Northern District of Ohio

A Euclid man was indicted for having cocaine and more than 200 grams of carfentanil, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer.

 

Troy Baker, 37, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute carfentanil and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

 

Baker had approximately 218 grams of carfentanil, as well as cocaine, on June 27, according to the indictment.

 

“This amount of carfentanil could kill tens of thousands of people,” Herdman said. “This is an example of a tip from a citizen resulting in police action and a safer community.”

 

“This investigation, conducted by members of the Euclid Police Department -- Narcotics and Vice Unit, shows the power and importance of tips from the public,” Meyer said. “These tips can be provided anonymously.  It is the responsibility of all to combat this opiate epidemic.  We are very pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has adopted this case for prosecution.”      

 

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

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney following an investigation by the Euclid Police Department and Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force.

 

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

 

Two Cleveland men were indicted for the armed robbery of a bank on Shaker Boulevard, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Maurice Montgomery, Jr., 20, and Jeremiah A. Johnson, 19, were each indicted on one count of bank robbery. They are accused of robbing the U.S. Bank on Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland on Aug. 26.

Both are also indicted on one count of using or brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

“We will seek long prison sentences for those who use firearms to commit crimes and prey upon others,” Herdman said.

"These two individuals put Saturday morning bank customers and employees at risk with the dangerous, gun-wielding robbery they committed,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and the public in getting every bank robber identified, in custody, and prosecuted -- just like these two.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Pinjuh following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.

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.

 

Wesley A. Muchow, 51, of Bucyrus, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Muchow knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place from Aug. 10, 2015, through Feb. 23, 2017, according to the indictment.

 

Muchow possessed an eMachine computer and a Dell computer, each of which contained child pornography, on Feb. 23, 2017, according to the indictment.         

 

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

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mansfield Police Department and the Canton Police Department.  

 

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

Thirty-nine people were indicted in federal court for their roles in two separate conspiracies to obtain large amounts of heroin, and in some cases, other drugs, from out of state and sell the drugs in Mansfield, law enforcement officials said.

 

Eighteen people are charged in a 41-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted. They are: Lennon Hayes, 44; Roberto Calderon, 36, of Chicago; Demond Steele, 45; Tara Jones, 29; Edward Jones, 39, of Chicago; Mazzarney Hardy, 39, of Maywood, Illinois; Michael Ginn, 28; Steve Hollins, 42; Cupree Howard, 39; Marcus Garmon, 32; Ashley Kriedman-Crider, 28; Rickell Fields, 24; Marrico King, 40; Terrance Jones, 27; Natasha Brookins, 34; James Alexander, 32; Vanness Oliver, 39, and Jacquis Mordica, 26.

 

In a different case, 21 people are charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted. They are: Kevin Burton, 41; Antoine Jefferson, 39; Damon Slaughter, 41, of Westerville; Lewis Pinkston, Jr., 40; Brian Nowell, 44; Dorthea Burton, 34; Larry Ferguson, 41, of Louisville, Kentucky; Ericka Fortner, 27; Shadawn Smith, 25; Corey Motley, 36; Bronson Jones, 43; Deon Gamble, 34; Willie Feagin, 62; Jon Martel Jefferson, 30; Keith Maddox, 36; Amanda Huffman, 28; Michael Sloan, 60; Shantia Crawford, 27; Cardoves Haslett, 34; Shakela Williams, 23, and Joe Ware, 20.

 

In one conspiracy, Lennon Hayes and Edward Jones obtained large amounts of heroin from Roberto Calderon in Chicago and then sold it in the Mansfield area. This took place between June 2015 and the present, according to the indictment.

 

Hayes and Jones sold the heroin to other dealers, including Demond Steele, Tara Jones, Mazzzarney Hardy, Michael Ginn, Steve Hollins, Cupree Howard, Marcus Garmon, Ashley Kriedman-Crider, Rickell Fields, Marrico King, Terrance Jones, Natasha Brookins, James Alexander, Vanness Oliver and Jaquis Mordica, according to the indictment.

 

Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the heroin, including: 575 Crescent Ave. (Hayes and Tara Jones), 278 South Main Street (Hardy), 371 2nd Ave. and 743 Bowman Ave. (Edward Jones) and 204 Linden Road (Hollins and Cupree), according to the indictment.

 

Hayes, Jones and others used firearms and other weapons to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.

 

In a different conspiracy, heroin, cocaine and marijuana was obtained from suppliers in Columbus and California, then resold in Mansfield and Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Kevin Burton obtained large amounts of cocaine from Antoine Jefferson. Burton sold the cocaine and also cooked some of it into crack cocaine. Burton and Lewis Pinkston also obtained large amounts of heroin from Damon Slaughter in Columbus, according to the indictment.

 

Burton sold the drugs to other dealers in the Mansfield area, including Pinkston, Brian Nowell, Dorthea Burton, Larry Ferguson, Corey Motley, Bronson Jones, Deon Gamble, Willie Feagin, Jon Martel Jefferson, Keith Maddox, Amanda Huffman, Michael Sloan, Rochelle Arrington, Shantia Crawford, Cardoves Haslett, Shakela Williams and Joe Ware, according to the indictment.

 

Some of the heroin and cocaine was later transported to Louisville and sold by Dorthea Burton and Larry Feguson, according to the indictment.

 

Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the drugs, including: 160 Reba Ave. (Burton and Fortner), 642 Johns Ave. and 461 Busch Ave. (Maddox), 708 Carol Lane (Jones), 1520 Silver Lane (Jefferson) and 35 West Arch Street (Motley), according to the indictment.

 

Burton, Maddox, Jefferson, Ware and others used firearms to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.

 

“These groups brought heroin into Mansfield from out of state, sold it from houses in neighborhoods with families and used firearms to protect their operations,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Law enforcement did a tremendous job in dismantling these organizations.”

 

“These 39 individuals were involved in a violent drug trafficking organization right here in middle America  -- Mansfield, Ohio,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “Law enforcement will continue to work together and use every tool in our tool bag to rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and firearms, and hold these criminals accountable.”

 

Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said: “Federal and local law enforcement are working together to combat the opioid epidemic in Richland County from many fronts. This investigation focused on the ones distributing heroin and drugs which are killing people in our community.”

 

“The collaborative efforts between local law enforcement and our federal partners has made a significant impact on drug trafficking within our communities,” said Mansfield Police Chief Kenneth Coontz. “We plan to continue this effort by targeting more dealers polluting our community.  I would also like to thank the many law enforcement agencies that assisted METRICH and the FBI in order to make this a successful operation.” 

 

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “Putting a stop to the efforts of this dangerous group, that was distributing large quantities of heroin and cocaine into the community, is a victory for the residents of Mansfield.  In DEA, we understand the importance that drug prevention and drug treatment, play in fighting the current opioid epidemic, but we also recognize that putting a permanent dent into the supply of these poisons will help to reduce addiction rates and ultimately overdose deaths.” 

 

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 indictments are the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, METRICH Enforcement Task Force, Mansfield Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshal Service, with assistance from the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasile Katsaros is prosecuting the cases.

 

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

A one-count information was filed charging a federal prison employee with providing a prohibited object to an inmate, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Keith Stokes, 48, of Lisbon, Ohio, attempted to provide cigarettes to an inmate on Sept. 25, 2016. Stokes was employed by FCI Elkton at the time, according to the information.

 

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 investigation preceding the information was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.

 

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.

This Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its local law enforcement, community and tribal partners will give the public its 14th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

 

Individuals can take pills and other solid forms of medication to one of almost 5,000 collection sites nationwide, and 235 sites in Kentucky, manned by more than 4,000 partners nationwide. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.) They can find nearby collection sites at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

 

“Disposing of leftover painkillers or other addictive medicines in the house is one of the best ways to prevent a member of your family from becoming a victim of the opioid epidemic,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “More people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs than any other substance. The abuse of these prescription drugs has fueled the nation’s opioid epidemic, which has led to the largest rate of overdose deaths this country has ever seen.”  

 

“We know of many cases where leftover pain pills have led to an opioid addiction,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “Properly disposing of these pills is one important step anyone can take to get involved in turning the tide on the opioid epidemic that has caused so much pain here in Ohio.”

 

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.

 

Last April the public turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.

A Warren man was indicted in federal court for heroin trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Shawn L. Price, 37, knowingly distributed heroin on Aug. 10 and 24, 2016, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.   The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.

 

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

A Westlake man was indicted in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Cleveland Clinic out of at least $2.8 million, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Wisam Rizk was charged in a 29-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud, 27 counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. He was arrested Thursday evening.

Rizk worked as Chief Technology Officer at Interactive Visual Health Records, a company formed by Cleveland Clinic Innovations to develop a visual medical charting concept of certain Clinic physicians into a functioning, marketable product, according to the indictment.

Rizk was hired at IVHR by Gary Fingerhut, the former executive director at Cleveland Clinic Innovations. Fingerhut has pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Rizk and Fingerhut, as a condition of their employment, were prohibited from receiving any financial benefit or having any personal or familial financial interests in companies the Clinic did business with, unless they were expressly disclosed to, and approved by, the Clinic.

Rizk and others caused to be incorporated a shell company known as iStarFZE LLC (ISTAR) that did not actually perform or provide any goods or services. It was established in the name of a nominee owner. Rizk caused ISTAR to establish a web site and email addresses and a mailing address in New York City to create the false impression it was an operational business, according to the indictment.

Rizk caused ISTAR to submit a bid to the Clinic to develop and design IVHR’s software and to increase the price the Clinic paid for the software design and development, all without disclosing his financial interest in ISTAR, according to the indictment.

Rizk periodically paid Fingerhut a “referral” or “commission” fee in return for Fingerhut not disclosing the fraud scheme, according to the indictment.

“This defendant was hired to help develop advanced medical technology and instead defrauded the Cleveland Clinic out of millions of dollars,” Herdman said. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute corruption and self-dealing.”

“Rizk utilized the trust that had been placed in him and his immense technical and organizational skill as weapons against the very company and associates who had entrusted him for the purpose of stealing close to $3 million,” Anthony said.

The investigation is ongoing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.

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.

 

Two people from Cleveland were indicted for a case involving the straw purchase of a firearm for a felon, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and ATF Special Agent in Charge Trevor Velinor.

Indicted are Tremaine Jackson, 28, and Valerie Woods, 29.

Jackson was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jackson had a FN Herstal .57-caliber pistol and ammunition on Nov. 25, 2016, despite previous convictions that prohibited him from having a firearms, including drug trafficking, carrying a concealed weapon and having a weapon while under disability.

Woods was indicted on one count of making false statements to a firearms dealer. She purchased the  FN Herstal .57-caliber pistol on Oct. 28, 2016 at Stonewall Range in Broadview Heights. She represented to the dealer that she was the actual buyer of the firearm when she was not, according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Galvin following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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.

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 Ravenna man previously convicted of domestic violence was indicted for having eight firearms and and more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Seth Alan Powers, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person.

 

The indictment alleges that on March 13, 2017, Powers possessed the following firearms and ammunition, after having been convicted of domestic violence in the Portage County Municipal Court in 2005: Bersa, model Thunder 45, .45 caliber pistol, serial number A59814; Keltec, model PF-9, 9mm pistol, serial number SP089; Ruger, model SR-22, .22 caliber pistol, serial number 365-33720; Walther, model HK416D, .22 caliber pistol, serial number WH013613; Mossberg, model 500A, 12 gauge shotgun, serial number R657562; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 5JS244294; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 caliber rifle, serial number 5JS244352; Taurus, model Rossi, .22 rifle caliber, serial number 5JS244203; seven rounds of Hornady ammunition, .45 caliber; seven rounds other ammunition, 9 mm; nine rounds Remington ammunition, .22 caliber; two rounds assorted ammunition, 12 gauge; 1,050 rounds assorted ammunition, unknown caliber; 279 rounds assorted ammunition, unknown caliber.

 

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 investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Portage County Drug Task Force. 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea S. Rice has been selected to receive the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest honors the Justice Department bestows upon its employees.

 

Rice and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser are being honored for their work in United States v. Castillo-Serrano et. al., a case in which the defendants engaged in a human trafficking conspiracy, forcing undocumented minors to work at an Ohio chicken farm for little or no pay.

 

The award will be presented by Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Oct. 25 in Washington, D.C.

 

“The work of Chelsea, and everyone involved in this case, was nothing short of heroic,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “The leaders of the smuggling ring were sent to prison and the victims are on the road to recovery. This case demonstrates the horrors of human trafficking but also provides a blueprint for how law enforcement can combat the crime.”

 

Federal agents were alerted in late 2014 that adults and some children as young as 14 years old were being smuggled into the country and forced to work in deplorable conditions on an Ohio farm. 

 

With the promise that their children would receive an education, parents in Guatemala surrendered custody and control of their children to Aroldo Roberto Castillo-Serrano, who then assumed the deed to the parents’ Guatemalan property as collateral for their smuggling fee. 

 

These children, along with the adults with whom they were smuggled, were then routed through the United States to Ohio, where they were forced to live in trailers, some of which lacked water, electricity, heat and even windows, and work up to 12 hours a day on the egg farm. The work included cleaning chicken coops, loading and unloading crates of chickens, debeaking chickens and vaccinating chickens. 

 

With the coordination and cooperation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor, the victims of this forced labor scheme were recovered, received necessary medication attention and were granted continued presence status so that they could cooperate in the prosecution of Castillo-Serrano and his accomplices, Angelica Pedro-Juan, Pablo Duran, Jr., Conrado Selgado Soto, Conrado Selgado Borbon and Bartolo Dominguez. 

 

Prosecutors and federal agents traveled to Guatemala. They worked with social service providers and non-government organizations to ensure the victims received the support and services they needed. They also, over time, gained the trust of the victims, some of whom eventually confronted the defendants in court.

 

All six defendants pleaded guilty. Ringleader Castillo-Serrano recruited the victims, smuggled them into the United States, oversaw money transfers and issued threats to ensure compliance. He received a prison sentenced of more than 15 years. Pedro-Juan falsely represented herself to government officials as a family friend of the minor victims in order to have them released to her custody.  She also oversaw the trailers where the victims were housed and arranged for their wages to be transferred to co-conspirators in Guatemala and elsewhere. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

 

Rice joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010. She is a graduate of Santa Clara University and the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Two mail carriers were indicted for stealing packages from the mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service.

 

Brandon L. Mitchell, 32, of North Olmsted, is accused of stealing a parcel on Aug. 4 that was addressed to a location on Melgove Avenue in Garfield Heights, according to the indictment.

 

Thomas N. Schaefer, 43, of Broadview Heights, is accused of stealing a parcel on Aug. 3 that was addressed to a location on McBride Avenue in Cleveland, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

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.

Marita Holland, 32, of Toledo, was sentenced to a year in prison for theft of government funds, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.

 

Holland, in 2012, illegally received two checks from the U.S. Treasury totaling approximately $16,793, according to court documents.

 

Holland was ordered to pay $119,081 in restitution.

 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gene Crawford.

A Cleveland Heights woman was sentenced to more than three years in prison for fraudulently claiming false tax refunds for more than $700,000, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.

 

Janice Parks, 57, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi sentenced Parks to 41 months in prison and ordered her to pay $701,052 in restitution.

 

Parks represented herself as a tax preparer, first as the operator of J & H Professional Tax Services, which she operated from her home, then as the operator of Cleveland-based Jantaxx.

 

Parks and others falsely claimed tax credits on behalf of people who were not entitled to the credits. She directed others, including her incarcerated sons, to recruit people whose identities she could use to file fraudulent tax returns, according to court documents.

 

In many instances, Parks requested that portions of the refunds be directed to various bank accounts that she used for her personal gain, according to court documents.

 

Parks filed returns claiming nearly $1.5 million in fraudulent tax returns. The IRS paid refunds totaling approximately $700,000, according to court documents.

 

“This defendant stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from taxpayers and earned this prison sentence,” Herdman said.

 

“This defendant stole $700,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds and today’s sentencing proves that stealing from the government is a serious crime,” Korner said.

 

Helen Wynder, 55, of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to her role in the crime. She was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $701,052 in restitution.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carmen E. Henderson and Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.

Twelve people were charged in a 26-count indictment for their roles in a conspiracy to install credit-card skimmers on gas pumps in at least five states, including several locations in Northeast Ohio, and steal credit-card account information from thousands of people.

 

Named in the indictment are: Ranset Rodriguez, 40, of Miami; Yaniris Alfonso, 31, of Miami; Jose Manuel Iglesias, 51, of West New York, New Jersey.; Juan Carlos Banos, 58, of Parma, Ohio; Carlos Rodriguez Martinez, 42, of Aurora, Colorado; Lester Enrique Castaneda, 39, of Hialeah, Florida; Edelberto Hernandez, 46, of Kiowa, Colorado; Eddy Pimentel-Vila, 45, of Jersey City, New Jersey; Luis Enrique Jimenez Gonzales, 27, of Hialeah, Florida; Yonasky Rosa, 34, of Tampa; Yadian Quesada-Hernandez, 31, of Tampa and Alejandro Moises, 52, of Miami.

 

The indictment charges that the defendants conspired to install skimmers on point-of-sale terminals inside of gas pumps located in Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Utah and elsewhere between August 2014 and July 2017. 

 

The defendants then re-encoded the stolen credit/debit card account information, including the actual account holders’ names, onto counterfeit credit cards, which were used to fraudulently purchase gift cards, merchandise, goods and services in Ohio and elsewhere, according to the indictment.

 

The defendants traveled from Florida to install the skimmers and worked together to distract gas station employees and/or obstruct their view while the skimmers were covertly installed. Skimmers were discovered on gas pumps in Rocky River, Solon, Stow, Hudson, Fairview Park, Medina, Cleveland, Canton, Cuyahoga Falls, Norton, Austintown and elsewhere, according to the indictment. 

 

“This group stole credit card information from thousands of people all over Northeast Ohio just looking to fill up their gas tanks and continue on their way,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Instead, these victims had their personal information taken and used to make fraudulent credit cards, which this group in turn used to steal merchandise.”

 

“This sophisticated, multistate criminal enterprise stole credit card numbers from innocent folks putting gas in their cars,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “These individuals, now in custody, caused financial difficulties for numerous everyday citizens, and for this, they will be held accountable.”  

 

“This case is a complex investigation that involves suspects from multiple states that targeted innocent people from Northern Ohio and around the country stealing their personal and financial information,” said Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Schuck. “The success of today’s arrests are due to the great collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies working together.”

 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Robert W. Kern are prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service and the Boulder County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office.

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ role in the offenses, 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 Painesville man was indicted for having more than 100 grams of fentanyl, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

Maxwell T. Klyn, 25, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Klyn had approximately 109 grams of fentanyl on April 14, 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Sweeney and Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

 

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

A Williams County man was indicted on fireams and heroin charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Zachary Thomas McCauley, 27, of Edgerton, was indicted on one count each of being felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

 

McCauley possessed 61 grams of heroin and a Beretta 40-caliber pistol and a Walther 22-caliber pistol between March 29-31, 2017. McCauley has previous convictions for felonious assault and aggravated assault which preclude him from possessing a firearm, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigating agency in this case is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Toledo. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

 

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

A Texas man was indicted after federal court after being arrested with nearly four kilograms of heroin, law enforcement officials said.

Adan Gilberto Munoz, 33, of El Paso, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 3,996 grams of heroin and one count of using a telephone to facilitate commission of a felony.

Munoz was arrested on Aug. 8 after being pulled over by an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper in Medina County. Munoz told the trooper he did not have his driver’s license on him and was shaking and trembling, according to court documents.

OSHP used a canine to sniff around Munoz’s car and then searched the automobile. Troopers found four bricks of drugs that later tested to be heroin. Each brick of heroin weighed between 998 and 999 grams, 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.

 

“Law enforcement did a tremendous job of keeping thousands of doses of heroin off the streets,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

 

“With unified efforts between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, we will continue to combat drug trafficking and remove criminals from our communities making it safer for the citizens of Ohio,” said Colonel Paul A. Pride, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon said: “The seizure of four kilograms of heroin is significant.  In this era of daily heroin related overdoses, nothing is more important than bringing the people that are distributing this poison within our communities to justice.” 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Darden following an investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration.

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

A Medina man was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for stealing $245,000 from his employer and using the money to pay for a country club membership, vehicles and purchases at Victoria’s Secret and GNC, law enforcement officials said.

Brian K. Stepp, 51, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements on loan application.

“This defendant is a serial fraudster who caused a business to close and 80 employees to lose their jobs,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “He used this company’s coffers as his own personal bank.”

“Mr. Stepp conspired in a variety of fraudulent financial schemes to steal money for car and country club membership purchases and exorbitant retail purchases,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office. “The FBI will continue to root out financial fraudsters and hold them accountable for their criminal actions.”

Stepp worked at Variety Contractors, Inc., a company based in Medina County that provided general contracting services for large public and commercial retail construction projects in Ohio and other states.

Stepp joined the company as vice president with the plan to eventually buy the company. He served as acting president but never purchased the company, according to court documents and statements

Stepp incorporated S&S Kelsey LN, a shell company that did not engage in any actual business. He submitted a variety of fake invoices from S&S and other vendors to Variety Contractors of goods and services that were not provided. Stepp caused Variety Contractors to make payments on those fraudulent invoices, according to court documents.

For example, in September 2014, a check request for $31,500 was made for payment to G.C.I. for “Deposit for Exterior Metal Panels”. Three days later, a check in the same amount made payable to Ganley, which Stepp used to partially pay for a 2015 Chevy Silverado pickup truck that he purchased in his wife’s name, according to court documents.

Stepp also fraudulently used a company credit card to pay for personal expenses, such as membership and related fees at Weymouth Country Club, payments made to purchase vehicles to himself and his family, local hotel charges, legal fees, and charges at stores including Victoria’s Secret and GNC, according to court documents.

The loss to Variety Contractors was $245,120. The company went out of business in 2015 and approximately 80 employees lost their jobs, according to court documents and statements

Stepp also made numerous false statements in attempting to get several loans, according court documents.

Stepp, while on supervised release, also hired someone to break the jaws of two people who had been critical of him, according to court documents.

U.S. District Judge Chirstopher Boyko sentenced Stepp to six years in prison for fraud, to be followed by six months for violating the terms of his supervised release in hiring someone to assault others.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Lutzko and Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A 17-count indictment was filed in federal court charging two men for nearly a dozen armed robberies in Northeast Ohio, law enforcement officials said.

Richard Glenn, Jr., 40, of Maple Heights, and Brandon Williams, 35, of Euclid, are charged with using firearms to rob banks, drug stores and convenience stores in South Euclid, Euclid, Wickliffe, Lyndhurst, Cleveland, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights.

The locations and dates of the robberies detailed in the indictment are listed below:

Aug. 9: Walgreens, 2135 Warrensville Center Road, Warrensville Heights (Glenn and Williams).

Aug. 15: Euclid Mart, 26610 Lakeshore Blvd. Euclid (Williams).

Aug. 17: Walgreens, 20485 Euclid Ave., Euclid (Glenn).

Aug. 21: Ohio Savings Bank, 29169 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe (Williams).

Aug. 23: U.S. Bank, 5695 Turney Road, Garfield Heights (Glenn).

Aug. 25: Chase Bank, 5400 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst (Williams).

Aug. 29: Dollar General, 9111 Miles Road, Cleveland (Glenn).

Aug. 31: A&M Food Mart, 25600 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights (Glenn and Williams).

Sept. 5: Dollar Bank, 240 E. 228 Street, Euclid (Williams).

Sept. 11: Chase Bank, 5435 Northfield Road, Bedford Heights (Williams).

Sept. 11: Dollar Bank, 5180 Warrensville Center Road, Maple Heights (Williams) 

The charges include Hobbs Act robberies, bank robberies, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and being felons in possession of firearms.

Glenn has prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for aggravated robbery and drug possession that make it illegal for him to have a firearm. Williams has felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for robbery, burglary, grand theft and arson that make it illegal for him to have a firearm, according to the indictment.

“These defendants used firearms to rob 11 stores and banks all over the east side of Greater Cleveland,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Our law enforcement partners did a tremendous job bringing this violent crime spree to an end. Now this duo will be held accountable for terrorizing our neighbors.”

“Williams and Glenn put everyday citizens’ lives in peril with their gun-wielding robberies,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “For these dangerous crimes they are facing a significant amount of time in a federal penitentiary. The FBI will continue to work aggressively with our local law enforcement partners to ensure violent criminals like these are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

 

This case was investigated by the FBI and police departments from Cleveland, Bedford Heights, Euclid, South Euclid, Garfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Maple Heights, Wickliffe and Willoughby Hills, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Pinjuh.

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 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.

Six people were indicted for illegal reentry into the United States after being found in Ohio, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Ignacio Mendoza-Arriaga, 31, a Mexican citizen, was found in Youngstown after being deported to Mexico in 2008 following a felony conviction.

 

Reinaldo Herrerra-Herrerra, 36, a Mexican citizen, was found in Youngstown after being deported to Mexico in 2011.

 

Christian Euceda-Lopez, a citizen of Honduras, was found in Ohio after being deported from the U.S., in 2012.

 

Jorge Manuel Ramos-Cruz, 49, a Mexican citizen, was found in Ohio after being deported four times in 2009 and 2010.

 

Wilson Antonio Miranda-Rivera, 36, a citizen of Honduras, was found in Ohio after being deported four times between 2002 and 2014.

 

Abelardo Beltran-Arriola, 31, a citizen of Mexico, was found in Ohio after twice being deported, in 2008 and 2011.

 

The Arriaga and Herrerra cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karrie D. Howard following an investigation by the Youngstown Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

 

The Lopez case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Freeman following an investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.       

 

The Cruz case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Beeson following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement.

 

The Rivera case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman following an investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

 

The Arriola case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Weldon following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Custom 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.

 

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

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Jose E. Carrillo-Abrego, 33, a citizen of El Salvador, with usurping the identity of a Puerto Rican man to conceal his illegal presence in the United States, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. 

 

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert W. Kern and Elliot Morrison are prosecuting the case following an investigation by the United States Border Patrol.

 

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 U.S. Postal Service letter carrier and a Euclid man were indicted for a conspiracy in which they received more than two kilograms of methamphetamine from California, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.

Marquacia Deshawn Morris, 26, of Woodmere, and Devon Williams, 23, of Euclid, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. Kevin Williams, also 23 and of Euclid, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

A package containing 2214 grams of methamphetamine was mailed from California to Beachwood on Sept. 7. Four days later, Morris, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, accepted the package and began her daily assigned mail route, according to the indictment.

She diverted from her daily mail route on Sept. 11 and travelled to 27020 Cedar Road in Beachwood, where she met Devon Williams. He accepted the package and transported it to 440 Richmond Park East in Richmond Heights, according to the indictment.

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

 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service’s 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.

 

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

Four Akron men were indicted in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, law enforcement officals said.

 

Named in the five-count indictment are: Michael E. Davis, 47; James E. Sanders, 50; Christopher J. Proctor, 50, and Rashaad M. Thomas, 40. All four are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. 

 

Thomas was charged with an additional count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  Davis and Sanders were also charged with being a felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

 

The investigation was conducted by members of the Akron/Summit County HIDTA Initiative, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, Akron Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Drug Unit, Springfield Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, New Franklin Township Police Department, Stow Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, University of Akron Police Department, Reminderville Police Department, Silver Lake Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, and Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. 

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley.

 

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ 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 only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Delamon A. Marshall, 38, of Akron, with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition as an armed career criminal and two counts of possessing of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Marshall had a Glock 9 mm pistol and ammunition on Feb. 22, despite prior convictions for bank robbery and two counts of domestic violence which made it illegal for him to have a firearm. He also possessed a Ruger 9 mm pistol and ammunition on March 17, according to the indictment.

 

The investigation was conducted by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Copley Police Department, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for the Ohio Attorney General, Akron Police Department and the Summit County Coroner’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Teresa Riley.

 

If convicted, the defendant’s 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.

 

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.

Two men from Northwest Ohio were indicted in federal court for attempting to distribute methamphetamine, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Eric D. Mason, 28, of Lima, and Kasey J. Hutchinson, 25, of Findlay, were each indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The men possessed approximately 54 grams of methamphetamine on Sept. 6, according to the indictment

 

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

 

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

 

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

A Toledo felon was indicted for using a firearm during the robbery of a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop last month, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, Toledo Police Chief George Kral and Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Columbus Field Division.

 

Mark Larkett, 29, was indicted on one count each of Hobbs Act robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Larkett used a firearm on Sept. 25 to rob the Jimmy John’s sandwich shop at 405 Adams Street in Toledo. He possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol on that date despite a prior conviction for robbery, according to the indictment

 

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

 

This case was investigated by the Toledo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Weldon.           

 

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

An Akron man was sentenced to life in prison for shooting a woman in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park last year, law enforcement officials said.

DeZay M. Ely, 28, was previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Ely attempted to kill a woman on July 3, 2016, by shooting her in the head, according to court documents.

U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson sentenced Ely to 20 years in prison for attempted murder, to be followed by a consecutive sentence of life in prison for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

“This defendant took a firearm into a national park and tried to murder a young woman,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “He left her with lifelong, serious injuries. Our community is a safer place with him behind bars.”

 

Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office, said: “Law enforcement is pleased that Dezay Ely will be spending the rest of his life in prison for the horrific crime he committed against an innocent victim. The collaboration between the FBI, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Service, BCI and the public was invaluable to identifying and holding Ely accountable for this senseless crime.”

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Galvin and Linda Barr following an investigation by the FBI, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.

In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said:

"According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action.

“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work.

“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy.

“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer."

U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said: “This is another welcome tool that allows us to help our local partners work with federal law enforcement to reduce violent crime.”

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams said: “The City of Cleveland, Division of Police is grateful to hear of the possibility of funding through federal grants from our partners in the United States Attorney’s Office.  These federal funds could go a long way in terms of allowing the Division of Police to expand not only in terms of staffing, but also in the purchase of new technology and equipment.”

The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to help reduce violent crime:

-Additional Assistant United States Attorney Positions to Focus on Violent Crime – The Department is allocating 40 prosecutors to approximately 20 United States Attorney’s Offices to focus on violent crime reduction.

-More Cops on the Streets (COPS Hiring Grants) – As part of our continuing commitment to crime prevention efforts, increased community policing, and the preservation of vital law enforcement jobs, the Department will be awarding approximately $98 million in FY 2017 COPS Hiring Grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

-Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) National Gang Strategic Initiative –The National Gang Strategic Initiative promotes  creative enforcement strategies and best practices that will assist in developing investigations of violent criminal groups and gangs into enterprise-level OCDETF prosecutions.  Under this initiative, OCDETF provides “seed money” to locally-focused gang investigations, giving state, local, and tribal investigators and prosecutors the resources and tools needed to identify connections between lower-level gangs and national-level drug trafficking organizations.

-Critical Training and Technical Assistance to State and Local Partners –The Department has a vast array of training and technical assistance resources available to state, local and tribal law enforcement, victims groups, and others.  To ensure that agencies in need of assistance are able to find the training and materials they need, OJP will make available a Violence Reduction Response Center to serve as a “hot line” to connect people to these resources. 

-Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) – The Department has provided grant funding to support a comprehensive approach to identifying the most violent offenders in a jurisdiction, using new technologies such as gunshot detection systems combined with gun crime intelligence from NIBIN, eTrace, and investigative efforts.  These FY 2017 grants were awarded to Phoenix, AZ, and Kansas City, MO. 

-Expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program – The Department will expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program nationwide by the end of the year.  Through this program, any firearm submitted for tracing that is associated with a NIBIN “hit” (which means it can be linked to a shooting incident) will be designated an “urgent” trace and the requestor will get information back about the firearm’s first retail purchaser within 24 hours, instead of 5 to 6 business days.

 

A North Royalton man was sentenced to jail for fraudulently claiming more than $133,000 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.

Amin Mohammad, 45, was sentenced to five months incarceration and five months of house arrested. He was also fined $50,000 and ordered to pay $133,414 in restitution.

Mohammad previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of public funds.

Mohammad operated a gas station and other energy-related businesses in the Cleveland area. He incorporated Goojee, Inc. in 2007 and Mejri Oil, Inc. in 2010. Neither company had a specific business purpose and bank accounts for the companies had minimal activity, according to court documents.

Mohammad falsely reported the companies sold a combined 833,495 gallons of kerosene in tax year 2010. He falsely claimed fuel tax credits to which he was not entitled, seeking a $68,240 tax refund on behalf of Goojee and a $65,174 tax refund on behalf of Mejri, according to court documents.

"Today’s sentencing marks the successful end of an investigation that uncovered a fraudulent fuel tax credit scheme,” Korner said. "We want everyone to take advantage of the deductions and credits to which they are entitled by law; however, no one is entitled to defraud the government."

Assistant U.S Attorney Robert J. Patton is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the IRS-CI.

The Justice Department recently awarded nearly $2 million in grants to the Northern District of Ohio to help combat the opioid epidemic.

In 2016, nearly 60,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, an increase from the 52,000 overdose deaths the year before. The majority of these deaths can be attributed to opioids, including illicit fentanyl and its analogues. The opioid epidemic, a public health crisis, is also a growing public safety crisis. 

“Today, we are facing the deadliest drug crisis in American history,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “These trends are shocking and the numbers tell us a lot– but they aren’t just numbers.  They represent moms and dads, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. And make no mistake combatting this poison is a top priority for President Trump and his administration, and you can be sure that we are taking action to address it.  We are announcing that we will be awarding millions in federal grants to help law enforcement and public health agencies address prescription drug and opioid abuse.  This is an urgent problem and we are making it a top priority.”

“These dollars will support efforts to make law enforcement more efficient and precise as we try to stem the tide of death and suffering caused by opioids throughout our country, state and region,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “These grants will help prosecutors and police work more effectively to prosecute drug dealers who kill people while also supporting drug courts which help people get the treatment they need.”

Awardees in the Northern District of Ohio include:

Case Western Reserve University, $975,401 from the National Institute of Justice to study the Cuyahoga County Heroin Involved Death Investigations protocol. The protocol was developed in 2014 for help medical examiners and law enforcement with the collection and preservation of evidence in opioid-involved death incidents. The purpose is to improve the group’s ability to secure faster indictments and more successful manslaughter or federal “death specification” prosecutions.

Cleveland Municipal Court, $400,000 from the Bureau of Justice Affairs for drug court and/or veteran’s treatment court.

Marion Municipal Court, $338,931 from the Bureau of Justice Affairs for drug court and/or veteran’s treatment court.

City of Youngstown, $240,000 from the Bureau of Justice Affairs for drug court and/or veteran’s treatment court.

Additionally, the Justice Department awarded $1 million to the Supreme Court of Ohio to assist leverage information about prescribing practices to identify potential solutions and $399,918 to the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy to help develop and maintain centralized databases to collect and analyze prescription data.

A Brunswick man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for having more than 100,000 images and 1,000 videos of child sex abuse, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Scott M. Wroten, 54, was sentenced to 136 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

 

Wroten knowingly received approximately 136,000 computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including sexual abuse and beastiality. These files were collected between 2011 and 2016, according to court documents.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Cleveland office of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Brunswick Police Department and the Wickliffe Police Department.

A Toledo man arrested with 13 firearms was indicted on firearm and drug charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.

 

Markein Cargill, 46, was indicted on one count each of possessing firearms after being convicted of a felony; possessing an unregistered short-barrelled shotgun; possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine; and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense. 

 

Cargill on Sept. 1, 2017, was arrested with 13 firearms, including a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with no serial number. Cargill was not allowed to possess firearms because of previous convictions for crimes involving heroin and cocaine, according to the indictment.

 

He also possessed with intent to distribute nearly 10 grams of crack cocaine, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigating agencies in this case are the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Toledo Police Department.  The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Hood.        

 

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

A Salvadoran national was indicted on firearms and identity theft charges, law enforcement officials said.

 

Carlos Amaya-Melendez, 38, is a citizen of El Salvador but was living in Cleveland. He used the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico to obtain an Ohio driver’s license in 2009. It was renewed in 2015, according to court documents.

 

He also possessed a .38-caliber revolver and ammunition while not a citizen of the U.S., according to the indictment.

 

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott Morrison and Robert Kern.

 

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 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.

United States Attorneys Justin E. Herdman and Benjamin C. Glassman announced charges brought in eight separate Social Security fraud and other benefits cases statewide.

 

The cases are part of the national Social Security Administration (SSA) Fraud Prosecution Project, a collaboration with SSA’s Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice. From early 2016 to date, Special Assistant United States Attorneys around the country have secured over 300 federal convictions, leading to judicial orders for more than $34 million in restitution to SSA and other agencies.

 

In Ohio, eight individuals were charged this month with stealing Social Security and other retirement benefits totaling more than $796,000. The defendants illegally collected Social Security benefits that were paid to a deceased relative or friend in seven of the eight cases. In one case, the defendant stole the identity of a living 65-year-old doctor and used it to collect the doctor’s Social Security benefits.

 

In the Northern District of Ohio, Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti indicted three cases.

 

Norman C. Thompson, III, 47, of Chagrin Falls, is charged for allegedly wrongfully converted his deceased mother’s Title II disability benefits. Every month after his mother’s death, defendant intercepted checks from the Social Security Administration issued to his mother.  Thompson signed his mother’s name and his own to endorse and deposit the checks, causing a total loss of approximately $39,000.

 

From approximately November 2011 through May 2017, James C. Bohanon, Jr., 69, of Cleveland, allegedly wrongfully received and converted to his own use approximately $48,000 from his deceased wife’s Supplemental Security Income. In addition, he received financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and was obligated to report his income accurately to his residential property management each year. Bohanon concealed his receipt of his deceased wife’s Social Security benefits from HUD, and, as a result, received approximately $38,500 in Housing Assistance Payments to which he was not entitled.

 

Alturik R. Plummer, 51, of University Heights, allegedly wrongfully converted his deceased grandmother’s Title II Retirement Insurance benefits from approximately August 2013 through October 2016, causing a loss of approximately $45,000.

 

“These defendants stole tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers,” said Herdman, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “We will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to root out fraud, including those who steal from Social Security.”

 

In the Southern District of Ohio, Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is prosecuting five cases.

 

Jesse Larry, 71, of Columbus, Curtis Joash, 73, of Cincinnati and Dolores Stacy, 70, of Hamilton were each charged by criminal complaint for allegedly illegally collecting Social Security benefits paid to their respective mothers after their deaths. Each defendant was a co-signatory on their mother’s savings or checking account, allowing them to withdraw the Social Security money each month.

 

Larry collected $273,000 in benefits that were paid to his mother after she died in 1993, Joash collected nearly $188,000 since his mother’s death in 1990 and Stacy collected nearly $121,000 since her mother died in 2005.

 

Era Jenkinson, 42, of Columbus, was also charged by criminal complaint for allegedly illegally collected nearly $29,000 in Social Security benefits that were paid to her for the benefit of another person.

 

Jenkinson had been serving as the person’s representative payee, and therefore was responsible for notifying Social Security when the person died in 2015. Instead, it is alleged that Jenkinson spent the benefits on her own expenses after the person died.  In April 2017, Jenkinson allegedly had a friend pose as the deceased person in a telephone call with a Social Security employee in an attempt to convince Social Security that the person was still alive. 

 

Chucky Scott, 25, of Columbus, was charged by a Bill of Information. Scott is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court next week, and, according to the plea agreement, filed a claim for retirement benefits using the identity of a 65-year-old doctor, but using Scott’s own address to receive the payments. In this manner, Scott illegally collected approximately $14,500 in Social Security benefits. 

 

“Taking Social Security benefits intended for another is a theft from all of us,” said Glassman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Through our partnership with the Social Security Administration, the Southern District of Ohio is cracking down on this fraud as never before.”

 

Through its Fraud Prosecution Project, the Department of Justice and SSA pool legal resources to prosecute individuals who defraud Social Security programs. SSA’s Office of the General Counsel currently employs agency attorneys to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys in 13 United States Attorney Offices, two of which are located in the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, to lead these prosecution efforts.

 

For more information on SSA’s Fraud Prosecution Project and the agency’s other anti-fraud efforts, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts/.

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Glassman and Justin E. Herdman announced charges brought in eight separate Social Security fraud and other benefits cases statewide.

 

The cases are part of the national Social Security Administration (SSA) Fraud Prosecution Project, a collaboration with SSA’s Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice. From early 2016 to date, Special Assistant United States Attorneys around the country have secured over 300 federal convictions, leading to judicial orders for more than $34 million in restitution to SSA and other agencies.

 

In Ohio, eight individuals were charged this month with stealing Social Security and other retirement benefits totaling more than $796,000. 

 

“Taking Social Security benefits intended for another is a theft from all of us,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “Through our partnership with the Social Security Administration, the Southern District of Ohio is cracking down on this fraud as never before.”

 

The defendants illegally collected Social Security benefits that were paid to a deceased relative or friend in seven of the eight cases. In one case, the defendant stole the identity of a living 65-year-old doctor and used it to collect the doctor’s Social Security benefits.

 

In the Southern District of Ohio, Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is prosecuting five cases.

 

Jesse Larry, 71, of Columbus, Curtis Joash, 73, of Cincinnati and Dolores Stacy, 70, of Hamilton were each charged by criminal complaint for allegedly illegally collecting Social Security benefits paid to their respective mothers after their deaths. Each defendant was a co-signatory on their mother’s savings or checking account, allowing them to withdraw the Social Security money each month.

 

Larry collected $273,000 in benefits that were paid to his mother after she died in 1993, Joash collected nearly $188,000 since his mother’s death in 1990 and Stacy collected nearly $121,000 since her mother died in 2005.

 

Era Jenkinson, 42, of Columbus, was also charged by criminal complaint for allegedly illegally collected nearly $29,000 in Social Security benefits that were paid to her for the benefit of another person.

 

Jenkinson had been serving as the person’s representative payee, and therefore was responsible for notifying Social Security when the person died in 2015. Instead, it is alleged that Jenkinson spent the benefits on her own expenses after the person died.  In April 2017, Jenkinson allegedly had a friend pose as the deceased person in a telephone call with a Social Security employee in an attempt to convince Social Security that the person was still alive. 

 

Chucky Scott, 25, of Columbus, was charged by a Bill of Information. Scott is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court next week, and, according to the plea agreement, filed a claim for retirement benefits using the identity of a 65-year-old doctor, but using Scott’s own address to receive the payments. In this manner, Scott illegally collected approximately $14,500 in Social Security benefits. 

 

In the Northern District of Ohio, Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti indicted three cases yesterday.

 

Norman C. Thompson, III, 47, of Chagrin Falls, is charged for allegedly wrongfully converted his deceased mother’s Title II disability benefits. Every month after his mother’s death, defendant intercepted checks from the Social Security Administration issued to his mother.  Thompson signed his mother’s name and his own to endorse and deposit the checks, causing a total loss of approximately $39,000.

 

From approximately November 2011 through May 2017, James C. Bohanon, Jr., 69, of Cleveland, allegedly wrongfully received and converted to his own use approximately $48,000 from his deceased wife’s Supplemental Security Income. In addition, he received financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and was obligated to report his income accurately to his residential property management each year. Bohanon concealed his receipt of his deceased wife’s Social Security benefits from HUD, and, as a result, received approximately $38,500 in Housing Assistance Payments to which he was not entitled.

 

Alturik R. Plummer, 51, of University Heights, allegedly wrongfully converted his deceased grandmother’s Title II Retirement Insurance benefits from approximately August 2013 through October 2016, causing a loss of approximately $45,000.

 

“These defendants stole tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers,” said Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “We will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to root out fraud, including those who steal from Social Security.”

 

Through its Fraud Prosecution Project, the Department of Justice and SSA pool legal resources to prosecute individuals who defraud Social Security programs. SSA’s Office of the General Counsel currently employs agency attorneys to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorneys in 13 United States Attorney Offices, two of which are located in the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, to lead these prosecution efforts.

 

For more information on SSA’s Fraud Prosecution Project and the agency’s other anti-fraud efforts, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts/.

 

# # #

An attorney from Stow was indicted on tax charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.

Gregory T. Plesich, 72, was indicted on one count of attempt to evade and defeat the payment of taxes.

Plesich worked as an attorney for Lawrence and Angela Tipton, an Ohio couple that was eventually convicted of tax crimes. They operated a trucking business and other business ventures but did not pay a substantial amount of their taxes, according to the indictment.

In 2004, the IRS filed tax liens against Lawrence Tiption. The IRS did the same against Angela Tipton in 2011. By 2012, their combined tax liabilities, including interest and penalties, was more than $1.7 million, according to the indictment.

Plesich aided and abetted the Tipton’s evasion of taxes by allowing them to use his business account as if it where their personal bank account. The Tiptons gave checks to Plesich, which he deposited into his business account, then wrote checks from the account payable to the Tiptons, according to the indictment.

This took place numerous times in 2013 and 2014, according to the indictment.

Lawrence Tipton was sentenced last year to more than two years in prison while Angela Tipton was sentenced to home confinement.

This case was investigated by the IRS and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Mark Bennett.

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, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

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 Kent man was indicted for filing false tax returns, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and IRS Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.

 

Davood Haghighi, 59, was indicted on two counts of willfully making and subscribing to a false tax return. Haghighi filed false tax returns for calendar years 2010 and 2011, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

 

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

A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for firing a shotgun during a carjacking in Euclid, law enforcement officials said.

Cody M. Coats, 25, was charged in a three-count indictment with carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Coats used an Itahca short-barreled shotgun when he carjacked someone and stole their 2005 Chrysler Crossfire outside a Euclid bar on Aug. 14, 2017, according to the indictment.

He ultimately crashed the car on East 222nd Street near Lakeshore Boulevard following a police chase and was arrested.

Coats possessed a shotgun and 20 12-gauge shotgun shells despite a prior conviction for burglary, according to the indictment.

“In the course of committing a robbery, this defendant fired a shotgun and crashed a stolen car near a busy intersection,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “We will work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure violent individuals with firearms cannot prey on law-abiding citizens.”

 “ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” said Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Euclid Police Department, to arrest violent criminals and make our communities safer.”

“We are pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has adopted this case,” Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer said. “The officers and detectives of the Euclid Police Department did an outstanding job with the apprehension and investigation.  We must all work together to send the message that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities.”  

This case was investigated by the ATF and Euclid Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Joseph M. Pinjuh.

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, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

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 Delphos man was charged via criminal information with possession of child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Vernon Murray, 67, possessed and had access to numerous digital files containing images of children being sexually abused and exploited. This took place between 2009 and 2015, according to the criminal information.

 

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 handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling following an investigation by the FBI.

 

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. 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 nearly three years in prison for violating the Clean Air Act by failing to remove asbestos prior to demolishing a former factory in Cleveland, law enforcement officials said.

William S. Jackson, 47, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay $7.8 million in restitution by U.S. Senior District Judge Donald C. Nugent.

Christopher Gattarello leased the former National Acme facility at 170 East 131st Street in Cleveland in June 2011. The 570,000 square-foot facility was built in 1917 and was used for manufacturing for nearly a century. It is located near many homes and a school. Gattarello represented to the lessor that paper and cardboard waste would be recycled at the facility.

In July 2011, a company estimated removing asbestos from the facility would cost $1.5 million.

Around August 2011, Gattarello directed paper and cardboard waste, as well as municipal garbage, be delivered to the facility for recycling. Over the next several months, more garbage, paper and cardboard were delivered than could be handled, and Gattarello had the waste moved inside. By April 2012, most of the facility was filled with garbage.

Gattarello entered into a contract to purchase the facility in 2012. Gattarello intended to demolish the facility and sell any metal removed as scrap.

Jackson operated a Cleveland building demolition company. In July 2012, he submitted a notice of demolition with the Cleveland Division of Air Quality stating there was no asbestos in the National Acme facility. About 10 days later, the CDAQ rejected Jackson’s notice because it was incomplete and stated demolition “may not begin” until a proper notice was submitted and approved. About 10 days after that, on July 21, 2012, Jackson began demolition at Gattarello’s direction.

Asbestos fibers were released into the environment during demolition. Debris accumulated outside the facility from demolition and asbestos in the piles were exposed to the wind and elements.

Gattarello was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his crimes earlier this year.

“This defendant knowingly ignored regulations designed to protect the public’s health and safety,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “He and his co-defendants caused irreparable harm to a Cleveland neighborhood.”

“The defendants in this case put unsuspecting workers at great risk and threatened the health and safety of the community when they failed to follow proper procedures for removing asbestos,” said Scot Adair, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Ohio. “This case demonstrates that EPA and its law enforcement partners will prosecute those who willingly break environmental laws in an attempt to cut costs.”

“It is both illegal and inexcusable to dump thousands of tons of garbage near a residential neighborhood,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Residents were subjected to environmental and health hazards and deserve to see those accountable brought to justice.”

“Let these sentencings stand as a warning to those who victimize the public that whether you are the main perpetrator of a fraud, or merely assist in its facilitation, the law will hold all guilty parties accountable,” said Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “The successful prosecution of these individuals is a direct result of the excellent partnership that federal, state and kocal law enforcement has in combating violations of federal law."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad Beeson and Chelsea Rice following an investigation by the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.

 

A Warren man was indicted on charges that he sold heroin that resulted in the overdose death of a woman earlier this year, law enforcement officials said.

John G. Simer II, 38, was charged in a seven-count indictment. The charges include distribution of heroin that resulted in death, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of body armor.

Simer sold heroin on March 19, 2017. One day later, a Warren woman ingested the heroin, resulting in her fatal overdose, according to the indictment.

Simer possessed heroin and cocaine on April 19, 2017. He also possessed a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol, 58 rounds of ammunition and body armor on that day, despite previous convictions for aggravated robbery and firearms offenses that made it illegal for him to have a firearm or body armor, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit the firearm, ammunition, body armor and $1,000 in cash seized on April 19.

“Heroin has caused a staggering amount of pain and death across our state, particularly in Trumbull County,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for people who sell heroin and profit off this epidemic.”

This case was investigated by the Warren Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, particularly Detectives Melanie Gambill and Chad Shrader. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Marisa T. Darden.

The charge for heroin distribution that resulted in death can carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

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 Hudson man was indicted on 30 counts of aiding and abetting in filing false tax returns, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

 

Sergio Gardea, 43, operated a tax preparation business, the Centro San Jose, from an office in Canton. He opened a second location in Akron in 2013. He prepared taxes mainly for Spanish-speaking workers and undocumented immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico who worked on farms or in farm-related factories in Stark County, according to the indictment.

 

Gardea obtained individual tax identification numbers for undocumented immigrants in order to file taxes on their behalf. These are numbers used by people unable to obtain a Social Security number but are still required to file U.S. tax returns, according to the indictment.

 

Gardea also obtained individual tax identification numbers for dependents who lived outside of the U.S. Taxpayers are allowed to claim the child tax credit, but only if their dependents live in the U.S. for the entire year or much of the year, according to the indictment.

 

Gardea filed tax returns for clients in which he claimed child tax credits when those dependents lived outside the U.S., according to the indictment.

 

“This defendant fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds,” Herdman said. “He will be held accountable for his actions.”

 

“Based on the allegations in the indictment, it is unfortunate to see that so many fraudulent tax returns were filed by Gardea, especially when filing a tax return is one of the biggest financial transactions a taxpayer makes each year,” Korner said.

 

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 United States Attorney Teresa L. Riley following an investigation by the IRS.

 

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 Van Wert man was indicted for crimes involving child pornography, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

 

Roy Allen Nichols, 54, was charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography

 

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

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman following an investigation by the FBI in Lima.

 

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

Three Ohio men were charged in federal court with child pornography crimes, said Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Indicted are; Donald Neff, 51, of Kent; Brian Ake, 43, of Massillon, and Roland Wolfe, 52, of Cleveland. The cases are unrelated.

 

Neff was charged with receiving visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possessing child pornography between November 2016 and June 2017.

 

Ake was charged with accessing with intent to view visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and destruction of property. He accessed with intent to view numerous digital files containing visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct between Oc. 24, 2014, through March 4, 2015. He also destroyed digital files on a cellular phone on Dec. 1, 2015, after a search for property by an FBI agent, according to the indictment.

 

Wolfe knowingly received numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between Oct. 19, 2016, through Jan. 20, 2017. Wolfe also possessed a Dell laptop computer and five USB storage devices, each of which contained child pornography, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The Neff case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough following an investigation by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

 

The Ake cased is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan after an investigation by the FBI.

 

The Wolfe case is being prosecuted by Sullivan after an investigation by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Cleveland State University Police Department.

 

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

A Solon man was charged in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to defraud the Cleveland Clinic out of more than $2.7 million, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Gary Fingerhut, 57, was charged via criminal information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and one count of making false statements.

Fingerhut worked at Cleveland Clinic Innovations, which assisted doctors and other Clinic personnel with inventing medical products and marketing those products, typically through the formation of a spin-off company. Fingerhut was hired as general manager of information technologies in 2010 and became executive director in 2013. The Clinic terminated his employment in June 2015, according to the information.

In 2012, the Cleveland Clinic Innovations formed a subsidiary company known as Interactive Visual Health Records (IVHR), to develop a visual medical charting concept of certain Clinic physicians into a functioning, marketable product. Fingerhut hired an individual identified in court documents as W.R. to work as a consultant and then chief technology officer at IVHR to develop the product, according to the information.

Fingerhut and W.R., as a condition of their employment, were prohibited from receiving any financial benefit or having any personal or familial financial interests in companies the Clinic did business with, unless they were expressly disclosed to, and approved by, the Clinic. Fingerhut underwent formal training on the Clinic’s ethics and compliance polices and requirements, according to the information.

W.R. and others caused to be incorporated a shell company known as iStarFZE LLC (ISTAR) that did not actually perform or provide any goods or services. It was established in the name of a nominee owner. W.R. caused ISTAR to establish a web site and email addresses and a mailing address in New York City, according to the information.

W.R. caused ISTAR to submit a bid to the Clinic to develop and design IVHR’s software and to increase the price the Clinic paid for the software design and development, all without disclosing W.R.’s financial interest in ISTAR, according to the information.

W.R. periodically paid Fingerhut a “referral” or “commission” fee in return for Fingerhut not disclosing the fraud scheme, according to the information.

Fingerhut accepted nearly $469,000 in these payments from W.R. between August 2012 and November 2014. During that time, Fingerhut, W.R. and others diverted more than $2.7 million from the Clinic, according to the information.

The investigation is ongoing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Flannery and Rebecca Lutzko following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.

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 nine-count indictment was filed charging a Holland man with trafficking heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Terrance Lewis, 27, distributed more than 290 grams of fentanyl, 87 grams of heroin and three grams of cocaine between November 2015 and April 2017, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Toledo. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Freeman.

 

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

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

Alonzo Hill, 52, was indicted on one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute heroin and carfentanil, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Hill had three grams of heroin and carfentanil, six grams of crack cocaine, a Glock .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on June 27, 2017, despite convictions for attempted robbery and assault on a police officer, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the 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 Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Police.

 

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 on heroin and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Brandon Parker, 31, was indicted on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Parker had more than four grams of heroin on July 15, 2017, and a Harrington & Richardson 20-gauge shotgun, a .357-caliber revolver and ammunition, despite prior convictions for drug trafficking and having a weapon under disability. He also had a Ruger .38-caliber pistol and ammunition on Nov. 29, 2016, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the 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 Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Police.

 

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 selling furanyl fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a Cleveland man last year, law enforcement officials said.

Derek Hamilton, 24, was charged in a 10-count indictment with distribution of furanyl fentanyl that resulted in a death, distribution of furanyl fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, firearms offenses and other crimes.

Hamilton sold furanyl fentanyl on Aug. 2, 2016, that resulted in the overdose death of a Cleveland man one day later, according to the indictment.

Hamilton possessed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and a mix of cocaine and fentanyl on Aug. 9, 2017.

“Opioids have caused a staggering amount of pain and death across our state, particularly in Cuyahoga County,” said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for people who sell heroin and profit off this epidemic.”

“Arresting drug dealers will not ease the pain of those left behind in the wake of a fatal overdose, but it does send a clear message that those dealers will face consequences for their illegal and deadly activities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. “DEA’s top priority is to work with our partners in law enforcement and stop the trafficking of heroin and other opioids in our communities.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa T. Darden and Justin Seabury Gould following an investigation by the DEA and Cleveland Division of Police.

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.

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.