Northern District of Ohio

A Stark County man was indicted for receiving and possessing images of child pornography.

Philip M. Popa, Jr., 33, of Beach City, indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Popa received computer files which contained images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between May 30, 2017, through July 7, 2018, according to the indictment.

The indictment also charges that on or about July 17, 2018, Popa possessed an HP laptop 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.  The case was investigated by TFO Ryan D. Anschutz, Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.

A Cleveland man was sentenced to more than 32 years in federal prison for armed robberies of Dollar Tree stores in 2016.

Williams Holmes, 22, was sentenced to 389 months in federal prison. Holmes was convicted of brandishing a firearm during robberies of the Dollar Tree store at 12900 Miles Road on June 4 and at 2892 East 116th Street on June 19, as well as robbing the Miles Road store on May 14.

Holmes entered the Miles Road store on the evening of June 4, held a handgun to an employee’s head and told the employee to disarm the alarm. Holmes took approximately $1,500 from the store, according to court documents and trial testimony

One day after that robbery, Holmes posted a photo of himself on Facebook holding a stack of money in one hand and a handgun in the other. The next day he posted a photograph of several stacks of money, a black pistol and candy laying on a table. Holmes captioned the photo: “Money guns n snacks is life,” according to court documents and trial testimony.

U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said: “This defendant is a predator who pointed a loaded gun at the head of someone just trying to do their job, then bragged about it on social media. We will continue to target these violent criminals and work together to make our community a safer place to live, work and play.”

“ATF and the Cleveland Division of Police continue our joint effort to remove violent criminals from the streets of Cleveland,” said Trevor Velinor, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.  “No one should face the threat of violence as they conduct their daily lives.  ATF, CPD, and all of our law enforcement partners are united in sending a clear message that firearms violence is unacceptable and those who threaten our communities will be punished.”

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said: “Once again, a partnered effort between local and federal law enforcement and the federal justice system has resulted in the successful conviction of violent offenders.  It is my hope that this sets an example for other young people in our communities considering committing offenses like these, as there are severe consequences for these actions.”

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.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carol M. Skutnik and Megan Miller following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Police.

Two people from Northwest Ohio were indicted for federal firearms crimes.

Jason M. Calton, 44, of Liberty Center, was charged with being a prohibited in possession of a firearm. Calton on June 24 possessed a Harrington & Richardson .22-caliber revolver despite a previous conviction for domestic violence, according to the indictment.

Laquan Hardin, 28, of Toledo, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hardin possessed a Ruger 9mm pistol and a Raven Arms . 25-caliber pistol in June despite prior convictions for domestic violence and attempted failure to comply, 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.  

The investigating agency in these cases is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The cases are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew D. Simko. 

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. 

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.

Two Northwest Ohio men was indicted for receiving and distributing child pornography.

Michael D. Butler, 50, of Defiance, received and distributed in 2015 numerous computer files containing images of children in sexually explicit conduct, according to the indictment.

Michael S. Crawford, 63, of Gomer, received and distributed numerous computer files containing images of children in sexually explicit conduct between 2014 and 2018, according to the indictment.

Their cases are unrelated.

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 investigating agency in these cases is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cases are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Weldon and Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

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.

Four people were indicted for immigration-related offenses.

Anita Marin-Arres, 61, of Mexico, was indicted on charges of making a false statement of citizenship to obtain to fraudulently obtain a valid Ohio driver’s license and fraud and misuse of visas and other documents related to her use of a forged Lawfully Admitted Permanent Resident (LAPR) card to obtain employment. 

Misael Vargas-Samano, 34, of Mexico, was indicted on charges of making a false statement of citizenship to obtain employment and fraud and misuse of visas or other documents related to his use of a forged Social Security card to obtain employment. 

David Delgado-Salazar, 34, of El Salvador, was indicted on charges of making a false statement of citizenship to obtain employment and fraud and misuse of visas or other documents related to his use of a forged Social Security card to obtain employment. 

Nora R. Galvez-Roblero, 44, of Mexico, was indicted on charges of fraud and misuse of visas and other documents related to her use of forged LAPR cards to obtain employment. 

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah P. Hood and Michael Freeman following investigations by Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection,and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. 

Each of these defendants was administratively detained following an enforcement action in the Sandusky area in June 2018. 

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. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Euclid man pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl that he ordered from China and sold domestically, including to an undercover FBI agent in Pittsburgh, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio and U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady of the Western District of Pennsylvania announced today.

Antoin Austin, 28, is scheduled be sentenced Nov. 5.

Austin used the online moniker “DARKKING22” on the dark web. DARKKING22 advertised some of the following items for sale this year: “Fentanyl Pure HCL, Methozymethylfentanyl ‘30490’, molly, pure lofentanil, and MMAF New Product.” Methozymethylfentanyl, pure lofentanil, and MMAF New Product are known to be various types of fentanyl analogues, according to court documents.

Undercover law enforcement agents made multiple purchases of opioids from DARKKING22 on the Dark Web in 2018. The purchases were made using bitcoins and the shipments indicated the letters carrying the drugs originated in the Cleveland area.  The initial undercover purchase from Austin occurred in March of 2018 when undercover FBI special agents based in the Western District of Pennsylvania purchased and received cyclopropyl fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance, from Austin.  

According to court documents, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspectors tracked the March shipment of fentanyl from DARKKING22 to the U.S. Post Office in Wickliffe.  They observed Austin travel from his home in Euclid to the Wickliffe Post Office, where he attempted to mail packages using false return addresses.  These packages were intercepted by agents and were found to contain fentanyl consistent with the undercover purchases.  In October 2017, law enforcement also seized a package shipped from a known Chinese fentanyl distributor to Austin which contained 10 grams of fentanyl.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania charged Austin by information with distribution of fentanyl in July 2018 and that case was transferred to the Northern District of Ohio and consolidated with the Ohio distribution case for purposes of Austin’s guilty plea and upcoming sentencing.

“This defendant ordered thousands of deadly doses of fentanyl from China, brought it to a residential neighborhood in Euclid and then mailed the dangerous drugs all over Ohio and across the country,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Drug traffickers like this have enriched themselves while causing so much pain in our community.”

“DARKKING22 is one of the first defendants in the country to be investigated, charged and convicted since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) initiative in Pittsburgh earlier this year,” said U.S. Attorney Brady.  “Through our office’s expertise in opioids and cybercrime, we are disrupting illegal opioid sales on the Darknet by dismantling these marketplaces and criminal enterprises.”

"Online drug trafficking takes the risk out of dealing drugs face to face," said FBI-Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "But we want to send a clear message to those buying and selling drugs on the Darknet. You are not anonymous and we will find you. Shutting down this on-line illegal activity is a coordinated effort and all of our law enforcement partners are committed to stopping the opioid epidemic."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service as part of the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) initiative aimed at targeting drug trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids on the Darknet.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Cronin of the Northern District of Ohio and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar of the Western District of Pennsylvania.

A Toledo man was indicted for robbing two banks last month.

Robert Andrew Harris, 41, was indicted on two counts of bank robbery. Harris is accused of robbing the Citizens Bank on South Detroit Street in Toledo on July 9 and the Fifth Third Bank on Woodville Road in Northwood on July 11.

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 investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Simko.  

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 Cleveland man was sentenced to jail for stealing a medical device from a veteran at the Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Bruce A. McCauley, 66, was sentenced to six months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  In addition, McCauley was ordered to reimburse the Cleveland VA Medical Center for the replacement value of the medical device.

McCauley previously pled guilty to one count of theft of government property.

A combat veteran was at the Cleveland VA Medical Center for an appointment on Oct. 12, 2017.  The veteran used a bone stimulator to relieve pain in his back from a combat-related injury sustained in Vietnam.  Without the medical device, the veteran suffers intense back pain, according to court documents. 

McCauley stole the medical device from a bag the veteran used to carry the medical device.  The stolen medical device had a replacement value of approximately $9,120, according to court documents.

“Stealing from a combat vet is low enough, but stealing a device used to manage pain stemming from an injury sustained in Vietnam is just unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We owe all our vets a debt of gratitude and will fulfill our pledge to seek justice for them at every turn.”

“This case reflects the VA OIG’s commitment to vigorously pursue those individuals that steal from our nation’s heroes and the VA ” said Gregg Hirstein, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson. The case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General — Criminal Investigative Division, with the assistance of the VA Police.

A Canadian man was charged in federal court after sending scores of messages over social media attempting to coerce an 11-year-old from Ohio to engage in sexual activity.

Daniel Jason Wnek, 27, of Toronto, was charged via criminal information with 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 means 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.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “This case reminds us all to make sure we educate our children about online safety. Predators routinely disguise their identity and true intentions. The FBI will continue efforts to locate and and bring to justice those that prey on our children.”

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

An information 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 Warren man was charged in federal court with distributing heroin and crack cocaine and maintaining a drug house.

Robert J. Lang, Jr., 24, was arrested Tuesday.

Lang sold gram quantities of heroin and cocaine between February and June. He also used 1030 Mason Street in Warren as a place to sell and store drugs, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

Law enforcement agents from the DEA, TAG Law Enforcement Task Force and ATF searched the Mason Street house in March and found approximately one ounce of heroin and one ounce of crack cocaine, as well as surveillance equipment, syringes, Narcan, a money counter and an assault rifle magazine, according to the affidavit.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the TAG Law Enforcement Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant. U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.

If convicted, the defendants’ 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 violations.  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.

The United States Attorney’s Office and Cleveland Clinic, together with numerous community partners, will be hosting a daylong conference on Sept. 6 focused on solutions to the opioid and narcotics epidemic.

The conference will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel, 9801 Carnegie Ave. It will mark five years since many of the partners first joined together to raise awareness about the growing heroin and opioid problem that had surfaced in Northeast Ohio and throughout the country. That conference resulted in a Community Action Plan which focused on solutions in four different areas: education and prevention, treatment, healthcare policy and law enforcement.

The 2013 conference and Community Action Plan led to the formation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which was hailed as a national model and replicated across the country. Members of the group contributed to numerous achievements in the intervening years, including increasing access to Narcan, developing new protocols to how police handle drug overdose scenes, increased training for physicians about the potential side effects of prescription opioids, public awareness campaigns, and the formation of a consortium to coordinate the response from the various medical systems in Greater Cleveland, among others.

The conference on Sept. 6 will focus on how the crisis has changed in the past five years, and fashioning responses that incorporate best practices and lessons learned. The emphasis will be on refining the Community Action Plan and coordinating comprehensive responses to what is both a public health and law enforcement crisis.

“The scope and nature of the problem has changed, in part because of the introduction of fentanyl and carfentanil, so our responses need to evolve as well,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The hope is this conference will help coordinate the efforts to turn the tide on an epidemic that has caused a staggering amount of pain and loss in our community.”

“Conferences like this are so critical to our community.  We need so many parts of our society to take action to have an impact on this terrible problem,” said David Streem, M.D., Section Head of the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center at Cleveland Clinic. “First responders, treatment programs, the courts, hospitals, schools, the recovery community—these and so many more have important roles to play.”

The agenda for the Sept. 6 conference is still being finalized, but topics expected to be covered include the need to develop a common set of data that can be shared, expanding programs that have been shown to work, such as quick response teams, recovery coaches and medically assisted treatment, efforts to reduce the number of pain pills prescribed, and others.

Among the groups and organizations that have participated in the planning and/or are expected to present at the conference include: the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth System, University Hospitals, St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga County Department of Health, Circle Health, Cleveland Division of Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and others.

Use the link below to register:

http://survey.clevelandclinic.org/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=m6L0m8mLK  

A Chinese national who had been living in Massachusetts pleaded guilty to distributing opioids and other drugs that were shipped from China to the United States and ultimately to Ohio.

Bin Wang, 43, pleaded guilty to 10 counts, including drug conspiracy, conspiracy to import a controlled substance and drug distribution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13.

Wang operated Cambridge Chemicals, Wonda Science, and other companies from a warehouse in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Law enforcement began investigating shipments of carfentanil, fentanyl and other opioids in August 2016, after a series of fatal overdoses in Northeast Ohio, according to court documents.

That investigation led them to several Chinese web sites, which they learned were selling kilogram amounts of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, which were shipped via private carriers such as FedEx. One of the web sites was used to purchase acetylfentanyl that caused the overdose deaths of two Summit County residents in 2015, according to court documents.

Beginning in November 2016, undercover agents began ordering opioids and other drugs from a Chinese drug trafficking organization. The agents wired money to China using Western Union or MoneyGram. Investigators learned the Chinese drug trafficking organization sent the drugs Wang in Massachusetts, who in turn mailed the drugs domestically, including to locations in Northeast Ohio, according to court documents.

Court documents detail numerous sales and shipments of drugs from China to Massachusetts to Ohio from November 2016 through July 2017.

“Wang was responsible for receiving shipments of deadly opioids and other drugs from China and then sending them to Ohio and throughout the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will continue to work with law enforcement to stop the steady stream of drugs from overseas that is killing our friends and neighbors.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said: “The importation of opioids and other synthetic drugs from China has played a significant role in America’s current drug use epidemic. Over 60,000 people a year die from drug overdoses in this country, and halting all methods of drug trafficking, including by way of the Internet is a top priority of the DEA. This investigation makes clear that geographic and technological hurdles will not stop DEA and our partners from bringing to justice those responsible for the illegal distribution of drugs in the U.S.”

“As opioids and other dangerous drugs continue to plague our communities in Ohio, a unified law enforcement community is the only way to stem the tide of this dangerous and deadly epidemic,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “In order to have a significant impact, these organizations must be attacked from the street-level dealer to the wholesale distributor.”

“This investigation is a great example of a collaborative effort of federal agencies and a local drug task force working together to identify and track down people and organizations that are responsible for the ever-increasing shipments of very powerful synthetic opiates into Ohio,” said Don Hall, director of the MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin following an investigation by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations and the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, a drug task force serving Wayne County.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.  The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking, money laundering and violent criminal organizations operating domestically and internationally.  The principle mission of the OCDETF Program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering and violent criminal organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

Four people were charged in a 13-count federal indictment for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the Youngtown area.

Indicted are: Lawrence L. Whited, aka Chunk, aka Lamont, 47, of Youngstown; Jeanne M. George, 47, of Youngstown; Jonathan F. Brown, aka Joe Brown, 50, of Austintown, and Eva N. Whisel, 34, of Youngstown.

Whited, between January 2016 through December 2017, supplied cocaine to George and Brown for distribution in the Youngstown area. George and Brown supplied cocaine to Whisel for distribution in the Youngstown area, according to the indictment.

Whited is also charged with using firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms. Whited possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol, two Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolvers and ammunition on Sept. 28, 2017, despite a previous conviction for felonious assault, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ 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 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 was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force. The matter 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 Stow woman was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Kristen Vilk, 32, was arrested on suspicion of making a straw purchase of a Glock 9 mm pistol in March from a store in North Canton. Further investigation revealed that Vilk overdosed on April 17, and was given two doses of Narcan, according to court documents.

Based on statements made by Vilk’s relatives, it is believed she was addicted to drugs at the time of the purchase of the firearm, according to court documents.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

An information 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 Ashtabula man was indicted in federal court on child pornography charges.

Jeffrey A. Stanley, 27, was indicted on one count of receipt of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of child pornography.

Stanley knowingly received numerous images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between Sept. 4, 2016 and Feb. 22, 2017, according to the indictment.

Stanley on Feb. 22, 2017, possessed a Motorola cellular telephone that contained child pornography, 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 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. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office. 

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 Northeast Ohio couple was sentenced to prison for 16 armed robberies or attempted robberies to fund their drug habit.

Casey Layne Liberty, 31, of Amherst, and Daniel T. Begin, 33, of Cleveland, were both sentenced to 71 months on prison. Both were ordered to pay $6,598 in restitution.

The pair previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.

“This pair went on a monthlong crime spree in which they robbed banks and stores to feed their drug habit,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “It’s a miracle no one was killed, and we’re gratified this duo will be off the street.”

“This pair posed a danger to people doing their banking or simply picking up lunch,” Anthony said. “The fine work of the FBI agents, along with nearly a dozen police departments, has made our community safer.”

Liberty wore a disguise and robbed banks and stores while Begin acted as the getaway driver, according to court documents.

The pair admitted to following bank robberies last year: Andover Bank in Conneaut on Sept. 19, Chase Bank in Medina on Sept. 28, First National Bank in Beachwood on Oct. 4 and the Chase Bank in Fairlawn on Oct. 12.

They also pleaded guilty to robbing a Subway in Findlay on Sept. 26, a Seven Eleven in Brunswick on Sept. 28, a Gamestop in Elyria on Oct. 7, a Domino’s Pizza in Madison on Oct. 10, a Mr. Hero in Canton on Oct. 11, a Subway in Avon on Oct. 15, a Subway in Elyria on Oct. 16, a Mr. Hero in Perkins Township on Oct. 19, a Domino’s Pizza in North Olmsted on Oct. 22 and a Mr. Hero in Berea on Oct. 22.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ranya Elzein and Robert J. Patton following an investigation by the FBI and the police departments of Conneaut, North Olmsted, Medina, Beachwood, Avon, Elyria, Findlay, Perkins Township, Madison, Berea and North Ridgeville.

A North Ridgeville man was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for downloading multiple videos of young children being raped and sexually assaulted.

Dana F. Cain, 49, previously pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and possession of a computer that contained child pornography. He was sentenced to 121 months in prison.

Cain downloaded nearly 500 movie files from May 2015 through January 2017. These movies include images of toddlers and young girls being rapes and sexually assaulted, according to court documents.

Cain possessed an Apple Macbook computer at his home on Avon Belden Road in North Ridgeville which contained child pornography, according to court documents.        

"These are cases with real victims, children whose lives will be forever changed because adults assaulted and violated them," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman, for the Northern District of Ohio, said in a news release. "We will continue to prosecute those who re-victimize these children by sharing and downloading these images."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the FBI, the North Ridgeville Police Department, the Avon Police Department and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Two people pleaded guilty to distributing Tramadol pills.

Randall S. Borntrager, 48, of Canton, and Renee Bischoff, 50, of Bakersfield, California, are scheduled to be sentenced later this year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a Schedule IV controlled substance and conspiracy to ship misbranded drugs in interstate commerce.

Bischoff was a pharmacy technician who, from at least 2013 to 2017, shipped pills of Tramadol from California to Borntrager in Ohio, who sold the drugs, according to court documents.

Bortrager distributed approximately 100 Tramadol pills on July 1, 2017, according to court documents.

“The illegal diversion of prescription painkillers is one of the causes of the opioid epidemic that has caused so much pain and suffering here in Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This pair will be held accountable for their actions.”

“Pharmacy technicians, like other health care professionals, are trusted by U.S. consumers to fill their prescriptions with drugs from the legitimate prescription drug supply chain. When that trust is betrayed, the consequences can be serious for patients,” said Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who abandon their professional principles in exchange for profit.”

The investigation preceding the information was conducted by the Food & Drug Administration -- Office of Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

The former Chief Operating Officer of MetroHealth Hospital System and three other men were convicted by a jury for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the hospital and others through a series of bribes and kickbacks totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars related to the hospital’s dental program.

Edward R. Hills, 58, of Aurora, Sari Alqsous, 34, of Cleveland, Yazan B. Al-Madani, 34, of Westlake, and Tariq Sayegh, 38, of Cleveland, were all found guilty of criminal charges following a trial that lasted several weeks. They are scheduled to be sentenced November 27.

“These defendants ripped off taxpayers and betrayed the community’s trust when they accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and other bribes,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Their egregious, offensive behavior lasted nearly a decade and now they will be held accountable for their actions.”

"A jury decided to hold Mr. Hills and his associates accountable for their roles in defrauding our healthcare system,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said. “The investigation revealed these individuals engaged in a pervasive pattern of fraud, betraying the MetroHealth Hospital System, its employees, and our community.  The collective efforts of the FBI, IRS, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Office of the Inspector General, United States Attorney's Office, and MetroHealth officials led to the disruption of this destructive illegal activity. "

“Edward Hills was placed in the utmost position of trust by MetroHealth, but he chose to abuse that position of trust for his own personal greed and ego,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.  “These defendants had the opportunity to come clean and tell the truth.  Instead, they chose to obstruct the investigation by telling witnesses to not to cooperate with law enforcement.  Now they are convicted felons facing a lengthy prison sentences for their crimes.  Today’s guilty verdicts are a direct result of the excellent partnership amongst IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Ohio Office of the Inspector General.”

“This investigation unraveled a complex scheme that involved corruption on a number of different levels,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Corruption like this has no place in Ohio, and I applaud the work of all our law enforcement partners who investigated and prosecuted this case.”

Hills worked in various capacities at MetroHealth, including as Chief Operating Officer and Director of MetroHealth Dental. He also served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer from December 2012 through July 2013. Alqsous, Al-Madani and Sayegh are dentists who worked for MetroHealth.

According to court documents, testimony and documents presented at trial:

Hills, Alqsous and Al-Madani engaged in a racketeering conspiracy from 2008 through 2016 involving a series of elaborate bribery conspiracies, witness tampering and other crimes. These bribes include Hills soliciting cash, checks, a $3,879 Louis Vuitton briefcase, a 55-inch television, airline flights and use of a downtown apartment from Alqsous, Al-Madani and others. In return, Hills took official actions on their behalf, including allowing them to work at their private dental businesses during regular business hours while receiving a full-time salary from MetroHealth.

Alqsous, Al-Madani and others gave cash, checks and other things of value to Hills beginning in 2009. Evidence included text messages and meetings, often at expensive restaurants, which resulted in cash being deposited into Hills’ bank accounts.

Alqsous sent a text message to Al-Madani and another person in 2013 that stated: “With 22nd of October approaching we ll be celebrating Dr hills bday earlier this year…1000 dollars each is the gift from the 3 sons their father.” Later that day, $3,000 was deposited into Hills’ bank account.

In 2012, Alqsous rented and lived in an apartment at the Perry Payne apartment building in downtown Cleveland. When he bought a residence, Hills instructed Alqsous to continue paying rent and other bills at the Perry Payne building, even though Alqsous would no longer be living there. Hills used the Perry Payne apartment to house an associate and for his own personal use in 2013 and 2014 while Alqsous, acting on Hills’ orders, continued to pay rent and other bills.

Hills instructed Alqsous to purchase furniture for the apartment for Hills’ personal use. Alqsous sent Hills a text in 2013 stating: “I bought your bedroom yesterday…there is mirrors everywhere…You will like it.”

Hills became interim President and CEO of the MetroHealth Hospital System in December 2012. Around that time, he told Alqsous, Al-Madani and others that he wanted a specific Louis Vuitton briefcase because his predecessor had a similar briefcase.

Alqsous texted a photo of the briefcase to Hills and wrote: “The guys are also very excited about their raise haha.” Hills responded with: “Thanks I’m so excited to have my bag to start my new job as #1.” Later that day, Alqsous, Al-Madani and others purchased the briefcase for $3,879 from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beachwood and later presented it to Hills.

As director of MetroHealth Dental, Hills was responsible for determining monthly bonuses for dentists who produced receipts in excess of their monthly salary and benefits. Dentists typically received a monthly bonus totaling 25 percent of the monies they generated for excess receipts.

Between 2010 and 2014, Hills regularly upwardly adjusted the bonuses of Alqsous, Al-Madani and others, by a total of approximately $92,829.

Hills also allowed Alqsous, Al-Madani and others to retain full-time salaries and benefits at MetroHealth without requiring them to work full-time hours, thus allowing them to operate private dental clinics. Hills, acting at the request of Alqsous and Al-Madani, provided MetroHealth dental residents to practice at those private clinics during regular business hours. Neither Alqsous nor Al-Madani paid wages or salaries to the resident dentists.

Additionally, Alqsous, Al-Madani and Sayegh solicited and accepted bribes totaling tens of thousands of dollars from prospective candidates to the MetroHealth Dental residency program.

In a typical year, the MetroHealth Dental residency accepted four to six candidates for the residency program from a pool of 40 to 60 applicants. Alqsous, Sayegh and Al-Madani each had the authority to influence the selection of dental residents, and Hills had final decisional authority over who was selected for the residency program.

Alqsous and Sayegh often identified and selected candidates who were from Jordan or trained at a Jordanian dental school, telling them they would have to pay a “donation” to MetroHealth to be considered. Alqsous and Sayegh directed the candidates to pay the “donation” directly to them, and in some cases, told the candidates a portion of the money would go to Hills.

Alqsous, Sayegh and Al-Madani solicited at least $75,000 in bribes from resident dentist candidate between 2008 and 2014.

In another conspiracy, Al-Madani and Alqsous paid bribes to Hills in exchange for him taking actions to refer Medicaid recipients to private dental clinics owned by Al-Madani and Alqsous instead of MetroHealth. All three took steps to conceal this activity by claiming kickback checks totaling $17,600 written to Hills were for “consultation fees” or “professional fees”.

Hills, Alqsous and Al-Madani also conspired to obstruct justice, instructing people not to cooperate with law enforcement after becoming aware of the federal investigation in 2014.

Hills also made false statements on tax returns, failing to claim approximately $165,751 in unreported income stemming from bribes, kickbacks and other things of value between 2011 and 2013.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Om Kakani, Michael L. Collyer and James Lewis following an investigation by the FBI, IRS-CI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ohio Office of the Inspector General.   

Two people were indicted in federal court for illegally reentering the United States.

Fermin Cabrera-Flores, 46, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Painesville on July 13 after having been previously deported seven times following convictions for domestic violence, evading arrest, illegal reentry, criminal trespass and other crimes, according to court documents.

Lazaro Oscar Romero-Colindres, 40, a citizen of Honduras, was found in Amherst on July 10, after having been deported three times, according to court documents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson is prosecuting the case following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.

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

A South Euclid man was indicted in federal court for using a firearm while trafficking fentanyl, heroin and pills.

Christopher Bowen, 25, was charged in a 10-count indictment with distribution of drugs, possession with intent to distribute drugs, using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Bowen on several occasions in May and June sold fentanyl and heroin, according to the indictment.

On June 28, Bowen had approximately 14 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, 31 grams of heroin, 64 Alprazolam pills, a Jimenez Arms 9 mm handgun, a Bryco Arms 9 mm handgun, an Anderson MFG long rifle and ammunition. Bowen was prohibited from having a firearm or ammunition because of a prior conviction for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa T. Darden 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 violations.  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 Richland County man was indicted in federal court for sexual exploitation of a child.

Joseph R. Hurley, 31, of Lucas, was initially arrested on charges of sexually abusing an 11-year-old. During a subsequent review of Hurley’s computer, law enforcement discovered approximately 261 images and 102 videos containing child pornography.

The forensic review also revealed a folder that contained images of a nude female later determined to be 16 years old when the images were taken. The female was completely nude and her eyes were closed, according to the affidavit.

Investigators made contact with the girl in the images. She stated that she had a one-month relationship with Hurley in 2013, when he was 26 and she was 16.

The last time they had contact, the girl said Hurley mixed her an alcoholic drink, although she did not see him prepare it. She said the drink made her “feel sleepy” and that she did not remember the rest of the night. She said she woke up in the morning without any clothes and felt sore, according to the affidavit.

The girl stated she had no knowledge of Hurley taking the photos of her, according to the affidavit.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mansfield Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. 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 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.

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.

An Elyria man was indicted in federal court for trafficking fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Kenneth Ward, 44, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and multiple counts of distribution of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

The indictment details multiple sales of drugs by Ward in March and April. Ward on April 28 possessed nearly 22 grams of crack cocaine and four grams of fentanyl, according to the indictment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Elyria Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasile Katsaros.

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.

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 Cleveland man was indicted for having a firearm while trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Tyler Hall, 28, was indicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hall had 1.46 grams of fentanyl, 22 grams of crack cocaine and a Walther 9 mm semiautomatic pistol during a July 3 search of his home and business on the west side of Cleveland, 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 defendant was identified by law enforcement as a serious threat who has caused pain and destruction in and around his neighborhood,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Police officers, federal agents and prosecutors will continue to work together to prosecute those who illegally have firearms and deal drugs.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “Through the swift and intense investigative efforts of the Cleveland Division of Police Opioid Overdose Investigations Group, the Cleveland DEA Heroin Response Group and Cleveland HIDTA, Hall was arrested before additional destruction to our community could occur.  The DEA and our partners will continue to make drug trafficking and any associated violence a priority. Drug traffickers in the Cleveland area take heed, the DEA and our partners will continue to hold those who deliver causing overdose accountable.”

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 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.

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 Cleveland man was convicted of illegally having ammunition stemming from a shootout last year in which two people were killed.

Jesus Bey, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 1. A jury convicted Bey this week of being a felon in possession of ammunition following a weeklong trial.

Bey possessed 12 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition on Jan. 25, 2017, despite prior convictions that made it illegal for him to have ammunition, including felonious assault with a firearm specification, having weapon under disability and attempted felonious assault, according to court documents.

“This defendant is a walking crime wave and our community is safer with him behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This case demonstrates that law enforcement will work together to sort through the facts and pursue cases against those who illegally use firearms to prey on our neighbors.”

According to trial exhibits and testimony:

Bey was outside Harvard Wine and Grill on Jan. 25, 2017, when a shootout began at the intersection of East 142nd Street and Harvard Avenue. When the shootout was over, two men (one wearing a ski mask) were dead and at least 60 shell casings were recovered at the scene.

Bey was previously sentenced to prison for a 2013 shooting in a bar in Cleveland Heights, according to court documents.

Da’Montais Banks was recently convicted in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas of tampering with witnesses, possessing weapons despite having a felony record and being a member of the Heartless Felons. The jury did not reach a verdict on the two deaths that resulted from the shootout and charges remain pending, according to court documents.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Galvin and Scott Zarzycki following an investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police’s Gang Impact Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

A federal grand jury today unsealed an indictment charging El’Shawn Williams, an officer in the Put-in-Bay Police Department, with using excessive force against a man in custody, and then making false statements and writing false reports to cover it up. The indictment alleges that Williams, 28, punched and struck the victim multiple times in the head and body, causing him bodily injury.

The indictment was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division John Gore, United States Attorney Justin Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

The indictment alleges that after the incident, Williams wrote a report that falsely minimized the force he used and failed to disclose that he struck the victim after the victim was restrained by another officer. It also alleges that Williams gave a false statement to an Ottawa County detective denying that he punched the victim, denying that he struck him in the face, and denying that he struck him after the victim was restrained by another officer.

​If convicted, Williams faces a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment for the excessive force charge and up to 20 years imprisonment for each obstruction charge. An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case was investigated jointly by the ClevelandDivision of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Freeman of the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

The owner of a Canton company that manufactures American flags was indicted for failing to pay more than $162,000 in payroll taxes.

Richard Spencer, 51, was indicted in federal court on 15 counts of failure to account for, collect and pay over employment taxes.

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “This defendant is accused of not paying over taxes he collected from his employees, and intentionally misclassifying others to avoid taxes. This defendant benefitted from being able to say that his flags were made in America, but he failed to meet his obligations to his employees and the American taxpayer.”

“In an attempt to avoid his employment tax responsibilities as owner of RS Sewing, Richard Spencer misclassified a portion of his employees as independent contractors. He also withheld employment taxes from his appropriately classified employees, but never paid them to the IRS,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

Spencer controlls RS Sewing, which manufactures American flags. Spencer oversaw production, source materials, paperwork and the company’s financial operations, according to the indictment.

Spencer, beginning around 2008, reclassified some of his workers from employees to independent contractors. Following an audit in 2011, Spencer was informed he improperly classified the workers as independent contractors, and a penalty was assessed against Spencer. He continued to misclassify some employees and failed to pay employment taxes, according to the indictment.

Spencer classified some workers as independent contractors and others as employees, although all RS Sewing workers were required to clock in and out, were paid wages by the hour, were provided materials to make the flags by RS Sewing and were otherwise treated the same by managers, according to the indictment.

Spencer from 2012 through 2015, Spencer failed to withhold taxes from workers he knowingly and willfully misclassified as independent contractors. For workers classified as W-2 employees, Spencer withheld federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from employees but never paid the money to the IRS, according to the indictment.

Overall, he failed to collect, account for and pay over approximately $162,728 of federal employment taxes, 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 Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Henderson.

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.

An Akron woman was indicted today for theft of government funds.

Jacqueline R. Acklin, 66, fraudulently converted to her own use her father’s Title II Retirement Insurance benefits after her father passed away.  The Social Security Administration was not made aware of the death and continued to pay benefits a joint account held by Acklin and her late father. For nearly thirteen years, Acklin withdrew more than $164,000 in federal benefits from the account for which she was not entitled. 

Special Agent Manuel Muniz from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Payum Doroodian is prosecuting the case.

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

An Akron man was indicted in federal court for making threats involving explosives and interstate threats stemming from posts he made on Facebook in which he referenced making explosives and shooting police officers.

Wesley B. Esper, 33, was indicted on one count of interstate threats involving explosives and one count of interstate communications of threats.

Esper made numerous postings on Facebook on June 21 which included messages such as: “Kids the gov. is wrong and it’s time. Stand up fight. Ohio is the key state. Shoot cops and politicians and any corrupt perversion of our liberty to life and freedom. Be John Dillinger, be a cowboy and don’t give up the revolution. Am will to help assemble automatics and bombs. Thank you and bless. Tyrants and alike must answer to patriots and the people,” according to the indictment.

Another post stated: “Ohio is the most corrupt and has sold off our public institutions. Go out and shoot your governor. That piece of (expletive) should hang along with many local authoritarian creatures. Thank you. Please send me pics of your progress…Strategic acts of violence to put these tyrants in their place,” according to the indictment.

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

The investigation was conducted by the Massillon Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley.

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 Wayne County man was indicted in federal court on charges involving methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Charles F. Sarno, 36, of West Salem, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine cocaine.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 28, 2017, Sarno knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute and distributed at least five grams of methamphetamine.

The indictment further alleges that on or about March 28, 2017, Sarno did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute and distributed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack cocaine.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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 were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Indicted are: Elijah Frink, 26, of Akron; Darnell Ingram, 23, of Cleveland; Timothy Hughart, 28, of Ashtabula; John L. Brooks, 40, of Akron; Jesse J. Kinder, 35, of Rittman; Vernon T. Coleman, 31, of Sandusky; Victor Henry Austin, 29, of Lima, Richard Rowald, 70, of Findlay, and Steven J. Robison, 35, of Findlay.

Frink was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Frink on May 10 had nine rounds of ammunition despite a prior conviction for robbery, according to the indictment.   

Ingram was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. He had a Glock .40-caliber firearm and ammunition on May 23 despite a prior conviction for aggravated robbery, according to the indictment.

Hughart is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol and ammunition on March 23, despite a previous conviction for burglary, according to the indictment.   

Brooks is charged with providing false information in the acquisition of firearms. Brooks purchased a dozen firearms from three sellers at an Akron-area gun show by knowingly making false and fictitious written statements, which statements were intended and likely to deceive the sellers, in that he represented that he was the actual buyer of the firearms when in fact he was not. This took place on March 18 and 19, 2017, according to the indictment.

Kinder is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of methamphetamine. Kinder on Feb. 21 possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol and ammunition despite multiple previous convictions for heroin trafficking and other crimes. Kinder also distributed methamphetamine on at least three occasions, according to the indictment.

Coleman is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He possessed a Taurus .380-caliber pistol, a Davis .32-caliber pistol and a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol on March 30 despite previous convicitions for attempted felonious assault and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Austin is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol on April 10 despite previous convictions for robbery, drug trafficking and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Rowold was charged with making a false statement during the acquisition of firearms and being a felon in possession of a  firearm, and Robison was charged with making a false statement during the acquisition of firearms.

Robison on Feb. 12 falsely stated he was the purchaser of 50 AM-15 lower receivers, when, in fact, Rowold was the actual purchaser. Rowold was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, 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. 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ 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 Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, the Sandusky Police Department, the Lima Police Department

They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark S. Bennett, Danielle Angeli, David M. Toepfer, Teresa Riley, Thomas P. Weldon and Matthew Simko.

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 Marion man was indicted in federal court for having fentanyl.

Shiloh Jackson, 29, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. He had approximately 21 grams of fentanyl on March 10, 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.        

The investigating agencies in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Marmet Drug Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Freeman and Thomas P. Weldon.

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.

Andrew A. Shonk, 36, of Massillon, was charged with receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The indictment charges that from March 2013 through February 20, 2018, Shonk knowingly received numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges that between on or about May 19, 2018 and on or about June 19, 2018, Shonk possessed two USB storage devices 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 Child Exploitation Task Force, the Canton Police Department and the Jackson Township 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.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman Northern District of Ohio, today announced Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a new program that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers.

As part of Operation S.O.S., the Department will launch an enforcement surge in ten districts with some of the highest drug overdose death rates, including the Northern District of Ohio.  

Each participating United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) will choose a specific county and prosecute every readily provable case involving the distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and other synthetic opioids, regardless of drug quantity. Lorain County has been designated as the area as it has been deluged with opiate overdoses. In 2014, the Lorain County Coroner reported 39 heroin overdose deaths with 13 of those overdose deaths involving fentanyl.  In 2015, that number climbed to 41 heroin deaths with 20 of those overdose deaths involving fentanyl. The staggering amount of overdose deaths in Lorain County related to heroin/fentanyl increased significantly in 2016.  In 2016, there were 131 overdose deaths and in 2017, the number remained steady at 132.  The impact has affected both large and small towns in Lorain County. Investigators have noticed that overdose deaths have sometimes occurred in clusters and are related to the recent influx of fentanyl, carfentanil laced heroin and other analogues.

In addition, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Executive Office will send an additional two-year term Assistant United States Attorney to each participating district to assist with drug-related prosecutions.

In Manatee County, a county just south of Tampa with a population of about 320,000, overdoses and deaths skyrocketed in 2015 (780 overdoses/84 opioid related deaths) and 2016 (1,287 overdoses/123 opioid related deaths). In summer of 2016, local law enforcement reported frequent, street-level distribution of fentanyl and carfentanil for the first time.

To combat this crisis, the Middle District of Florida committed to prosecuting every readily provable drug distribution case involving synthetic opioids in Manatee County regardless of drug quantity. The effort resulted in the indictments of 45 traffickers of synthetic opioids. . Further, from the last six months of 2016 to the last six months of 2017, overdoses dropped by 77.1% and deaths dropped by 74.2%. Overall, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office went from responding to 11 overdoses a day to an average now of less than one per day.  

The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, will coordinate with the Lorain County Prosecuting Attorney Dennis Will, Chief Duane Whitely of the Elyria Police Department, Chief Cel Rivera of the Lorain Police Department, Sheriff Phil Stammitti of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to work together on this initiative in an effort to aggressively combat opiate drug crimes. These charges represent a coordinated effort on behalf of the Federal and State partners to hold accountable these individualswho all have significant prior drug charges and have continued to peddle illegal opiate narcotics in Lorain County.

"When it comes to synthetic opioids, there is no such thing as a small case," Attorney General Sessions said. "In 2016, synthetic opioids killed more Americans than any other kind of drug. Three milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal--that's not even enough to cover up Lincoln's face on a penny. Our prosecutors in Manatee County, Florida have shown that prosecuting seemingly small synthetic opioids cases can have a big impact and save lives, and we want to replicate their success in the districts that need it most. This new strategy—and the new prosecutors who will help carry it out—will help us put more traffickers behind bars and keep the American people safe from the threat of these deadly drugs."

“These drugs have killed thousands of our friends and neighbors and caused pain and heartbreak to their families.” United States Attorney Justin Herdman said. “ This initiative will allow us to work in a collaborative, targeted way on the enforcement side to reduce the drug supply, while continuing to partner with others in our community to help drive down demand.” 

Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely said: “We are grateful for the excellent working relationship between all the Lorain County law enforcement agencies and our Federal partners.  We will continue working together to attack the illegal drug trade throughout Lorain County.”

“Through the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to share their resources, intelligence and manpower we can aggressively investigate drug trafficking organizations,” said Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti. “These organizations from the street level dealer to the main source suppliers are drastically having a devastating effect on our communities.  In conjunction with the newly formed Lorain County HIDTA, we are proud of all the units that work together to aggressively investigate drug traffickers.”   

This operation demonstrates another example of the significant federal presence in Lorain County and the cooperation that exists between federal and state agencies over the last several years to work hand in hand with Lorain County partners in seeing that those who repeatedly violate drug laws in Lorain County are held accountable and comes directly of the heels of significant Lorain County arrests last month.

On June 27, 2018, twenty-five people were arrested after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging them for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic drugs in Elyria and the surrounding area, including fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like pills of Percocet. 

According to the 59-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland:

Troy Davis traveled to South Carolina to buy from Jenkins pills that were laced with furanyl fentanyl and pressed to look like 30 mg Percocet pills. Davis brought the pills to Ohio, where he sold them to Phares and others.

Troy Davis sold cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and various fentanyl analogues to other drug dealers and customers in the Elyria area. Troy and Elonzo Davis, who are uncle and nephew, were supplied by Vaughn, Jarell Davis, Washington, Oliver and Rogers. The Davis’ then resold the drugs to Lawrence, White, Pryor, Hobson and others.

The Davis’ and others used homes in Elyria to store and sell the drugs. They also used numerous vehicles, including rental cars, as well as multiple pre-paid cellular telephones, to facilitate the shipment and sale of drugs.

Other recent cases handled by the United States Attorney’s Office with assistance from Lorain County Law Enforcement including the Elyria Police Department, The Lorain Police Department, The Lorain County Sheriff’s Department the FBI, DEA and the Lorain County Prosecutor’s office are as follows:

-Russell Davis was convicted after a trial of multiple counts of distributing heroin fentanyl  with of the distributions caused  an overdose and resulted in death to a person.  Davis was out on bond from Lorain County Court of Common Pleas when he committed the new offense. He had at least defendant had at least one previous drug trafficking felony conviction. Davis is facing a mandatory life sentence. 

-Delante Lunn was convicted after a trial of multiple counts of distributing heroin fentanyl with a specification that the distributions caused an overdose and resulted in death to a person.  Lunn was out on bond from Lorain County Court of Common Pleas when he committed the new offense. He had at least one previous felony drug trafficking conviction.  Lunn was sentenced to 25 years incarceration.

The Northern District of Ohio is one of ten districts selected for this initiative.  The other participating disricts are as follows:

Southern District of Ohio

Eastern District of Tennessee

Eastern District of Kentucky

Southern District of West Virginia

Northern District of West Virginia

District of Maine

Eastern District of California

Western District of Pennsylvania

District of New Hampshire

A Canton man was indicted on fentanyl and firearms charges.

Michael J. Meadows, 48, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Meadows on Jan. 18 possessed at least 40 grams of fentanyl, a Springfield .45-caliber pistol and ammunition. Meadows was prohibited from having firearms or ammunition because of prior convictions, including cocaine possession, having a weapon under disability and aiding and abetting distribution of crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

This case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell.

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.

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.

Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts, aka Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, aka Salah ad-Deen Osama Waleed, 48, of Maple Heights, Ohio, was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda, a designated foreign terrorist organization.  Pitts was arrested Sunday by members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The arrest and charges were announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

“Terrorists reject the ideals this nation was founded upon—the ideals we celebrate on July Fourth and which our law enforcement officers lay down their lives for every day,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “Each one of us owes a debt of gratitude to the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who work day and night to identify those who would do this nation harm, including those committed to supporting violence in the name of foreign terrorist organizations.  At the Department of Justice, we will continue to take every lawful step we can to disrupt terrorist plots and to protect our nation from foreign and domestic threats, including the dangerous threat posed by radical Islamic terrorism.”

“Together with our law enforcement partners on FBI Cleveland's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI disrupted plans to attack innocent citizens – including on July 4th, a day our citizens should be able to celebrate our freedom without fear of violence," said Director Wray.  "This arrest shows the determination of the men and women of the FBI and our partner agencies to protect our communities from harm.  I extend my thanks not just to those who worked on this case, but to all those who safeguard our nation every day.”

 “Protecting our citizens and our nation remains the Justice Department’s top priority,” U.S. Attorney 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 Special Agent in Charge Anthony.  “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, a U.S. citizen, and the UCE met on June 22, 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).”

The defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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.

Demetrius Nathaniel Pitts, aka Abdur Raheem Rafeeq, aka Salah ad-Deen Osama Waleed, 48, of Maple Heights, Ohio, was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to al Qaeda, a designated foreign terrorist organization.  Pitts was arrested Sunday by members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The arrest and charges were announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division.

“Terrorists reject the ideals this nation was founded upon—the ideals we celebrate on July Fourth and which our law enforcement officers lay down their lives for every day,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “Each one of us owes a debt of gratitude to the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who work day and night to identify those who would do this nation harm, including those committed to supporting violence in the name of foreign terrorist organizations.  At the Department of Justice, we will continue to take every lawful step we can to disrupt terrorist plots and to protect our nation from foreign and domestic threats, including the dangerous threat posed by radical Islamic terrorism.”

“Together with our law enforcement partners on FBI Cleveland's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI disrupted plans to attack innocent citizens – including on July 4th, a day our citizens should be able to celebrate our freedom without fear of violence," said Director Wray.  "This arrest shows the determination of the men and women of the FBI and our partner agencies to protect our communities from harm.  I extend my thanks not just to those who worked on this case, but to all those who safeguard our nation every day.”

“Protecting our citizens and our nation remains the Justice Department’s top priority,” U.S. Attorney 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 Special Agent in Charge Anthony.  “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, a U.S. citizen, and the UCE met on June 22, 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).”

The defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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.

Three people from Northeast Ohio were indicted in federal court on firearms charges.

Charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition are: Jared M. Sebaugh, 30, of Olmsted Falls; Jose Colon, 34, of Cleveland; Calvin C. Cody, 36, of Cleveland;

Sebaugh on May 15 possessed a Smith and Wesson, Model M&P-15, 5.56 mm caliber rifle, two 40-round capacity rifle magazines, a 30-round capacity rifle magazine, a Ruger, Model SR40, .40 caliber pistol, and 11 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, after having been previously convicted of aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, according to the indictment.

Colon possessed a Bryco Arms 9 mm pistol and six rounds of ammunition on May 29, despite a prior conviction for aggravated robbery with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

Cody possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun on May 30 after having been convicted of prior felonies in Cuyahoga County, including attempted robbery, 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 his 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. 

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cleveland Division of Police, and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein, Kathryn Andrachik and Brad Beeson.

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. 

The former police chief of a village in Mahoning County was sentenced to five years in prison for child pornography crimes.

Andrew M. Soloman, 37, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Soloman was the police chief of Craig Beach Village when he committed the crimes. He met the juvenile victim when responding to her residence for calls about harassment and a juvenile runaway. During their interactions, the victim sat in Soloman’s cruiser for several hours and talked. He provided her with his work email address, according to court documents.

The two continued to communicate via text and email. The victim sent Soloman sexually explicit photographs of herself and Soloman responded by sending sexually explicit photographs via his work email account. This took place from  Oct. 24 through Dec. 7, 2017 according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Austintown Police Department.

Six people were indicted in federal court for crimes related to child pornography or child exploitation.

Indicted are Jason Warner, 27, of Massillon; Austin Lloyd, 31, of Ravenna; Nicholas Snyder, 36, of Wooster; Andrew Pitts, 36, of Youngstown; Justin McKnight, 36, of North Canton, and Allen Bernhardt, 30, of Canton. Their cases are not otherwise related.

Warner was charged with transporting visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Warner in October 2016 used a computer to transport numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the indictment. 

Lloyd was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files between 2015 and 2018 which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Lloyd possessed a cellular phone on June 7 which contained child pornography, according to the indictment.

Snyder was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In June 2017, Snyder knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Snyder on July 18, 2017, also possessed a cellular phone which contained child pornography, according to the indictment.

Pitts was charged with enticement. The Indictment charges from around Feb. 25-26, 2018, Pitts did knowingly use facilities and means of interstate and foreign commerce, that is, a cell phone, to attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years, that is, a 12-year-old boy to engage in illegal sexual activity with him, according to the indictment.

McKnight was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The Indictment charges that from Jan. through March 30, 2018, McKnight knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges that on or about April 24, 2018, Richards possessed a Samsung cellphone and an HP Blue laptop computer that contained child pornography.

Bernhardt was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The Indictment charges from Dec. 29, 2017 through March 22, 2018, Bernhardt knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which  contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also charges that on or about March 23, 2018, Bernhardt possessed a Motorola Droid cell phone 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.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Sullivan and Carole Skutnik following investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking 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.

A Shaker Heights man was sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding an investor out of more than $287,000.

James M. Unger, 51, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and five counts of filing false tax returns.

Unger worked as a securities broker and investment advisor who provided financial advice to clients. Between 2006 and 2014, Unger devised a scheme to defraud an investor identified in court documents as E.C., according to court documents.

E.C. executed a durable power of attorney in 2007, which gave Unger control of her financial affairs. A few months later, Unger convinced E.C. to invest in a high-risk international casino project based on Unger’s assurances that it was a safe, lucrative investment opportunity. Unger and others provided E.C. with promissory notes guaranteeing a 15 percent annual rate of return, according to court documents.

E.C. invested approximately $407,000 in the project between 2008 and 2009. By 2012, Unger had wired money from E.C.’s bank account, without her knowledge or consent, to another client. He converted her investment to stock in a new company and convinced E.C. to invest an additional $79,985, according to court documents.

In 2014, E.C. told Unger she wanted to liquidate her investment in the casino project. She believed her investment, including earnings, totaled approximately $1.9 million, but her total investment was actually lost, according to court documents.

Unger had actually embezzled funds from E.C.’s bank accounts to enrich himself and pay for his own personal expenses, including pay his daughter’s college expenses, according to court documents.

In total, Unger embezzled approximately $287,464 from E.C. He also failed to claim some of this income on his tax returns between 2011 and 2015, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Patton and Alejandro A. Abreu following an investigation by the FBI and IRS – Criminal Investigations. 

A grand jury returned an indictment charging a U.S. Postal Service employee with stealing more than 250 gift cards from the mail while working at 2400 Orange Avenue in Cleveland.

Monique Wheeler, 54, of Warrensville Heights, was indicted on one count of theft of mail. Wheeler knowingly stole or took letters, postal cards, packages, bags, or mail and numerous gift cards of varying monetary amounts between July 2017 and September 2017, according to the indictment.

Wheeler stole from the mail gift cards to dozens of stores or services, including Aldi, Amazon, Applebee’s, Best Buy, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick Fil A, Chipotle, DSW, Game Stop, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, MasterCard, Panera, Red Lobster, Starbucks, Target, Victoria’s Secret, Visa, Xbox and others.

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “This defendant is accused of stealing hundreds of gift cards worth thousands of dollars over three months. Presumably some of these were birthday presents or other gifts that people entrusted to the postal service for delivery. 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 stated: “The vast majority of the 600,000 Postal Service employees nationwide are hard working individuals worthy of America’s trust. However, when one of them decides to violate that trust, special agents of the USPS OIG will conduct an aggressive and thorough investigation, as was done in this case. Special agents will seek federal prosecution and the individual’s removal from the Postal Service. When an employee steals from the mail, they risk loss of employment, loss of their retirement, and loss of their freedom. To report postal employees involved in criminal activity, contact USPS OIG special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to her 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein and was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

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 woman was indicted in federal court for making a straw purchase from a gun store in Eastlake of a rifle that was later used in the attempted robbery of a credit union.

Marshyia S. Ligon, 20, was indicted on one count of making a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm.

Ligon made false statements on Oct. 4, 2017 when she purchased a Smith & Wesson M&P 15, 556 caliber rifle bearing the serial number TH11301 from Sherwin Shooting Sports, 33140 Vine Street in Eastlake. Ligon falsely stated she was the actual buyer of the rifle when, in fact, she was not the actual buyer of the firearms, according to the indictment.

The firearm was recovered one week later at the Willoughby Eastlake Schools Credit Union, where it was used in an attempt to rob the credit union.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Willoughby Police Department, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.

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.

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.

An Akron man was indicted on federal drug and firearms charges.

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Anthony D. Gelfo, 32, with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 8, 2017, Gelfo did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least five grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

The indictment further alleges that on or about March 8, 2017, Gelfo knowingly possessed a Walther pistol, model P22, .22 caliber, serial number obliterated, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment further alleges that on or about March 8, 2017, Gelfo, having been previously convicted of rape in 2004 in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, did knowingly possess in and affect interstate and foreign commerce, a firearm, specifically, a Walther pistol.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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.

Twenty-five people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic drugs in Elyria and the surrounding area, including fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like pills of Percocet.

Everyone indicted is from Elyria unless otherwise noted. They are: Troy Davis, 37; Reginald Jenkins, 40; Stephen Phares, 25; Deondre Vaughn, 35, of Cleveland; Jarell Davis, 29, of Cuyahoga Falls; Leon Lamont Washington, 42; Raymond Trenell Oliver, 43; Anthony Rodgers, 35, of Cleveland; Elonzo Davis, 44; Quadron Johnson, 31; William Solomon, 43; Malik Hobson, 38; Johnnie Lawrence, 38; Richard Fluker, 59; Troy Martin, 37, of Cleveland; Myron L. Pryor, 47, of Cleveland; Alvin Fennell, 48,; Terrance Williams, 25,; Aaron White, 22,; Alkeem Fennell, 25; Cassandra Studebaker, 25,; Courtney Warrens, 25; Tommie Richardson, 27; Arthur Solomon, 45, and Mickey Tramaine Wright, 25.

According to the 59-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland:

Troy Davis traveled to South Carolina to buy from Jenkins pills that were laced with furanyl fentanyl and pressed to look like 30 mg Percocet pills. Davis brought the pills to Ohio, where he sold them to Phares and others.

Troy Davis sold cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and various fentanyl analogues to other drug dealers and customers in the Elyria area. Troy and Elonzo Davis, who are uncle and nephew, were supplied by Vaughn, Jarell Davis, Washington, Oliver and Rogers. The Davis’ then resold the drugs to Lawrence, White, Pryor, Hobson and others.

The Davis’ and others used homes in Elyria to store and sell the drugs. They also used numerous vehicles, including rental cars, as well as multiple pre-paid cellular telephones, to facilitate the shipment and sale of drugs.

“These defendants brought lots of deadly drugs into Elyria, including carfentanil and fentanyl,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Law enforcement worked together to dismantle this organization and the lives of countless Elyria residents will be better because of those efforts.”

“Today’s indictment and arrests shut off a pipeline of dangerous drugs that have killed so many of our friends and neighbors and caused pain and destruction in our community,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. “This case is the result of a long joint investigation between DEA, Elyria police, the Lorain County HIDTA and many others. DEA will continue to work to reduce the supply of illegal narcotics hitting our streets.”

Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely said: “The events today are the culmination of nine months of work aimed at attacking the drug trade in Elyria and surrounding areas.  This investigation was initiated by the Elyria Police Narcotics Unit who partnered with the DEA Cleveland’s Office and the Lorain HIDTA.  We are grateful for the excellent working relationship between all the Lorain County law enforcement agencies.  We will continue working together to attack the illegal drug trade throughout Lorain County.” 

“Through the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to share their resources, intelligence and manpower we can aggressively investigate drug trafficking organizations,” said Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti. “These organizations from the street level dealer to the main source suppliers are drastically having a devastating effect on our communities.  In conjunction with the newly formed Lorain County HIDTA, we are proud of all the units that work together to aggressively investigate and pursue these drug trafficking organizations.”   

Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program Executive Director Derek Siegle said: “This case is an example of HIDTA’s ability to help coordinate investigations that span several city, county and state boundaries. We are building off our successes in other parts of Ohio to help make Lorain County and the entire region safer.”

Lorain Police Capt. Roger Watkins said: “We have always been appreciative of the level of cooperation between the local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in this area in combating the drug issues that plague our communities.”

“Opioids are killing people every single day in Ohio, and I firmly believe that those trafficking drugs into our communities have no regard for human life,” said Attorney General DeWine. “This case is yet another example of our commitment to stopping drug traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic, and I applaud the state, local, and federal authorities who aggressively worked on this case.”

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Cleveland office, Elyria Police Department, the Lorain County HIDTA -- which is comprised of the Sheriff’s Lorain County Drug Task Force, DEA, Ohio Adult Patrol Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Avon Lake Police Department, Avon Police Department, Amherst Police Department, Oberlin Police Department and Vermilion Police Department -- Lorain Police Department, Lorain Prosecutor’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and U.S. Marshal Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa T. Darden and Vasile C. Katsaros.

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.

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 Mansfield man was charged with theft of government funds.

Timothy L. Deener, 47, who receives Social Security benefits, falsely reported to the Social Security Administration for five years that he was not married and that he lived alone. As a result, Deener unlawfully obtained more in benefits than he was entitled to receive, according to the criminal information.

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

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

An information 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.

Today, the Department of Justice, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the results of a year-long, coordinated national operation that used the first nationwide undercover action to target vendors of illicit goods on the Darknet. Special Agents of the HSI New York Field Division, in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, posed as a money launderer on Darknet market sites, exchanging U.S. currency for virtual currency.  Through this operation, HSI New York was able to identify numerous vendors of illicit goods, leading to the opening of more than 90 active cases around the country. The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, working with more than 40 U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country, coordinated the nationwide investigation of over 65 targets, that lead to the arrest and impending prosecution of more than 35 Darknet vendors.

These results were announced by Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Executive Associate Director Derek Benner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez of HSI New York Field Office, Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) New York Division, Assistant Director Kenneth Jenkins of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Office of Investigations, and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division.

“Criminals who think that they are safe on the Darknet are wrong,” said Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein.  “We can expose their networks, and we are determined to bring them to justice. Today, we arrested more than 35 alleged Darknet vendors.  We seized their weapons, their drugs, and $23.6 million of their ill-gotten gains. This nationwide enforcement effort will reduce the supply of deadly drugs like fentanyl that are killing an unprecedented number of Americans.  I want to thank our federal prosecutors, and the dedicated federal agents with DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Secret Service for their outstanding work.”

“The Darknet is ever-changing and increasingly more intricate, making locating and targeting those selling illicit items on this platform more complicated.  But in this case, HSI special agents were able to walk amongst those in the cyber underworld to find those vendors who sell highly addictive drugs for a profit,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Benner.  “The veil has been lifted. HSI has infiltrated the Darknet, and together with its law enforcement partners nationwide, it has proven, once again, that every criminal is within arm’s reach of the law.”

“Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will spare no resource or expense to shine a light on the sale and distribution of illicit and dangerous items on the Darknet, that serve to destroy the lives of many through addiction and despair,” said Inspector in Charge Rendina.  “Today’s announcement of our law enforcement partnership and operation sends a strong message to those who choose this illegal path, we are watching and will bring you to justice for your crimes against the American public.”

“The Secret Service is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to help combat one of the largest threats to the U.S. financial infrastructure, money laundering with virtual currency,” said U.S. Secret Service Assistant Director Jenkins.  “The Secret Service continues to adapt along with these cyber criminals to maintain our level of success in stopping them.”

“At this crucial time of unprecedented drug related deaths, one of the greatest threats we face is cyber drug trafficking,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Hunt.  “Because the Darknet invites criminals into our homes, and provides unlimited access to illegal commerce, law enforcement is taking steps to identify and arrest those involved. I applaud all the agencies who participated in this groundbreaking investigation.”

The extensive operation, which culminated in four weeks of more than 100 enforcement actions around the country, resulted in the following:

• Federal arrests of more than 35 Darknet vendors who engaged in tens of thousands of sales of illicit goods;
• Execution of 70 search warrants, resulting in the seizure of massive amounts of illegal narcotics, including 333 bottles of liquid synthetic opioids, over 100,000 tramadol pills, 100 grams of fentanyl, more than 24 kilograms of Xanax, and additional seizures of Oxycodone, MDMA, cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and a psychedelic mushroom grow found in a residence;
• Seizure of more than 100 firearms, including handguns, assault rifles, and a grenade launcher;
• Seizure of five vehicles that were purchased with illicit proceeds and/or used to facilitate criminal activity;
• Seizure of more than $3.6 million in U.S. currency and gold bars;
• Seizure of nearly 2,000 Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, with an approximate value of more than $20 million;
• Confiscation of 15 pill presses, which are used to create illegal synthetic opioids; and
• Seizure of Bitcoin mining devices, computer equipment, and vacuum sealers.

Amongst those charged federally, include:

• Antonio Tirado, 26, and Jeffrey Morales, 32, of the Bronx, New York, were arrested on June 18, and separately charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York with distribution and possession with intent to distribute narcotics, including cocaine, LSD (also known as “acid”), marijuana, and hashish oil.  Additionally, Tirado was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offenses.  Following an investigation into a Darknet marketplace vendor using the moniker “Trapgod,” investigators executed search warrants at homes in two residential neighborhoods in the Bronx leading to Tirado and Morales.  As alleged in the complaints, during the execution of the search warrants at the Tirado and Morales residences, agents seized controlled substances including powder cocaine, marijuana, and LSD, as well as various precursor powders, liquids, and reagents, and other narcotics-related paraphernalia including marijuana growing equipment, a home chemistry lab, scales, and heat sealing packaging materials.  In Tirado’s home, agents recovered a fully loaded shotgun alongside a narcotics stash.  Investigators in Tirado’s apartment recovered additional evidence of Darknet narcotics distribution, such as numerous U.S. Postal Service shipping boxes, already addressed to customers around the United States, which boxes contained hairbrushes some of which had already been packed with powder cocaine for distribution.
• Jian Qu, 30; Raymond Weng, 24; and Kai Wu, 22, all of Queens, New York, along with Dimitri Tseperkas, 22, and Cihad Akkaya, 22, of Middle Island and Port Jefferson, New York, respectively, were each arrested on June 18, and charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York with participation in a conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.  Tseperkas and Akkaya were also charged with firearms offenses relating to the drug conspiracy.  Investigators monitoring Darknet marketplaces found accounts used by some of the conspirators, leading agents to execute search warrants at three addresses in residential communities in Flushing and Mt. Sinai, New York.  From the residences, agents recovered approximately $400,000 in U.S. currency, 140 kilograms of suspected marijuana and an additional 10 kilograms of suspected marijuana vape cartridges, 12 kilograms of suspected Xanax pills, over half a kilogram of suspected ecstasy, four pill presses, mixers, and pill press parts, over a dozen kilograms of various powders, packaging materials, and paraphernalia.   While searching the residence where Akkaya and Tseperkas were found, investigators recovered three loaded shotguns, including a tactical double-barreled shotgun loaded with 14 shells, and over 50 shotgun shells, as well as significant quantities of narcotics, packaging materials, and paraphernalia including a money-counting machine.  Review of electronic evidence recovered from the residences proved the conspirators’ connections to Darknet marketplaces, use of cryptocurrency, and narcotics distribution schemes.

• Ryan Farace, 34, of Reisterstown, Maryland, and Robert Swain, 34, of Freeland, Maryland, were charged by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland related to a scheme to manufacture and distribute alprazolam tablets, which are typically sold under the brand name “Xanax.”  The indictment alleges that Farace distributed the drugs through sales on the dark web in exchange for Bitcoin, and that Farace and Swain laundered the drug proceeds through financial transactions designed to conceal the source and ownership of the illegal funds.   To date, law enforcement has seized various crypto currency, to include bitcoin, valued at over $22 million at the time of the seizures, and over $1.5 million in cash, which was seized from Farace’s residence upon the execution of a search warrant on Jan. 18.  As part of the indictment, the government seeks the forfeiture of no less than $5.665 million, plus the value of 4,000 Bitcoin believed to be the proceeds of the illegal drug sales, two residences, and a vehicle used to facilitate the drug distribution.

• Nicholas J. Powell, 32, and Michael Gonzalez, 27, former and current residents of Parma, Ohio, respectively, were charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and laundering money using the dark web.  The complaint alleges that Powell used various monikers on Darknet marketplaces as part of his criminal scheme, including “TheSource,” “BonnienClyde,” BnC,” “BCPHARMA,” and “Money TS.”  The conspiracy operated on multiple Darknet marketplaces, including Silk Road 2, AlphaBay, and HANSA.  The conspiracy involved distributing Xanax, steroids, marijuana and other drugs across the country using these and other Darknet monikers.  Powell and Gonzalez would then launder the funds as cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Etherium, and Komodo through individuals specializing in money laundering on Darknet marketplaces.  At the time of arrest, law enforcement had already seized approximately $437,000 in cryptocurrencies from Powell.

• Jose Robert Porras III, 21, and Pasia Vue, 23, both of Sacramento, were charged with drug distribution, money laundering, and illegally possessing firearms, in a 16-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the Eastern District of California. According to the indictment, Porras and Vue were using the online monikers “Cannabars” and “TheFastPlug,” to distribute marijuana, Xanax, and methamphetamine on various dark web marketplaces, including Trade Route, Wall Street Market, and Dream Marketplace.  Porras and Vue then laundered the Bitcoin proceeds of their drug distribution through the HSI undercover agent located in New York.  After receiving the Bitcoin from Porras and Vue, the undercover agent mailed parcels of cash to them in Sacramento. HSI and USPIS agents seized nine weapons including an AK-47 magazine and ammunition, 30 pounds of marijuana, $10,000 in U.S. currency, a vehicle, and over 100 bars of Xanax.

• Sam Bent, 32, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont (and formerly of East Burke, Vermont), and his cousin, Djeneba Bent, 26, also of St. Johnsbury (and formerly East Burke) were charged with conspiracy to distribute LSD, MDMA (also known as “ecstasy”), cocaine, and marijuana in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Vermont.  The indictment alleges that the conspiracy involved setting up accounts on dark web marketplaces, establishing online identities, accepting Bitcoin in exchange for sales over the dark web, and mailing controlled substances from several different post offices in Northeastern Vermont and Northwestern New Hampshire in an effort to avoid detection.   The indictment also charges Sam Bent with four counts of money laundering involving three different exchanges of bitcoin drug distribution proceeds for U.S. currency. 

• In Fresno, California, a federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment on May 17, against Daniel Boyd McMonegal, 35, of San Luis Obispo and Mariposa, California, charging him with drug distribution and money laundering in the Eastern District of California.  According to the indictment, McMonegal, using the online monikers “Sawgrass,” “Ross4Less,” and “ChristmasTree,” distributed marijuana on various dark web marketplaces, including Dream Market.  McMonegal was also the owner of a marijuana delivery service in San Luis Obispo called West Coast Organix, which claimed to be a non-profit medical marijuana cooperative.  McMonegal then laundered the Bitcoin proceeds of his drug distribution through an undercover agent located in New York.  After receiving the Bitcoin from McMonegal, the undercover agent mailed parcels of cash to McMonegal in San Luis Obispo and Mariposa.

More than 50 Darknet vendor accounts were identified and attributed to the real individuals selling illicit goods on Darknet market sites such as Silk Road, AlphaBay, Hansa, Dream, and others. HSI-New York Field Division and MLARS coordinated with law enforcement and federal prosecutors to investigate 65 targets identified by the undercover operation in more than 50 Federal districts, including: the District of Arizona, the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Western District of Arkansas, the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Connecticut, the Middle District of Florida, the Northern District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Iowa, the District of Kansas, the District of Maryland, the Eastern District of Michigan, the District of Minnesota, the Eastern District of North Carolina, the Western District of North Carolina, the District of New Hampshire, the Northern District of New York, the Southern District of New York, the Western District of New York, the District of North Dakota, the Northern District of Ohio, the Southern District of Ohio, the District of Oregon, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the District of South Carolina, the District of South Dakota, the Eastern District of Texas, the Northern District of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of Utah, the Eastern District of Virginia, the District of Vermont, the Eastern District of Washington, and the Western District of Washington.  FBI was part of the investigative team in the Northern District of California.   

The investigation is ongoing.

A Toledo man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking heroin and cocaine and for firearms crimes.

Cornelius Henry, 44, pleaded guilty earlier this year to 45 counts, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, money laundering, being a felon in possession of firearms and maintaining a drug house, among others.

Henry conspired with others from 2011 through 2016 to possess with intent to distribute large amounts of heroin and cocaine. He also possessed at least two firearms despite multiple felony convictions that made it illegal for him to have a firearm. He used the residence at 2214 Airport Highway in Toledo to store and distribute the drugs, according to court documents.

Henry also forfeited two properties on Airport Highway, three firearms and ammunition, six automobiles, one motorcycle and more than $10,000 in cash seized as part of the investigation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Toledo office, the Internal Revenue Service and the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Michael J. Freeman.

A Toledo man was indicted on firearms and drug charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

Antoine Kennedy, 20, was indicted on charges of Kennedy with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.

Kennedy on Nov. 6, 2016 possessed cocaine, marijuana and a FNS 40-caliber pistol, despite a prior conviction for trafficking cocaine that made it illegal for him to have a firearm, 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.

The investigating agencies in this case are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Toledo, Ohio and the Toledo Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Freeman is handling the case.           

This case is 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.     

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.       

Six people from Northeast Ohio were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

All six are charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition. They are: John Lewis Chapple, 31, of Cleveland; Anthony L. Norman, 35, of Cleveland, Miquel Jones, 48, of Cleveland; Marwan Little, 42, of Elyria, Clifton D. McCarty, 38, of Cleveland, and Tequan Rushton, 23, Youngstown

“These defendants are all people who are illegally carrying guns and who have committed violent crimes in the past,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

“ATF’s mission is reducing violent gun crime in our country,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Trevor A. Velinor.  “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to follow the gun and remove the most violent criminals from our streets.”

Chapple was arrested on May 10 with a Czech cal-st-alb-et, 7.62 caliber semi-automatic handgun and ammunition, despite prior convictions on two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of felonious assault; additional convictions for kidnapping, felonious assault and aggravated robbery, according to the indictment.

Norman was arrested on May 6 with a Springfield Arms .45-caliber handgun and ammunition, despite previous convictions for felonious assault with a firearm specification, carrying a concealed weapon and intimidation of a crime victim or witness

Jones was arrested on May 23 with a Ruger 9 mm handgun, a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun and 16 rounds of 9 mm ammunition despite previous convictions for robbery, domestic violence, burglary and other crimes.

Little was arrested on April 4 with a Amadeo Ross .38-caliber revolver and five rounds of ammunition despite a prior conviction for felonious assault.

McCarty was arrested on March 17 with a Taurus 9 mm handgun and 20 rounds of ammunition, despite prior convictions which made it illegal for him to have a firearm, including multiple drug trafficking crimes, attempted felonious assault of a peace officer, and attempted felonious assault with repeat violent offender specification.

Rushton was arrested on March 14 with a SCCY 9 mm pistol and ammunition despite a prior felony conviction for assault, according to the indictment.

This case is 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 were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Cleveland Division of Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, the Elyria Police Department, the Youngstown Police Department and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian S. Deckert, Payum Doroodian, Danielle K. Angeli and David M. Toepfer.

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.