiding and abetting in the filing of false tax returns to the IRS. The court sentenced Worthy to 60 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and sentenced Worthy to 36 months for aiding in the filing of false tax returns, all sentences to run concurrently.

According to court documents from 2019 to 2020 Worthy and his co-conspirators used the Soamazin Automotive car dealership, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio to purchase stolen vehicles at a discount, and sell those vehicles to unsuspecting buyers for profit. In furtherance of the conspiracy, the defendants devised a scheme to have individuals apply for loans to fund the purchase of non-existent vehicles. The conspirators split the loan proceeds between themselves and the applicant. Worthy recruited applicants from clients of his company, Cavalier Care, which offered tax preparation services and financial education services. From 2017 to 2020, Worthy fraudulently prepared 35 tax returns for others to increase their tax refunds causing a loss of approximately $211,737 to the United States. 

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Abreu and Payum Doroodian.

In commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the original enactment of the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”), the Justice Department yesterday announced nearly $193 million in formula and discretionary grant awards to support crucial services and justice responses for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. For nearly three decades, VAWA has provided tools and resources to protect and serve survivors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is proud to announce that the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (“OVW”) has awarded $607,500.00 to local organizations to support community responses to gender-based violence. Specifically, the Northern District of Ohio has received the following funds for the 2023 fiscal year:

OVW awarded $607,500.00 to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center under Grants for Training and Services to End Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities and Deaf People Program (Disability Grant Program). This grant will support services for individuals who have disabilities or are deaf. Funding will provide specialized training, outreach, and cross-training for various agencies, and will support developing model programs to strengthen organizational capacities in assisting survivors.

“I am pleased to announce that the Northern District of Ohio has been awarded funding from the Office on Violence Against Women. This grant will allow the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to collaborate with Cleveland Hearing and Speech in a meaningful way to strengthen partnerships with Deaf Pathways and increase services to deaf victims and survivors of sexual assault,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko.

“Prior to the enactment of VAWA, survivors were primarily left to fend for themselves, often cycling in and out of dangerous environments with little help from legal systems or service providers.” OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo said. “VAWA has changed this landscape by supporting a coordinated community response to address domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in a more comprehensive manner. It emphasizes survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and community-based approaches and ensures that services are available across every state and territory.”

OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw

CLEVELAND – Rebecca C. Lutzko, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland returned a sixteen-count indictment charging seven men with Mail Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and Wire Fraud.

A joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Highland Heights Police Department, North Royalton Police Department, Brooklyn Heights Police Department, Shaker Heights Police Department, and USPS Office of Inspector General led to the arrests on September 11, 2023, of Nathaniel Sturdivant, 23, Euclid; Marcus Winn, 20, Cleveland; Dashawn Dumas, 24, Cleveland; Mohamed Mohamed, 21, Willoughby Hills; and Jayland Ware, 21, of Shaker Heights. On September 13, 2023, Larry Reynolds, 21, Maple Heights; and Lorenzo Nettles, 20, of Euclid, turned themselves in to the U.S. Marshals.

The seven individuals were indicted for their roles in a check-fraud scheme in which checks were stolen from the U.S. mail and altered or forged, then deposited into various accounts for withdrawal.

These arrests follow guilty pleas by eleven other defendants involved in similar criminal activities throughout the Northern District of Ohio. The United States Postal Inspection Service is aggressively investigating cases involving theft from postal carriers and the U.S. Mail.

“Offenses like these compromise the integrity of our mail system and harm not only the individuals whose mail is stolen, but the public at large,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the United States Postal Inspection Service and other state and local partners to aggressively prosecute criminals who steal from the U.S. Mail and abuse our community’s banks.”

“These recent arrests should serve notice to would be criminals that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from criminal activity, preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, and protecting United States Postal Service employees and customers”, said Inspector In Charge Lesley Allison. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service values our law enforcement partners for supporting our mission to protect the integrity of the U.S. Mail.”

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation was conducted by United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo.

The Postal Inspection Service is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating crimes against postal carriers and crimes involving the U.S. Mail. Anyone having information about blue collection box thefts should contact USPIS at 1-877-876-2455. All information will be kept confidential.

TOLEDO – U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced that three former Toledo City Council members were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick for their roles in accepting bribery payments during their time in office in return for support and votes on legislative matters.

Tyrone Riley, age 67, of Toledo, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.

Yvonne Harper, age 73, of Toledo, was sentenced to 12 months and a day imprisonment yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy under color of official right.

Larry Sykes, age 74, of Toledo, was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment today after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.

“When public officials choose to betray those they were elected to serve by blatantly violating their oaths and the public trust, the entire community suffers immeasurably,” said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “These sentencings reflect the commitment of the U.S. Attorney's Office to aggressively prosecute individuals engaged in public corruption.”

“Finding and investigating public corruption is one of the FBIs highest priorities,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “Elected officials are entrusted to make virtuous decisions to the betterment of all. Sadly, these three individuals chose a path of criminal conduct and greed over the wellbeing of those they serve. We will continue to work on behalf of the American Public to ensure the conduct by elected officials is right and just.”

According to court documents, on multiple occasions from May 2018 through February 2020, Riley, Harper, and Sykes accepted bribery payments in return for their official support and votes on legislative matters as members of the Toledo City Council.

Court documents also state that Riley, Harper, and Sykes each accepted cash payments in return for their support and votes on zoning changes and “special use permits” (SUPs) for local businesses. Riley accepted more than $10,000 in payments and meals in return for his support on five separate city council matters. Harper accepted more than $5,000 in return for her support on two matters, and Sykes accepted $1,500 for his support on three matters.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of the FBI, Toledo Resident Agency. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Michael J. Freeman.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Joseph Pedaline, an owner and manager of residential rental properties, in Youngstown, Ohio, for engaging in sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleges that Joseph Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants at properties that he owned or managed in Youngstown since at least 2009. According to the complaint, Pedaline subjected tenants to repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, touched them without their consent, entered their homes without permission and offered to overlook late rent payments, waive rent or perform repairs in exchange for sexual contact. The lawsuit also alleges that Pedaline initiated evictions or threatened to evict tenants who refused his sexual advances.

“No tenant should have to endure sexual propositions, sexual comments or unwelcome physical contact from their landlord,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual harassment in housing is wrong, immoral and illegal. The Justice Department will continue to hold landlords accountable when they violate federal civil rights laws.”

“Too often tenants with limited housing options are preyed upon by landlords, maintenance staff and others who have control over where they live,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This lawsuit sends a message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate the exploitation of our vulnerable community members.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Joseph Pedaline or YLP LLC, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Housing Discrimination Hotline at 1-833-591-0291, press 1 for English, press 2 for sexual harassment and then press 01 for United States v. Joseph Pedaline to leave a message. Individuals may also send an email to Youngstown.Community@usdoj.gov or submit a report online. Reports also may be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.

The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The department’s initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 36 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $10.8 million for victims of such harassment.

Pedaline Complaint

Federal, county, and local law enforcement officials today announced that 59 individuals were charged and arrested in connection with firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, or other firearms offenses after a three month, violent-crime-reduction initiative in Cleveland this summer. The vast majority were charged in U.S. District Court, while the remaining individuals were charged in state court. These individuals were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests made during the last two weeks. 

“The Justice Department’s work to disrupt and dismantle the criminal gun trafficking pipelines that flood our communities with illegal guns has never been more urgent than it is now,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why our prosecutors and agents are working more closely than ever before with our local law enforcement partners to get illegal guns off of our streets and hold accountable those who put illegal guns in the hands of violent criminals.”

Indictments and complaints were recently unsealed in federal court. They detail a lengthy investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), that focused on reducing firearms-related crime in several areas of Cleveland by studying data about areas with gun-crime violence, then identifying illegal firearms sellers to disrupt their trafficking. The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 240 firearms, 203 of which law enforcement purchased from illegal sellers and permanently removed from Cleveland’s streets. National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) data shows that a significant number of those firearms are connected to violent criminal activity, including homicides and felonious assaults, that took place in Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio suburbs in 2022 and 2023. Of the purchased firearms, 17 are “ghost guns” – meaning, unserialized and untraceable firearms, typically assembled at home – and 28 are machinegun conversion devices or “switches” – a device that enables a firearm to fire in fully automatic mode.  

In one case, law enforcement purchased more than 50 firearms from a group of seven people working together to sell firearms on Cleveland’s streets, even though none of the involved individuals hold a federal firearms license. Those firearms included stolen firearms, firearms with obliterated serial numbers, “switches,” already-loaded firearms, assault rifles, and firearms that had been previously used to commit violent crimes. Sometimes, these individuals also sold controlled substances to law enforcement officers at the same time. In two additional cases, law enforcement purchased, respectively, 33 firearms (including “switches”) and 23 firearms (including “switches”) from two other individuals who do not hold a federal firearms license. Many of these sales took place in public parking lots of business establishments during business hours or in recreational areas while nearby uninvolved, law-abiding citizens were engaged in their day-to-day errands or engaged in recreational activities.

Also, during this investigation, the ATF identified five individuals who were actively engaged in a conspiracy to conduct a home invasion and rob, at gunpoint, what they believed to be a “stash house” containing several kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement intervened before these individuals could carry out their plan. Additionally, during this investigation, law enforcement purchased or seized almost 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 215 grams of cocaine base, almost three kilograms of methamphetamine, 686 fentanyl pills, almost 1.5 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl mix, and 1,144 MDMA pills (otherwise known as Molly or Ecstasy). 

Some defendants were charged together, but several others were charged individually. In all cases, however, the charges stemmed from the extensive, targeted, and sustained effort this past summer, led by the ATF and assisted by other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, to clamp down on the illegal firearms trafficking, use, and possession, as well as the associated distribution of drugs, in Cleveland. 

The following is a breakdown of the charges in U.S. District Court, according to court documents:

• Malachi Berry, 21; Darvell Jackson, 20; and Steven Armstrong, 19, all of Cleveland, were charged together with conspiracy to possess a machinegun. Jackson and Armstrong were further charged with illegal possession of a machinegun. In the same indictment, these individuals, along with Nimar Linder, 21, of Cleveland, were also charged with conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license. Armstrong and Linder were charged as felons in possession of a firearm.

• Carlos Dupree, 43, of Cleveland; Dominique Goldsby, 32, of Cleveland; Jesse Mcdade, 41, of Cleveland; Norman Young, 37, of Cleveland; Martin Goodson, 41, of Cleveland; Lajuan Erwin, 25, of Mayfield Heights; Chevez Moorer, 23, of Cleveland; Aaron Wimbley, 22, of Garfield Heights; Alexander Duncan, 19, of Cleveland; Damien Body, 39, of Cleveland; Derrick Donald, 41, of Cleveland; Nahum Holmes, 31, of Brook Park; Akil Edmonds, 39, of Cleveland; Willie C. Jackson, 36, of Cleveland; and Deandre Smith, 36, of Cleveland, were indicted on distribution of drugs charges.

• Josean Ortiz-Stuart, 34, and Jesus Vega, 29, both of Cleveland, were indicted together and both charged with distribution of drugs. Also named in that indictment was Gerald Matos, 38, of Cleveland, who was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Elias Pagan, 32, Ivan Santana, 26, and Angel Santiago, 46, all of Cleveland, were indicted together. Pagan faces numerous charges for distribution of drugs, as well being a felon in possession of firearms, and both Pagan and Santana were also charged with engaging in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license. Santiago is also charged with distribution of drugs.

• Ambray Underwood, 25, of Euclid, was charged in an indictment for conspiracy to distribute drugs, and drug distribution.

• Willie Earl Jackson, 26, of Cleveland, and Shane Plats, 31, of Ashtabula, were charged in the same indictment with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license. Wiilie Earl Jackson was also charged in that indictment with trafficking in firearms.

• Deshonn Brown, 19, and Demarius Jefferson, 18, both of Cleveland, were both charged with illegal possession of machineguns.

• Jacob Plumb, 40, of Parma, was charged with distribution of drugs and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Isaiah Overton, 23, of Cleveland, and Charles Morris, 33, of East Cleveland, were charged in a single indictment with distribution of drugs. Additionally, Overton was charged with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking Crime.

• Corte’z Buggs, 29, of Cleveland, was charged in an indictment with distribution of Drugs and receipt of firearm while under felony indictment.

• Michael Mcpherran, 38, of Parma, was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs and distribution of drugs.

• Harold Pearl, 39, of Cleveland, was charged with distribution of drugs and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Alante Heard, 33, of Cleveland; Antonio Sweeney, 24, of Cleveland; Maurice Commons, 22, of North Randall; and Markus Williams, 33, of Cleveland, were charged by complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute drugs and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Marquis Henson, 38; Deon Brown, 19; and Clarence Payne, 38, all of Cleveland, were charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Kenneth Smith, 23, of East Cleveland, was charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license, illegal possession of a machinegun, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

• Andre Lewis, 35, of Cleveland, was charged with distribution of drugs and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

• Devaunty Lewis, 31, and Nicholas Johnson, 33, both of Cleveland, were charged jointly in an indictment with conspiracy to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license, and conspiracy to engage in firearms trafficking. Both were individually charged with engaging business in dealing with firearms without a license and trafficking in firearms. Lewis was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson was also charged with engaging in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license.

• Maurice Sterett, 39, of Cleveland; Antonio Cross, 22, of Cleveland; Marvell Roach, 43, of Willoughby; Kenneth Timberlake, 30, of Cleveland; and Travis Williams, 46, of Cleveland, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license. Sterett, Cross, Timberlake, and Williams were further charged, individually, with engaging in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a federal firearms license. Sterett, Cross, Roach, Timberlake, and Williams were also charged with conspiracy to engage in firearms trafficking and individual counts of firearms trafficking. Sterett, Timberlake, Travis Williams, and Roach were also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. Sterett was further charged with distribution of drugs. Cross was also charged with illegal transfer of a machinegun.

• Darion Shelton, 20, of Cleveland, was charged with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license, and trafficking in firearms in connection with machinegun conversation devices or “switches.” He has also been charged with illegal possession of a machinegun.

The following is a breakdown of the charges in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, according to court documents:

• Marcel Battle, 30, of Canton: drug trafficking;

• Avant Wilson, 22, of Cleveland: receiving stolen property (motor vehicle);

• Nathan Roby, 44, of Cleveland: drug trafficking;

• Raymond Callahan, 34, of Cleveland: drug trafficking;

• Raphael Deen, 30, of Cleveland: drug trafficking;

• Terry Lyons, 33, of Cleveland: drug trafficking;

If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any penalty after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Attorney General Garland and U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. ATF Director Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott, and Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb provided additional details relating to the initiative, as well as regarding larger firearms enforcement and violence-prevention efforts.

ATF investigated these cases, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police, U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Investigative Unit, Customs and Border Patrol, Air and Marine Division, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Galvin and other Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Ohio and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office are prosecuting the cases.

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

CLEVELAND – Federal, county, and local law enforcement officials today announced that 59 individuals were charged and arrested in connection with firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, or other firearms offenses after a three month, violent-crime-reduction initiative in Cleveland this summer. The vast majority were charged in United States District Court, while the remaining individuals were charged in state court. These individuals were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests made during the last two weeks.

United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko made the announcement earlier today. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Director Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Marshal Peter J. Elliott, and Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb provided additional details relating to the initiative, as well as regarding larger firearms enforcement and violence-prevention efforts.

"The Justice Department's work to disrupt and dismantle the criminal gun trafficking pipelines that flood our communities with illegal guns had never been more urgent than it is now," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "That is why our prosecutors and agents are working more closely than ever before with our local law enforcement partners to get illegal guns off of our streets and hold accountable those who put illegal guns in the hands of violent criminals."

Indictments and complaints were recently unsealed in federal court. They detail a lengthy investigation, led by ATF, that focused on reducing firearms-related crime in several areas of Cleveland by studying data about areas with gun-crime violence, then identifying illegal firearms sellers to disrupt their trafficking. The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 240 firearms, 203 of which law enforcement purchased from illegal sellers and permanently removed from Cleveland’s streets. NIBIN data shows that a significant number of those firearms are connected to violent criminal activity, including homicides and felonious assaults, that took place in Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio suburbs in 2022 and 2023. Of the purchased firearms, 17 are “ghost guns”—meaning, unserialized and untraceable firearms, typically assembled at home—and 28 are machinegun conversion devices or “switches”—a device that enables a firearm to fire in fully automatic mode.

In one case, law enforcement purchased more than 50 firearms from a group of 7 people working together to sell firearms on Cleveland’s streets, even though none of the involved individuals holds a federal firearms license. Those firearms included stolen firearms, firearms with obliterated serial numbers, “switches,” already-loaded firearms, assault rifles, and firearms that had been previously used to commit violent crimes. Sometimes, these individuals also sold controlled substances to law enforcement officers at the same time. In two additional cases, law enforcement purchased, respectively, 33 firearms (including “switches”) and 23 firearms (including “switches”) from two other individuals who do not hold a federal firearms license. Many of these sales took place in public parking lots of business establishments during business hours or in recreational areas while nearby uninvolved, law-abiding citizens were engaged in their day-to-day errands or engaged in recreational activities.

Also during this investigation, the ATF identified 5 individuals who were actively engaged in a conspiracy to conduct a home invasion and rob, at gunpoint, what they believed to be a “stash house” containing several kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement intervened before these individuals could carry out their plan. Additionally, during this investigation, law enforcement purchased or seized almost 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 215 grams of cocaine base, almost 3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 686 fentanyl pills, almost 1.5 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl mix, and 1,144 MDMA pills (otherwise known as Molly or Ecstasy).

Some defendants were charged together, but several others were charged individually. In all cases, however, the charges stemmed from the extensive, targeted, and sustained effort this past summer, led by ATF and assisted by other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, to clamp down on the illegal firearms trafficking, use, and possession, as well as the associated distribution of drugs, in Cleveland.

The following is a breakdown of the charges in United States District Court, according to court documents:

• MALACHI BERRY, 21, Cleveland, DARVELL JACKSON, 20, Cleveland, and STEVEN ARMSTRONG, 19, Cleveland, were charged together in a Conspiracy to Possess a Machinegun. JACKSON and ARMSTRONG were further charged with Illegal Possession of a Machinegun.
  
  In the same indictment, these individuals, along with NIMAR LINDER, 21, Cleveland, were also charged with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Dealing  Firearms without a Federal Firearms License.
  
  ARMSTRONG and LINDER were charged as Felons in Possession of a Firearm.
   
• According to court documents, the following individuals have been indicted on Distribution of Drugs charges:
  
  CARLOS DUPREE, 43, Cleveland, DOMINIQUE GOLDSBY, 32, Cleveland, JESSE MCDADE, 41, Cleveland, NORMAN YOUNG, 37, Cleveland, MARTIN
  GOODSON, 41, Cleveland, LAJUAN ERWIN, 25, Mayfield Heights, CHEVEZ MOORER, 23, Cleveland, AARON WIMBLEY, 22, Garfield Heights, ALEXANDER
  DUNCAN, 19, Cleveland, DAMIEN BODY, 39, Cleveland, DERRICK DONALD, 41, Cleveland, NAHUM HOLMES, 31, Brook Park, AKIL EDMONDS, 39, Cleveland, WILLIE C. JACKSON, 36, Cleveland, and DEANDRE SMITH, 36, Cleveland.
   
• Indicted together were JOSEAN ORTIZ-STUART, 34, Cleveland, JESUS VEGA, 29, Cleveland, who were both charged with Distribution of Drugs. Also named in that indictment was GERALD MATOS, 38, Cleveland, who was charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
   
• Indicted together were ELIAS PAGAN 32, Cleveland, IVAN SANTANA, 26, Cleveland, ANGEL SANTIAGO, 46, also of Cleveland. PAGAN also faces numerous charges for Distribution of Drugs, as well being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, and both PAGAN and SANTANA were also charged with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License.
  SANTIAGO is also charged with Distribution of Drugs.
   
• AMBRAY UNDERWOOD, 25, Euclid, was charged in an indictment for Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, and Drug Distribution.
   
• WILLIE EARL JACKSON, 26, Cleveland, and SHANE PLATS, 31, Ashtabula, were charged in the same indictment with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License. WIILIE EARL JACKSON was also charged in that indictment with Trafficking in Firearms.
   
• DESHONN BROWN age, 19, Cleveland; DEMARIUS JEFFERSON, 18, Cleveland, were both charged with Illegal Possession of Machine guns.
   
• JACOB PLUMB, 40, Parma, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
   
• ISAIAH OVERTON, 23, Cleveland, and CHARLES MORRIS, 33, East Cleveland, were charged in a single indictment with Distribution of Drugs. Additionally, OVERTON was charged with Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
   
• CORTE’Z BUGGS, 29, Cleveland was charged in an indictment with Distribution of Drugs and Receipt of Firearm while Under Felony Indictment.
   
• MICHAEL MCPHERRAN, 38, Parma, Ohio, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, and Distribution of Drugs.
   
• HAROLD PEARL, 39, Cleveland, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
   
• Charged by complaint with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Drugs and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime were ALANTE HEARD, 33, Cleveland, ANTONIO SWEENEY, 24, Cleveland, MAURICE COMMONS, 22, North Randall, and MARKUS WILLIAMS, 33, Cleveland.
   
• Charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm were MARQUIS HENSON, 38, Cleveland, DEON BROWN, 19, Cleveland, and CLARENCE PAYNE, 38, Cleveland.
   
• KENNETH SMITH, 23, East Cleveland, was charged with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun, and being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.
   
• ANDRE LEWIS, 35, Cleveland, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
   
• DEVAUNTY LEWIS, 31, Cleveland, NICHOLAS JOHNSON, 33, Cleveland, were charged jointly in an indictment with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, and Conspiracy to Engage in Firearms Trafficking. Both were individually charged with Engaging Business in Dealing with Firearms Without a License and Trafficking in Firearms.
  
  LEWIS was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
  
  JOHNSON was also charged with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms without a Federal Firearms License.
   
• The following were charged in an indictment with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License: MAURICE STERETT, 39, Cleveland, ANTONIO CROSS, 22, Cleveland, MARVELL ROACH, 43, Willoughby, KENNETH TIMBERLAKE, 30, Cleveland, and TRAVIS WILLIAMS, 46, Cleveland.
  
  STERETT, CROSS, TIMBERLAKE, and WILLIAMS were further charged, individually, with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License.
  
  STERETT, CROSS, ROACH, TIMBERLAKE, and WILLIAMS were also charged with Conspiracy to Engage in Firearms Trafficking and individual counts of Firearms Trafficking.
  
  STERETT, TIMBERLAKE, TRAVIS WILLIAMS, and ROACH were also charged with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.
  
  STERETT was further charged with Distribution of Drugs.
  
  Finally, CROSS was also charged with Illegal Transfer of a Machinegun.
   
• DARION SHELTON, 20, Cleveland, was charged with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, and Trafficking in Firearms in connection with machinegun conversation devices or “switches.” He has also been charged with Illegal Possession of a Machinegun.
  
  The following is a breakdown of the charges in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, according to court documents:
   
• MARCEL BATTLE, 30, Canton, Drug Trafficking.
   
• AVANT WILSON, 22, Cleveland, Receiving Stolen Property (Motor Vehicle).
   
• NATHAN ROBY, 44, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
   
• RAYMOND CALLAHAN, 34, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
   
• RAPHAEL DEEN, 30, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
   
• TERRY LYONS, 33, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.

 An indictment or complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
 
The investigation preceding the indictments was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police (“CDP”), the United States Marshals Service (“USMS”), the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”), the Ohio Adult Parole Authority (“APA”), the Ohio Investigative Unit (“OIU”), Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”), Air and Marine Division, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (“OSP”), and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. This Operation was also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. The cases stemming from this investigation are being prosecuted by a team of AUSAs in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by AUSA Kelly Galvin, and by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

CLEVELAND – Akil Larry Joseph, 32, and Alexa Marie Logan, 31, both of Homestead, Florida, were each sentenced on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of cyberstalking and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort.

According to court documents, from November 2021 to July 2022, Joseph and Logan sent numerous threatening communications, via email and telephone, to multiple victims in the Northern District of Ohio, including an FBI agent, with the intent to obtain money from the victims. Over the course of an approximately two-year period, multiple communications sent by the couple, primarily via email, came to contain increasingly harassing and aggressive language, rhetoric, and tone.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Joyce and Peter E. Daly.

AKRON - Three men were sentenced this week in Akron federal court by Chief Judge Sara Lioi for their roles in a case involving forged prescriptions and a conspiracy to press and sell illicit pills.

Michael White, age 43, of Akron, was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Durell Richerson, age 35, of Akron, was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and nine counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.

Dallas Delatte, age 34, of Canton, was sentenced to 25 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and three counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.

A fourth defendant, Amanda Ball, previously pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and is scheduled for sentencing on September 12, 2023.

The following information is based on the indictment and the defendants’ guilty pleas.

This indictment charged two separate but related conspiracies. The first conspiracy, which Durell Richerson and Dallas Delatte pled guilty to participating in, involved passing forged prescriptions for promethazine-codeine cough syrup at Akron-area pharmacies. According to the indictment, promethazine-codeine cough syrup can be used as an illicit recreational drug, and is known by street names such as “purple drink,” “drank,” and “lean.” Members of this conspiracy used a Google account to store forged prescription templates bearing the names, DEA numbers, and NPI numbers of Akron-area physicians, without the physicians’ permission or knowledge. Conspirators made small edits to the forged prescription templates saved on the Google account, printed the forged prescriptions out on security paper, and then attempted to pass the forged prescriptions at Akron-area pharmacies. Because those forged prescriptions each contained the name, DEA number, and/or NPI number of a real physician—which was done without the permission or knowledge of the physician—each use of a forged prescription constituted a count of Aggravated Identity Theft, with the victim being the physician whose identity was used without their permission.

The second conspiracy, which Michael White and Amanda Ball pled guilty to participating in, involved using a pill press machine to manufacture and distribute illicit pills, including methamphetamine pills that looked like ecstasy (MDMA). White and other conspirators also possessed a pill press machine used to manufacture illicit pills at a residence in Akron to distribute the pills they manufactured. On December 1, 2020, law enforcement executed search warrants at residences in Canton and Akron. Those searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 89 tablets containing methamphetamine, two digital scales, and a blender with cocaine residue.

The case was investigated by the DEA Cleveland’s Tactical Diversion Squad, with assistance from the Akron Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Canton Police Department, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lewis.

TOLEDO – Christopher David Smith, 31, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced today to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick, after the defendant earlier plead guilty to enticement of a minor. Judge Helmick also ordered Smith to pay a $100 special assessment, an additional $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and be placed on supervised release for 10 years upon release from imprisonment, during which time he will be a registered sex offender.

According to court documents, on April 1, 2021, Smith left his place of employment in Michigan and traveled to Ohio to engage in sex acts with whom he thought was a 10-year-old child. Smith had conversations online with an undercover agent posing as the father of the fictitious 10-yearold before arranging to meet the child. During those online conversations, Smith sent child pornography to the undercover agent, asked for nude photos of the purported 10-year-old, and made statements related to his sexual intentions toward the child. Smith was arrested after he arrived at the prearranged meeting location, a hotel in Perrysburg, Ohio.

This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, Toledo Resident Agency, with the assistance of an FBI task force officer from the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, and assistance with the arrest from the Perrysburg Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracey Tangeman and Sara Al-Sorghali.

WASHINGTON – John Everson, of Liberty Center, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for evading taxes by using a sham trust to conceal income he earned from his electrical engineering business. A federal jury convicted Everson in October 2022 of three counts of tax evasion.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from approximately 2009 through 2016, Everson earned more than $2.3 million in income from the business. He attempted to conceal much of this income and evade the IRS by instructing clients to make payments to a trust that he controlled. Everson used the trust money to pay personal expenses and make large cash withdrawals. He also funneled some of the trust funds to other bank accounts held in the names of non-profit organizations that he and several family members controlled, even listing his home and airplane in the name of a non-profit organization. In total, Everson’s conduct caused a loss to the IRS of $658,487.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick for the Northern District of Ohio ordered Everson to serve two years of supervised release and pay restitution to the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.

AKRON - Branea Bryant, age 30, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 290 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams. In March 2023, a jury convicted Bryant of one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and three counts of Money Laundering. The court also ordered Bryant to serve 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay a $500 special assessment.

The following information is based on court documents and evidence presented at trial.

Based upon a long term, multi-agency investigation, the FBI determined that members of the conspiracy were selling fentanyl to customers at multiple locations in Cleveland, and that Branea Bryant was involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

On August 31, 2021, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at seven houses connected to the drug organization, and seized over a kilogram of fentanyl, numerous firearms, ammunition, high-speed money counters, drug presses, a vacuum-sealer used to package drugs and money, over $68,000 in cash, jewelry, and multiple high-end vehicles, including two Range Rovers and a Jaguar F-Type.

Investigation by the IRS showed that Branea Bryant’s company, ADF3 Investments, owned several high-end vehicles connected to the drug conspiracy, including two Range Rovers that had been purchased with drug money, and a Jaguar F-Type that was used to facilitate drug deals. At trial, the lead IRS investigator testified that ADF3 did not file any state or federal tax returns, and that it did not appear to engage in any kind of legitimate business activity. The IRS investigator also testified that ADF3’s bank accounts, which had been opened by Branea Bryant, were largely funded with cash deposits and that ADF3’s accounts had been used to make large purchases at designer stores like Gucci and Prada using Branea Bryant’s debit card.

Branea Bryant was one of 24 defendants indicted in the case, which was the result of a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). All 24 defendants, including Branea Bryant, were convicted.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Cartel, Gang, Narcotics, and Laundering Task Force (CGNL) and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Investigative Unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cleveland Heights Police Department, the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Task Force (SEALE), the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the DEA, and the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Lewis, Joseph Dangelo, and James Morford.

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

TOLEDO – James Luther Sawyer IV, 33 of Toledo, Ohio was sentenced on Tuesday August 15, to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp after earlier pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Knepp also ordered Sawyer to pay a $300 special assessment and be placed on supervised release for 4 years upon release from imprisonment.

According to court documents, on April 24, 2022, Toledo police officers responded to a 911 call of a man pointing a handgun at passing vehicles. Officers spotted Sawyer fitting the description in the area of Huron and Lagrange Streets in Toledo. When Sawyer was ordered to stop by officers, he removed a handgun from his pants and threw it to the ground. After officers arrested Sawyer and recovered the handgun, they searched Sawyer’s backpack and found 28 plastic bags containing approximately 67 grams of methamphetamine. Sawyer was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior Felonious Assault conviction in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

This case was investigated by the Toledo Police Department and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali.

TOLEDO – Kirk Smith, 33, of Fort Jennings, Ohio was sentenced on Wednesday, August 16, to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp after earlier pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor. Judge Knepp also ordered Smith to pay a $100 special assessment and be placed on supervised release for 10 years upon release from imprisonment. Additionally, Smith was ordered to pay $5,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

According to court documents, in September of 2021, Smith engaged in online communication with undercover law enforcement and indicated he was sexually active with a minor child and had nude photos of the child. Shortly thereafter, Smith sent photos of a minor child that were sexually exploitive. A court authorized search warrant was executed at Smith’s residence where his cellphone was seized and found to contain the messages Smith exchanged with the undercover law enforcement online.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali.

CLEVELAND – United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today that Brandon O. Chambers, 41, of Lorain, Ohio, was found guilty of one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The trial lasted four days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on October 28, 2021, Avon patrol officers stopped Chambers’ vehicle for speeding and having no plates. Chambers fled initially, but eventually stopped after multiple patrol vehicles followed. After Chambers was arrested, officers found a firearm in his vehicle along with approximately 218.7 grams of methamphetamine. Chambers has multiple prior felony convictions which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 7, 2023. Chambers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, although his sentence will be determined by many factors and may be higher than the mandatory minimum. The judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other factors.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Avon Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Vanessa Healy.

AKRON – Antoine Williams, 49, of Lorain, Ohio, was found guilty on August 16, 2023, of gun and drug offenses after a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge John R. Adams. The Jury convicted him of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, possessing fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

According to court documents and testimony, the Elyria Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at the Arlington Inn Suites on March 8, 2022. Inside, they found Williams, along with significant quantities of fentanyl and heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Williams also had a Rohm revolver, and more than $7,000.00 of drug proceeds in cash. Sentencing is scheduled for November 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

The investigation was conducted by the Elyria Police Department and the FBI as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Kolansky and Paul Hanna.

TOLEDO – Adam Bess, 35, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary after earlier pleading guilty to a felony for depriving an inmate at the Erie County Jail of her constitutional rights by using excessive force. Six months of this sentence will be served as home detention. Judge Zouhary also ordered Bess to pay a $100 special assessment and be placed on supervised release for one year upon release from imprisonment.

According to court documents, on November 1, 2021, Bess was working as a sergeant at the Erie County Jail. During the booking process of a new arrestee, Bess placed his hand around the inmate’s throat in anger in a “choke hold” and caused the inmate to have difficulty breathing. Bess’ actions were without justification and in violation of both the Erie County Sheriff’s Office use of force policy as well as federal law. After being released from jail, the inmate had visible bruising on her neck, immediately reported the matter to the command staff at Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and went to the hospital for evaluation of her injuries. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office promptly reported the matter to the FBI and placed Bess on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Bess subsequently resigned.

As a result of Bess’ federal felony conviction, he can no longer work in law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, Sandusky Resident Agency, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Freeman and Tracey Tangeman.

CLEVELAND – Solomon Odubajo, 37, of Tempe, Arizona, was sentenced to 248 months of imprisonment on August 3, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster. A jury previously convicted Odubajo at trial of all six counts in his indictment: Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering, Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

According to evidence introduced at trial, on April 5, 2022, Odubajo mailed a parcel from Phoenix, Arizona to an address in Garfield Heights, Ohio. On April 6, 2022, U.S. Postal Inspectors in Cleveland intercepted the parcel and obtained a search warrant for it. After opening the parcel, the Postal Inspectors found that it contained approximately one kilogram of fentanyl pills, stamped to look like blue 30mg oxycodone pills. The pills were hidden inside of a vacuum cleaner in the parcel. The Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CCRFSL) later found latent prints on the interior of the parcel. A latent print examiner at the CCRFSL determined that those matched Odubajo’s prints.

On April 14, 2022, after conducting further investigation, Postal Inspectors made the parcel available for pickup at a Post Office in Cleveland as part of an undercover operation. Solomon Odubajo and a codefendant arrived at the post office and picked up the parcel from an undercover postal inspector. Odubajo then drove the parcel back to a residence in Avon, where he was arrested. When law enforcement searched Odubajo’s vehicle, they found a hidden compartment containing a loaded handgun and approximately $17,500 in cash. A forensic scientist at the CCRFSL later analyzed the handgun and found DNA on it that matched Odubajo’s DNA. Odubajo was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law due to a prior felony conviction for drug trafficking.

Law enforcement also searched the Avon residence where Odubajo was arrested. Inside of that residence, law enforcement found Odubajo’s luggage, as well as another half-kilogram of blue “M30” fentanyl pills.

A drug chemist from the CCRFSL testified at trial that each counterfeit fentanyl pill had a net weight of approximately 0.10 grams. This indicated that there were approximately 10,000 pills in the parcel, and an additional 5,000 pills in the Avon residence.

Evidence at trial also showed that Odubajo was arrested at the Atlanta, Georgia airport in February 2022 carrying approximately $35,000 in cash. Atlanta Police seized Odubajo’s cell phone during that arrest, and found messages on the phone that discussed trafficking blue fentanyl pills.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the DEA, the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Sciences Laboratory, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the Atlanta, Georgia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Lewis, Alejandro Abreu, and Henry DeBaggis.

CLEVELAND - U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today that Willie A. Pratt, 34, of Cleveland, Ohio, was found guilty of one count of distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death, one count of conspiring to possess fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and two counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. The trial lasted four days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on October 30, 2021, Pratt sold cocaine and fentanyl to the victim who died as a result of the use of those substances. Further, on November 1, 2021, Defendant engaged in conspiracy or agreement with another person to distribute controlled substances, specifically, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. Defendant then aided and abetted the possession of such substances with the intent to distribute them. Finally, on November 1, 2021, upon his arrest, Defendant himself possessed cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 21, 2023. Pratt faces a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years in prison, although his sentence will be determined by many factors and may be higher than the mandatory minimum. The judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other factors.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Rocky River Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Yasmine Makridis.

CLEVELAND – Reginald Allen, 37, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 157 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget M. Brennan, after he pled guilty to a nine-count indictment including charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, a fentanyl analog, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Allen also pled guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Brennan ordered Allen to serve 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment.

According to court documents and court records, on March 16, 2022, Portage County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped Allen for traffic violations. Allen possessed 34 grams of Fentanyl and a loaded firearm in the center console of his car. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Allen’s apartment in Akron, Ohio following the traffic stop. Allen possessed 41 grams of Fentanyl, 23 grams of P-Fluorofentanyl (a Fentanyl analog), 32 grams of Methamphetamine, 7 grams of cocaine, drug scales, a drug press, and another loaded firearm in his apartment. Allen had prior felony drug trafficking and firearm convictions in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms, and Explosives, the Portage County Sheriff’s Department, and the Akron Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron P. Howell and Damoun Delaviz.

AKRON – Jacob Onusic, 28, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to over 11 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan, after he pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Cuyahoga Falls and one in Canal Fulton as well as possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Onusic was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, pay a $300 special assessment, and pay $142,700 in restitution.

According to court documents and court records, on July 14, 2022, ONUSIC entered the Peoples Bank located on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio dressed in all black with a cap covering his hair and a blue medical mask. ONUSIC asked to open an account. When ONUSIC was taken to meet with a teller to open the account, he told the teller to place her hands on the desk and if she moved her hands he would “blow her head off”. ONUSIC then ordered other tellers to lock the front door, open the vault and place the money in a trash bag which ONUSIC provided. All the tellers complied. ONUSIC told one of the tellers to empty her personal bag so ONUSIC could place the stolen $142,700.00 in U.S. Currency inside it. ONUSIC then ordered the tellers to lay on the ground until he was gone.

On August 26, 2022, ONUSIC entered the Apple Creek bank in Canal Fulton, Ohio wearing a wig and multiple masks. ONUSIC requested to open an account. When he did not have the correct paperwork, ONUSIC asked about getting a safe deposit box. As bank employees were taking him to the safe deposit box area, ONUSIC demanded they open the vault, which a teller opened. Once the vault was opened, ONUSIC demanded the money in the vault and then ordered all the bank employees inside the vault. ONUSIC left the bank with $57,234.00 in U.S. Currency and drove away.

When law enforcement attempted to stop ONUSIC’s vehicle, he attempted to flee from law enforcement and eventually crashed his vehicle in Akron, Ohio. ONUSIC then fled on foot. ONUSIC hid in a shed in the back yard of a residence. ONUSIC assaulted an Akron Police Officer and an Akron Police Canine Officer as law enforcement attempted to take him into custody. Inside ONUSIC’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered the $57,234.00 in U.S. Currency, the wig ONUSIC was wearing during the robbery, a loaded firearm and ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Akron and Canton Resident Agency’s, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department and the Akron Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel.

CLEVELAND – Timothy Ray Jenkins, 67, of Woodmere, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker. Jenkins pleaded guilty to counts one through 11 of an indictment that charged him with failure to account for and pay over taxes. Jenkins was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release, and to pay both a $1,100 special assessment and $1,174,677.06 in restitution to the IRS.

According to court documents, Jenkins was the manager and owner of Dan-Ray Construction LLC (DRC), an LLC doing business in and around Cleveland, Ohio that was engaged in the business of construction services, often working as a subcontractor. Jenkins exercised control over DRC’s financial affairs by controlling DRC’s finances, including signing checks and controlling DRC’s bank accounts and overseeing payroll payments. Jenkins was responsible for collecting employment taxes, accounting for employment taxes by filing employment tax returns with the IRS and paying over to the IRS the employment taxes for DRC’s employees. Jenkins had another company prepare payroll and employment tax returns for DRC. Jenkins instructed the company to turn over the employment tax returns and other reports and tax filings that the company had prepared to Jenkins. Jenkins represented that he would file the employment tax returns and other tax filings, but he failed to do so. Jenkins withheld employment taxes from his employees’ paychecks but failed to pay over the employment taxes to the IRS.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.

CLEVELAND – United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today that Eric King, 35, a former employee of Eye For Change Youth and Family Services, Inc., a non-profit corporation in Cleveland, was found guilty of 13 counts of health care fraud, one count of false statement relating to health care matters, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. The jury acquitted King of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, eight counts of health care fraud, one count of false statement relating to health care matters, and one count of aggravated identity theft. The trial lasted eight days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan.

According to court documents and trial testimony, from June 2018 through May 2021, King defrauded Medicaid by causing Medicaid to be billed for services not actually performed or for services that were not actually performed for the amount of time the billing codes reflected; for falsifying progress notes into Medicaid beneficiary electronic records; for creating false progress notes; and for using the identities of clients without authorization to bill Medicaid. As a result of King’s conduct, Medicaid paid over $483,000 for fraudulent billings. King is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, 2023.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland Division of the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General and the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward D. Brydle and Brian M. McDonough, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan L. Metzler.

AKRON – Gregory Ralston, 33, of Lorain, Ohio, was sentenced on Friday, July 28, 2023, to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams, after a jury convicted him of distributing fentanyl and possessing additional fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. Ralston was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay a $200 special assessment.

According to court documents and court records, Ralston sold fentanyl on May 13, 2020. The next day, detectives from the Lorain and Elyria Police Departments, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, arrested Ralston outside a restaurant in Lorain, Ohio. Ralston possessed additional fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.

The investigation was conducted by Lorain Police Department and the FBI as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Kolansky and Payum Doroodian.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Ohio will join with the City of Cleveland, community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out at Steelyard Commons on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. During this year’s National Night Out, U.S. Attorney Personnel will attend this community event at Steelyard Commons, 3447 Steelyard Drive, Cleveland, Ohio.

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 the United States Attorney’s Office Personnel will also participate along with the City of Toledo, community partners, area law enforcement and neighbors in recognition of Night Out Against Crime at the Frederick Douglass Center, 1001 Indiana Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/.

YOUNGSTOWN – James P. Verdream, 57, of Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson, after he pleaded guilty to robbing two Youngstown area banks. Verdream was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, pay a $200 special assessment, and pay $1,734 in restitution.  Verdream was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,991 for an uncharged robbery that occurred in Pennsylvania. 

According to court documents and court records, on May 2, 2022, Verdream entered a PNC Bank, on Mahoning Avenue, in Youngstown, Ohio. He handed the teller a note, which said “this is a robbery, do not pull the alarm/buzzer” and indicated that he had a gun. The teller gave him $734.00, and Verdream left. On May 9, 2022, Verdream entered Chase Bank, on W. Liberty Street, in Girard Ohio. He handed the teller a note that said “I have a gun and a bomb, $10,000.”  The teller indicated that he could only disperse $1,000 and Verdream accepted that amount of money and left. Verdream was later identified by law enforcement via surveillance footage from the banks.  Verdream had two prior federal convictions for bank robbery in New Mexico.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Youngstown, the United States Marshal Service, Austintown Police Department, the Boardman Police Department, and the Girard Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason M. Katz and Yasmine Makridis.

AKRON – Reggie Jordan was found guilty of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition today by a jury after a 3 day trial before U.S. District Judge John Adams. The jury also agreed to forfeit Mr. Jordan’s interest in six firearms that were seized from his residence. 

According to court documents and testimony, Sergeant Marlon Wills, a Cleveland Police Detective assigned to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force was monitoring social media pages of several suspected local gangs when he observed the Defendant post a video from a local shooting range where he was showing off five firearms. Video surveillance from the range showed Jordan firing the weapons. A search warrant of his residence was conducted and six total firearms were discovered which included an AK-47, a Draco, a stolen firearm, and several large capacity magazines. Jordan has prior convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Drug Trafficking, and Drug Possession from Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Dangelo and Pete Daly.

CLEVELAND – Rebecca C. Lutzko, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that Oglesby Construction, Inc., headquartered in Norwalk, Ohio, has agreed to pay the United States $942,146.40 to resolve allegations that it falsified material usage records while performing on federally subsidized contracts to apply paint striping to Ohio roadways between 2012 and 2018.

The allegations arise under the False Claims Act from a whistleblower complaint unsealed on July 19, 2023, and in which the United States intervened on July 14, 2023. The claims asserted against Oglesby are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

“The Justice Department is committed to eradicating fraud in all its forms to protect taxpayer dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Lutzko. “We cannot tolerate conduct that bilks the government of funds to support vital government programs.”

The Complaint alleges that Oglesby saved money on highway-striping contracts by failing to use sufficient marking material, including paint, to meet state or contractual minimum standards. Oglesby allegedly use different methods to hide its conduct.

One alleged method involved the manipulation of daily reports, which are required by the State of Ohio to monitor compliance with material usage standards. Contractors like Oglesby must assemble their reports using a tracking software application that obtains usage data from electronic devices on highway marking trucks. Oglesby allegedly embedded a hidden formula in a spreadsheet used by the tracking software, thereby altering data to conceal underapplication of material.

In another alleged scheme, Oglesby engineered a return pipe and pump system that redirected paint disbursed from a truck’s paint gun back to its load of unused paint. According to the Complaint, this would trick the truck’s monitoring device into recording application of paint when, in fact, the return pipe and pump system would intercept and recirculate it.

“This settlement with Oglesby ends a successful, years-long criminal and civil investigation into the company’s practices and sends a powerful message to those who wish to do the same,” said U.S. Attorney Lutzko. “We need to have trust that companies or individuals that receive compensation under federally subsidized contracts do the work required.”

On October 7, 2022, Gerald E. Reichert and his brother, Adam Reichert, two former part-owners of Oglesby, pleaded guilty for their involvement in falsifying paint-striping reports. The court sentenced each to a term of imprisonment and ordered them to pay a combined $579,014.00 in restitution, along with fines. The amount obtained in the civil settlement is in addition to criminal restitution and fines.