Northern District of Ohio

Eleven people who were found to be in Ohio after having been deported were indicted for illegally reentering the United States.

Eight of those indicted were found to be in Ohio on June 5. They are: Maurilio Perez-Morales, 47; Omar Rovelero-Morales, 37, ; Cutberto Gallardo-Trujillo, 49; Epigmenio Sifuentes-Cabrera (aka Jose Fernandez-Cabrerra), 35; Josefino Alvaro Leon-Herrera, 52; Bersain Alvarez-Lopez, 30; Dalila Molina-Vazquez, 29, and Isias Roblero-Perez, 39. All are Mexican citizens.

Perez-Morales, Rovelero-Morales, Sifuentes-Cabrera, Alvarez-Lopez, Roblero-Perez and Molina-Vazquez were found in Ohio on June 5 after having been previously deported.

Gallardo-Trujillo was found in Ohio on June 5 after having previously been deported and previously convicted of delivery of cocaine. Leon-Herrera was found in Ohio on June 5 after having been deported and previously convicted of trafficking marijuana.

Edgar Samuel Palomino-Sanchez, 25, of Mexico, was found to be in Ohio on May 28 after having been previously deported.

Miguel Sanchez Ceto, of Guatemala, would found to be in Ohio on May 21 after having been previously deported.

Pedro Luis Martinez-Navarro, of Honduras, was found to be in Ohio on May 26 after having been previously deported.

These cases were investigated U.S. Customs and Border Patrol andImmigration 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 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 in federal court for his role in armed robberies of credit unions in Shaker Heights and Willoughby on the same day last year.

Richode Meredith-Hill, 20, was indicted on two counts of armed credit union robbery and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Meredith-Hill attempted to rob the Buckeye State Credit Union on Chagrin Boulevard in Shaker Heights and robbed the Cardinal Community Credit Union on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby. Both took place on April 3, 2017, according to the indictment.

Meredith-Hill aided and abetted another who used a firearm during these crimes of violence, 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.     

This case was investigated by the FBI and police departments in Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Euclid and Willoughby. 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.

A Canton woman was charged today with theft of government funds, said Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

For over 12 years, Michelle L. Cyrus, 41, falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that her husband did not live with her in the family home.  As a result, she received more Social Security benefits that she was entitled to receive.    

Special Agent Kelly Clark 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 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.

A Bedford man was charged in federal court with drug and firearms crimes.

Lamont Colvin, 32, was charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a felon in possession of a firearm, distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Colvin was arrested on Feb. 7 when DEA agents found him with approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of fentanyl and 84 grams of cocaine, as well as four loaded firearms, according to the indictment.

Colvin on Feb. 7 had a Glock 45-caliber pistol, a Glock 40-caliber pistol, a Taurus 40-caliber pistol, a Palmetto State Armory PA-15 rifle and ammunition, despite numerous prior convictions for drug trafficking that made it illegal for him to possess firearms, according to the indictment.

Colvin also sold nearly 300 grams of cocaine on two dates prior to his arrest, 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 jointly by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney.     

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

Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 41, aka Robert C. McCollum, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for one count of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms.

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 made the announcement.

“The National Security Division is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who seek to provide material support to terrorist groups like ISIS.” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “I want to thank the prosecutors and our partners in law enforcement—including the FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force—who ensured that this defendant was held accountable for his crimes.”

“This case is a stark reminder that ISIS is more than an abstract threat,” said U.S Attorney Herdman. “Through social media and other means, ISIS and groups like it seek to radicalize people of all backgrounds into its world of violence.”

“This case demonstrates law enforcement’s number one priority – to keep our communities and our nation safe,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony.  “It is clear that no area is immune from the influence of ISIS and its supporters.  We hope this case will serve as a strong message to others who may consider providing support to terrorists.  The FBI and our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners are committed to identifying and stopping these individuals.”

Al-Ghazi, who changed his name from Robert McCollum last year, pledged his support to ISIS and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi via social media in 2014.  From July 2014 to June 2015, Al-Ghazi made multiple statements trying to persuade others to join ISIS.  He also expressed his own desire to perpetrate an attack on the United States and had attempted to purchase an AK-47 assault rifle.  Al-Ghazi has communicated with individuals he believed to be members of ISIS in the Middle East and took steps to create propaganda videos for ISIS, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd of the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from Trial Attorney Erin Creegan of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The former Allen County Sheriff was indicted in federal court for asking for and taking bribes from drug dealers, people arrested in prostitution stings, suspected gamblers and others.

Samuel A. Crish, 54, was charged in a six-count indictment with multiple counts of extortion, soliciting bribes and making false statements to the FBI.

“The conduct described in these charges is as offensive as it is audacious,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Demanding bribes from drug dealers, gamblers and johns arrested in prostitution stings reads like something out of a bad movie. This defendant let down the people of Allen County and the men and women who served with him at the Sheriff’s Office. He does not represent the vast majority of law enforcement, and he will now be held accountable for his crimes.”

“Mr. Crish tarnished his badge when he chose to use his official capacity to influence criminal investigations and to protect his self-interests,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “He further exacerbated the situation by lying to the FBI in an attempt to conceal his criminal conduct.  As Mr. Crish was a law enforcement officer and county sheriff -- sworn to uphold the law -- his conduct is particularly egregious.”

The charges detail Crish extorting or soliciting nearly $100,000 from five people between 2012 and 2016.

According to the indictment:

Crish joined the Allen County Sheriff’s Office in 1991, where he held numerous positions, including commander of the office’s Investigative Division and the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force (WCOCTF). He was elected sheriff in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

In June 2012, Crish approached a person identified in the charges as Person 1 and asked Person 1 for $8,000, falsely stating he needed the money to cover medical bills. Person 1 gave Crish the money in cash in an alley behind the sheriff’s office in July 2012.

Two months later, Person 1 applied for the position of nurse at the Allen County Jail, which Crish oversaw. Based on conversations with Crish, Person 1 understood the job was theirs. Crish stated in October 2012 he would try to hire Person 1 as nurse. In the same conversation, he stated he needed $42,000 to pay his debts and asked if Person 1 could help.

Person 1 took out a home equity line of credit and, on Oct. 12, 2012, gave Crish a check for $42,000 in the alley behind the sheriff’s office. Crish agreed to repay the money in monthly increments of $480. On Dec. 15, 2012, Person 1 was hired by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office to work as the nurse at the county jail.

In 2011, the WCOCTF was investigating Person 2 for drug offenses. That investigation did not result in criminal charges. In 2013, Person 2 called Crish and asked that he not send deputies for a two-day party Person 2 planned in which he charged a cover, sold liquor and generated a profit of up to $15,000.

Crish then sent Person 2 numerous messages asking about money. At some point in February or March 2013, Person 2 gave Crish $20,000 in cash. Crish promised to repay the money plus $5,000 in interest within a few weeks.

Crish and Person 2 met on April 22, 2013 to discuss an undercover operation, and Crish told Person 2 he was “going to get indicted.” Crish also stated he would “take care of it” if Person 2 would forgive half of the $20,000 debt.

Crish made small repayments to Person 2 in April and May 2013. The WCOCTF investigated Person 2 for drug trafficking and Person 2 was arrested on Dec. 5, 2013. Crish was named as a defense witness. Person 2 pleaded guilty in Allen County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 23, 2014 and was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Dec. 2, 2014.

Person 3 operated a used car business and was arrested by members of the sheriff’s office and WCOCTF on Aug. 19, 2015 during a prostitution sting. He was charged with solicitation in Lima Municipal Court.

Crish visited Person 3’s business several times in August and September 2015, at one point asking Person 3 for a $7,000 loan. Person 3 gave Crish a check for $7,000 on Sept. 25, 2015.

Crish met with prosecutors and law enforcement officials about Person 3’s case on Nov. 24, 2015, and demanded the Lima City Attorney’s Office drop the charges. The solicitation case was dismissed on Feb. 18, 2016. Eight days later, Crish texted Person 3 to meet, where they discussed the dismissal of Person 3’s case.

Person 4 operated a used car business in Elida, Ohio. Crish asked Person 4 in September 2015 to work as an informant. He also asked Person 4 to loan him $10,000.

Person 4 gave Crish $10,000 in cash on Nov. 3, 2015. The next day, Person 4 was arrested at a motel in Lima as part of a prostitution sting operation. Following his arrest, Person 4 asked to speak to Crish. All of the other men arrested were charged.

Crish visited Person 4’s business on Nov. 5, 2015, and told him not to worry about the arrest because he was working for Crish.

Crish visited Person 4’s business again on Nov. 17, 2015, and asked for $500. Person 4 insisted Crish would have to pay back the $500, unlike the previous $10,000. Crish called Person 4 in May 2016 and told him he was “fine” referring to the charges for the prostitution arrest.

Person 5 owned a grocery store in Allen County. Crish stopped by Person 5’s business in October 2015 to ask for a loan. Crish inferred during the visit that an agency was coming to investigate Person 5’s business for suspected illegal gambling operations, but that Crish could stop the investigation if Person 5 provided Crish with a loan.

Person 5 gave Crish a $2,000 loan in October 2015, which Crish repaid without interest.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Hood and Gene Crawford.

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.

WASHINGTON – Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Baeppler and Victim/Witness Specialist Darla Pendergrass were one of 162 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director James Crowell, IV at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony Friday in Washington D.C.

The Northern District of Ohio was one of 35 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

In addressing the award recipients and guests, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, “Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues.  But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded. Today, we pause to honor and recognize a small portion of your work.”

“Michelle and Darla represent the very best of our office and the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “They work daily to seek justice for crime victims, whether that means using social media postings to prosecute someone urging violence against the members of our military or holding the hand of the victim of a life-altering act of violence.

Baeppler, along with former Assistant U.S Attorney Christos Georgalis Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy from the Justice Department’s Counter Terrorism Section, received an award for Superior Performance in Criminal Matters.

The trio was honored for their groundbreaking work in United States v. McNeil. McNeil, of Akron, posted the names and addresses of more than 100 members of the military urging supporters of the Islamic State to behead, stab and otherwise attack the service members.

McNeil is serving 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence and five counts of making threatening interstate communications.

Pendergrass will receive an award for Superior Performance in a Litigation Support Role for her work on a number of cases last year involving sensitive victim-witness issues.

Among the cases Pendergrass was assigned to was the prosecuting the shooting of young woman in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The victim survived but sustained serious injuries. With Pendergrass’ support, she was able to confront her attacker, who is serving a life sentence in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.

An Elyria man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for selling a mixture of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in the overdose death of a Lorain County woman.

Delante Lunn, 38, was convicted earlier this year of distribution of fentanyl and heroin. Lunn sold the drugs to a Wellington Village woman in February 2016. The woman died as a result of ingesting the drugs Lunn sold her, according to court documents and trial testimony.

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

Eight people were indicted in federal court their roles in a conspiracy selling cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Lima, law enforcement officials said.

Those named in the 11-count federal indictment are: Don Burns, 44; Joseph Downton, 39; Earl Hall, 37; DeJuan James, 31; Michael Jones, 40; DeJuan Keys, 29; Larry Nathan, 53, and Chivas Shurelds, 29. All eight live in Lima and all are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Several additional people were indicted in the Allen County Court of Common Pleas as part of the case.

 Burns, Downton, Hall, James, Jones, Keys, Nathan and Shurelds conspired together between November 2016 and the present to distribute large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine. Downton and Hall are responsible for distributing at least five kilograms of cocaine, according to the 11-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court.

Burns, Downton, Hall, James, Keys, Nathan and Shurelds purchased cocaine from Demos Watkins. Watkins pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing.

Nathan converted the cocaine he bought from Watkins into crack cocaine which he sold to others himself or through intermediaries, including Jones, according to the federal indictment.

Watkins used a house on North McDonel Street to stash the drugs he sold to the defendants, according to the indictment.

“This is a network that sold large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine in Lima,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “These indictments are a great example of law enforcement working together to make our community safer.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: "These arrests demonstrate the collaborative efforts law enforcement engage in on a daily basis.  In this case the sharing of information from a traffic stop where illegal narcotics were discovered led to a 19-month joint law enforcement investigation resulting in numerous arrests. The FBI will continue to devote all available resources to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to make sure those bringing poison to our streets are held accountable.”

Allen County Sheriff Matt Treglia said: “The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force greatly appreciates the support it has received from state and federal investigators while conducting this multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction investigation. This long-term thorough investigation, which culminated in a well-executed criminal roundup this morning, is a great example of how interagency cooperation can significantly disrupt the drug trade in any community in this state. We look forward to continuing a strong partnership with the F.B.I. and Ohio B.C.I. until the day we have completely eliminated the drug epidemic in our community.”

Lima Police Chief Kevin J. Martin said: On behalf of the Lima Police Department, I would like to express our extreme gratitude for the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the many other Criminal Justice Organizations that have worked together to help send a loud and clear message that illegal drug dealing will not be allowed in the Lima community. 

“As part of the West Central Ohio Crimes Task Force, the Ohio National Guard is extremely honored to partner in support of Allen County residents and the statewide fight against illicit drugs,” said Lt. Col. Michael Flaherty, Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force director. “Staff Sgt. Vanessa Gazarek, an Ohio National Guard CDTF criminal analyst, provided invaluable intelligence support to assist local and federal law enforcement during this investigation.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lima Police Department, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force and Delphos Police Department.

The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling and Thomas P. Weldon.

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.

The U.S. Marshals Service and Drug Enforcement Administration, working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, recently completed the first phase of “Operation We Are CLE,” resulting in the arrests of more than 200 people, confiscation of 36 firearms and seizure of 60 kilograms of cocaine and nearly five kilograms of heroin in Cleveland.

“This operation embodies the best of Project Safe Neighborhoods – working with federal and state agencies and local police to tailor a strategy that makes the most sense for specific areas,” d U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin E. Herdman said. “This operation got a lot of dangerous people, firearms and dangerous drugs off the streets of Cleveland.”

U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio Peter J. Elliott said: “The US Marshals have a long history of working with Cleveland Police and other agencies to address our community’s most pressing crime issues. We are glad we were able to hold dozens of known fugitives accountable as summer starts and people go out to enjoy their city.”

From April 23 through May 18, law enforcement conducted coordinated activities focused on specific neighborhoods in Cleveland. Activities included searches for people with outstanding warrants, particularly post-release control violators, vice operations, vehicle checkpoints, traffic enforcement, and other tactics.

During that time period, firearms arrests were up 175 percent over the same period last year in a targeted police district in Cleveland. Homicides were down 20 percent citywide during the first phase of Operation We Are CLE.

It is anticipated that many of these arrests and seizures of drugs and firearms will result in charges being filed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland.

The Marshals Service, working with Cleveland police, targeted and arrested violent fugitives. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department did address checks on registered sex offenders. The FBI and Cleveland Division of Police worked together to identify and target criminals involved in firearms violence. The DEA seized 60 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 4.7 kilograms of heroin, 100 grams of a fentanyl/carfentanil mixture, seven firearms and $271,000 in cash.

Participating agencies include: the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, the Cleveland Division of Police, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

The second phase of the operation is currently underway.

A jury convicted Rocky River business executive C. David Snyder on six charges related to embezzling $126,000 from an employee retirement fund and collecting nearly $860,000 from his employees but not paying the money to the IRS.

Snyder, 61, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9. He was convicted on one count of embezzling from an employee pension fund and five counts of failure to pay over taxes. He was acquitted on two tax charges.

Snyder served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Attevo, Inc., a technology consulting company headquartered in Cleveland. He also served as chairman and primary shareholder at Ruralogic, Inc., headquartered in Bryan, Ohio.

Attevo employees prepared financial records and schedules, quarterly and annual returns and reports for Attevo, at Snyder’s direction. Snyder ranked Attevo’s payables in order of importance, according to court documents.

Snyder, on behalf of Attevo, and the IRS in 2011 agreed to a monthly payment plan of $48,350 per month to repay the company’s outstanding payroll tax liabilities. Attevo made 10 payments totaling $483,500 then made no further payments, according to court documents.

Snyder withheld payroll tax from employees but failed to pay it to the IRS. Snyder failed to pay over approximately $328,355 of employee’s portion of payroll taxes in 2010 and approximately $530,778 in 2012, according to court documents.

Snyder created a 401(k) and profit-sharing plan for Attevo employees in 2009. Ruralogic was added to the plan in 2010. The plan was funded through employee payroll deferrals. Between 2010 and 2012, Snyder failed to pay into the plan approximately $126,000 in contributions and loan repayments withheld from Attevo and Ruralogic employee wages, according to court documents.

During the time of his criminal conduct, instead of paying Attevo’s employment taxes, Snyder paid $20,000 per month for the rental of a personal residence in Lakewood and his vacation home in Chautauqua, New York, leases on four vehicles and other personal expenses, according to trial testimony and court documents.

He also used Attevo’s American Express to pay personal expenses, including women’s clothing at Ann Taylor, Nieman-Marcus and other stores, beauty supplies at Oro Gold in Las Vegas, travel to resorts in Florida and for pool/spa renovations, according to trial testimony and court documents.

Snyder earned income from Attevo totaling approximately $1.6 million between 2009 and 2012, according to the court documents and trial testimony.

U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said: “A jury found this defendant embezzled money from his employees. He also took taxes out of their paychecks, but instead of paying the taxes of the IRS, he used the stolen money to pay for his vacation home, pool renovation and otherwise fund his own lavish lifestyle.”

“Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” said IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner. “The failure to pay over withheld taxes results in the loss of tax revenue to the United States government and the loss of future Social Security or Medicare benefits for employees.”

“Charles Snyder embezzled retirement savings from his employees’ 401(k) accounts, and used the money for his personal benefit. We will continue to work with our law enforcement and other partners to protect retirement assets covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act," said James Vanderberg, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U. S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael L. Collyer and Megan R. Miller.

A Toledo man was indicted in federal court for selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose last year, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Harold Sasse, 41, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death. 

Sasse sold heroin on March 29, 2017 to two people, identified in court documents as E.M. and T.W. Sometime between that day and March 30, 2017, E.M. ingested the heroin and died, according to the indictment.

“Every death represents someone’s son or daughter, friend or neighbor,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will seek prison sentences for those who profit off this epidemic while working to prevent future tragedies and getting help for those who want treatment.”

"Overdoses have killed far too many Americans,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Fortunato. “The FBI, in collaboration with the Toledo Police Department, is avidly committed to holding those like Harold Sasse accountable for selling the deadly drugs which are killing our fellow citizens."

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Toledo Police Department. It is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

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.

An 11-count indictment was filed in U.S. District Court charging two Cleveland men were for brandishing firearms while robbing four MetroPCS stores and shooting at an off-duty Cleveland police officer.

Shawn Ford, 19, and Charles Rogers, 23, were each charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and four counts each of Hobbs Act robbery.

Ford was charged with three counts of  brandishing or using a firearm during a crime of violence. Rogers was charged with one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of aiding or abetting the use or brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence.

“These are dangerous individuals who used firearms to rob people going about their day, as well as shooting at an off-duty Cleveland police officer,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Cleveland is safer with these two off the streets.”

Ford and Rogers are accused of robbing the MetroPCS store at 10959 Kinsman Road on March 21, at 11100 Lorain Ave. on March 25, at 14701 Kinsman Road on March 27 and at 5853 Broadway Ave., also on March 27.

Ford and Rogers fled from the store on Broadway after taking more than $1,000 from the register. An off-duty Cleveland police officer, who was a customer in the store, followed them out of the store. He identified himself as a police officer and ordered them to stop. One of the suspects began shooting at the officer and 15 spent 9 mm shell casings were recovered nearby, according to court documents.

About 30 minutes later, an officer saw a vehicle that matched the description of the car the suspects got into after shooting at the officer. The car was pulled over with Ford and Rogers inside. Inside the car was a spent 9 mm round, blue latex gloves and clothing that matched clothing worn by suspects in other MetroPCS robberies, according to court documents.

Rogers was wearing an electronic monitoring device with GPS capabilities on March 21, the date of the first MetroPCS robbery. The GPS placed Rogers one-tenth of a mile from the Kinsman Road store a few minutes before the robbery. Sometime later the GPS device was tampered with or taken off Rogers, according to court documents.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   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 investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.

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 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 Toledo man was charged in a 14-count federal indictment with conspiring to distribute carfentanil, fentanyl and heroin.

Antoine Neal, aka Antoinne Neal, 40, conspired with others and sold fentanyl, heroin, carfentanil and crack cocaine between June and October 2017, according to the indictment.

Neal sold more than 26 grams of carfentanil over 10 days in 2017, according to the indictment.

“This defendant sold enough carfentanil to kill thousands of people, not to mention the other deadly drugs he sold,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

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 jointly by members of the Toledo Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling.     

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

A Cleveland man was indicted for his role in three armed bank robberies.

Aaron Nickerson, 22, was indicted on three counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Nickerson was involved with others in the armed robberies of the U.S. Bank on Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights on Jan 18; the Ohio Savings Bank on Richmond Road in Richmond Heights on Feb. 6 and the US Bank on Forest Hills Boulevard in East Cleveland on Feb. 20, according to the indictment.

“This defendant put countless lives at risk when he and his associates used firearms to rob banks,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize violent crime and prosecute those who harm our community.”

“This individual engaged in violent bank robberies that threatened the lives of bank customers, employees, and our citizens,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The Cleveland FBI, in partnership with East Cleveland Police Department, Warrensville Heights Police Department, Richmond Heights Police Department and Euclid Police Department, are committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who commit such dangerous acts.”

This case were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the police departments of Warrensville Heights, Euclid, Richmond Heights and East Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office 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 reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The 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 his role in an armed bank robbery.

Devon Hawkins-Walker, 22, was indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Hawkins-Walker was involved with others in the armed robbery of the Citizens Bank on Puritas Avenue in Cleveland on Jan. 31, according to the indictment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.

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

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The 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 previously convicted of domestic violence was indicted in federal court for having a firearm, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Elijah Harder, 23, was indicted on one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Harder possessed a Derringer Corp. GE, Model CB9, pistol on May 8 after having been convicted in 2015 in Cleveland Municipal Court of domestic violence.

“People convicted of domestic violence are prohibited by law from having a firearm,” Herdman said. “We know those who have hit a loved one are more likely to use a firearm against that person or against law enforcement. We will continue to work with local police and prosecutors are get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn G. Andrachik is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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.

The leader of an international binary options scheme was arrested and a 19-count federal indictment unsealed, charging him with defrauding investors out of at least $10 million.

Jared J. Davis previously lived in the Columbus area but currently resides in Kalispell, Montana. He was indicted on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money, wire fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

He was arrested early Tuesday morning at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

According to the indictment:

Davis and others ran a fraudulent binary options investment scheme between 2012 and 2016 through Erie Marketing LLC, headquartered in Sandusky, where Davis was involved in various real estate ventures and businesses. The options business used various trade names, including OptionMint, OptionKing and OptionQueen.

A binary option is a concept in which an investor seeks a future payout based on the future price of a given security or commodity. Binary options are sometimes traded on regulated exchanges that match two investors, one who believes the price of the asset will go up and the other who believes it will go down. The option exchange makes a commission but otherwise has no interest in the outcome of a trade.

Davis’ binary options businesses were not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which have regulatory oversight, including registration and licensing.

Davis, acting as a broker, did not connect investors to a legitimate binary options exchange that would match investors who chose different options outcomes. Instead, Davis took the opposing position on each trade, similar to a casino or sports book.

Thus, Davis only made money when investors lost money, providing a built-in incentive to employ manipulative and deceptive practices, including failing to disclose to victims that they were not matched with individual investors, failing to disclose to them that he could and did manipulate trading conditions, falsely telling investors their money was held in an account when Davis actually spent victim deposits as he received them, falsely portraying his employees as “brokers” or “analysts” when in fact they had no relevant experience or qualifications, falsely representing to victims they could withdraw their money at any time when Davis actually required unnecessary and burdensome documentation to closing an account, falsely representing to victims they could make “risk free,” “insured,” or “guaranteed” binary options trades if they deposited more money, and other deceptive practices.

Davis solicited victims through Internet marketing campaigns and call centers that he operated out of Sandusky, Costa Rica and St. Maarten. He enlisted foreign nationals who, under Davis’ direction, created an elaborate web of foreign corporations in the United Kingdom, Belize, Anguilla, Costa Rica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Maarten to receive and launder the victims’ deposits.

“This defendant portrayed himself as a legitimate investment broker when he was really no better than a simple con man,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sierleja. “He fleeced his victims out of $10 million by manipulating trading conditions, falsely telling investors his salespeople were financial analysts and using offshore companies to spend money as fast as it came in.”

“Crime knows no borders, and neither does the financial investigative reach of IRS-Criminal Investigation,” said IRS-Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner. “IRS-CI will follow the money wherever it may be to ensure those who prey upon the finances of others are held accountable for their actions.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “Davis defrauded investors out of their hard-earned money and used their money for his personal real estate interests.  The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to identify, investigate and bring financial fraudsters to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford.

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

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

A Warrensville Heights man was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for helping lead a conspiracy that brought large amounts of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Greater Cleveland from Chicago and Yonkers, New York.

Alfonso Rodrigo, 37, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison. He was one of nearly 20 people prosecuted as part of Operation Loaded Deck. Law enforcement seized 29 kilograms of cocaine, eight kilograms of heroin and one kilogram of fentanyl, as well as $350,000 and several firearms as part of the investigation.

Some of these conspirators had significant links to the Sinaloa cartel. Among the defendants sentenced thus far:

Ismael Acosta, 39, of Cleveland Heights, to 190 months in prison.

David Urrabazo Maldonado, 31, of Medera, California, to 120 months in prison.

Jonathan Stepp, 34, of Cleveland, to 108 months in prison.

Jose Hernandez, 57, of Chicago, to 57 months in prison.

The defendants conspired together from 2010 through 2016 to obtain fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and marijuana from suppliers in Chicago and Yonkers, N.Y. and then sell the drugs in Northeast Ohio.

Acosta obtained heroin from suppliers in Chicago. Jose Hernandez supplied vehicles with after-market trap compartments to transport hidden drugs and drug proceeds. The conspirators used a home on West 130th Street in Cleveland to store and distribute the drugs and drug money. The Rodrigos used a house on Maple Heights Boulevard in Maple Heights to store and distribute drugs and drug money, according to court documents.

“Cocoa plants don't grow in Cleveland and poppy plants don't grow in Parma," said Justin Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “We increasingly see the Mexican cartels sending deadly narcotics into our region, and that was certainly true in this case.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said: “The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Operation Loaded Deck exposed a network of violent drug cartel members who controlled a pipeline of cocaine and fentanyl from Mexico and Phoenix to Cleveland, along with several other major American cities including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.  The DEA, along with our federal, state, and local partners, has ruptured that pipeline to impede the flow of poison this organization was pushing onto our streets.  This collaborative law enforcement effort sends a clear message that we have zero tolerance for drug dealers and their violence in northern Ohio. This investigation has demonstrated DEA’s resolve to dismantle criminal organizations such as this, and to reduce violent crimes and drug related activities in our community.” 

“The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs,” said Ryan Korner, IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations. IRS-CI is committed to taking the profit away from the drug traffickers and putting those individuals in jail.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Corts and Marisa Darden following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On the 500th day of the Trump Administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced that the Department of Justice is taking a dramatic step to increase resources to combat violent crime, enforce our immigration laws, and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis.

In the largest increase in decades, the Department of Justice is allocating 311 new Assistant United States Attorneys to assist in priority areas. Those allocations are as follows: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSA’s will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.

"Under President Trump's strong leadership, the Department of Justice is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is 'the coin of the realm.'  When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime fighting partnership. This addition of new Assistant U.S. Attorney positions represents the largest increase in decades."

In the Northern District of Ohio, three of these AUSAs will focus on violent crime, one on civil enforcement, and one on prosecuting immigration crimes.

"These additional prosecutors will allow us to build on the work being done with our police and federal partners to target criminals who use violence and firearms to prey on our neighbors," U.S. Attorney Herdman said. "This will also allow us to continue to find creative solutions to the opioid epidemic, prosecute crimes associated with illegal immigration and to make Northern Ohio a safer place to live and work."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan was honored today with an Arthur S. Flemming Award for his work in preventing and prosecuting crimes involving the exploitation of children.

The Flemming Awards were established in 1948 and are presented by the George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Past recipients include Neil Armstrong, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, former Senator Elizabeth Dole, former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and former Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker.  The last time a Flemming Award was presented to an employee of any U.S. Attorney’s Office was in 2011.

Sullivan was honored for his highly successful prosecution, as Senior Litigation Counsel, of child exploitation cases.  He has gained a national reputation for his aggressive prosecution of these offenders.  His greatest contribution may well be his role in the implementation and promotion of a new investigative protocol for child pornography cases that has been incredibly successful in Northern Ohio and has been replicated across the country.

“This award is a testament to the many years Mike has spent pursuing predators and sticking up for our most vulnerable victims,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Mike is absolutely the best that the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney’s community, and the Northern District of Ohio has to offer. I’m very glad he’s on our side and the side of our nation’s child victims.”

Sullivan is often asked to train and speak to prosecutors around the nation about how to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases. He also frequently talks to students and parents at school throughout the area about safe use of computers and social media.

Sullivan graduated from the University of Notre Dame and the Fordham University School of Law. He worked in the Suffolk County (New York) District Attorney’s Office and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office before joining the United States Attorney’s Office in Cleveland in 2003.

Thirteen people from Ohio were indicted or charged in the past week in U.S. District Court in Cleveland for firearms crimes and related violations.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is on pace to file approximately 60 percent more firearms and violent crime indictments in Fiscal Year 2018 as it did in the previous two fiscal years.

“These defendants include those with a long history of violent crime, as well as defendants who have illegally obtained guns for criminals to use in violent crime like carjackings,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “As part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, we will continue to work with local police and federal law enforcement to target the most dangerous offenders and make our community safer.”

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

Indicted are: Tyla Spencer, 21, of Cleveland; Charles Fortney, 32, of Lorain; Rishad S. Bilal, 23, of Cleveland; Sergio D. Watson, 26, of Barberton; Logan Charles Peters, 20, of Wooster; David Crosby, 41, of Cleveland; Thomas O. Taylor, 36, of Cleveland; Demetrion Gross, 38, of Cleveland; Tony Olds, 37, of Boardman; Miquel Jones, 48, of South Euclid; Cory Moore, 25, of Cleveland; Keith Lundy, 43, of Cleveland, and Gregory Horne, 55, of Warren.

Spencer was charged with one count of making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. Spencer bought a Glock 9 mm pistol and a Glock .40-caliber pistol on Jan. 3 from Cleveland Armory in Valley View.

Spencer went Cleveland Armory with Lashawn Davis and a juvenile and bought the Glocks with cash that Davis and the juvenile got from robbing a check-cashing store in Cleveland the day before. Spencer falsely stated she was the true buyer of the firearms when, in fact, she was purchasing the firearms on behalf of the males. Davis and the juvenile then used the firearms in a bank robbery and carjacking in February, according to court documents and statements in court.

Davis and the juvenile are in jail and awaiting trial for their crimes.

Fortney was charged with one count of possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Fortney on March 5 possessed a Kel-Tec 5.56 mm firearm modified with a forward vertical grip which had not been registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, according to the indictment.

Bilal was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He possessed a Glock, Model 26, 9 mm caliber pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition on April 11, after having been previously convicted of drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Watson was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Watson on April 19 possessed four pistols loaded with ammunition: a Springfield Armory XD 40 .40 caliber pistol, a stolen Smith and Wesson SW40VE .40 caliber pistol, a Ruger SR9C 9mm pistol and a stolen Titan Manufacturing .25 caliber pistol. Watson had previous convictions for burglary, heroin trafficking, aggravated drug trafficking, having weapons while under disability, cocaine possession and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Peters was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Peters on March 28 possessed a Ruger 9 mm pistol and 17 rounds of ammunition despite previous convictions for aggravated motor vehicle theft and drug crimes, according to the indictment.

Crosby was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Crosby on April 22 possessed a Taurus 9 mm caliber pistol with six rounds of ammunition despite having been previously convicted of drug trafficking, robbery and assault on a peace officer, according to the indictment.

Taylor was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Taylor possessed a Taurus .40-caliber handgun and ammunition on March 25 despite two prior convictions for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Gross was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. On April 5, he possessed a Diamondback 9 mm handgun, a Glock .40-caliber handgun and ammunition, despite previous convictions for felonious assault, drug trafficking and escape, according to the indictment.

Olds was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Olds on March 18 possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol and ammunition despite numerous previous convictions, including a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the indictment.

Jones was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was arrested on May 23for having a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9 mm handgun and 16 rounds of ammunition, despite previous convictions for robbery, burglary and domestic violence, according to court documents.

Moore was charged with one count of making false statements in the acquisition of firearms. Moore purchased a Taurus 9 mm pistol from On Target Firearms on State Road in Parma in July 2015. Moore caused to be made false statements about who was the actual buyer on the firearm.

Lundy was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Lundy possessed a firearm and approximately 500 grams of fentanyl that he planned to sell, according to the indictment.

Horne was charged with possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Horne had a Ruger 9 mm pistol and ammunition and 28 grams of crack cocaine on Dec. 15, 2017. He was previously convicted of possession of cocaine, according to the indictment.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   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.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Cleveland Division of Police, Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority Police, Akron Police Department, Parma Police Department, Youngstown Police Department, Warren Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Crime Strategies Unit.

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

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

Seven people were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine around Youngstown and Girard, Ohio, and Farrell, Pennsylvania, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon.

Named in the 39-count indictment are: Cedis R. Martin, 31, of Warren; Zachary E. Bradford, 36, of Girard; Adham Aburhma, 23, of Youngstown; Prentice Miller, 29, of Grove City, Penn.; Eric Murray, 31, of Farrell, Penn.; Ashley Allison, 31, of Grove City, Penn., and Amanda Walker, 23, of New Castle, Penn.

All seven defendants conspired from February 2015 through this April to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

According to the indictment:

Martin supplied cocaine to Murray for distribution in Youngstown, Ohio, and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas; supplied heroin to Bradford and Miller for distribution in the Youngstown, Ohio and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas; and supplied fentanyl to Aburahma for distribution in the Youngstown, Ohio and Farrell, Pennsylvania areas.

Allison and Walker transported heroin from suppliers to Martin for distribution.

It was further part of the conspiracy that cellular telephones, code words and phrases were used by the co-conspirators to facilitate their drug trafficking activities.

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 preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Girard Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States 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.

Three people were indicted in federal court for illegally re-entering the United States after previous deportations.

Indicted are: Jose Gregorio De Refugio Cruz, 50, a citizen of Mexico; Jermaine Willis, 39, a citizen of Jamaica; Saul Reyes-Murcia, 45, a citizen of El Salvador,

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.

These cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Border Patrol. They are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling, Brad Beeson.

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 Canton man was sentenced to more than a year in prison after failing to report more than $1 million in income over seven years, law enforcement officials said.

Paul G.A. Kasapis, 48, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, ordered to pay $533,434 in restitution, and has forfeited a residence in Cape Coral, Florida, and a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare account as properties derived from the proceeds of an illegal gambling business in violation of federal law.

Kasapis pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of income tax evasion, one count of the willful failure to collect and pay over employment taxes and two counts of money laundering.

Kasapis failed to pay over unreported personal income and unreported employee wages from PK Produce, Lucky Fox and El Dorado City of Gold resulted in a total criminal tax loss of approximately $533,434, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Stark County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Township Police Department.

A Parma man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for leading a cocaine conspiracy.

Gilbert Mendez, 40, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and related crimes.

Mendez obtained at large amounts of cocaine from suppliers. Mendez and co-conspirators then cooked the drug into crack cocaine, which they stored at stash houses on West 54th Street and Finn Avenue, according to court documents.

Mendez and others sold the drugs from an auto body shop on West 63rd Street and other locations, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force. The NOLETF is a task force comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the police departments of Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Lakewood, the Regional Transit Authority, Westlake and Shaker Heights. The NOLETF is also one of the initial Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiatives, which supports and helps coordinate numerous Ohio drug task forces in their efforts to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking in Ohio.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle M. Baeppler, Margaret A. Sweeney and Patrick P. Burke.

Four people were sentenced to prison for taking federal money earmarked for job training and instead using the money to pay for personal expenses, including vacations, investments, real estate purchases and salaries for people who did not work at the company.

James D. Moody, 58, of Toledo, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison. Victoria Hawkins, 31, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was sentenced last week to 54 months in prison. Angela Bowser, 46, of Toledo, was sentenced last week to 36 months in prison.

All three were convicted by a jury late last year for their activities related to Toledo-based Business Rehabilitation Informed Decisions Guiding Employment Strategies, Inc. d/b/a B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc..

Company founder and general manager Daniel E. Morris, 68, of Maumee, previously pleaded guilty to his crimes and was sentenced to 46 months in prison.

 “These defendants stole millions of dollars targeted to help the least among us learn job skills, and instead used the money to fund lavish lifestyles and pay for no-show jobs,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “They ripped off taxpayers and betrayed the trust placed in them.”

“This was a transparent scheme to defraud the taxpayers of Northwest Ohio,” said IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner. “Today’s guilty verdicts brings justice to thieves who enriched themselves on the backs of those struggling to survive.” 

According to court documents and trial testimony:

BRIDGES operated at 242 Reynolds Road and 310 Reynolds Road. The company was in the business of providing work placement and work training services to public assistance recipients, and nearly all of its revenue came from public funds. 

Morris was the co-founder and general manager of BRIDGES. Moody was co-founder and sole-shareholder. Hawkins was an employee from 2008 through 2012, while Bowser was an employee from 2008 through 2014.

BRIDGES was funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.  TANF was a welfare program that provided cash assistance to qualifying households with minor children or pregnant women. TANF provided federal block grants to states each year to cover benefits, administrative expenses and services targeted to needy families.

One of TANF’s goals was reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage. TANF recipients must work as soon as they are job ready and no later than two years after commencing assistance.  BRIDGES placed public assistance recipients at “job sites,” where the recipients would work for free to obtain job training and as a condition of receiving public assistance benefits like cash assistance or SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps).

BRIDGES received more than $15.7 million in funding from several entities between 2004 and 2015, including the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Works First and others. This funding was based in part on BRIDGES’ grant proposals. The majority of BRIDGES’ stated administrative costs were payroll and transportation.

BRIDGES provided job training and work placement services but at substantially lower costs than those stated in its budgets and invoices. The defendants fraudulently inflated BRIDGES payroll costs, transportation and mileage.

Morris, BRIDGES and others maintained false personnel files, timesheets, mileage records and reimbursement forms for nonexistent employees. They included fake, former or nonexistent employees on the payroll. For example, BRIDGES paid Moody a salary even though he did not work there, and later continued to pay him by issuing payroll checks to Moody’s wife.

During trial, Moody testified that he placed the salary in his wife’s name in order to distance himself from BRIDGES while running for mayor in 2009 and so that she could receive Social Security benefits despite not otherwise being eligible. Moody also received non-payroll checks, which he used to purchase and rehabilitate an investment property in Toledo, purchase an interest in his real estate company, Flex Realty, and pay for legal fees. 

BRIDGES, Morris, Moody, Hawkins and Bowser used TANF funds to pay for personal living expenses including groceries, dental care, medical care, resort vacations, pharmaceuticals, clothing, toys, designer bags, furniture, video streaming services, credit card bills, legal fees unrelated to BRIDGES’ business, tattoos, cosmetic surgery, real estate, vehicles, investments and jewelry, according to court documents and trial testimony.

For example, between February 2013 and October 2014, Hawkins accessed a BRIDGES business account to make approximately $18,200 in cash withdrawals.  Hawkins also had access to a debit card through which she accessed and spent approximately $750,000 in a two-year timeframe.  Hawkins and co-defendant Morris also purchased two houses, including a $400,000 house in the Point Place neighborhood of Toledo. 

Bowser, a program manager at BRIDGES, received numerous non-payroll checks from the company, some of which were used to purchase a house in Toledo.  Bowser continued to receive bi-weekly payments from the company after she stopped working there in 2014.  

Each defendant that went to trial was convicted of conspiracy to commit federal program theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses, substantive federal program theft counts, and substantive money laundering counts.

Morris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program theft and mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and willful failure to pay over withheld payroll tax.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah P. Hood and Gene Crawford following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations with the assistance of the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, Public Integrity Assurance Team.

A Hawaii man was sentenced to more than six years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to ship a ton of marijuana to Ohio from Hawaii, California and Oregon, and then launder the drug profits, law enforcement officials said.

William B. Murphy, 38, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, was sentenced to 80 months in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to launder money.

Murphy is the last of six people to be sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. The others are: Michael W. Spellman, of Kealakekua, Hawaii, and formerly of Geauga County; Peter Reichert, of Lyndhurst; Dustin Robinson, of East Liverpool; Young Hee Park, of Broadview Heights, and So Young Park, of Kealakekua, Hawaii.

According to court documents:

Murphy grew marijuana in Hawaii and procured marijuana in Hawaii, California and Oregon and had it shipped to people in Ohio.

Michael Spellman packaged the marijuana inside five-pound foil coffee bags, which also contained loose coffee beans, and mailed them to various addresses in Northeast Ohio, including a location in Shaker Heights. Murphy paid Spellman $100 for each package he mailed.

Reichert received packages of marijuana in Northeast Ohio, including in Chester Township, mailed from Hawaii, California and Oregon, for further distribution. Robinson received packages of marijuana in Pennsylvania mailed from Hawaii and California.

Robinson also mailed bulk cash to Spellman from East Liverpool. Murphy and Spellman had drug profits mailed to them at several post office boxes in Hawaii and California.

Young Hee Park received cash payments in Ohio from various marijuana customers and then mailed the cash to Murphy in Hawaii. Park mailed the packages containing cash from 25 different post offices in Northeast Ohio to avoid suspicion.

Spellman opened a bank account at Fifth Third Bank in Mentor. He and Murphy directed people in Ohio to deposit cash into the account from at least 15 different bank branches, in order to avoid detection. They used a similar arrangement with accounts opened at PNC Bank.

The defendants deposited at least $348,000 in cash into the accounts between 2014 and 2016. They used the accounts to pay for living expenses and other purchases, including airline tickets from flights between Cleveland and Hawaii totaling $40,959; drones from Drones, Inc. totaling $13,062; a greenhouse in Hawaii for $10,632; a Honda ATV for $11,170, and other purchases.

Overall, Murphy, Spellman and the other conspirators caused approximately 1,113 packages containing marijuana to be shipped to Northeast Ohio between 2014 and 2016. Additionally, they caused approximately 965 packages containing bulk cash to be mailed from Ohio to Hawaii, California and Oregon.

Spellman was previously sentenced to 34 months in prison. Reichert was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Robinson was sentenced to 28 months in prison

“This group mailed thousands of pounds of marijuana to Greater Cleveland from the West Coast and then laundered nearly $350,000 in drug profits,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The leaders of this conspiracy paid for a lavish lifestyle with drug money, but now it will cost them federal prison.”

“From coast to coast the IRS will take every step to ferret out those who attempt to launder the proceeds of illegal drug profits,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.  “The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs.  Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Howell following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service and the Lake County Narcotics Agency.

A federal Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment charging Oscar Armando Amaya-Melendez, 32, a citizen of El Salvador, with stealing the identity of a Puerto Rican man to conceal his illegal presence in the United States.

Amaya-Melendez stole the identity of a Puerto Rico resident in order to obtain an Ohio driver’s license. This took place between 2010 and 2018, according to the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson is prosecuting the case following an investigation by United States Border Patrol, the 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

Five people were indicted for illegally reentering the United States.

Roberto Zuniga-Vega, 35, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Ohio after having been deported in September 2012, according to the indictment. 

Ascencion Carrillo-Hernandez, 56, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Ohio after having been deported in 1995, according to the indictment.

Jorge Mauricio Astudillo-Jimbo, 43, a citizen of Ecuador, was found in Ohio after having been previously deported four different times, according to the indictment.

Uriel Perez-Gonzalez, 27, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Ohio after having been previously deported four different times, according to the indictment.

Wilson Cerrato-Moran, 30, a citizen of Honduras, was found in Ohio after having been previously deported twice, according to the indictment.

The cases are unrelated. They were investigated by U.S. Border Patrol and 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 Cleveland man was sentenced to six years in prison for having a rifle with an obliterated serial number and ammunition.

Sharrieff Muhammad, 48, also known as Robert White, previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Muhammad possessed a Norinco SKS 7.62 mm rifle with a partially obliterated serial number and ammunition on Oct. 19, 2017. Muhammad was not allowed to possess firearms because of a prior conviction for aggravated robbery with specifications.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Deckert and Michelle Baeppler.

A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for having large amounts of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Aaron Reels, 51, was arrested on April 24 in possession of approximately 319 grams of heroin, 200 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, and 138 grams of cocaine, according to the indictment.

This case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa T. Darden.

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

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

Daphna J. Goren of Beachwood was charged in federal court for theft of public money and bank fraud.

Goren fraudulently converted to her own use, her mother’s Social Security Retirement and Survivor’s benefits that continued to be deposited after her mother died in July 2011.  Goren’s theft resulted in a loss to SSA of approximately $91,403, according to a criminal information. 

Goren also is alleged to have forged her mother’s signature on TIAA-CREF payment checks and deposited into her Key Bank account.

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

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 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 Akron man was indicted in federal court for making threats against police and others, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Brian Newell, 24, was indicted on three counts of transmitting threats across state lines.

Newell made several threats against police and other law enforcement officers on Facebook in October 2017 and again in April 2018.

According to the indictment:

Newell wrote several messages over three four days in October 2017, including:

“Def feel like I can beat the vegas shooter’s high score.”

“Better prayer God with y’all cause I’m def not praying for your safety.”

“As Allah is my witness any cop or law enforcement who approaches me in any way will be fire on. Yes I’m high on them hard drugs and carrying a weapons. Just leave me alone I’ve lost everything I don’t mind losing my life #Allahuakbar #gamg”

On April 7, 2018, Newell wrote several messages, including: “Kill cops” and “I BET I KILL A COP TODAY P*****S”

On April 7, 2018, Newell threatened to kill an individual during a phone call placed from the Summit County Jail in which he said: “And I’m killing you and them kids b***h.”

Herdman said: “We take all threats seriously. People will be held accountable when they threaten violence against our police and law enforcement officers, to commit mass shootings or to otherwise harm children and other innocent people.”

"Those who serve and protect the citizenry of our communities should not have death threats against them,” Anthony said. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify threats and hold those responsible accountable."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Bulford.

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

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

A superseding indictment was filed in federal court charging Akron man with selling fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Wadsworth man.

LeTroy Vaughn, 26, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl. The charge carries a potential sentencing enhancement because the fentanyl resulted in death.

Vaughn sold the fentanyl on Sept. 27, 2015, to a man identified in court documents as E.W. E.W. died after ingesting the fentanyl sold to him by Vaughn, according to the indictment

“This defendant will be held accountable selling fentanyl that killed someone’s son and friend,” Herdman said. “Law enforcement will continue to work together to disrupt the flow of deadly fentanyl into our region and hold accountable those who profit from this epidemic.”

Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball said: "The cooperative effort of law enforcement is always at work, pursuing justice and determined to make our communities safer.  The arrest of Letroy Vaughn is evidence of this partnership.  I am very proud of the accomplishments of members of the Akron Police Department.  I am also thankful for continued work of our local and federal partners who add so much to this process.”

“This shows the great collaboration between the County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “We are relieved for the victim’s family that this offender will not escape justice on a legal technicality. I would personally like to thank Justin Herdman, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, for ensuring justice for Eric Ward’s family.”

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.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Akron Police Department’s Narcotics Unit.

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 Solon woman was charged in federal court with embezzling $156,000 from a fund established on behalf of someone entrusted to her care.

Teresita Sidoti, 52, was charged via criminal information with bank fraud and filing false tax returns. 

Sidoti worked as a caregiver for Noel Zugay and was the trustee of the Noel Zugay Supplemental Needs Trust. From 2009 through 2015, Sidoti devised a scheme to defraud the trust of funds held at Huntington Bank for Zugay’s benefit.  Sidoti used those funds for her personal benefit. She also diverted deposits that should have been to the trust account into her own personal account, according to the information. 

In total, Sidoti embezzled approximately $156,949, according to the information. 

Sidoti also failed to claim some of this income on her tax returns between 2011 and 2014, according to court documents.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall, following an investigation by the FBI and IRS – Criminal Investigations. 

An information 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 former high school football assistant coach from Toledo was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for receiving and sharing images of child pornography.

Russell Smith, 51, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

“These are cases with real victims, children whose lives will be forever changed because adults assaulted and violated them,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We will continue to work to prosecute those who re-victimize these children by sharing and downloading these images.”

Smith received numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between at least March 15 and August 10, 2017. He also possessed more than 20 computer files and images of children, some as young as eight years old, being sexually abused and/or raped, according to court documents.

Smith also had at least six Skype accounts where he pretended to be a young teen girl while messaging men all over the world about sex, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Sylvania Police Department. It is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

A jury convicted a Cleveland man of stealing a firearm from a gun show in Berea.

Anthony Lett, 40, was convicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of being in possession of a stolen firearm following a two-day trial in U.S. District Court.

"This is a person with a long history of violence who has no business having a firearm," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. "Our community is safer with him behind bars."

Lett is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 29.

Lett stole a Kahr Arms .45-caliber pistol from a gun show in Berea on April 30, 2016. Lett has prior convictions that make it illegal for him to have a firearm, including convictions for kidnapping, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, drug trafficking and other crimes, according to court documents.

Lett is currently serving 20 years in state prison for unrelated convictions including rape, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and other crimes, according to court documents.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Elliot Morrison following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Berea Police Department, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police.

A Cleveland man pleaded guilty to stealing more than $77,000 in federal grants designed to help Native Americans.

Robert Roche, 71, pleaded guilty two counts of theft from programs receiving federal funds. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29.

“This defendant stole from taxpayers and betrayed the Native American families he purported to help,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “He took tens of thousands of dollars designated for mental health and wellness programs and put the money in his own pockets.”

“Mr. Roche stole federal grant funds that were intended to assist tribal and urban American Indian communities with the tools and resources needed to plan and design coordinated systems of care to support mental health and wellness for children, youth and families,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General - Chicago Region. “Mr. Roche's actions deprived needy families of precious resources and squandered vital taxpayer dollars. The OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and seek prosecution of individuals who seek to defraud HHS programs.”

Roche served as executive director of the American Indian Education Center (AIEC), a Parma-based nonprofit established in 1995 to support Native American causes in Northeast Ohio, according to court documents.

Craig McGuire operated McGuire & Associates LLC, a company that wrote grant applications and provided evaluation services. Roche entered into an agreement with McGuire & Associates in April 2011 to draft grant proposals on behalf of the AIEC. Later that year, McGuire submitted an application on behalf of the AIEC to receive a Circle of Care grant, offered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant was designed to provide Native American communities with the tools and resources to design programs to support mental health and wellness for children and families, according to court documents.

The AIEC’s application contained numerous false statements including: misrepresenting the date the AIEC was established; falsely claiming the AIEC had a wellness department and a “Positive Paths” afterschool program serving 500 children when no such department or program existed; fraudulently listing people the AIEC allegedly employed and mischaracterizing the description of the AIEC’s building and alleged physical amenities, according to court documents.

SAMHSA awarded the AIEC a Circle of Care grant on Sept. 1, 2012 of approximately $302,340 for FY 2012. On June 26, 2012, SAMHSA awarded the second year of a Circle of Care grant in the amount of $308,040 for FY 2013, according to court documents.

The AIEC received approximately $482,766 from SAMHSA from 2011 through 2013. The AIEC did not receive full funding because SAMHSA placed it in “high risk” status, according to court documents.

Roche paid himself through AIEC on several occasions as a project coordinator for the Circle of Care project. Roche was not identified as the project coordinator on the grant application and such payments were precluded by regulation, according to court documents.

Roche converted approximately $77,097 of that money for his own personal use, according to court documents.

McGuire pleaded guilty to theft and is awaiting sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Patton and Alejandro A. Abreu following an investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.

Two Wooster men were sentenced to prison for distributing heroin that contributed to the fatal overdose of a Wayne County woman.

Jamie Curtis, 37, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Theodore Alleman, 28, was sentenced to four years in prison. Both previously pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin. Curtis also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Curtis sold heroin and cocaine to Alleman from June 2016 through January 2017, according to court documents.

Alleman, on Nov. 12, 2016, contacted a Wayne County woman identified in court documents as H.C. H.C. was 21 years old and a recovering drug addict. Alleman repeatedly attempted to persuade H.C. to inject heroin with him, but she refused, according to court documents.

Alleman purchased drinks for H.C. throughout the evening at a local pub and continued to ask her to inject heroin with him. In the early morning hours of Nov. 13, H.C. agreed. Alleman went to an ATM to get money and texted Curtis “I need a g” (gram of heroin), according to court documents.

A friend identified in the indictment as G.C. fought with Alleman and H.C. about getting heroin. C.G. was forcefully removed from the vehicle. Alleman and H.C. met with Curtis and purchased heroin and cocaine, according to court documents.

On Nov. 13, Alleman prepared a mixture of heroin and cocaine that he and H.C. injected. H.C. then overdosed and died, according to court documents.

“This case demonstrates the terrible toll taken on our community by this epidemic,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “We will continue to prosecute dealers who profit from pain caused to families while trying to get help for those who are ready to change their lives.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon said: “Today, our justice system was at its best. The successful investigation and prosecution of individuals who pollute our neighborhoods with deadly drugs is a victory for the Wooster community. The DEA will continue to target the most heinous drug traffickers in efforts remove them from the streets of America.”

“The continued collaborative efforts of the Medway Drug Task Force and the Cleveland DEA to investigate these opiate overdoses, truly sends a message to our community that people will be held accountable,” said MEDWAY Director Don Hall.

This case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the DEA, ATF, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency, Wooster Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Wayne County Coroner's Office and Ohio BCI.

An Akron man was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of methamphetamine.

Damar Ruffin, 34, was convicted by a jury earlier this year.

Ruffin in flew from Cleveland to Reno, Nevada, where he rented a vehicle and drove to Sacramento, California. Ruffin and others packaged five bags containing a total of approximately 2,211 grams of methamphetamine in two plastic cylinders on Nov. 4, 2015. Ruffin then drove from California to Nevada, then flew back to Cleveland, according to court documents and trial testimony. 

Ruffin was present on Nov. 13, 2015, at 665 W. Exchange Street in Akron, when the contents of the parcel with the methamphetamine was delivered to that location, according to court documents and trial testimony.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Akron Police Department and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F. DeBaggis and Alex Abreu.

A Toledo pastor is likely to spend 17 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of minors.

Kenneth Butler, 38, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to sex traffic children, two counts of sex trafficking of children and one count of obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation.

Butler is scheduled to be sentenced in September. Under the terms of his plea agreement, both sides will ask for a sentence of 210 months in prison.

“This defendant has admitted to crimes that include preying on a foster child who was previously the victim of sexual abuse, and he committed these crimes in a house of worship,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Butler may hold himself out to the community as a pastor, but in the eyes of the law he is a criminal who pays money to sexually assault children.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “The FBI is pleased that Kenneth Butler has acknowledged the criminal behavior he inflicted on a vulnerable minor.  The FBI will continue efforts to identify and prosecute those that coerce and exploit our youth through sex trafficking.”

Two other pastors – Anthony Haynes and Cordell Jenkins – have been indicted for their roles in the sex trafficking conspiracy and are awaiting trial. Laura Lloyd Jenkins has been indicted for obstructing the investigation and is also awaiting trial.

According to Butler’s plea agreement:

Butler did knowingly recruit, entice, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, maintain, patronize, or solicit, by any means, Juvenile #1 and #2, knowing that such juveniles had not attained the age of 18 years and would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act. This took place between 2015 and March 2017.

Butler was a pastor of a church in Detroit from 2007 through 2012.  Shortly after his church closed in 2013, Butler started attending church at the Greater Life Christian Center in Toledo.  Anthony Haynes was the lead pastor of the church.  Haynes and Butler quickly became friends and started spending time together at the church and elsewhere.

In 2014, Haynes told Butler Juvenile #1 moved into his home. Haynes informed Butler that Juvenile #1 was sexually abused when she was younger by her family members, and at least one of the family members was convicted of a crime for the conduct.

In late 2015, Haynes picked up Butler with Juvenile #1 already in the car.  The three of them went to the Greater Life Christian Center to Haynes’s office.  Juvenile #1 began to undress.  Haynes looked at Butler and stated, “You owe me” and laughed. 

Haynes and Butler performed oral sex on Juvenile #1 and then took turns having unprotected vaginal intercourse. While Butler was penetrating Juvenile #1, Juvenile #1 was performing oral sex on Haynes.  Butler knew Juvenile #1 was under the age of 18 years.  The next day, Haynes and Butler discussed the encounter and how it was fun.

In 2016, Haynes closed Greater Life Christian Center and opened a new church named University Bible Fellowship in Toledo. Shortly after this church opened, Haynes called Bulter and told him to meet Juvenile #1 and him at University Bible Fellowship.  When Butler arrived, it was apparent they were going to have another threesome.

However, Haynes instructed Butler to give Juvenile #1 a ride to her job interview first.  He drove Juvenile #1 to the interview and brought her back to the church.  Once back at the church, Juvenile #1 performed oral sex on Haynes and Butler, and they took turns having unprotected vaginal intercourse with her.

After this encounter, Haynes told Butler that Cordell Jenkins also was having sex with Juvenile #1.  Butler knew Jenkins as another pastor in the Toledo area. Butler went to Jenkins’s church on a few occasions when Haynes was a guest preacher.  Likewise, Jenkins was a guest preacher at Haynes’s church.

Approximately one month later, Butler picked up Juvenile #1 from school and drove to a secluded area, where Butler had unprotected vaginal intercourse with her in the car. 

Butler rented a motel room in Toledo a few weeks later. Juvenile #1 stated that Haynes was supposed to meet them, but he never showed up. Butler had unprotected vaginal intercourse with Juvenile #1. 

Butler went to Juvenile #1’s residence in early 2017.  On the way, he called and spoke with Haynes.  Juvenile #1 asked for $30 for her hair, in which Butler replied, “You better be nice and naked.”

Butler had unprotected vaginal intercourse with Juvenile #1 at her residence. After the sex, he gave her $30. 

In March 2017, Haynes informed Butler that there was a federal investigation into their conduct.  Butler deleted text messages on his cellular telephone regarding his conversations with Juvenile #1.

Butler also had sex with another minor, Juvenile #2, who attend church at Greater Life Christian Center. The two met at the church in 2016.  Shortly after meeting, Butler started his own church in the Detroit area. 

Butler routinely took Juvenile #2 with him to his church in Michigan.  Juvenile #2 watched Bulter’s children during the church service.  In 2017, while driving back from his Detroit church, Butler pulled off the road and had vaginal intercourse with Juvenile #2.  Butler knew Juvenile #2 had not attained the age of 18 years.  Butler routinely provided Juvenile #2 rides to various places in the Toledo area, and on at least one occasion, gave her $20.

On October 4, 2017, Juvenile #2 called Butler.  During the call, Butler told Juvenile #2 to lie to federal authorities when asked about their sex, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman and Alissa Sterling following an investigation by the FBI’s Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of members of the FBI, Toledo Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Lima Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Lucas County Sheriff’s Office.

A Canadian man arrested last summer at a park in Rocky River was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for production of child pornography.

Joseph B. Haggerty, 50, was sentenced to 182 months in prison. He previously pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Texas received a tip last August that Haggerty had been soliciting nude images from a 13-year-old. Haggerty flew Cleveland from Toronto. HSI agents in Cleveland followed him upon his arrival in Ohio to Linden Park in Rocky River, where he met another minor female, according to court documents.

Haggerty had a reservation at the Days Inn on Lake Avenue in Lakewood. He was carrying a bag with clothing, 12 condoms, a stuffed animal and a package of baby pacifiers, according to court documents.

The minor he met in Rocky River told agents she met Haggerty on Kik in December 2016 and they subsequently communicated via Skype. She said the calls would last hours and Haggerty would direct her to strip naked and engage in sexually explicit conduct, according to court documents.

The girl told her relatives she was going on a camping trip for the weekend but actually planned to go the Lakewood hotel with Haggerty, according to court documents.

HSI agents contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit, which executed search warrants at Haggerty’s home. They found nude images of the Ohio minor, contact information for the child in Texas, as well as evidence of other potential victims.

“This defendant preyed on young girls, emotionally and verbally abusing them and coercing them into sending nude images of themselves,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “This case is a stark reminder to parents and guardians that they need to know who their children are communicating with online.”

“Through our partnerships with state, local, federal and international law enforcement agencies, HSI will continue to vigorously investigate child exploitation cases like this one to ensure that special agents continue to serve as a powerful barrier between predators and children," said Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Detroit Office, which includes Ohio.

This case was investigated by HSI’s Cleveland and Austin offices, with assistance from the Rocky River Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan.

A Warren man was sentenced to six months of house arrested and ordered to repay $82,428 to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Dean Nikolaides, 64, was also fined $5,000 and placed on probation for three year. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds.

Nikolaides fraudulently received $82,428 in benefits over 14 years from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to which he knew he was not entitled. The PBGC is a federal agency that protects the retirement incomes of American workers in private-sector defined benefit pension plans, according to court documents.

Special Agents Adelle Harris and Conrad Quarles from the PBGC conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Payum Doroodian prosecuted the case.

A mail carrier from Broadview Heights was sentenced to three months of incarceration for stealing packages containing marijuana.

Thomas N. Schaefer, 44, previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail.

Schaefer was assigned to the Newburg Post Office, zip code 44127 in Cleveland, when he stole two parcels in 2017 which contained more than 10 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents.

On March 22, 2017, Schaefer took a parcel addressed to a house on Dolloff Road in Cleveland. He suspected it contained marijuana. He opened it and found four vacuum-sealed one-pound bags of marijuana, according to court documents.

Schaefer took a parcel addressed to an address on Melgrove Avenue in Garfield Heights on Aug. 4 and kept it for himself. The parcel contained 6.7 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents.

U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, said: “The jail sentence in this case should send a message to those postal employees who decide to go into the drug dealing business for themselves by stealing drug parcels from the mail. When they are caught by Special Agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and Postal Inspectors, they lose their career, benefits, retirement, and, in this case, their freedom. They also put their fellow employees at risk. This investigation was initiated when Schaefer’s supervisor was assaulted by drug dealers looking for a drug parcel Schaefer may very well have stolen. Postal employees should be advised that USPS OIG special agents make these types of investigations a top priority. To report criminal activity or serious misconduct committed by postal employees, contact USPS OIG special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”

Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Morrison prosecuted the case following an investigation by the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

A Cleveland man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for selling a mixture of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in the death of a Cleveland Heights man.

Michael Cleveland, 35, was sentenced 135 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of fentanyl and heroin resulting in death.

Cleveland sold a mixture of fentanyl and heroin to a 46-year-old Cleveland Heights man that resulted in that man’s overdose death on Aug. 3, 2016, according to court documents.

“This defendant sold drugs that directly resulted in a death,” Herdman said. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who kill and injure our friends and neighbors.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Cleveland Heights Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa T. Darden.

An Akron man was arrested this morning and charged in federal court for launching denial of service attacks that shut down web sites for the city of Akron and the Akron Police Department.

James Robinson, 32, was charged with one count of knowingly causing the transmission of a program, information, code and command, and as a result of such conduct, intentionally causing damage to a protected computer.

According to an affidavit filed in the case:

Servers hosting web sites belonging to the city of Akron were victims of an active distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on Aug. 1, 2017. Two website domains appeared to be the target of the attacks: akronohio.gov and akroncops.org.

The DDoS attack ultimately overwhelmed the web sites with network traffic and rendered them unavailable to users.

A tweet that same day from @AkronPhoenix420 took credit for targeting the Akron web sites, including a link to a youtube video and a screenshot showing akronohio.gov was not accessible. The tweet included hashtags #Anonymous and #TangoDown.

The video showed a static image of an individual in a Guy Fawkes mask making statements including “it’s time we teach the law a lesson,” “Akron PD abuses the law” and “this week the city of Akron experienced system failures on multiple domains including their emergency TCP ports.”

The subsequent investigation identified attacks coming from an Internet connection registered to James Robinson and that Robinson’s phone was associated with the Twitter account @AkronPhoenix420.

@AkronPhoenix420 also claimed credit for many other DDoS attacks including many in 2018 that bore similar characteristics to the Akron attacks. Targets of those attacks web site domains and servers hosted by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the National Institutes of Health, the Defense Information Security Agency, the Department of Defense, the Department of Treasury and others. Multiple DDoS attacks have been claimed by AkronPhoenix420, including many in 2018.

Law enforcement authorities on May 9 got a search warrant for Robinson’s house on Edison Avenue in Akron. Agents located a Guy Fawkes mask and a cell phone with a cracked screen similar to a phone seen in tweets by @AkronPhoenix420. Robinson stated he was responsible for the DDoS attacks against the Department of Defense, city of Akron and others, according to the affidavit.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Akron Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Treasury. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Om Kakani and Daniel J. Riedl.

“As evidenced by this individual living in Akron, Ohio, cyber attackers can be anywhere and reach anyone via a computer,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “It is imperative that law enforcement and the public join forces to protect ourselves, our institutions, and our businesses.  Working together, we must continue to combat and thwart these cyber criminals.”

“This defendant illegally shut down government web sites to serve his own agenda,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. "We will work with our partners in the private and public sector to help strengthen their cyber defense systems and prosecute those who launch attacks against our community, regardless of their motivation.”

“This arrest underscores DCIS resolve and the ongoing joint efforts among international law enforcement to stop cyber criminals. DCIS Special Agents will use every tool at their disposal to hunt down and bring to justice those that attack and endanger the Department of Defense," said Jeffery Thorpe, Special Agent in Charge, Cyber Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

“Convenient access to city services and information is essential to the proper functioning of local government,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “We take any attacks or attempted attacks on our web site seriously, and will continue to do all we can to ensure the perpetrator of this malicious incident is brought to justice.”

Akron Police Chief Kenneth Ball said: “The Akron Police Department is very appreciative for the partnerships that were involved in this case.  This shows a strong positive resolution by all the public and private partners.  Hopefully this sends a strong message to any others that may think they can bully law enforcement.” 

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

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

A Richmond Heights man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for receiving more than four pounds of methamphetamine from California, and a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for diverting packages of drugs and delivering them to him.

Devon Williams, 24, of Richmond Heights, was sentenced to 180 months in prison. Marquacia Deshawn Morris, 27, of Woodmere, was sentenced to 97 months in prison. Kevin Williams, 24, of Richmond Heights and Devon Williams’ twin brother, was sentenced to 72 months in prison.

Devon Williams and Morris previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. Kevin Williams pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

A package containing more than a kilogram of methamphetamine was mailed from California to Beachwood on Sept. 7, 2017. Four days later, Morris, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, accepted the package and began her daily assigned mail route, according to court documents.

She traveled to Beachwood on Sept. 11, where she met Devon Williams. He accepted the package and transported it to 440 Richmond Park East in Richmond Heights, according to court documents.

Investigators believe the methamphetamine was supplied by a Mexican drug cartel. Morris abused her position with the Postal Service to divert and deliver approximately 15 packages for the drug traffickers, according to court documents and statements.

“We increasingly see drug traffickers attempting to utilize whatever transportation method they can to get their drugs into the country, including the mail and private carriers,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “The Postal Service’s investigators and all in law enforcement are working to stop the flow of drugs before they reach our streets.”

U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, said: “Postal employees are paid to deliver mail, not drugs. The vast majority of the Postal Service's 600,000 employees are hard-working, trustworthy individuals. Unfortunately, a few of them decide to engage in criminal conduct, as in this case. When postal employees decide to risk their job, benefits, retirement, and freedom to get involved with drug trafficking, Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General will work with Postal Inspectors and the U.S. Attorney's Office to put them all in federal prison. To report criminal activity or serious misconduct by postal employees, contact USPS OIG special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Willoughby Hills Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Seabury Gould.

Two Cleveland men were charged in federal court for brandishing firearms while robbing four MetroPCS stores and shooting at an off-duty Cleveland police officer.

Shawn Ford, 19, and Charles Rogers, 23, were each charged with Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing firearms during a crime of violence. The investigation is ongoing.

Ford and Rogers are accused of robbing the MetroPCS story at 10959 Kinsman Road on March 21, at 11100 Lorain Ave. on March 25, at 14701 Kinsman Road on March 27 and at 5853 Broadway Ave., also on March 25.

Ford and Rogers fled from the store on Broadway after taking more than $1,000 from the register. An off-duty Cleveland police officer, who was a customer in the store, followed them out of the store. He identified himself as a police officer and ordered them to stop. One of the suspects began shooting at the officer and 15 spent 9 mm shell casings were recovered nearby, according to court documents.

About 30 minutes later, an officer saw a vehicle that matched the description of the car the suspects got into after shooting at the officer. The car was pulled over with Ford and Rogers inside. Inside the car was a spent 9 mm round, blue latex gloves and clothing that matched clothing worn by suspects in other MetroPCS robberies, according to court documents.

Rogers was wearing an electronic monitoring device with GPS capabilities on March 21, the date of the first MetroPCS robbery. The GPS placed Rogers one-tenth of a mile from the Kinsman Road store a few minutes before the robbery. Sometime later the GPS device was tampered with or taken off Rogers, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Crime Strategies Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.

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

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

A Lorain man and an inmate at a federal prison in New Jersey were convicted by a jury for their conspiracy to commit murder for hire and to distribute cocaine.

Eduardo Rios Velasquez, 37, of Lorain, and Angel Cordero, 37, an inmate at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution, are scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 18. They were both convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit murder for hire and one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Velasquez and Cordero had previously been incarcerated together. Cordero was in contact with Velasquez in the summer of 2017 through a contraband cellular phone that had been smuggled into Fort Dix, according to court documents and trial testimony.

Cordero put Velasquez in contact with another inmate. Velasquez offered to pay the other inmate money if he could provide Velasquez with the address for a woman identified in court documents as T.G. Cordero told the inmate that Velasquez had been hired to kill T.G, according to court documents.

Additionally, another person supplied Velasquez with large shipments of cocaine, with Cordero serving as the broker in the deals. Federal law enforcement authorities intercepted a kilogram of cocaine in July that was being shipped to Velasquez, according to court documents and trial testimony.

“This case was an outstanding effort by investigators and prosecutors from multiple states and jurisdictions who came together to avert a tragedy,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

“This case shows that no one is out of reach from being charged and prosecuted when a crime is committed. Even when serving a sentence, Cordero continued his criminal activity with little regard of the consequences,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York.  “Now he and Valasquez were found guilty of their actions and will now face whatever sentence issued because of their reprehensible actions.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt stated: “It is not uncommon for our investigations to unveil drug-related murders; but this significant murder-for-hire plot paved a twisted path from New York City to Lorain, Ohio.  Law enforcement collaboration helped prevent another murder from occurring.  I commend the dedicated and talented team of agents, detectives, investigators and prosecutors who worked on this investigation.” 

“The FBI is pleased with the jury's verdict. Velasquez will spend significant time behind bars for his ruthless willingness to kill someone for money,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI Cleveland Division commends the collaboration between the law enforcement agencies involved in disrupting and prosecuting this murder for hire.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian McDonough, Brad Beeson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hiral Mehta following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s New York office, the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force – which is comprised of agents, detectives and investigators of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York City Police Department and the New York State Police -- and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.