Northern District of Ohio

A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging a Youngstown man with drug and firearms crimes.

Chad A. Little, 34, was charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The Youngstown Police Department executed a search warrant on Little’s residence on East Philadelphia Street on November 7, 2018. They found heroin, crack cocain, fentanyl and a gun in various locations inside and outside of the house, according to the indictment.

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 offenses and the characteristics of the violations.  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 indictment was conducted by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Youngstown Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.

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.

A Pennsylvania man was indicted in federal court after making threats to shoot students at Parma High School.

Russell D. Miley-Cruz, 21, of Scranton, was indicted on one count of transmission of an interstate threat and one count of obstruction of justice. He was arrested Friday.

Miley-Cruz communicated a threat on April 11, 2018 via Snapchat. The threat stated: “Don’t go to Parma High School tomorrow friend, we are about to shoot that (expletive) up alright man? Don’t tell cops and you will be fine,” according to the indictment.

Miley-Cruz, between April 11 and May 1, 2018, provided a false phone number to law enforcement, denied using a specific email address and Snapchat user name, and made other false statements for the purposes of hindering and delaying the law enforcement investigation into the threats made against Parma High School, according to the indictment.

“This defendant made threats that caused panic and led to hundreds of students missing classes at Parma High School,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This case is another reminder that making threats, online or in person, is always a bad idea.”

“Making threats to commit a school shooting are not taken lightly by law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. “This individual induced fear in school personnel, students and their parents at Parma High School and wasted valuable law enforcement resources, and then he lied about being involved.  Miley-Cruz will now answer to federal charges in a court of law.  #Thinkbeforeyoupost.”

Parma Police Chief Joseph Bobak said: "This individual caused fear and panic in our community by targeting and threatening school children. These threats affected students and staff at Parma High School for several days as frightened parents pulled their kids out of school. Parma Police detectives, working alongside special agents from the FBI, diligently pursued all available leads on this case culminating in today's arrest. I would like to thank the FBI for working together with our department to identify and arrest this individual. Without their assistance and resources, this outcome might not have been possible."

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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Parma Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton.

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.

Five people – including men with convictions for attempted murder with a firearm and abduction -- were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Indicted are: Malik Abdul Aziz, also known as Tommie Beaman, 48, of Cleveland; Tonio Burton, 28, of Cleveland; Diablo Tate, 38, of Euclid; Hannibal Yarbo, 27, of Cleveland, and Johnny L. Geiger, Jr., 22, of Maple Heights.

“These cases demonstrate again why firearms enforcement is vital to making our community safer,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “These defendants include people convicted of attempted murder, abduction and other crimes. These defendants have no business carrying firearms or ammunition.”

“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Roland Herndon.  “We work side by side with our federal, state, and local partners to follow the gun and remove the most violent criminals from our streets.”

Aziz on December 28, 2018, possessed .32-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for attempted murder with a firearms specification, aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, felonious assault with a firearms specification, kidnapping with a firearms specification, aggravated robbery with a firearms specification and attempted burglary, according to the indictment.

Burton on December 10, 2018, possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, assault on a police officer and drug possession, according to the indictment.

Tate on October 4, 2018 possessed a DPMS AR-15 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition despite previous convictions for drug trafficking, assault on a police officer and drug possession, according to the indictment.

Yarbo on January 16, 2019, possessed a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun and 18 rounds of ammunition, despite previous convictions for abduction and drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Geiger on June 7, 2018, made false and fictitious statements when attempting to purchase a Taurus 9 mm pistol from Point Blank Range and Gun Shop in Mentor, namely that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, and that he had never been convicted of a felony, according to the indictment.

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 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.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Euclid Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin, John Hanley, Kathryn Andrachik, Scott Zarzycki and Payum Doroodian.

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.

 

A jury found an Oregon man guilty of cyberstalking and making threats related to numerous threats he made to his former co-workers and law enforcement officials.

Michael A. Hagar, 48, is scheduled to be sentenced later this year. A jury found him guilty of one count of cyberstalking and two counts of interstate threatening communication after a weeklong trial.

Hagar was employed at a Goodyear store in Salem, Oregon, from 2011 through 2013. He was employed by Eaton in Portland, Oregon, from 2014 through 2015. He was involuntarily terminated from both positions, according to court documents and trial testimony.

Hager sent numerous threatening e-mails to at least seven former co-workers at Eaton and Goodyear in 2015 and 2016, as well as threatening emails to law enforcement officials in Oregon. The e-mails he sent traveled through Eaton and Goodyear data centers in Northeast Ohio, according to court documents and trial testimony.

In 2016, Hagar was personally served with a temporary stalking protective order ordering him to stop any contact with an Eaton employee identified as R.G. He was also arrested for trespassing on Goodyear property in Oregon, according to court documents and trial testimony.

On May 30, 2016, he sent an email to R.G. and Oregon law enforcement officials with the subject line: “I AM GOING TO RUIN EVERYONE OF YOU(R) LIVES,” according to court documents and trial testimony.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Riedl and Om Kakani following an investigation by the FBI.

 

Four Cleveland men were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy in to sell large quantities of cocaine in Greater Cleveland.

Named in the seven-count indictment are: Angel Rios, 36; Jamie Hernandez-De La Paz, 37; Felix Cruz, 37, and Edwin M. Tavarez, 44. Each is indicted with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilogram of cocaine.

Rios and Cruz are charged with maintaining a drug house on Hodgson Avenue which they used to store and sell marijuana.

De La Paz is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Cruz is charged with a being a felon in possession of a firearm. He possessed a Glock pistol and ammunition on February 1 despite a previous drug conviction, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit two firearms and nearly $100,000 in cash seized during the investigation.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Darden and Patrick Burke.

A charge is only an allegation 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.

 

An Elyria man was indicted on child pornography charges.

Brian Louk, 58, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Louk knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between August 6 through December 10, 2018, according to the indictment.

The indictment also charges that on or about January 18, 2019, Louk possessed a computer that contained child pornography.

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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force.

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.

Forty-three people were indicted in federal court for their roles in two separate conspiracies to sell large amounts of drugs in the Mansfield area.

Twenty-three people were charged in a 42-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone and marijuana, and other charges. They are: Noel Mott, 43; Donald Abrams, 59; Felicia McPherson, 37; Ivan Troup, 34; Devon Troup, 27; Deshawn Dowdell, 23; Markell Boyd, 39; Dennis Carter, 47; Marcus Caldwell, 40; Terrence Sudberry, 45; Robert Boone, 24; Kristopher Herron, 47; Jason Reid, 36; William Norris, 45; Rayshaun Walker, 25; Cynthia Huffman, 22; Tessa Christy, 36; Seth Wells, 23; Miranda Hamilton, 23; Ashlie Smith, 33; Megan Moritz, 30; Taryn Ohl, 32, and Mykel Smith, 25.

Twenty people were charged in a 61-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and methamphetamine, and other charges. They are: Juan Westberry, 38; Rashad Keith, 27; Lamar Johnson, 30; Torme Johnson, 30; Ryan Schroeder, 38; Kelly Adkins, 31; Marquis Allen, 26; Tevron Allen, 23; Anthony Balg, 38; Darryl Ballinger, 24; Kelly Burns, 30; Andrew Cotton, 32; Rory Hamm, 49; Phillip Moxley, 36; Amanda Pierce, 34; Santreas Sanks, 29; Derrick Snelling, 27; Kevin Thomas, 29, and Rachel Thompson, 34.

All of the defendants are from the Mansfield or the nearby area except for Donald Adams, Felicia McPherson and the Troups, who are all from Detroit.

Approximately 36 additional people were charged with drug crimes in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.

In the Mott indictment, the conspirators obtained heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and marijuana from suppliers in Detroit and Mansfield, which they then sold in Mansfield. This took place between January 2016 through the present, according to the indictment.

Mott, Wells, Boone, Moritz, Hamilton and Smith traveled to Detroit to obtain large quantities of oxycodone, which they redistributed in Mansfield. Mott also obtained large quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Dowdell, Troup and others that he redistributed in in Mansfield. He also obtained fentanyl and worked with other dealers to redistribute the drugs in Mansfield, according to the indictment.

Mott is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors are seeking for forfeit 14 firearms seized as part of the investigation, according to the indictment.

Huffman helped coordinate and secure Wells to serve as a driver for oxycodone resupply runs to Detroit, according to the indictment.

In the Westberry indictment, the defendants conspired together between 2015 and the present to obtain large amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and methamphetamine to sell in the Mansfield area, according to the indictment.

Westberry obtained heroin, which he distributed to Keith, Lamar Johnson, Torme Johnson, Schroeder and Garrison, who in turn sold the heroin to other customers, according to the indictment.

Keith and Lamar Johnson obtained heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and cocaine, which they then sold to other dealers, who distributed the drugs in the Mansfield area, according to the indictment.

Members of the conspiracy operated drug houses at locations on Rembrandt Street, Helen Avenue, Dunbilt Court, Bowman Street and West 3rd Street in Mansfield and Eckstein Road in Crestline for the purpose of storing and distributing the drugs, according to the indictment.

“These two groups sold a wide array of dangerous drugs in and around Mansfield, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “These cases are a great example of law enforcement working together to arrest dangerous people and help make Mansfield a safer community.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith said: “Collaborative law enforcement efforts have disrupted two significant drug trafficking organizations that were profiting from the addiction of our community members.  The individuals arrested today brought danger and violence to our streets and they will now be held accountable for their criminal activity.”

“These are significant arrests of drug dealers who have been trafficking and dealing dangerous and deadly drugs to our citizens here in Richland County,” said Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon. “Again, I can’t say enough about how well federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work so well to together here in Richland County to accomplish great things.”

Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz said: “This major drug sweep is made possible because of the collaboration within our community, local law enforcement counterparts, FBI and DEA counterparts, Richland County prosecutors, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Attorney’s Office. We all share a common goal of making our community a safer place to live and work.”

"This multi-agency Title III investigation provided a glimpse into the dangerous underworld members of the Westberry organization have created for the Mansfield and the wider Richland County communities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. "Today's arrests signal an important step in our continuing fight to protect our neighborhoods from violent drug traffickers."

“These arrests will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of the Mansfield community,” said U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott. “The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to work with its federal, state and local partners on large scale operations such as this to keep our communities safe.” 

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mansfield Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, METRICH Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals and Ohio State Highway Patrol. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vasile Katsaros and Jason M. Katz.

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.

A Parma man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for making false statements in order to collect $47,000 in Social Security funds.

David Fievet, 53, was sentenced to 28 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, Social Security fraud and obstruction of justice.

His wife, Gerolyn Fievet, 54, was sentenced to five years of probation. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The Fievets conspired to wrongfully receive 88 monthly Supplemental Security Income checks between January 2010 and April 2017, totaling $47,556, for the benefit of the couple’s disabled son.  In order to obtain more benefits than they were legally entitled, the Fievets falsely reported David was not living in the family home when, in fact, he was. Fievet was working as a firefighter at the time, according to court documents.

Special Agent Kelly Clark from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Payum Doroodian prosecuted the case.

A former Mahoning County judge pleaded guilty to charges stemming from stealing at least $100,000 from a former client.

Diane Vettori-Caraballo, 50, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, one count of structuring cash deposits, and one count of making false statements to law enforcement.  She is scheduled to be sentenced June 13.

Her husband, Ismael Caraballo, pleaded guilty to a tax count.

Vettori-Caraballo stole between $100,200 and $328,000 in cash that was in the home of a client when that client died in March 2016, according to the indictment.

Vettori-Caraballo was elected to position of judge in Mahoning County Court #3 – Sebring Court in 2002, with jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges and other matters in Sebring and Beloit Villages and Berlin, Green, Goshen,, Ellsworth, Smith and Washingtonville Townships. She was reelected in 2006 and 2012, according to the indictment.

She also provided estate planning services to Robert Sampson, including drafting his will. On Nov. 20, 2015, Vettori-Caraballo filed an application in Mahoning County Probate Court to administer Sampson’s estate. The application stated Sampson died without a will. The probate court, unaware of Sampson’s will, appointed Falgiani as the administrator three days later, according to the indictment. 

Sampson died in 2015 and his closest living relative was his sister, Dolores Falgiani. Vettori-Caraballo prepared Falgiani will on Nov. 3, 2015. The will made 16 specific bequests to relatives and friends and bequeathed the rest of the estate to Animal Charity Human Society of Boardman and the Angels for Animal Charity in Canfield, according to the indictment.

Sometime in October or November 2015, Falgiani stated she was in possession of several shoeboxes of cash stored at her residence. Falgiani was found dead in her home on March 10, 2016, according to the indictment.

Vettori-Caraballo filed an application in Mahoning County Probate Court to probate Falgiani’s estate on March 24, 2016. On May 2, she reported having found cash in the residence and depositing the $20,000 into the estate, according to the indictment.

Vettori-Caraballo filed a notice of newly discovered assets with the court on several subsequent occasions in 2016 and 2017. Each time, she failed to disclose the cash she had stolen, according to the indictment.

Vettori-Caraballo also structured deposits of the cash she stole into five different banks within four weeks to avoid regulations that require banks to report cash transactions over $10,000 to the IRS.  In addition, Vettori-Caraballo lied to the FBI when she was confronted about the theft and the structuring of cash deposits, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Alex Abreu.

A Massillon man who worked as a school information technology manager was sentenced to 11 years in prison for possessing child pornography.

Andrew A. Shonk, 37, previously pleaded guilty to receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Shonk knowingly received numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between 2013 and 2018. Shonk also possessed two USB storage devices that contained child pornography, according to court documents.

Shonk worked as an IT manager at Rootstown and then Hudson schools during the time of his crimes, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, the Canton Police Department and the Jackson Township Police Department. 

A Euclid woman was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for a scheme in which she fraudulently enrolled students into Ohio community colleges to defraud the U.S. Department of Education out of $1.8 million.

Basheera Perry, 45, was sentenced to 114 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1.9 million in restitution. She previously pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including conspiracy, wire and mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

"These programs were designed to help make college more affordable to people who want an education, but this defendant used them to enrich herself," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. "She was a one-stop shop for fraud."

According to court documents:

Perry conspired with others between 2009 and 2017 to defraud the U.S. Department of Education. Perry would use the fraudulent students’ name, date of birth and social security to enroll them in community colleges, including Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College, Owens Community College and others.

She then applied for financial aid on behalf of the students, which came in the form of loans, Pell and other grants. Many of the “students” participated in the scheme for money and did not have any intention of going to school or using the financial aid for school-related purposes. Also, many did not have a high school diploma or GED, making them ineligible to receive the financial aid.

Perry, her recruiters and the fraudulent students split the proceeds of the financial aid. The Department of Education sent the money to the colleges, which in turn would send the excess financial aid to the “students” via check or debit cards to addresses controlled by Perry.

Perry charged the students fees to complete their academic coursework -- $1,000 for two courses, $1,500 for three courses and $2,000 for four courses. She also charged $500 to make counterfeit GED certificates or high school diploma transcripts. She also created other false documents, such as death certificates, medical records and police reports, for use in academic appeals if the “students” received notification of lack of satisfactory academic progress needed to receive financial aid.

She also participated Section 8 housing fraud between 2012 and 2017.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration -- Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Education -- Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service and Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Kern and Danielle Angeli.

Cody Swinnerton, 24, of Berea, was charged in federal court with sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child pornography after he allegedly contacted several children between the ages of 12 and 15 and coerced them into sending him sexually explicit images.

According to an affidavit in the case:

The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip that Swinnerton appeared to be enticing and coercing minors to produce sexually explicit images. Swinnerton controlled multiple accounts and targeted minors between the ages of 12 and 15 on Instagram and Facebook.

Swinnerton contacted the victims’ friends and family to coerce the victims into producing more images. He also threatened the victims in an effort to get them to produce sexually explicit images. Further investigation revealed potential victims in Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa, Texas, Australia, Austria and France.

A search warrant was executed at the home where Swinnerton lives in Berea on January 25. Relatives said Swinnerton was on vacation in Australia at the time. A review of his computer revealed several images of child pornography.

“This case demonstrates how predators will target our children over social media,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Parents and trusted adults need to make it their business to know who their kids are communicating with. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to prosecute these predators.”

“This case is a disturbing reminder that international borders are no longer a hindrance for online predators,” said Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI for Michigan and Ohio. “However, this arrest should assure victims around the world that Homeland Security Investigations and our partners in the international law enforcement community are committed to aggressively targeting those engaged in these heinous acts.”

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 violations.  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 being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, HSI-Canberra, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik.

A charge is only an allegation  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.

A superseding indictment was filed charging a Maple Heights man attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda, as well as making threats against the President, threats against the family of the President and false statements to law enforcement.

Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts, aka Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, aka Salah ad-Deen Osama Waleed, 49, has been in custody since July, when he was arrested after allegedly planning a terrorist attack in Cleveland. He was previously indicted on one count of attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda.

Pitts on June 15, 2018, did knowingly and willfully make a threat to kidnap and inflict bodily harm upon Donald J. Trump, specifically that he would “get” the President by cutting off the President’s head and hands, according to the indictment.

Pitts on June 15, 2018 also knowingly and willfully made threats to kidnap and inflict bodily harm upon members of the President’s family, specifically that “…a better way to get, to get him is to kill his kids. Kill his daughter, son-in-law. Kill ‘em all. He (the President) come out ‘cause you start killing his kids, chop their heads off…you send his kids back,” according to the indictment.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, between 2015 and 2017, Pitts expressed anti-American sentiments and expressed a desire to recruit people to kill Americans.  The defendant expressed a desire to meet with an al Qaeda “brother” and in June he was introduced to an FBI employee acting in an undercover capacity (UCE), who Pitts believed was such a “brother.”

Pitts and the UCE met in Walton Hills, Ohio, where they discussed launching an attack for al Qaeda during the July 4th holiday.

Pitts said: “I’m trying to figure out something that would shake them up on the 4th of July.”  He later stated: “What would hit them at their core?  Blow up in the, have a bomb blow up in the 4th of July parade.”

Pitts and the UCE searched Google for a map of downtown Cleveland.  After learning the fireworks would be launched from Voinovich Park, Pitts said: “Oh there you go. Oh yeah.”  He was also pleased the park was near the U.S. Coast Guard station, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Celebrezze Federal Building.

The meeting concluded with Pitts indicating to the UCE that he would travel to downtown Cleveland soon to take photographs and videotape footage as part of surveillance efforts of Voinovich Park and the U.S. Coast Guard station.  He also expressed a desire to take a tour of the U.S. Coast Guard station to gain as much information as he could about the layout of the facility.

The UCE texted Pitts later on June 22 and where he indicated al Qaeda “brothers” would provide Pitts with a bus pass and cellular phone.

On June 25, Pitts met with an FBI confidential human source (CHS) in Maple Heights, Ohio, who provided Pitts with a bus pass and a phone Pitts could use to communicate with the UCE.  The bus pass was provided to Pitts, as he requested, so he could travel to downtown Cleveland to conduct surveillance for the July 4th attack.

On June 26, Pitts contacted the UCE via text message and relayed that he had completed the reconnaissance of the designated spots in downtown Cleveland and that he desired to “destroy the government.”

Pitts also indicated he intended to travel to Philadelphia, since Philadelphia is his hometown and he knows it best.  Pitts indicated it was his “job” to “go look at the base of the ground” and that it was up to other “brothers” to complete other parts of the job.

On June 27, Pitts met with the CHS and turned over the phone that contained the reconnaissance photos and videos, so they could be provided to the al Qaeda brothers.

Later on June 27, Pitts and the UCE met in Maple Heights then drove to downtown Cleveland, where they discussed the impending July 4th bombing.

“And I’m gonna be downtown when the – when the thing go off.  I’m gonna be somewhere cuz I wanna see it go off,” Pitts said.

A search of the phone that Pitts provided to the CHS revealed that he made two videos in which he pledged allegiance.  He stated, in part: “We serve Allah . . . We fight our enemies.  We destroy them and destroy those who try to oppose…”

The phone also had four videos taken by Pitts that show him walking down East 9th Street in Cleveland, pointing out potential targets such as the federal building, the Coast Guard station and St. John’s Cathedral, which he said could be taken “off the map.”

On July 1, Pitts met with the UCE in Garfield Heights, Ohio, for Pitts to explain his plan for Philadelphia.  Pitts said he planned to travel there to conduct reconnaissance for a future attack in Philadelphia.  Pitts stated a truck bomb packed with explosives, such as the one used in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, would be the best way to cause maximum damage.

Pitts was reminded by the UCE that people would die and body parts would by flying around.  Pitts responded “I don’t care” and that he had “no regrets,” would be able to “go to sleep” and “I don’t give a (expletive).”

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 violations.  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 being conducted by the FBI-Cleveland Division’s Joint Terrorism Task.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Baeppler and Matthew Shepherd of the Northern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorney Paul Casey of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

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.

 

Nine people – including men with previous convictions for attempted murder, domestic violence and felonious assault with a firearm -- were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Indicted are: Darien L. Griffin, 22, of Cleveland; Deangelo Harris, 26, of Cleveland; Larrell Hazzard, of Cleveland; Deayre Horton, 32, of Cleveland; Anthony King, 25, of Canton; Treavon McCullough, 36, of Toledo; Anthony J. Schaffer, 32, of Canfield, and John Joseph Smoter, 39, of Ravenna.

“These cases demonstrate again why firearms enforcement is vital to making our community safer,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “These defendants include people convicted of attempted murder, domestic violence, felonious assault with a firearm and other crimes. These defendants have no business carrying firearms or ammunition.”

“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent gun crime in our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Roland Herndon.  “We work side by side with our federal, state, and local partners to follow the gun and remove the most violent criminals from our streets.”

Griffin possessed a Glock .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on December 28, 2018, despite having previously been convicted of attempted felonious assault and robbery, according to the indictment.

Harris possessed 18 rounds of 9 mm ammunition on December 1, 2018, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

Hazzard possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun on December 5, 2018, despite a previous conviction for aggravated assault, according to the indictment.

Horton possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol and ammunition on October 26, 2018, despite previous convictions for robbery and two counts of attempted murder with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

King possessed a Beretta 9 mm pistol and ammunition on August 8, 2018, despite a previous conviction for robbery, according to the indictment.

McCullough possessed a CZ 9 mm pistol on May 27, 2018, despite previous convictions for aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Schaffer possessed a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol and ammunition on January 16, 2019, while being on supervised release for a previous federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the indictment.

Smoter on January 8, 2019, possessed 14 firearms and ammunition, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence, according to the indictment.

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 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.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cleveland Division of Police, the Lorain Police Department, the Toledo Police Department, the Elyria Police Department, the Akron Police Department and the Portage County Parole Authority. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter E. Daly, Payum Daroodian, John C. Hanley, Jody King, Alissa Sterling, David M. Toepfer and Scott Zarzycki.

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.

A Euclid man was arrested after he directed a 13-year-old girl to send him nude photos of herself and threatened to share the photos with her friends if she did not send more.

Tyrin B. Davis, 20, was charged in U.S. District Court in Cleveland with one count of sexual exploitation of a child.

“This case demonstrates the danger posed by the Internet, particularly for teens posting photos and communicating with people they don’t really know,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Parents and trusted adults need to make it their business to know who their kids are talking to.”

"These cases are a painful reminder that we can never have enough conversations with our children about the potential dangers of the internet,” said Homeland Security Investigations' Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “Through our iGuardian educational program, HSI is fully committed to ensuring that parents and young people have all the information they need when it comes to online safety.”

According to an affidavit filed in the case:

The Toronto (Canada) Police Service’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit contacted Homeland Security Investigations after learning the 13-year-old had been enticed and extorted into sending multiple sexually explicit images of herself via Instagram and Snapchat. The girl and her mother approached the Toronto Police Service in May 2018 to report the ongoing extortion.

The suspect told the girl he would pay $1,000 if she were to send nude photos of herself. The girl stated her parents were going through a rough time financially and she thought that by sending the photos, she could do her part to help.

She sent a few nude photos, at which point the suspect began to send messages asking for more. The girl later said that the suspect told her that if she did not send more, he would put the ones she already sent online for the world to see. As a result, she sent more photos of herself to the suspect.

Once the victim realized things had gone too far, she attempted to stop communication with the suspect. The suspect sent nude photos of her to several of her friends on Instagram. The suspect also communicated with the victim’s cousin on Instagram and stated that if the cousin did not send nude pictures of herself, the suspect would post more nude photos of the 13-year-old online.

Investigators eventually traced the messages to the 13-year-old victim to an IP address assigned to Tyrin Davis on Chestnut Lane in Richmond Heights. Davis subsequently moved to Euclid.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Toronto Police Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing 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.  

A charge is only an allegation and is not evidence of guilt.  The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Canadian man was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for sending scores of messages over social media attempting to coerce an 11-year-old from Ohio to engage in sexual activity.

Daniel Jason Wnek, 28, of Toronto, pleaded guilty last year to one count of coercion and/or enticement of a minor.

Wnek contacted the victim, identified as H.M., via Instagram in 2017. Wnek used the photograph of a younger male and falsely told H.M. he was 14 years old. Wnek eventually switched their communication to Snapchat, according to court documents.

Wnek eventually sent messages to H.M. that were sexual in nature, such as: “Would u lie on top of me when we meet?” and “Yea x we can take our pants off n I’ll bring a blanket,” according to court documents.

Wnek on Nov. 2, 2017 sent H.M. a sexually explicit photo via Snapchat. He also suggested picking her up, engaging in sexual activity and asked H.M. to send him sexually explicit photos of herself, according to court documents.

H.M.’s family contacted police and on Nov. 3, in the presence of law enforcement, another person posing as H.M. engaged in a Snapchat conversation with Wnek. He continued to solicit H.M. for sex, sent H.M. sexually explicit images and asked H.M. to send him sexually explicit images of her, according to court documents.

On Nov. 13, Wnek advised who he thought was H.M. that he planned to travel to Disney World in Florida for his birthday. Wnek was arrested after traveling from Toronto to Orlando, according to court documents.

“This case demonstrates how predators will target our children over social media by posing as people different from who they truly are,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Parents and trusted adults need to make it their business to know who their kids are communicating with.”

“Daniel Jason Wnek traveled thousands of miles in order to meet up with a child for sex after luring the child online,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “We must protect our children from online predators.  The FBI will continue to pursue these vicious criminals and is pleased that Mr. Wnek will not be able to threaten children's innocence or lives any longer.   

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman    

 

Two men were indicted for child pornography crimes.

David Nestor, 39, of Navarre, was indicted on one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Nestor received and distributed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct between October and December 2018, and possessed those images on January 22, 2019.

Jordan Coffman, 23, of Huron, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography. Coffman, in 2015, possessed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing 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 Nestor case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol Skutnik following an investigation by the FBI. The Coffman case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman following an investigation by the FBI.          

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

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Lon R. Sweeney, age 53, making threats against a federal employee and assault of federal officers.

The indictment alleges that Sweeney threatened a Department of Veterans Affairs employee and later, while being placed under arrest, assaulted three VA officers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Beeson is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General — Criminal Investigative Division and the VA Police Department.

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.

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

Four men from Toledo were indicted for firearms crimes.

Emanuel Riley, 27, and Sevario Whitaker, 36, were charged with with theft from a federal firearms licensee, possession of silencers not registered to them, possession of stolen firearms, and possession of firearms after being convicted of a felony.

According to documents filed in the case:

A federal firearms licensee doing business as Towers Armory was burglarized on November 19, 2018. Approximately 46 firearms, six suppressors and four gun bags were missing from the store. Video surveillance from the store showed two men entered the store at approximately 3:24 a.m. after gaining access through the ventilation system on the roof and began removing firearms. They returned to the store several times in the early morning hours and continued removing firearms.

Investigators obtained additional footage from a nearby business that showed the two men entered a Toyota Camry and drove away. A Toledo police detective recognized the vehicle as one that was used by Riley.

The vehicle was towed from Riley’s mother’s house and Oregon police executed a state search warrant. Inside the vehicle they recovered gloves, a hat, a face mask and Friday the 13th-style mask consistent with what the burglars on the store surveillance footage were wearing. Whitaker was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also found to be wearing a sweatshirt consistent with what one of the burglars was wearing.

DNA testing revealed Whitaker’s DNA could not be excluded from a red pry bar left behind at the burglary scene and the DNA of both men could not be excluded from DNA taken from the face mask recovered from the Camry.

A search of cell tower records indicates both Riley and Whitaker’s phones connected with a cell tower within one mile of the firearms store around the time of the burglary.

Darius Travell Johnson, 30, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson possessed a Taurus PT-111 pistol on January 16, despite previous convictions for felonious assault and robbery, according to the indictment.

Robert Louis Winston, 58, of Toledo, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Winston possessed a Smith and Wesson .380-caliber pistol on January 9 despite previous convictions for aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, trafficking in heroin and numerous other crimes, according to the indictment.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a gun violence reduction program administered by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio.  The program targets armed criminals for federal prosecution. 

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Simko following investigations by the Oregon Police Department, Toledo Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Riley and Whitaker), Sylvania Township Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the ATF (Johnson and Winston).

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing 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.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A San Antonio couple that was the most prolific dark net fentanyl vendor in the world at the time of their arrest last year were sentenced to prison.

Matthew Roberts, 36, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. Holly Roberts, 35, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison.

The Roberts’ operated MH4LIFE and a variety of other dark net marketplace accounts. They previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, money laundering, identity theft and other crimes.

According to court documents:

The Roberts’ created and operated several dark net marketplace accounts, including MH4LIFE, TRAPPEDINTIME, FASTFORWARD and MRHIGH4LIFE. They operated these accounts on nearly a dozen dark net marketplaces including Dream Market, Silk Road, AlphaBay, Darknet Heroes League, Nucleus and several others.

They used these accounts between 2013 and May 12, 2018 to possess and distribute fentanyl, MethoxyAcetylFentanyl (MAF), other fentanyl analogues, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, marijuana, Xanax, Oxycodone and other drugs.

The Roberts’ MH4LIFE vendor account on Dream Market had 2,800 verified transactions with a 4.89/5 rating as of May 2018. Dream listed that MH4LIFE had 500 verified transactions on the Agora marketplace and 719 transactions on the Nucleus marketplace. The only products listed for sale by MH4LIFE were illegal narcotics. The majority of available reviews detailed customers purchasing fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.

MH4LIFE had the highest number of verified transactions worldwide of any fentanyl vendor based upon a review of Dream Market.

The Roberts’ used private messaging, encryption software, Virtual Private Networks and proxies through the TOR network to provide security for the criminal organization. They used decoys, such as glow bracelets and other mundane items, to hide the fact they were mailing narcotics. They also purchased postage from third parties with cryptocurrency in an effort to conceal their activities.

Customers used digital currency to purchase narcotics, which the defendants sent to digital currency exchanges, where the funds were converted into official fiat currency and spent on person goods and services, as well as prepaid Visa and gift cards. The Roberts’ also used advanced identity theft techniques to hide their identity from cryptocurrency and other financial institutions, in order to thwart Know Your Customer protocols.

At the time of arrest, law enforcement found Matthew Roberts in a hotel room surrounded by fentanyl, other narcotics, devices used to access the dark net, cryptocurrency wallets, drug ledgers and cash. Holly Roberts was found in their home, which also contained drug ledgers and narcotics.

“The mechanics of drug dealing has changed, and law enforcement has changed with it,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “These cases demonstrate that those who think they are hiding behind a cloak of anonymity on the dark net will be uncovered and brought to justice for selling the drugs killing our friends and neighbors.”

“This investigation and today’s sentencing marks a final blow to what we now know was one of the largest fentanyl distributors operating on the dark web,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “As this case makes clear, HSI and our partners are united in our resolve to protect our communities and our country from the scourge of drug trafficking. We stand ready to use every tool and resource at our disposal to attack and dismantle these organizations, regardless of where they operate.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is fully dedicated to protecting the American public,” said Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke.  “One of the ways we fulfill this mission is by working tirelessly with other law enforcement agencies in operations just like this one to keep dangerous drugs out of the communities we serve.”

"The Roberts’ utilized the dark web in an attempt to keep their dangerous drug dealing behavior hidden from law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “This significant sentence should serve as notice to anyone dealing illegal drugs online that law enforcement will join efforts and bring their reign to an end."

These cases are the result of Operation Darkness Falls, a joint investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations, U.S Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. Federal agents around the country, including in the Western District of Texas, Western District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Florida and elsewhere, have assisted in the ongoing operation.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin and Daniel J. Riedl.

Six people from Ohio were indicted in federal court for their roles in a health care fraud conspiracy in which Medicaid was billed $48 million for drug and alcohol recovery services which were not provided, not medically necessary, lacked proper documentation, or had other issues that made them ineligible for reimbursement.

Named in the 60-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland are: Ryan P. Sheridan, 38, of Leetonia; Jennifer M. Sheridan, 40, of Austintown; Kortney L. Gherardi, 29, of Girard; Lisa M. Pertee, 50, of Sunbury; Thomas Bailey, 44, of Poland, and Arthur H. Smith, 54, of Austintown.

All six are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud related to their work at Braking Point Recovery Center, which operated drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Austintown and Whitehall, Ohio.

Additional counts include health care fraud, money laundering, operating a drug premises, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, use of a registration number issued to another to obtain controlled substances, and other offenses.

According to the indictment:

Ryan Sheridan was the sole owner of Braking Point Recovery Center, which operated drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Austintown and Whitehall, Ohio, that provided detox, intensive outpatient treatment, day treatment and residential living rehabilitation.

Sheridan also owned and operated numerous other businesses, including Breaking Point Health and Fitness LLC and Braking Point Recovery Housing LLC, which owned recovery houses (or “sober houses”) for individuals attempting to maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

As part of being a certified provider, Sheridan agreed to follow the rules and regulations of the Ohio Medicaid Program and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Between January 2015 and October 18, 2017, various defendants submitted or caused to be submitted billings to Medicaid for drug and alcohol services that were: coded to reflect a service more costly than was actually provided; without proper documentation; without proper assessment documents containing valid diagnosis; billings for patients whose records did not contain diagnosis by a physician; related to treatment at unlicensed inpatient beds; billings related to Bailey dispensing of Suboxone even though Bailey did not have the authority to do so; for case management services when, in fact, the clients were working out at Sheridan’s gym; billings based on quotas provided to the nurses by the defendants to bill four to five hours of treatment daily, even if the services were not medically necessary; billing for in-patient detox and drug treatment services that were, in fact, provided in an out-patient setting, among other violations.

Braking Point submitted approximately 134,744 claims to Medicaid for more than $48.5 million in services it claimed to provide between May 2015 and October 2017. The claims caused Medicaid to pay Braking Point more than $31 million. Medicaid suspended payments to Braking Point on October 18, 2017.

The Sheridans, Gherardi, Bailey and Smith are also accused of conspiring to develop a standard protocol of distributing the same amount of Suboxone to every patient seeking drug treatment immediately upon entering Braking Point’s detox program without being evaluated by a properly licensed physician to determine the medical necessity for the use of Suboxone.

The Sheridans, Gherardi and Bailey used Smith’s DEA data waiver license to dispense more than 3,000 doses of Suboxone in 2017 alone without Smith having seen the patients. Smith held himself out to be Braking Point’s medical director but only went to Braking Point approximately twice a month.

Ryan Sheridan is also accused of making numerous financial transactions involving money derived from unlawful activities, including health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Prosecutors are also seeking for forfeit property and proceeds obtained as a result of these crimes, including nearly $3 million, property in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, and eight automobiles, including replicas of vehicles used in the movies “Back to the Future,” “Ghostbusters” and “Batman.”

“These defendants are accused of stealing tens of millions of dollars from taxpayers through fraudulent billing and other crimes,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Treatment for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction is vitally important, but, as alleged in this case, these defendants profited off the suffering of others. We will hold accountable anyone who tries to illegally take advantage of the drug epidemic.”

“Individuals who are recovering from opioid and alcohol abuse that seek assistance need to have the utmost confidence and trust in those who are providing their care”, said Lamont Pugh III, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region.  “That trust and confidence was violated by these defendant’s in order to pursue their own financial gain and waste vital taxpayer dollars. The OIG will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that those who commit criminal acts to unjustly enrich themselves are held accountable.”

“While patients from the community were receiving treatment for their addictions, these individuals were allegedly engaged in fraudulent billing and other financial schemes to bilk taxpayers out of millions of dollars,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and healthcare industry to identify those illegally cheating the system for the benefit of their own pockets.”

“The conduct detailed in this indictment is egregious and exposed these defendants for who they really are, thieves. They defrauded the health care system for their own personal gain," stated Ryan Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “IRS-CI is committed to collaboratively working to unravel complex fraud and money laundering schemes and ensuring those responsible are deprived of the fruits of these crimes.”

“While the vast majority of the healthcare professionals in this country are committed to saving lives, there are a few who are merely drug dealers hiding in plain view, and driven by greed,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon. “These arrests reiterate the Drug Enforcement Administration’s commitment to making our communities safer from illicit drugs, diverted pharmaceuticals, and fraud.”

“These scams are a sucker punch in the face to every family with loved ones struggling with addiction,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.  “We will work with our partners to achieve justice — and get our money back.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicare Fraud and Corruption Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Bennett and Maritsa Flaherty and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Metzler.

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 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.

An indictment is only a charge, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Four people were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Indicted are: Jevonn Goolsby, 29, of Akron; Seirgio Kindell, 30, of Canton; Charles E. Goode Jr., 37, of Lakewood, and Dwayne J. Wilson, 34, of Euclid.

Goolsby is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Goolsby possessed a Hi-Point C9 pistol and seven rounds of ammunition on August 3, 2018, despite previous convictions for aggravated robbery and robbery, according to the indictment.

Kindell is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kindell possessed Walther .22-caliber pistol and ammunition on December 5, 2018, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault with a firearm specification, according to the indictment.

Goode is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Goode possessed Ruger 9 mm pistol and ammunition on December 2, 2018, despite a previous conviction for aggravated assault, attempted felonious assault and aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

Wilson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Wilson possessed Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol and ammunition on December 16, 2018, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence and burglary, according to the indictment

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 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.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Police Department (Goolsby). 

They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damoun Delaviz, Aaron P. Howell and Kelly L. Galvin.

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.

An Elyria man who stabbed a woman was indicted in federal court for carjacking.

Johnny G. Mack III, 39, was indicted on one count of carjacking after he used force to steal a 2016 Nissan Altima on December 12, 2018, according to the indictment.

Mack pulled a knife and threated to stab the driver of the Altima as he pushed her into her car. Mack stabbed the victim, causing small puncture wounds to her legs, stomach and hands, according to court documents.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and Elyria Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.

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.

A contractor from North Royalton was indicted for paying cash bribes to a City of Cleveland building official.

Martin Fano, 69, was indicted on seven counts of honest services mail and wire fraud.

According to the indictment:

Fano owned and operated ABC Construction LLC, a business that provided demolition and construction services in the Cleveland area. The company did demolition work for the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank and private parties.

Fano paid bribes to Rufus Taylor, who served as the City of Cleveland’s Chief of the Demolition Bureau. Fano paid money to Taylor so that Taylor would use his position to ensure work performed by Fano’s company would be quickly inspected after completion and more quickly receive signed permits for work performed.  This took place between June 2016 and January 2017, and this favorable treatment allowed Fano to receive faster payment for demolition jobs

Taylor has pleaded guilty to bribery and extortion charges and is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.

“Bribery is not acceptable, whether you are a contractor paying the bribe or a public official accepting the money,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Rooting out corruption is vital to protecting our public institutions.”

“Bribing a public official is, most assuredly, a bad business practice and against the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI will continue to root out public corruption and hold those that are stealing from our taxpaying citizens accountable in a court of law.”

Brad Geary, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, said: “The prosecution of Mr. Fano’s conduct should serve as a reminder that the HUD Office of Inspector General will vigorously pursue these individuals and bring them to justice.  We wish to thank the U. S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners for their continued partnership throughout this investigation.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea S. Rice and Elliot Morrison.

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.

A charge 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.

An Akron man was indicted in federal court on fentanyl, firearms and other drug charges, as well as having an illegal pill press.

Donyea Nelson, 42, was indicted on charges including possession of die used to manufacture a counterfeit substance, possession of equipment to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues and other charges.

According to the nine-count indictment and related court documents:

Law enforcement became aware in December 2018 of several packages sent from China to 1305 Bellows Street in Akron. Some of the shipments were consistent with parts used to press pills.

A search of one of the parcels on January 2, 2019 revealed several parts used to press and stamp pills. The die pieces recovered were designed to print and/or reproduce the trade name and mark of acetaminophen oxycodone hydrochloride, more commonly known as Percocet.

Law enforcement made an undercover controlled delivery of the package the next day. Nelson accepted and signed for the package, which was addressed to a Nelsohn Donnier.

Police entered the home and found numerous powders, capsules, items consistent with a pill press operation, as well as a .45-caliber Blackhawk pistol. The drugs were determined to include fentanyl, methamphetamine, butyrylfentanyl and 4-ANPP.

“This case is a stark reminder that people who buy drugs on the street have no idea what they are putting into their body,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This defendant was pressing pills to look like Percocet but his home was filled with deadly fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other drugs. I am confident this arrest saved lives.”

“Opioid trafficking continues to be among HSI’s highest investigative priorities,” said Homeland Security Investigations’ Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “These deadly drugs pose an extremely serious threat to public safety in our communities. HSI and our partners will be relentless in our effort to bring traffickers of this poison to justice. ”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Akron Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Damoun Delaviz.

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.

A charge 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.

 

Twelve people from Mahoning County were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to obtain large amounts of cocaine, which they sold in and around Youngstown.

Named in the 95-count indictment are: Kevin Clinkscale, 32; Keilan Clinkscale, 30; Rochelle Garron, 51; Jeanne George, 48; Deonne Gilbert, 35; Vernon Robinson, 45; Edward Lee DuBose Jr., 37, of Boardman; Edward Lee DuBose Sr., 58; Anthony W. Howell, 30; Jermaine Stroughter, 39; Eric T. Gilford, 27, and Troy Pollard, 35.

All the defendants live in Youngstown except DuBose Jr., who lives in Boardman.

All 12 are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.

The DuBoses and Gilbert face additional charges of distribution of crack cocaine. DuBose Jr. faces additional charges of distribution of heroin. Gilbert is charged with maintaining a drug premises on West Judson Avenue in Youngstown. There are additional charges for using telephones in furtherance of drug trafficking activity.

According to the indictment:

Robinson obtained cocaine and distributed it to Gilbert, who cooked some of the cocaine into crack. Gilbert distributed crack cocaine and powder cocaine to the DuBoses, Pollard, Kevin Clinkscale, Garron and Stroughter.

DuBose Jr. sold crack and powder cocaine to Howell, DuBose Sr. and Gilford.

Kevin Clinkscale sold crack and powder cocaine to Keilan Clinkscale, Garron and George.

Gilbert used a home on West Judson Avenue to store and distribute drugs.

This conspiracy took place between May and November 2017.

“These defendants sold crack and powder cocaine all over Youngstown, and used a home in the city to stash and sell their drugs,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

“This group of dangerous drug dealers brought violence and fear to Youngstown and the surrounding communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith “Law enforcement agencies joined efforts and now these menacing individuals will be held accountable and our neighborhoods will be rid of their threatening criminal behavior.”

Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees said: “This case is an example of local and federal law enforcement working together to make Youngstown safer.”

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Katz.

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.

Erick Jamal Hendricks, 38, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

A jury in Akron, Ohio, convicted Hendricks last year of attempting and conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith of the FBI’s Cleveland Office.

“This defendant sought to create a cell of ISIS supporters, train those people and then launch attacks from inside the United States,” U.S. Attorney Herdman said. “This defendant posed a very real threat to the safety of our community and nation.”

“Erick Jamal Hendricks represents the significant online ISIS threat that we face daily – a US citizen that became radicalized online and attempted to recruit and train individuals to commit jihad, all while living in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Smith.  “The FBI urges the public to report information regarding individuals pledging their allegiance to ISIS or other identified terrorist groups. The FBI is pleased that Hendricks was stopped before he was successful and now will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.”

According to court documents and trial testimony, Hendricks tried to recruit people to train together and conduct terrorist attacks in the United States on behalf of ISIS.

Amir Al-Ghazi was arrested in the Northern District of Ohio in June 2015 after attempting to purchase an AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition from an undercover law enforcement officer.  Al-Ghazi had pledged allegiance to ISIS in social media and made statements expressing interest in conducting attacks in the U.S.

Hendricks had contacted Al-Ghazi over social media to recruit him in the spring of 2015. Hendricks allegedly told Al-Ghazi that he “needed people” and wanted to meet in person; that there were several “brothers” located in Texas and Mexico; that he was attempting to “get brothers to meet face to face;” and that he wanted “to get brothers to train together,” according to court documents and trial testimony

Al-Ghazi said Hendricks tested his religious knowledge and commitment, inquiring about his willingness to commit “jihad,” to die as a “martyr” and his desire to enter “jannah” (paradise).  Al-Ghazi understood these statements to mean that Hendricks was recruiting people to train together for the purpose of conducting a terrorist attack in the U.S. and to see if Al-Ghazi was suitable for recruitment, according to the allegations.  Al-Ghazi believed that Hendricks and the “brothers in Texas and Mexico” may have been responsible for a thwarted terrorist attack in Garland, Texas, on May 3, 2015, and therefore he decided to stay away from social media for a period following the attack to minimize detection by law enforcement.

Hendricks also communicated over social media with several other people, including an undercover FBI employee (UCE-1).  Hendricks on April 16, 2015 instructed UCE-1 to download the document “GPS for the Ghuraba in the U.S.”, which included a section entitled “Final Advice” which advocated that “brothers and sisters” should not allow themselves to go to jail.  This section also allegedly encouraged Muslims to die as a “Shaheed” (martyr), to “Boobie trap your homes,” to “lay in wait for them” and to “never leave your home without your AK-47 or M16.”  Hendricks also directed UCE-1 to communicate online with other people and stated “It’s hard to sift through brothers;” “Allah chooses only the few;” and “Everyday I do this day in and day out,” according to court documents and trial testimony.

Hendricks told another person that his goal was to create a sleeper cell to be trained and housed at a secure compound that would conduct attacks in the U.S.  He mentioned that potential targets included military members whose information had been released by ISIS and the woman who organized the “Draw Prophet Mohammad contest,” and he claimed to have 10 members signed up for his group, according court documents and trial testimony.

On April 23, 2015, Hendricks used social media to contact Elton Simpson, who, along with Nadir Hamid Soofi, was inspired by ISIS and launched the attack on the “First Annual Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest” in Garland.  Simpson and Soofi opened fire, wounding a security guard, before Garland police returned fire and killed both Simpson and Soofi.  Hendricks also connected UCE-1 with Simpson via social media, communicated with UCE-1 about the contest in Garland, and directed UCE-1 to go to the contest.  Hendricks said: “If you see that pig (meaning the organizer of the contest) make your ‘voice’ heard against her.”  He also asked UCE-1 a series of questions related to security at the event, including: “How big is the gathering?” “How many ppl?” “How many police/agents?” “Do you see feds there?’ “Do you see snipers?” and “How many media?”  Shortly thereafter, Simpson and Soofi committed the attack on the cartoon drawing contest.

Al-Ghazi is serving a 16-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization and being a felon in possession of firearms.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s offices in Cleveland; Columbia, South Carolina; Baltimore; and Charlotte, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the District of Maryland, District of South Carolina and the Western District of North Carolina.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Mark S. Bennett and Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

 

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging an Ohio man with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, attempting to commit a hate crime, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime a violence stemming from his plan to attack in a synagogue in the Toledo area.

Damon M. Joseph, 21, also known as Abdullah Ali Yusuf, of Holland, Ohio, was arrested in December after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division, U.S Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

“This man allegedly spent months planning a violent terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS here in the United States, and targeted a Jewish synagogue in the Toledo area specifically because of the faith of the people who worship there,” said U.S. Attorney Herdman.  “We will work to identify and arrest anyone who take steps to use violence to spread their ideology and to interfere with the free exercise of our essential rights.”

“In a matter of months, Damon Joseph allegedly progressed from radicalized, virtual jihadist to attack planner,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Hughes.  “He ultimately decided to target two Toledo-area synagogues for a mass-casualty attack in the name of ISIS. Joseph will now be accountable in a court of law for his pursuit of a violent act of terrorism upon our fellow citizens attending their desired house of worship.”

According to documents filed in court, Joseph drew the attention of law enforcement in 2018 by posting photographs of weapons and various messages in support of ISIS on his social media accounts, as well as a photograph originally distributed by the media wing of ISIS.  This activity led to multiple interactions between Joseph and undercover FBI agents.

During his communication with undercover agents, Joseph stated his support for ISIS and produced propaganda in support of ISIS recruitment.  In September, Joseph made videos that he sent to the undercover agent, hoping they would be used to recruit people to ISIS.  He also complained that the mosque he attended was critical of ISIS.

Joseph stated his support for violent attacks and operations.  For example, on Oct. 21, 2018,Joseph expressed support for “martyrdom operations” and stated: “what must be done, must be done” and “there are always casualties of war.”

On Oct. 30, Joseph and the undercover communicated regarding the mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh. Joseph stated: “I admire what the guy did with the shooting actually.”  He added: “I can see myself carrying out this type of operation inshallah. They wouldn[’]t even expect [an attack] in my area...”

Over the next few weeks, Joseph continued stating he wanted to participate in an attack on behalf of ISIS.  On Dec. 2 he forwarded a document that laid out his plans for an attack, using the name “Abdullah Ali Yusuf” for himself.  In the document, he described plans to attack where the greatest number of people are gathered, inflict the most casualties during the attack and make sure no one escaped.

Joseph then stated that he did not see this necessarily as “a martyrdom operation” as his plan accounted for an escape and potential combat with law enforcement.

On Dec. 4, Joseph stated he was deciding between two synagogues in the area to attack.  He stated the choice would depend on “Which one will have [the] most people, what time and what day. Go big or go home.”

The next day, Joseph met with an undercover FBI agent and discussed conducting a mass shooting at a synagogue. Joseph identified two synagogues he viewed as targets in the greater Toledo area, and discussed the types of weapons he believed would be able to inflict mass casualties.

Joseph made written notes about the firearms he wanted and provided them to the undercover agent, stating he wanted AR 15s, AK 47s, Glocks and ammunition.

On Dec. 6, Joseph met with an undercover agent in the Toledo area and stated it would be ideal to attack two synagogues, but that it was probably more realistic to only attack one.  Joseph also stated specifically that he wanted to kill a rabbi.

Also on Dec. 6, Joseph wrote the name and address of the synagogue where the attack was to occur.  Joseph stated he had conducted research to determine when the Jewish sabbath was so that more people would be present.  Joseph pulled up photographs of the inside of the synagogue and said he wanted the attack to begin in the sanctuary.  Joseph told the undercover agent that he would hide two semi-automatic rifles at his house once the undercover purchased them.

Later that day, the undercover agent told Joseph that he purchased rifles for the attack.  The two met on Dec. 7 at a predetermined location and Joseph took a black duffel bag containing two semi-automatic rifles, which had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement officers so that they posed no danger to the public.  Joseph was then arrested.

An indictment is only a charge, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of members of the FBI, Homeland Security and Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Police Department, is leading the ongoing investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Baeppler of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Josh Champagne and Kyle Phillips of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division. 

An Akron man was indicted in federal court for having fentanyl and cocaine.

Lexington Jacobs, 24, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentnaly.

Jacobs had the drugs on December 9, 2018, according to the indictment.

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 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 indictment was conducted by the Akron Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly.

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.

A federal grand jury sitting in the Northern District of Ohio returned a three-count indictment charging an Ohio man with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, attempting to commit a hate crime, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence stemming from his plan to attack in a synagogue in the Toledo area.

Damon M. Joseph, 21, also known as Abdullah Ali Yusuf, of Holland, Ohio, was arrested in December after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division, U.S Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

According to documents filed in court, Joseph drew the attention of law enforcement in 2018 by posting photographs of weapons and various messages in support of ISIS on his social media accounts, as well as a photograph originally distributed by the media wing of ISIS.  This activity led to multiple interactions between Joseph and undercover FBI agents.

During his communication with undercover agents, Joseph stated his support for ISIS and produced propaganda in support of ISIS recruitment.  In September, Joseph made videos that he sent to the undercover agent, hoping they would be used to recruit people to ISIS.  He also complained that the mosque he attended was critical of ISIS.

Joseph stated his support for violent attacks and operations.  For example, on Oct. 21, 2018, Joseph expressed support for “martyrdom operations” and stated: “what must be done, must be done” and “there are always casualties of war.”

On Oct. 30, Joseph and the undercover communicated regarding the mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh. Joseph stated: “I admire what the guy did with the shooting actually.”  He added: “I can see myself carrying out this type of operation inshallah. They wouldn[’]t even expect [an attack] in my area...”

Over the next few weeks, Joseph continued stating he wanted to participate in an attack on behalf of ISIS.  On Dec. 2 he forwarded a document that laid out his plans for an attack, using the name “Abdullah Ali Yusuf” for himself.  In the document, he described plans to attack where the greatest number of people are gathered, inflict the most casualties during the attack and make sure no one escaped.

Joseph then stated that he did not see this necessarily as “a martyrdom operation” as his plan accounted for an escape and potential combat with law enforcement.

On Dec. 4, Joseph stated he was deciding between two synagogues in the area to attack.  He stated the choice would depend on “Which one will have [the] most people, what time and what day. Go big or go home.”

The next day, Joseph met with an undercover FBI agent and discussed conducting a mass shooting at a synagogue. Joseph identified two synagogues he viewed as targets in the greater Toledo area, and discussed the types of weapons he believed would be able to inflict mass casualties.

Joseph made written notes about the firearms he wanted and provided them to the undercover agent, stating he wanted AR 15s, AK 47s, Glocks and ammunition.

On Dec. 6, Joseph met with an undercover agent in the Toledo area and stated it would be ideal to attack two synagogues, but that it was probably more realistic to only attack one.  Joseph also stated specifically that he wanted to kill a rabbi.

Also on Dec. 6, Joseph wrote the name and address of the synagogue where the attack was to occur.  Joseph stated he had conducted research to determine when the Jewish sabbath was so that more people would be present.  Joseph pulled up photographs of the inside of the synagogue and said he wanted the attack to begin in the sanctuary.  Joseph told the undercover agent that he would hide two semi-automatic rifles at his house once the undercover purchased them.

Later that day, the undercover agent told Joseph that he purchased rifles for the attack.  The two met on Dec. 7 at a predetermined location and Joseph took a black duffel bag containing two semi-automatic rifles, which had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement officers so that they posed no danger to the public.  Joseph was then arrested.

An indictment is only a charge, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of members of the FBI, Homeland Security and Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Police Department, is leading the ongoing investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Baeppler of the Northern District of Ohio, Trial Attorneys Josh Champagne and Kyle Phillips of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division.

A Lisbon man was indicted for child pornography crimes.

David Grunden, 34, of Lisbon, was indicted on one count each of receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and advertising child pornography.

Grunden, between 2014 and 2017, received numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possessed  a computer with child pornography on October 30, 2018, according to the indictment.

From January 11 through June 3, 2018, Grunden solicited adults to be recorded having sex with children, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Deckert following an investigation by the FBI, the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

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.

A jury convicted a Cleveland man on all 14 counts related to using a firearm to deal fentanyl, heroin and other drugs.

Tyler Hall, 28, is scheduled to be sentenced May 17th. He was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a felon in possession of a firearm and multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine marijuana.

Hall had 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine and a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol during a search of his home and business on the west side of Cleveland last year, according to court documents.

Hall was a person of interest in relation to three non-fatal opioid overdoses. Two of the victims had information that their supplier’s name was Tyler and that he worked, resided and sold drugs in the area of West 104th Street and Lorain Avenue, according to court documents.

Law enforcement on July 3 searched Hall’s residence at 10400 Lorain Ave. and business, at auto body shop at 3179 West 104th Street. Hall was detained and found to be carrying two cellular phones, $1,152 in cash and a set of keys to both his residence and business, according to court documents.

Inside his residence was a desk where it appeared drugs were prepared and packaged for sale. Also nearby were 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine, a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and approximately $6,000 in cash, according to court documents.

Hall was prohibited from having a firearm because of previous felony convictions, including for aggravated robbery, robbery, intimidation of a crime victim or witness and multiple drug trafficking and possession convictions, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.

Eleven people were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute synthetic narcotics in federal prison by soaking paper in the drugs and then sending the drug-infused paper into prison as mail and other documents.

The letters included purported legitimate legal correspondence from members of the conspiracy impersonating actual attorneys. The recipients of the mailings then distributed the drug-infused paper to other inmates at significant profit and members of the conspiracy laundered the profits.

The defendants also imported fentanyl analogues from China for distribution across the United States.

Named in the 19-count indictment are: Roy Kahn, 48; Christopher Adams, 41; Irwin Jose Vargas, 43; Manuel Lopez, 58; Wayne Fabian, 47; Giuseppe Cellura, 45; Brian Perez-Ayala, 38; Andres Garcia, 41; Jesus Parra-Felix; Miguel Forteza-Garcia, 35, and Eduardo Rivera-Ocana, 36. All the defendants except Kahn, Adams, Lopez and Cellura are currently in federal prison.

“This indictment details the disruption of a sophisticated organization that bought drugs from suppliers in China and then shipped them across the United States, including sending them into federal prisons,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Law enforcement worked diligently to investigate and dismantle this group.”

FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes said: “Concealing dangerous, deadly, illegal drugs  and smuggling into prisons by any method in order to profit from incarcerated drug users is quite crafty, but utilizing infusion methods onto paper causes extreme risks to innocent people who may handle the paper. The Bureau of Prisons Investigative Unit did an outstanding job in identifying not only the drugs, but also the method being utilized.  Through collaborative law enforcement efforts, these drug dealers will answer for their crimes in federal court and innocent lives have been saved.”

According to the indictment:

Kahn controlled and operated a large multi-state conspiracy that obtained synthetic drugs from suppliers in China and distributed the drugs to inmates in federal prison. This took place between 2015 through 2018.

Kahn and Adams devised a chemical process where they infused the narcotics onto pieces of paper, which could then be cut into strips and smoked. At the height of their operation, they were infusing one kilogram of drugs a week, resulting in the creation of at least 500 drug-infused pages at a time.

Kahn’s organization then used these drug pages to create photographs, books and pamphlets, such as Harry Potter coloring books. They also used the drug pages to create legal mail such as briefs and motions bearing the names of real attorney or fictitious attorney personas they created. The purpose of these actions was to circumvent prison security.

Inmates paid Kahn, Vargas and others through the Bureau of Prisons’ payment system, money orders, wire transfers and other means. Kahn, Vargas and others engaged in a variety of money laundering techniques to make these payments appear legitimate.

Kahn then used the profits from the prison drug smuggling scheme to finance the purchase of more fentanyl analogues and other opioids from China for further distribution in the United States. Kahn and Adams had these drugs shipped to a number of cities, including Cleveland.

The indictment details how the defendants charged at least $500 for a sheet of drug-infused paper. Vargas stated: “The job is badass…they drown those sheets…and then they hang them…like photographs, they have them with clips and leave them to dry,” according to the indictment.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Joint Information Sharing Initiative, the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Cronin and Elliot Morrison.

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.

 

A Lorain man was sentenced to life in prison for selling fentanyl that killed a 23-year-old Lorain man.

Russell Davis, 50, was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko. The jury convicted Davis last year on one count of distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death.

Davis sold fentanyl to Jacob Castro-White that resulted in Castro-White fatally overdosing on March 7, 2016, according to trial testimony and court records.

“Seeking long prison sentences for those who profit from selling the drugs killing our friends and neighbors is a crucial component to overcoming this epidemic that has cause so much pain and suffering,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The Lorain Police Department, FBI, the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office are all to be commended for their diligence in this case.”

“It is almost a daily occurrence to hear of a death due to heroin or fentanyl,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes. “Law enforcement will continue to work collaboratively to hold accountable those that bring this poison and destruction to our communities.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Corts and Vasile Katsaros following an investigation by the FBI and Lorain Police Department, with assistance from the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office.

A Westlake man with a history of food stamp fraud was indicted on charges that he continued to illegally accept food stamps at seven Cleveland-area gas stations, laundered the profits, illegally had firearms, operated an unregulated slaughterhouse and polluted a stream by dumping animal blood and other fluids into it.

Amin M. Salem, 59, and Mohamed Salem, 32, were both indicted on one count each of conspiracy to launder money and one count of engaging in real estate transactions using laundered funds.

Amin Salem is additionally charged with one count of making unpermitted discharges into a waterway, one count of distribution of adulterated, misbranded or uninspected meat and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. That charge stems from Amin Salem having an AR-15 rifle and a Savage 12-gauge shotgun, despite previous convictions for conspiracy to defraud the United States, food stamp fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering.

Mohamed Salem, also of Westlake and Amin’s son, is also charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods for his sale of counterfeit clothing and apparel.

Zahran al-Qadan, 55, of Cleveland, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to launder money.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit properties at 43588 Stang Road and 7250 West Ridge Road in Elyria owned by the Salems.

According to the six-count indictment:

Amin Salem secretly owned several area gas stations: Henry’s Marathon at 3106 Fulton Road; Gas Way at 10606 Bellaire Road; Turney Sunoco at 6009 Turney Road in Garfield Heights; Harvard Gas USA at 7020 Harvard Ave.; Bellaire Gas USA at 3934 West 117th Street; Rapid Stop at 1712 East 55th Street and Memphis Shell at 7210 Memphis Ave.

Mohamed Salem managed the gas station’s finances of behalf of his father. The gas stations had terminals to accept and process Electronic Benefits Transaction (EBT) cards as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.

The gas stations and the EBT terminals inside were in the names of Mohamed Salem or another person, since Amin Salem was prohibited from owning stores that processed EBT transactions because of previous convictions for food stamp fraud and related crimes.

The gas station terminals were used by the Salems to process more than $2.7 million in fraudulent SNAP transactions between 2010 and 2016.

Amin Salem slaughtered lambs and goats at his property on Stang Road in 2015 and 2016. He sold the meat, which was not inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also caused, without a permit, the discharge of blood and other bodily fluids from the slaughtered animals into Engle Ditch, which flows into the Black River and eventually Lake Erie.

Mohamed Salem sold meat illegally slaughtered at Amin Salem’s farm. The Salems allowed customers to pay for the illegally slaughtered meat using SNAP cards, in contravention of SNAP’s rules and regulations.

Money from the meat sales and SNAP transactions were deposited into gas station accounts and ultimately sent to accounts controlled and used by the Salems.

The Salems and al-Qadan owned the Rapid Stop gas station at 1712 East 55th Street in Cleveland. Al-Qadan also owned and operated Yahala Bakery, a grocery store and bakery in North Olmsted.

Al-Qadan used checks from Yahala Bakery to purchase illegally slaughtered meat, and caused the checks to be processed through gas station bank accounts so it appeared those transactions were for the purchase of gasoline. Al-Qadan also paid for the meat using the EBT cards of customers who allowed him to have possession of their cards and accounts.

The Salems used the funds from these fraudulent transactions to pay for lots at 26800-26900 Brookpark Road Extension in North Olmsted.

“Amin Salem is accused of engaging in a diverse array of crimes, from food stamp fraud to illegally slaughtering lambs and goats to illegally having an assault rifle and shotgun, just to name a few,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “He will now be held accountable for years of disregarding our nation’s laws and flouting the rules to enrich himself.”

"This father and son duo engaged in various illegalities to include stealing from every taxpaying citizen by engaging in food stamp fraud, a program designed to help those in need," said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Hughes. "Salem put others at risk by selling unsanitary, unregulated food. The FBI will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure fraudsters like these are held accountable."

“IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their money," stated Ryan Korner, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI Cincinnati Field Office.  

“The defendant is alleged to have illegally discharged waste from an animal slaughtering operation into a local stream,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Lynn of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Ohio.  “This case demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners will pursue those who violate laws designed to protect the health of our communities and the environment.”

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, 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 case was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, USDA-OIG, USDA-FSIS, EPA-CID, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio Department of Agriculture, BCI, Ohio EPA, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, Guernsey County Sheriff's Department, Cleveland Division of Police, Westlake Police Department and Strongsville Police Department.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Duncan Brown and Brad Beeson.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.       

A Toledo man was sentenced to five years in prison, the final defendant sent to prison for their roles in a conspiracy to provide thousands of dollars to Anwar Al-Alwaki in an effort to support violent jihad against U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world.

Ibrahim Zubar Mohammad, 39, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, and will be deported upon completion of the sentence. He previously pleaded guilty to concealing the financing of terrorism.

Sultane Room Salim, 43, was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this week. He previously pleaded guilty to concealing the financing of terrorism

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 40, is currently serving a sentence of more than 27 years in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and to soliciting the murder of a United States District Judge.

Asif Ahmed Salim, 38, is serving six years in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to concealing the financing of terrorism.

“These defendants sent thousands of dollars abroad to support al Qaeda and attacks on Americans,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “This case demonstrates that we will aggressively pursue leads and evidence around the world to bring to justice those who would strike at our nation and the ideals we hold dear.”

"We are pleased these individuals will spend significant time behind bars for providing funds to a known terrorist who called for violent jihad,” said Robert Hughes, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office. “The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue all collaborative and investigative efforts to root out individuals who provide material support to terrorists and their organizations.”

Farooq Mohammad was an Indian citizen who was an engineering student at Ohio State University between 2002 and 2004.  He married a U.S. citizen around March 2008.  His brother, Ibrahim Mohammad, was also an Indian citizen who studied engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2001 through 2005.  In or around 2006, he moved to Toledo, Ohio, and married a U.S. citizen.  He became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in or around 2007.

Asif Salim was a U.S. citizen who studied at Ohio State University between 2000 and 2005.  He became a resident of Overland Park, Kansas, in 2007.  His brother, Sultane Salim, is also a U.S. citizen who resided in the Chicago area from 2006 through 2012, until he moved to the Columbus area.

The four defendants conspired to provide money, equipment and other assistance to Anwar Al-Awlaki. Al-Awlaki, a key leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was designated a global terrorist in 2010.  The defendants’ support was to be used in furtherance of violent jihad against the U.S. and U.S. military in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world, according to court documents.

The defendants made various financial transactions in 2008 and 2009, and communicated about raising funds for a trip to the Middle East. Farooq Mohammad and Ibrahim Mohammad obtained money by opening credit cards and withdrawing money with no intention of repaying the amounts obtained from the financial institutions, according to court documents.

On July 22, 2009, Farooq Mohammad traveled with two other people to Yemen to meet Awlaki.  They were unable to meet with Awlaki, so instead travelled to Sana’a, Yemen, to meet with one of his associates.  Farooq Mohammad and his two fellow travelers gave the associate approximately $22,000 to be given to Awlaki, according to court documents.

In addition to pleading guilty to conspiring to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, Yahya Farooq Mohammad also admitted to soliciting an undercover FBI employee (UCE), posing as a “hitman,” to kidnap and murder U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary.  In or about April 2016 – after he was arrested on the terrorism charge and while the case was pending and assigned to Judge Zouhary – Mohammad told another inmate in the Lucas County Corrections Center in Toledo, Ohio that he wanted Zouhary kidnapped and murdered and that he was willing to pay $15,000 to have this carried out. The inmate provided Mohammad with the contact information for the UCE and stated that the UCE would need a $1,000 down payment before the murder could occur.  The inmate also provided Mohammad with an agreed upon code to use when discussing the planned murder over the jail telephone.

On or about April 26, 2016, Mohammad called the UCE from the Lucas County Corrections Center.  Using the agreed-upon code, Mohammad told the UCE he wanted to have Judge Zouhary killed. Mohammad agreed to provide the $1,000 down payment.  When asked when he wanted the murder committed, Mohammad stated, “The sooner would be good, you know.”   Over the ensuing days, Mohammad arranged to have a family member provide the $1,000 in cash to the UCE. On May 5, 2016, that family member met with the UCE and provided the UCE with $1,000 in cash. Mohammad later informed the inmate that the rest of the money for the murder was coming, according to court documents.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Michael Freeman and Trial Attorney David C. Smith of the Justice Department’s Counterterrorism Section.

                       

A Texas man was indicted for having one kilogram of fentanyl, three kilograms of heroin and three kilograms of cocaine.

Roland Herrera, 52, of San Antonio, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine and one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering.

Herrera was arrested on December 29 following a traffic stop in Westlake and found to have more than 15 pounds of drugs hidden in his vehicle, according to court documents.

“Fentanyl, heroin and cocaine have been the source of a long-running mass-casualty event here in Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This seizure undoubtedly saved lives in our community, and law enforcement will continue prosecuting those who traffic in deadly narcotics while working with other partners to make help available for people who want it.”

“HSI and its Ohio law enforcement partners will continue to vigorously identify, disrupt and dismantle these drug traffickers organizations that exploit and continue to cause great harm to members of the community,” said Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigation’s Detroit office, which includes Ohio. “The arrest of Mr. Herrera is another example a drug trafficker in possession of a large amount of narcotics that would have likely caused a significant number of overdoses and deaths.”   

 “The indictment of this individual is another fine example of the results that come from a collaborative policing effort,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “The hard work put forth by the officers and investigators in this case prevented  a significant amount of dangerous narcotics from being distributed on our streets.  This is the kind of work that saves lives.”  

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Westlake Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney.

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.

Seven people were indicted in federal court for firearms violations.

They are: Justin A. McGeever, aka Jonor A. McGree, 30, of Cleveland Heights; Gabriel T. Williams, 35, of Cleveland; Marcus L. Lockett, 29, of Akron; Melvin Wright, 37, of Akron; Deshaun A. Jones, 39, of Columbus; Fuquawn Baldwin, 26, of Akron, and Rowland L. Babb, 27, of Canton.

According to the indictments:

McGeever possessed ammunition and a .38-caliber pistol in 2016 while subject to a protection order.

Williams possessed a sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun in 2016.

Lockett possessed a Springfield Arms 9 mm pistol and ammunition, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault with a firearms specification. He also possessed at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and was using the firearm in relation to drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Wright possessed a .38-caliber revolver and ammunition on September 8, 2018, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault.

Jones possessed a stolen .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on October 1, 2018, despite a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Baldwin possessed a Ruger 9 mm pistol and ammunition on November 24, 2018, despite a previous conviction for robbery.

Babb possessed a Glock 9 mm pistol and ammunition on November 24, 2018, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Canton FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Canton Police Department, the Akron Police Department,

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.

 

A Maple Heights man was indicted on one count of attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda.

Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts, aka Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, aka Salah ad-Deen Osama Waleed, 49, has been in custody since July, when he was arrested after allegedly planning a terrorist attack in Cleveland.

“Protecting our citizens and our nation remains the Justice Department’s top priority,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “This defendant plotted and scouted locations in downtown Cleveland for an attack on July 4th, when he knew it would be packed with people celebrating our nation’s birthday.  We will continue to do all we can to identify, arrest and prosecute those threats while working to keep our communities safe and secure.”

“Pitts, a U.S. citizen living in Ohio, pledged his allegiance to al-Qaeda, a foreign terrorist organization, and was planning to conduct an attack in Cleveland on Independence Day, the very day we celebrate the freedoms we have in this country,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes.  “The FBI commends the public for reporting individuals that espouse their radical beliefs and/or engage in behavior that threaten the lives of our military personnel and community.”

According to an affidavit filed in the case, between 2015 and 2017, Pitts expressed anti-American sentiments and expressed a desire to recruit people to kill Americans.  The defendant expressed a desire to meet with an al Qaeda “brother” and in June he was introduced to an FBI employee acting in an undercover capacity (UCE), who Pitts believed was such a “brother.”

Pitts and the UCE met in Walton Hills, Ohio, where they discussed launching an attack for al Qaeda during the July 4th holiday.

Pitts said: “I’m trying to figure out something that would shake them up on the 4th of July.”  He later stated: “What would hit them at their core?  Blow up in the, have a bomb blow up in the 4th of July parade.”

Pitts and the UCE searched Google for a map of downtown Cleveland.  After learning the fireworks would be launched from Voinovich Park, Pitts said: “Oh there you go. Oh yeah.”  He was also pleased the park was near the U.S. Coast Guard station, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Celebrezze Federal Building.

The meeting concluded with Pitts indicating to the UCE that he would travel to downtown Cleveland soon to take photographs and videotape footage as part of surveillance efforts of Voinovich Park and the U.S. Coast Guard station.  He also expressed a desire to take a tour of the U.S. Coast Guard station to gain as much information as he could about the layout of the facility.

The UCE texted Pitts later on June 22 and where he indicated al Qaeda “brothers” would provide Pitts with a bus pass and cellular phone.

On June 25, Pitts met with an FBI confidential human source (CHS) in Maple Heights, Ohio, who provided Pitts with a bus pass and a phone Pitts could use to communicate with the UCE.  The bus pass was provided to Pitts, as he requested, so he could travel to downtown Cleveland to conduct surveillance for the July 4th attack.

On June 26, Pitts contacted the UCE via text message and relayed that he had completed the reconnaissance of the designated spots in downtown Cleveland and that he desired to “destroy the government.”

Pitts also indicated he intended to travel to Philadelphia, since Philadelphia is his hometown and he knows it best.  Pitts indicated it was his “job” to “go look at the base of the ground” and that it was up to other “brothers” to complete other parts of the job.

On June 27, Pitts met with the CHS and turned over the phone that contained the reconnaissance photos and videos, so they could be provided to the al Qaeda brothers.

Later on June 27, Pitts and the UCE met in Maple Heights then drove to downtown Cleveland, where they discussed the impending July 4th bombing.

“And I’m gonna be downtown when the – when the thing go off.  I’m gonna be somewhere cuz I wanna see it go off,” Pitts said.

A search of the phone that Pitts provided to the CHS revealed that he made two videos in which he pledged allegiance.  He stated, in part: “We serve Allah . . . We fight our enemies.  We destroy them and destroy those who try to oppose…”

The phone also had four videos taken by Pitts that show him walking down East 9th Street in Cleveland, pointing out potential targets such as the federal building, the Coast Guard station and St. John’s Cathedral, which he said could be taken “off the map.”

On July 1, Pitts met with the UCE in Garfield Heights, Ohio, for Pitts to explain his plan for Philadelphia.  Pitts said he planned to travel there to conduct reconnaissance for a future attack in Philadelphia.  Pitts stated a truck bomb packed with explosives, such as the one used in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, would be the best way to cause maximum damage.

Pitts was reminded by the UCE that people would die and body parts would by flying around.  Pitts responded “I don’t care” and that he had “no regrets,” would be able to “go to sleep” and “I don’t give a (expletive).”

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 violations.  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 being conducted by the FBI-Cleveland Division’s Joint Terrorism Task.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Baeppler and Matthew Shepherd of the Northern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorney Paul Casey of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

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.

 

A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for selling fentanyl and heroin last year that resulted in a fatal overdose.

Kadeem Davis, 28, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl and heroin, with a sentencing enhancement allegeing the sale resulted in death, one count of use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of possession of fentanyl and heroin with intent to distribute.

Davis sold a mixture of fentanyl and heroin on August 21, 2018 that resulted in a fatal overdose, according to the indictment.

Davis on August 22, 2018 possessed fentanyl and heroin with the intent of distributing the drugs, according to the indictment.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the Lakewood Police Department and the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force (NOLETF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa T. Darden.

The NOLETF is a long standing multi-agency task force comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the police departments of Broadview Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Euclid, Independence, North Royalton, the Regional Transit Authority, Westlake and Shaker Heights. The NOLETF is also one of the initial Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiatives. HIDTA supports and helps coordinate numerous Ohio drug task forces in their efforts to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking in Ohio.

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.

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Two Toledo men were charged in federal court after allegedly stealing dozens of guns from a firearms store in Oregon, Ohio.

Emmanuel Riley, 27, and Sevario Whitaker, 36, were each charged with theft from a federal firearms licensee and possession of a stolen firearm.

“These defendants are accused of breaking into a store in the middle of the night and stealing dozens of firearms,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

“There is no place in our society for those who use firearms for violent purposes, including those who steal firearms to further their criminal pursuits,” said Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.  “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to bring those individuals to justice.”

According to an affidavit filed in the case:

A federal firearms licensee doing business as Towers Armory was burglarized on November 19, 2018. Approximately 46 firearms, six suppressors and four gun bags were missing from the store. Video surveillance from the store showed two men entered the store at approximately 3:24 a.m. after gaining access through the ventilation system on the roof and began removing firearms. They returned to the store several times in the early morning hours and continued removing firearms.

Investigators obtained additional footage from a nearby business that showed the two men entered a Toyota Camry and drove away. A Toledo police detective recognized the vehicle as one that was used by Riley.

The vehicle was towed from Riley’s mother’s house and Oregon police executed a state search warrant. Inside the vehicle they recovered gloves, a hat, a face mask and Friday the 13th-style mask consistent with what the burglars on the store surveillance footage were wearing. Whitaker was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also found to be wearing a sweatshirt consistent with what one of the burglars was wearing.

DNA testing revealed Whitaker’s DNA could not be excluded from a red pry bar left behind at the burglary scene and the DNA of both men could not be excluded from DNA taken from the face mask recovered from the Camry.

A search of cell tower records indicates both Riley and Whitaker’s phones connected with a cell tower within one mile of the firearms store around the time of the burglary.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oregon Police Department and the Toledo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Simko. 

A charge is only an accusation 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.

A California man was charged in federal court after receiving a shipment of one kilogram of suspected fentanyl while staying in Cleveland.

Alan Gabriel Barba-Sanchez, 30, of San Diego, was charged with one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

According to an affidavit filed in the case:

A Cuyahoga County Deputy Sheriff seized a parcel containing one kilogram of fentanyl in Middelburg Heights on January 11. Homeland Security agents were contacted to do a controlled delivery of the package, which was addressed to 5400 Tillman Ave. in Cleveland.

An undercover agent delivered the package later that day. About an hour later, an individual later identified as Barba-Sanchez walked up to the front porch of the residence, picked up the package and carried it inside. Barba-Sanchez left the residence approximately 13 minutes later and walked south on West 54th Street.

Barba-Sanchez was arrested. He was carrying three iPhones, approximately $2,000 in cash and a key to a downtown hotel at the time of his arrest.

“When you look at the streets and neighborhoods of this district, fentanyl has had the same effect as a weapon of mass destruction,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This seizure has already saved lives in Northeast Ohio, and law enforcement will continue prosecuting those who traffic in deadly narcotics while working with other partners to make help available for people who want it.”

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin. 

A charge is only an accusation 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.

A Mexican citizen living in Massillon was indicted for attempting to illegally ship eight firearms and ammunition from Canton to Laredo, Texas.

Brian Isael Velazquez-Mata, 24, was indicted on one count of delivery of firearms and ammunition to common carrier without written notice for transportation or shipment in interstate commerce to unlicensed person.

Velazquez-Mata attempted to ship two packages containing eight firearms, body armor and ammunition from the UPS store at 7257 Fulton Drive NW in Canton, to Laredo, Texas, on December 7, 2018, according to the indictment. 

Among the contents in the packages were: a Windham .308-caliber rifle; a Century Arms 7.62 x 39 mm rifle; a Smith & Wesson M&P-15 rifle; a Windham .223/5.56-caliber rifle; a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol; a Smith & Wesson 40-caliber pistol; a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol; a Glock .40-caliber pistol and ammunition, according to the indictment.

“This defendant attempted to illegally send an arsenal, as well as body armor and ammunition, from Canton to the southwest border,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “Law enforcement did an excellent job to stop the shipment of these firearms.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medway Drug Enforcement Agency. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell. 

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.

A Maple Heights woman was indicted for robbing the same store on Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere on consecutive days.

Rachelette McKissack, 26, was indicted on one count of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and two counts of interference with commerce through robbery.

McKissack robbed the Cleveland Consignment Shoppe at 28790 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere on November 15, 2018, according to the indictment.

The next day, McKissack brandished a firearm to again rob the Cleveland Consignment Shoppe, according to the indictment.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Woodmere Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret A. Kane. 

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.

A Canton man with a history of firearms and gang violence was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for having a firearm.

Jeremy Pleasant, 35, was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dan Polster. Pleasant previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court:

Pleasant was released from state prison in January 2018 after serving seven years in prison for shooting a rival gang member. On March 24, 2018, Pleasant was a passenger in a car that was pulled over for a traffic violation. Pleasant ran from the car and was Tased.

Pleasant had a loaded Ruger 9 mm in his jeans pocket when he was arrested. Pleasant was forbidden from having a firearm because of the 2011 conviction for felonious assault with a firearms specification, as well as a 2003 conviction for felonious assault with a firearm specification from another shooting.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Canton Police Department.

A Toledo couple was indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to use explosives and firearms to kill and injure others.

Elizabeth Lecron, 23, and Vincent Armstrong, 23, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to transport or receive an explosive with intent to kill, injure or intimidate any individual , and maliciously damage or destroy by fire or explosive; conspiracy to use a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence; conspiracy to use firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Armstrong faces an additional count of making false statements while Lecron is also charged with transporting explosives in interstate commerce.

“According to the allegations in the indictment, this pair obtained firearms and components to make explosives as part of a plot to kill and maim others,” said Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “Law enforcement worked together to thwart this alleged plot, and we will remain vigilant to protect the public from all threats.”

“The arrest of Elizabeth Lecron and Vincent Armstrong and their prosecution interrupted their alleged desire to engage in acts of death and destruction,” said Robert E. Hughes, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office. “This case is a testament to the value of an ever vigilant public, which had the courage to alert law enforcement as to the alleged goals and intentions of these suspects."

Toledo Police Chief George Kral said: “These arrests should send a sobering message to everyone that there is no city, large or small, that is immune to these types of hate-filled attacks. I am incredibly proud of the response by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Toledo Police Department, and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. This is yet another example of a well-coordinated, local/federal law enforcement partnership.  Toledo is a safer city because of the dedication of these hardworking law enforcement professionals.”

According to the indictment and other documents filed in the case:

Lecron and Armstrong came to the attention of law enforcement last year after Armstrong expressed a desire to conduct a violent attack. Further investigation revealed Lecron frequently posted voluminous photographs and comments on social media glorifying mass murderers, including the Columbine shooters and Dylann Roof.

After her Tumblr account was shut down because of offensive content, Lecron started a new profile -- “CharlestonChurchMiracle,” -- where she continued to post photos and comments about mass casualty attacks.

Armstrong and Lecron flew together in August 2018 to visit sights related to the shooting at Columbine High School.

During a search of their home that month, law enforcement found an AK-47, shotgun, multiple handguns, ammunition and end caps purchased by Armstrong, which can be used in the manufacture of pipe bombs. Law enforcement also found journal entries by Lecron and Armstrong discussing a violent attack. On June 8, Armstrong wrote: “Now I have these thoughts…These memories. They haunt me. I have a vision. A vision to kill. To hunt the unwilling...”

Undercover FBI agents and confidential sources communicated with Lecron. In August, she stated she and Armstrong had devised a plan to commit an “upscale mass murder” at a Toledo bar. She stated she knew the bar only had two ways in or out, which could be a tactical advantage when police arrived.

Around this time, Lecron also began corresponding with Roof and attempted to send him Nazi literature.

Lecron stated she wanted to meet other anarchists in order to form a team. She stated she wanted to damage a livestock farm to set livestock free. She later confirmed she was willing to sabotage anything that harms the environment.

On August 28, she reiterated she wanted to attack a farm that raises pigs or cows. The next day, Lecron stated she could not locate such a farm and was going to focus on something else.

In September, Lecron met with undercover FBI agents and stated she and an associate started to make a pipe bomb. She stated she “definitely want(ed) to make a statement up here” and thought the place where she worked could be a good target because she believed they were polluting the river behind the plant.

On December 4, Lecron has discussions with an undercover agent regarding a pipeline bombing. Lecron agreed to buy black powder needed to make a bomb.

On December 8, Lecron met with a source at a retail sporting good stores, where she entered the store by herself and purchased two pounds of Hodgson Triple Seven Muzzleloading Propellant. She then went to a larger retailer in Perrysburg, where she purchased 665 screws of various sizes, some as large as three inches.

Lecron said to the source: “So I guess I’ll talk to you when the deed is done?” She later said: “I’m very excited...stick it to him man…be safe.”

On December 10, law enforcement searched the residence Armstrong and Lecron share on Willow Run Drive, as well as their vehicles. The trunk of Armstrong’s vehicle had a duffel bag that contained a tactical vest with two loaded magazines for an AK-47, two loaded magazines for a pistol, a gas mask, printouts of instructions how to construct various bombs, and other items.

In the residence, law enforcement removed a shotgun, a handgun and an AK-47 with the stock removed.

Armstrong was interviewed on December 10. He denied discussing with Lecron plans to launch an attack. He also denied purchasing items that could be used to make a bomb.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of members of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Police Department, is leading the ongoing investigation. They were assisted by the FBI’s office in Denver. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman and Michelle Baeppler.

If convicted, the defendants’ face up to life in prison. Their sentences 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.

An indictment is 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.

 

A 15-count indictment was filed in federal court charging a Toledo man with trafficking heroin, cocaine and fentanyl analogues.

Grant Black, 24, was charged with eight counts of possession with intent to distribute and seven counts of drug trafficking.

Black possessed fentanyl analogues, cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and amphetamine on Aug. 11, 2017. He also sold fentanyl analogues and heroin several times in June and July 2017, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing 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 case was investigated by the FBI and Toledo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeeman.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.     

Three people were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Riccardo D. Harris, 35, of Canton, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Harris had a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition on Oct. 19, despite a previous conviction for aggravated robbery, according to the indictment.

Damien Loveless, 39, of Cleveland, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Loveless had a Romarm/Cugir 7.62 x 39 mm rifle and ammunition, on Nov. 2, despite previous convictions for aggravated arson, attempted aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, assault on a police officer, firearms convictions and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Karl Bates, 21, of Garfield Heights, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Bates possessed a loaded Colt .38-caliber revolver on Nov. 14, despite previous convictions for felonious assault, drug trafficking and drug possession, according to the indictment.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Canton Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron P. Howell, Margaret Kane and Kathryn Andrachik.

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.

A U.S. Postal Service employee who worked at the main mail processing center in Cleveland and the man she lived with were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy in which she stole at least 1,500 gift cards from the mail worth at least $47,000.

Jennifer Riccardi, 46, and Joseph Dennis, 37, both of Cleveland, were indicted on charges including conspiracy to commit theft of mail and possession of stolen mail, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, possession of stolen mail and access device fraud. Riccardi was also charged with theft of mail by a postal employee.

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “This defendant is accused of stealing more than a thousand  gift cards worth tens thousands of dollars, including birthday presents or other gifts people entrusted to the postal service for delivery to their family and loved ones. Those who steal mail will be held accountable for their actions, just like any other criminal.”   

U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth F. Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, stated: “The vast majority of the 500,000 postal employees nationwide are hard-working, trust worthy individuals.  However, when one of those employees choose to violate that trust and steal from the mail for personal gain, special agents with the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate and pursue federal prosecution when appropriate. When postal employees choose to steal from the mail, they risk their career, benefits, retirement, and possibly their freedom. To report theft of mail, or other postal employee crimes, contact special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”

In one night alone, Riccardi stole more than 100 apparent greeting cards. Among the stolen mail that was opened was a card from a mother to her daughter signed “Love you! Mom” and a card from an uncle and aunt wishing a “Happy 1st Birthday.”

According to the indictment:

Riccardi worked at the USPS Processing and Distribution Center at 2400 Orange Avenue in  Cleveland. She stole cards, letters and other pieces of mail she believed contained gift cards, focusing primarily on brightly covered envelopes that appeared to contain greeting cards.

Riccardi concealed the mail she took from the mail stream in bags, her lunch box and other means. She transported the stolen mail to the residence she shared with Dennis during her mid-shift break or at the end of her shift.

Dennis and Riccardi sold at least 41 stolen gift cards and used stolen gift cards for purchases from Amazon, Kohl’s, Starbucks and other locations.

On December 11, 2017, Dennis and Riccardi possessed at their residence at least 108 pieces of stolen mail, $42,000 in cash, an automatic currency counter and 1,505 stolen gifts cards from approximately 230 merchants or vendors. Of those, 1,322 of the gift cards bore face values, which totaled approximately $47,000.

The conspiracy took place between December 2016 and December 11, 2017.

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 violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot Morrison and James Lewis.

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.