Northern District of Ohio

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Vernon L. Morris, 55, of Cleveland, with failure to register as a sex offender, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

The indictment charges that beginning on or about July 18, 2014, to on or about July 6, 2017, Morris failed to register, or update a registration, as a sex offender as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, after having traveled in interstate commerce.

 

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 United States Marshals Service. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.

 

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

A Canton man was indicted on child pornography charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Larry P. Smith, 65, was charged with receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

 

Smith knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between Oct. 7 and 10, 2013, according to the indictment.

 

The indictment also charges that on or about November 20, 2013, Smith possessed several laptop computers, an Apple computer and several external hard drives, each of which contained child pornography.

 

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

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carol M. Skutnik following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.

Two Akron men were indicted for trafficking crystal methamphetamine, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Gary G. Hite, Jr., 48, and Ugunda Giovanni Sanders, 44, were both charged with one count each of h possession of approximately 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess and distribute approximately 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

 

Hite and Sanders were arrested on June 28, 2017, after being stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Summit County. A canine alerted on the vehicle during the traffic stop. More than 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine were located in several pieces of luggage in the trunk, 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 matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa L. Riley following an investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

 

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

The owner of a Sandusky company was convicted on multiple counts for his fraudulent conduct related to Castalia Farms, said Acting U.S. Attorney David Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office.

Scott C. Wagner, 53, of Perkins Township, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, concealment of money laundering and of use of criminally derived property.

According to trial testimony and documents filed in the case:

Castalia Farms was a hospitality facility owned by Owens-Illinois, Inc. and used by the company as a recreational facility since the 1930s. O-I closed the facility in 2012 and later sold the property.

The manager of Castalia Farms had an occasional need for industrial equipment and was a regular customer of Wagner and his company, Construction Equipment & Supply (CES), a Sandusky business that rented and sold industrial machinery and equipment for commercial use.

Wagner controlled the day-to-day operations of CES and submitted false invoices to manager Michael Conrad that were then passed on to O-I for equipment rentals that never occurred, purchases of construction supplies and other goods that never occurred, purchases of construction supplies that were far in excess of what was actually delivered, and other fraudulent billings.

For example, O-I was billed more than $350,000 for 532 days of renting a piece of equipment used to grind trees and other vegetation, when in reality the grinder was not at Castalia Farms for nearly all the time it was billed to O-I as a rental, according to court documents.

In October 2010, Conrad submitted to O-I a fraudulent invoice for $47,925 worth of landscaping work, purportedly done at Castalia Farms. The work was actually done at Wagner’s personal residence. O-I paid the invoice in December 2010, according to court documents.

In a different scheme, Kyklos Bearing International, LLC of Sandusky, paid false invoices Wagner submitted with the assistance of a Kyklos Bearing International employee. The invoices were false because they sought payment for goods that were never delivered by CES, according to court documents.

Conrad previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to his role in the conspiracy.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Adam Hollingsworth following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

Keith Bollinger, 45, of McClure, was indicted for receipt and distribution of child pornography, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Bollinger received and distributed images of child sexual exploitation between January and June 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 United States Secret Service. 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.

 

Two Mexican men have been indicted for illegally re-entering the country, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Jose Martin Bautista-Mondragon, 46, was found to be in Ohio after being deported in 2014 and 2016, according to the indictment.

 

Oman Mendiola was found in Ohio after being deported in 2011, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigating agency in these cases is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security. The cases are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Ballard Tangeman and Noah 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.

An Akron man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for selling fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose, law enforcement officials said.

Steven D. Daniels, 32, previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death.

Daniels sold fentanyl that caused the 2016 fatal overdose of a person identified as T.B. in Akron, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration

A Cleveland man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for illegally trafficking two dozen firearms purchased over a weekend at a gun show in Medina County, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.

 

Carlton H. Nunn, 36, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of making false and fictitious statements regarding the sale of firearms.

 

Nunn purchased 24 9 mm pistols from four dealers at the Medina Gun Show on Sept. 10 and 11, 2016. He attended the gun show with two people, identified as S.B. and J.B., who appeared to select the firearms and provided the cash to purchase the guns, according to court documents.

 

Nunn told at least one firearms dealer that he instructed a concealed carry class and the firearms were for use in his class. In reality, Nunn left pistols in the trunk of J.B. and S.B.’s car. Nunn knew J.B. for 30 years and knew he had been to prison, according to court documents.

 

One of the pistols Nunn purchased has been recovered at a crime scene in Canada. Nunn also admitted making illegal purchases of firearms at the Summit County Gun Show, according to court documents.

 

“This defendant put two dozen firearms out into our streets, and at least one has already been used in a crime,” Sierleja said. “People must obey the law or suffer the consequences.”

 

“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities, including the individuals who provide firearms to people who are prohibited from having them,” Velinor said. “We will continue to work to make our communities safer by investigating and bringing to prosecution the individuals who enable violent criminals.”

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Megan R. Miller following an investigation by the ATF.

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support or resources to terrorists and one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Division, and U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Michigan supervised the prosecution of the solicitation to commit a crime of violence charge.

“The defendant conspired to provide and did provide material support to Anwar Al-Awlaki in response to his calls to support violent jihad,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to provide material support to terrorists.”

“This defendant conspired to attack our service members abroad as well as a judge in Toledo,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said. “He threatened the hallmarks of our democracy. He is a dangerous criminal who deserves a long prison sentence.”

“Conspiring to have a judge killed is not the way to avoid being prosecuted – now Mohammad will be held accountable for additional serious federal charges,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety of those that uphold the rule of law. “

“Protecting the federal judiciary is our highest priority,” said U.S. Marshal Elliott. “This is an example where we were able to work with our law enforcement partners to protect a judge and bring charges against a dangerous individual.”

Mohammad is an Indian citizen who was an engineering student at Ohio State University between 2002 and 2004. He married a U.S. citizen in 2008. He and three other defendants – his brother, Ibrahim Mohammad, Asif Ahmed Salim, and Sultane Room Salim – were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015. The case against the remaining three defendants is pending. They have pleaded not guilty.

Mohammad admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants to travel to Yemen to provide thousands of dollars, equipment, and other assistance to Anwar Al-Awlaki, in an effort to support violent jihad against U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. Al-Awlaki was later designated as a global terrorist in 2010 and identified as a “key leader” of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, according to court documents.

On July 22, 2009, Mohammad travelled with two associates to Yemen to meet Awlaki and deliver the $22,000 that they had raised. Although they were unable to meet Awlaki in person, Mohammad and his associates did ensure that Awlaki received the money through a courier.

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

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

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Mohammad is expected to be sentenced to 27 ½ years in federal prison. Mohammad will be deported from the U.S. upon completion of his sentence, under the terms of his plea agreement.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman, Matthew Shepherd and Christos N. Georgalis of the Northern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorneys Gregory Gonzalez and David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, following an investigation by the FBI.

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support or resources to terrorists and one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.

 

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Division, and U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Michigan supervised the prosecution of the solicitation to commit a crime of violence charge.

 

“The defendant conspired to provide and did provide material support to Anwar Al-Awlaki in response to his calls to support violent jihad,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism and we will continue to pursue justice against those who seek to provide material support to terrorists.”

 

“This defendant conspired to attack our service members abroad as well as a judge in Toledo,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja said. “He threatened the hallmarks of our democracy. He is a dangerous criminal who deserves a long prison sentence.”

 

“Conspiring to have a judge killed is not the way to avoid being prosecuted – now Mohammad will be held accountable for additional serious federal charges,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to ensure the safety of those that uphold the rule of law. “

 

“Protecting the federal judiciary is our highest priority,” said U.S. Marshal Elliott. “This is an example where we were able to work with our law enforcement partners to protect a judge and bring charges against a dangerous individual.”

 

Mohammad is an Indian citizen who was an engineering student at Ohio State University between 2002 and 2004. He married a U.S. citizen in 2008. He and three other defendants – his brother, Ibrahim Mohammad, Asif Ahmed Salim, and Sultane Room Salim – were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015. The case against the remaining three defendants is pending. They have pleaded not guilty.

 

Mohammad admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants to travel to Yemen to provide thousands of dollars, equipment, and other assistance to Anwar Al-Awlaki, in an effort to support violent jihad against U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. Al-Awlaki was later designated as a global terrorist in 2010 and identified as a “key leader” of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula, according to court documents.

 

On July 22, 2009, Mohammad travelled with two associates to Yemen to meet Awlaki and deliver the $22,000 that they had raised. Although they were unable to meet Awlaki in person, Mohammad and his associates did ensure that Awlaki received the money through a courier.

 

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

 

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

 

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Mohammad is expected to be sentenced to 27 ½ years in federal prison. Mohammad will be deported from the U.S. upon completion of his sentence, under the terms of his plea agreement.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman, Matthew Shepherd and Christos N. Georgalis of the Northern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorneys Gregory Gonzalez and David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, following an investigation by the FBI.

A federal grand jury indicted Dean Nikolaides, 63, of Warren, for theft of government funds, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Nikolaides fraudulently received approximately $82,000 in benefits over 14 years from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to which he knew he was not entitled. The PBGC is a federal agency that protects the retirement incomes of American workers in private-sector defined benefit pension plans, according to the indictment.

 

The PBGC Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service aided in the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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

A Cleveland man was sentenced to nearly five years in prison and ordered to pay $7.8 million in restitution for violating the Clean Air Act by failing to remove asbestos prior to demolishing a former factory in Cleveland, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.

Christopher Gattarello, 53, and Robert A. Shaw, Sr., 77, of Ypsilanti, Michigan also defrauded a Louisiana company out of $1.1 million. Shaw was sentenced to a year in prison.

U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent sentenced Gattarello to 57 months in prison. He ordered restitution of $5.9 million to the city of Cleveland to clean the site, nearly $800,000 to the U.S. EPA for work already done on the site, and $1.1 million to the defrauded Louisiana company.

“Mr. Gattarello created a garbage dump in a residential neighborhood near a school, which remains an environmental hazard,” Sierleja said. “He has caused irreparable harm and deserves this punishment.”

“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.”

“Our goal is to protect Ohio’s families, and we work hard to ensure that people who commit crimes are held accountable for their actions,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “Collaboration among agencies, which occurred in this case, is so important.”

“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."

According to court documents and testimony:

Gattarello owned and controlled several garbage-hauling businesses in Cleveland, including Reach Out Disposal, All Points Rubbish Disposal and Axelrod Rubbish Recycling. Shaw worked for Gattarello at those companies, while William Jackson operated a Cleveland building demolition company.

Gattarello leased the former National Acme facility on East 131st Street in Cleveland in 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 that paper and cardboard waste would be recycled at the facility. Removing asbestos from the facility would cost an estimated $1.5 million.

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 2012, most of the facility was filled with garbage.

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

In July 2012, Jackson submitted a notice of demolition with Cleveland stating there was no asbestos in the National Acme facility. About 10 days later, the city rejected Jackson’s notice and stated demolition could not begin until 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 and asbestos in the piles were exposed to the wind and elements.

Jackson had pleaded guilty to related charges and is awaiting sentencing

Gattarello and Shaw also admitted to defrauding AIM Business Capital LLC. The Lousiana company specializes in “factoring” – a practice in which AIM purchases accounts receivable, such as invoices billed to customers for goods and services. Businesses that factored their receivables with AIM received immediate cash. AIM purchased the receivables at a percentage discount of the invoice. AIM made a profit by collecting the full amount of the invoice from the business’s customers.

Shaw entered into contracts with AIM for the purchase of receivables from Reach Out and Axelrod in 2011 and 2012. Gattarello directed the creation of false and fraudulent invoices for the companies and directed that they be submitted to AIM. In some cases, Gattarello and Shaw directed other employees to create false letters attesting to the validity of the invoices, which Shaw forwarded to AIM. The loss to AIM was $1.1 million.

The 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.

An insurance salesman and former resident of Parma, Ohio was sentenced to 37 months in prison today following his conviction in December 2016 for failing to file income tax returns and failing to pay taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

According to documents and information provided to the court, John Christopher Raschella, 57, of Estero, Florida, failed to pay more than $1 million in income taxes, interest and penalties that he owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for 1995, 1996, and 1998 through 2012. During those years, Raschella sold insurance, and earned additional income working for other insurance salesmen.

 

Between 1989 and 2012, Raschella failed to timely file income tax returns with the IRS. For several years, Raschella filed delinquent returns, reporting that he owed taxes, but failed to make the required payments. For other years, the IRS assessed Raschella’s taxes and sent him letters notifying him of the amount he owed, but Raschella still did not pay.

 

Raschella used a series of nominee entities to prevent the IRS from collecting his unpaid taxes. For example, formed two companies, Resource One, Corporation and Legacy Foundation International and deposited his insurance commissions into bank accounts that he opened in their names. He assigned his insurance commissions to Resource One and as a result, the company reported to the IRS that the income had been paid to the company instead of to individually. The insurance company revoked the assignment after learning that had concealed from a county government agency the fact that Resource One was his company. Raschella also caused a phony levy release to be sent to the insurance company that purported to be issued by the IRS. In response, the insurance company substantially reduced the amount of ’s insurance commissions that it paid over to the IRS in response to the levy.

 

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Raschella was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $573,157.13.

 

“For more than two decades, John Raschella tried to thwart the IRS’s ability to assess and collect the taxes he owed,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg. “Everyone has a legal obligation to pay their fair share and today’s sentence makes clear that those who willfully violate this duty face significant consequences including prosecution and jail.”

 

“Failing to file or pay taxes due are abuses of the federal tax system that affect us all,” said Chief Don Fort of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). “Today’s sentencing reaffirms that if you participate in these types of abusive tax schemes, you may go to jail. The American tax system is designed to provide vital government services to our people. It is not a pick-and-choose yearly decision as to whether you will obey the law and pay your owed taxes. IRS-CI and the Department of Justice will remain vigilant in ferreting out such schemes that cheat both the federal government and honest taxpayers.”

 

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja thanked special agents of IRS-CI, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Jeffrey A. McLellan of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton of the Northern District of Ohio, who provided substantial assistance in this prosecution.

 

Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.

A North Olmsted man was charged in federal court with selling misbranded drugs, Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.

Khaled Farouk Elgayar, 50, received drugs that purported to treat erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual performance in men, including “African Superman,” “Hard Ten Days,” “Herb Viagra,” “libigrow,” “S.W.A.G” and “Triple PowerZEN,” according to the criminal information.

These products contained an undeclared drug ingredient, sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in FDA-approved prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. The labels of the products Elgayar sold failed to include the name and quantity of the drug ingredient, according to the information.

Undeclared drugs such as sildenafil may have serious potential side effects or may be harmful to consumers with certain pathological conditions. Additionally, undeclared drugs may interact dangerously with other prescription or non-prescription drugs the unwitting consumer might be taking. The labels for the products the defendant provided failed to adequately warn consumers of these contingencies, according to the information.

Elgayar received misbranded drugs and delivered or proffered delivery of those misbranded drugs between January and October 2016, according to the information.

“Disguising prescription drugs as harmless over-the-counter products can lead to serious consequences for unsuspecting buyers with dangerous underlying health conditions. It could also lead to dangerous interactions when combined with other drugs they may be taking,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark S. McCormack, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office. “Our office will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who would endanger the public’s health in order to make a quick profit.”

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

 

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Michael L. Collyer following an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration.

 

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

A former Parma insurance salesman was sentenced to more than three years in prison for failing to file income tax returns and failing to pay taxes, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

According to documents and information provided to the court, John Christopher Raschella, 57, now of Estero, Florida, failed to pay more than $1 million in income taxes, interest and penalties that he owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for 1995, 1996, and 1998 through 2012. During those years, Raschella sold insurance, and earned additional income working for other insurance salesmen.

 

Between 1989 and 2012, Raschella failed to timely file income tax returns with the IRS. For several years, Raschella filed delinquent returns, reporting that he owed taxes, but failed to make the required payments. For other years, the IRS assessed Raschella’s taxes and sent him letters notifying him of the amount he owed, but Raschella still did not pay.

 

Raschella used a series of nominee entities to prevent the IRS from collecting his unpaid taxes. For example, Raschella formed two companies, Resource One, Corporation and Legacy Foundation International and deposited his insurance commissions into bank accounts that he opened in their names. He assigned his insurance commissions to Resource One and as a result, the company reported to the IRS that the income had been paid to the company instead of to Raschella individually. The insurance company revoked the assignment after learning that Raschella had concealed from a county government agency the fact that Resource One was his company. Raschella also caused a phony levy release to be sent to the insurance company that purported to be issued by the IRS. In response, the insurance company substantially reduced the amount of Raschella’s insurance commissions that it paid over to the IRS in response to the levy.

 

In addition to the term of imprisonment, Raschella was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $573,157.13.

 

“For more than two decades, John Raschella tried to thwart the IRS’s ability to assess and collect the taxes he owed,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg. “Everyone has a legal obligation to pay their fair share and today’s sentence makes clear that those who willfully violate this duty face significant consequences including prosecution and jail.”

 

“Failing to file or pay taxes due are abuses of the federal tax system that affect us all,” said Chief Don Fort of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). “Today’s sentencing reaffirms that if you participate in these types of abusive tax schemes, you may go to jail. The American tax system is designed to provide vital government services to our people. It is not a pick-and-choose yearly decision as to whether you will obey the law and pay your owed taxes. IRS-CI and the Department of Justice will remain vigilant in ferreting out such schemes that cheat both the federal government and honest taxpayers.”

 

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and Acting U.S. Attorney Sierleja thanked special agents of IRS-CI, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Jeffrey A. McLellan of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Patton of the Northern District of Ohio, who provided substantial assistance in this prosecution.

 

Additional information about the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts can be found on the division’s website.

A Bloomfield man was indicted in federal court for selling drugs that resulted in the death of an Ashtabula County woman last year, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Shawn Ray Smith, 29, was named in a seven-count indictment. The charges include distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine that resulted in the death of an Ashtabula County woman on Feb. 5, 2016.

The woman's mother told investigators that she was awakened by her grandchildren crying, saying, “Mommy won’t get up.” The woman's mother checked on her daughter and found her unresponsive, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

Additional counts include distribution of heroin and fentanyl, distribution of cocaine, distribution of heroin and distribution of methamphetamine. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.

Smith possessed three firearms, as well as ammunition, despite prior felony convictions that prohibited him from having firearms, including convictions for burglary (Ashtabula County) and aggravated drug trafficking (Geauga County), according to the indictment.

“This is another heartbreaking example of the devastating impact drugs are having on our community,” Sierleja said. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for those who profit from other people’s misery.”

The charge related to the death of Knight carries a potential sentencing enhancement that would result in a mandatory sentence of at least 20 years in prison if convicted. If so, the 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Seabury Gould and Marisa T. Darden following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

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 Rocky River man was charged with laundering more than $100,000 from investors and using at least some of it for personal expenses, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Mark Dulik, 31, was charged via criminal information with four counts of money laundering.

 

Dulik owned and operated Rework, Inc., based in Rocky River, which allegedly provided cloud-based software services. Dulik convinced several individuals to invest in Rework by convincing them that it was a legitimate, on-going business – when in fact Dulik converted the investors’ funds for his own personal use to pay for his lavish lifestyle, according to the information.

 

Investigators determined that Dulik used new investors’ money to pay dividends/interest payments back to older investors, representing to the earlier investors that the money represented profits from the company, when in fact it operated more like a Ponzi scheme, according to court documents.

 

Dulik took approximately $101,500 of investors’ money from Rework’s business account that he either used for his own use or falsely representing the funds were returns on earlier investments derived from profits of Rework.

 

If convicted, the court will determine defendant’s sentence 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 Mark S. Bennett following an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation.

 

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.

 

The former president of a Streetsboro company was named in a 51-count indictment for allegedly filing fraudulent paperwork to avoid paying nearly $10 million in taxes and tariffs, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Indicted are: James Pearl, 61, and Doreen Pearl, both of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Shuang “Lucia” Liu, 32, of China.

They are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States of America, entry of goods by means of false statement and smuggling goods into the United States.

James Pearl was president of Pro-Trac Tires LLC. Doreen Pearl was an employee of the company, located at 555 Frost Road in Streetsboro. The company was in the business of importing tires from China, India and other international suppliers. The company served as a middleman between the foreign supplier and domestic retailer, according to the indictment.

Liu worked for Qingdao Au-Shine Tyre Co. (Au Shine), a tire exporting company located in China. Liu was the point of contact for Au-Shine’s foreign accounts filled orders, coordinated exportation and received wire transfers of payments, according to the indictment.

The Commerce Department’s Anti-Dumping Order, amended in 2008, established import taxes on certain Chinese tires at a rate of up to 210 percent. But certain importers and manufacturers were given exemptions or lower tax rates.

From 2009 through 2013, the Pearls and Liu submitted fraudulent and altered invoices to Customs and Border Patrol to lower the taxable duty Pro-Trac was required to pay for importing tires from Au-Shine, according to the indictment.

Specifically, the Pearls and Liu presented fraudulent invoices and physically altered invoices to make it appear the tires were being shipped from companies that had exemptions, so Pro-Trac’s duty tax rate was lowered from 210 percent to 12.9 percent, according to the indictment.

By submitting approximately 176 false entry summaries, the U.S. was deprived of more than $9.7 million in revenue, according to the indictment.

The Pearls and Liu are scheduled to be arraigned in Ohio on July 12.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan T. Brown following an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.

 

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 United States of America’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

 

A Boardman man was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for defrauding investors out of nearly $1.2 million and related tax violations, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office

George N. Krinos was sentenced to 57 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster ordered Krinos to pay $1.1. million in restitution to the victims and $177,000 in restitution to the IRS.

Krinos previously pleaded guilty to a one count each of engaging in a securities fraud scheme and willfully failing to collect and pay taxes for his employees.

Krinos, through his various companies known as Krinos Holdings, engaged in a securities fraud scheme in which he sold through false and deceptive practices securities to numerous victims in Ohio. These securities consisted of debenture notes and private placement memoranda that were not properly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because the securities were not registered with and therefore subject to greater scrutiny by the SEC, Krinos was limited to selling them to “accredited investors” who were generally individuals having a net worth in excess of $1 million or who met specific, high-dollar income thresholds, according to court documents.

From 2011 through 2014, Krinos sold these unregistered securities to at least 10 investors in Ohio, causing them financial losses. Krinos sold the securities under the pretense that his investors’ funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, including to provide venture capital to various client companies seeking funding from Krinos Holdings. Rather than use these funds for their intended uses, Krinos instead used the money for personal expenses and to engage in unauthorized foreign currency transactions. To entice his victims, Krinos made promises that their initial investments of $.10 per share would rise in value to as much as $5 or $6 per share. Krinos also falsely told investors and others that he managed approximately $600 million in an investment account when he in fact had only $5 in the account, according to court documents.

Krinos submitted falsified letters and statements to reflect high balances in his accounts. Krinos also falsely told investors that they were making high returns on their investments and that his relationships with the client companies was on good terms. Contrary to his representations to his investors, Krinos actually used their funds on for his own personal use at restaurants, bars, casinos, adult entertainment clubs and hotels. Rather than disclose these personal expenses, Krinos later characterized them as “sales and marketing” costs in a budget given to his shareholders at a meeting in Boardman, in 2013, according to court documents.

Krinos also improperly withheld taxes, including federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes from his employees without paying over those taxes to the IRS. Over the course of approximately two years, Krinos improperly withheld and kept approximately $91,495 of his employees’ tax contributions from the IRS, according to court documents.

“This defendant lied to investors as means to funding a lavish lifestyle for himself,” Sierleja said.

“George Krinos left several investors in financial peril and created a recipe for devastation that could last a lifetime,” Korner said. "Additionally, employment tax fraud results in the loss of tax revenue to the United States government and the loss of future Social Security or Medicare benefits for the employees."

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Om Kakani and Robert J. Patton, following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

An Ohio man was indicted trafficking crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of ammunition, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Shamar M. Stevenson was arrested on May 5 and found to have crack cocaine and seven rounds of 9 mm ammunition. He was prohibited from having the ammunition because of prior convictions in Stark County for felonious assault with a firearm and participating in a criminal gang.

 

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 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 United States of America’s burden to prove each defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.

A Lima woman was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for her role in a sex trafficking conspiracy, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin.

 

Megan Hitt, 29, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison. Jacqueline Young, 54, was sentenced to four years in prison for obstructing the investigation.

 

Last month, three people from Lima were sentenced to prison for their roles in the case. Randy Thompson, 26, was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison. Shemeric Cook, 30, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Precious Russell, 20, was sentenced to nine years in prison.

 

Hitt, Thompson and others conspired to cause girls, aged 14 and 16, to engage in commercial sex acts in Lima and Fort Wayne, Indiana. They did this by taking and posting sexually explicit photos of the girls on backpage.com, transporting the girls, renting motel rooms for them and negotiating prices, according to court documents.

This took place between November 2015 and January 2016, according to court documents.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel Hurley following an investigation by the Lima Police Department, the FBI and the Northwest Ohio Crimes Against Children Task Force.

A federal grand jury indicted Gwendolyn Cox-Johnson, 68, of Euclid, for theft of government funds, said David A. Sierleja, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

The indictment alleges that over a period of 23 years, Cox-Johnson fraudulently received approximately $335,000 in benefits from the Social Security Administration to which she was not entitled.

 

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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

A Cleveland man was indicted for using a firearm while robbing a Family Dollar store, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Donathan Kidd, 21, was indicted on one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using a firearm in a crime of violence.

 

Kidd robbed the Family Dollar store at 14235 Kinsman Road in Cleveland on April 29. He used a firearm during the robbery, 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough following an investigation by the ATF and 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.

An Akron man was indicted for having fentanyl and a firearm, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Kenneth Gay, 26, was arrested at his residence in Akron during the execution of a search warrant by the Summit County Drug Unit and the Summit County Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. team. Officers found Gay to be in possession of the firearm and fentanyl.

 

Gay has been previously convicted of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle and trafficking in marijuana.

 

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

 

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett following an investigation by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Akron Police Department, DEA and ATF.

 

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 Youngstown man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, said Acting U.S> Attorney David A. Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office.

Shayne Mascarella, 23, distributed heroin that directly resulted in the July 19, 2015 death in Youngstown of a person identified in the court documents as L.Z.

“Heroin has caused an unprecedented wave of death, pain and destruction in Ohio,” Sierleja said. “No corner of the state is immune. Only though aggressive law enforcement -- combined with education and prevention efforts, changes in prescribing practices and making treatment available to those who want help -- can we turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.”

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason M. Katz and David M. Toepfer. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, which includes representatives from the Boardman Police Department, the Youngstown Police Department, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and others.

A sister and brother from Willoughby were indicted for a conspiracy to distribute marijuana, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Natasha D. Lewis, 28, and Bennett M. Lewis, 26, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

 

Natasha D. Lewis worked as a carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. She exchanged messages with Bennett M. Lewis regarding addresses to which packages containing marijuana could be sent. This took place between December 2015 through January 2017, according to the indictment.

 

Bennett M. Lewis then arranged for marijuana shipments to be sent via the United States Postal Service to those addresses. Natasha D. Lewis intercepted those packages and delivered them directly to Bennett M. Lewis. After the marijuana was sold, both defendants shared in the proceeds, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offenses and the unique 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall. The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Cleveland, Ohio, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

 

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

A Portage County man was indicted on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, and receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Thomas D. Brown, 40, of Atwater, used, persuaded, enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. This took place from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2015, and again from June 1, 2016, through May 22, 2017, according to the indictment.

 

The indictment also charges that Brown knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which files contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place from May 4, 2017, through May 9, 2017.

 

The indictment also charges that on or about May 12, 2017, Brown possessed a computer, a Lexar flash drive and an SD card, each of which contained child pornography.

 

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

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Arelio Martinez-Perez, 37, of Guatemala, for re-entering the United States illegally after being deported, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Martinez-Perez has been deported on two previous occasions. He was last deported to Guatemala in February 2015. Martinez-Perez later reentered the country and was recently found in New Philadelphia, Ohio, according to the indictment.

 

Assistant United States Attorney Elliot D. Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.

 

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

 

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

Two Canton men were indicted for federal firearms violations, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Nazario Mendoza, 43, and Jose Argueta-Carrillo, aka Jose Armica-Argueta, 34, are named in the two-count indictment.

 

Count 1 of the indictment alleges that on Jan. 4 up to and including as late as Feb. 7, 2017, Mendoza transferred a Taurus 9mm pistol, Model: PT111 Millennium G2 firearm to Jose Argueta-Carrillo, a person he knew to be prohibited from possessing a firearm.

 

Count 2 of the indictment alleges that on Feb. 7, 2017, Argueta-Carrillo, an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, and prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol, Model: PT111 Millennium G2 firearm.

 

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

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Canton Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S> 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.

 

Toledo is one of a dozen cities selected to receive additional federal support in combating violent crime, law enforcement officials announced today.

 

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced today that 12 cities are joining the Department’s newly organized National Public Safety Partnership (PSP). The partnership is part of the Department of Justice’s efforts to fulfill President Trump’s commitment to reducing violent crime in America, The announcement came during the opening session of a national summit organized by the Attorney General’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety. The summit convened federal, state and local law enforcement to discuss how to support and replicate successful local violent crime reduction efforts.

 

More information about the program is available at www.nationalpublicsafetypartnership.org.

 

“Turning back the recent troubling increase in violent crime in our country is a top priority of the Department of Justice and the Trump Administration, as we work to fulfill the President’s promise to make America safe again,” said Attorney General Sessions. “The Department of Justice will work with American cities suffering from serious violent crime problems. There is no doubt that there are many strategies that are proven to reduce crime. Our new National Public Safety Partnership program will help these communities build up their own capacity to fight crime, by making use of data-driven, evidence-based strategies tailored to specific local concerns, and by drawing upon the expertise and resources of our Department.”

 

“The Toledo Police Department is pleased to have been selected as one of the twelve cities that will be receiving assistance under the Department of Justice’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety,” Toledo Police Chief George Kral said. “Resources given to the City of Toledo under this program will only add to our already successful Data Driven Policing Strategy and further promote Mayor Hicks-Hudson’s vision of safe and livable neighborhoods throughout the City of Toledo.”

 

“Federal law enforcement is ready to build on our longstanding partnership with Toledo,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “We will continue to work together to combat violent crime in Northwest Ohio.”

 

The Justice Department created PSP and the task force in response to President Trump’s February 9, 2017, Executive Order charging the agency with leading a national effort to combat violent crime. The partnership provides a framework for enhancing federal support of state, local and tribal law enforcement officials and prosecutors as they aggressively investigate and pursue violent criminals, specifically those involved in gun crime, drug trafficking and gang violence.

 

PSP builds on lessons learned from a pilot concept known as the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and serves as a DOJ-wide program that enables cities to consult with and receive coordinated training and technical assistance and an array of resources from DOJ to enhance local violence reduction strategies. PSP comprises two distinct levels of engagement: diagnostic and operations. These two complementary levels of engagement are offered based on the needs of the jurisdiction. This model enables DOJ to provide American cities of different sizes and diverse needs with data-driven, evidence-based strategies tailored to the unique local needs of participating cities to address serious violent crime challenges tailored to their unique local needs.

Toledo has been selected for operational support, which will last for up to three years.

Twelve sites have been selected to receive this significant assistance:

 

o Birmingham, Alabama

o Indianapolis, Indiana

o Memphis, Tennessee

o Toledo, Ohio

o Baton Rouge, Louisiana

o Buffalo, New York

o Cincinnati, Ohio

o Houston, Texas

o Jackson, Tennessee

o Kansas City, Missouri

o Lansing, Michigan

o Springfield, Illinois

We anticipate announcing additional sites this calendar year.

The Justice Department agencies involved in PSP are the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Office of Justice Programs; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Office on Violence Against Women; and the Office of Community Oriented Policing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael L. Collyer and Chelsea Rice were one of 179 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 33rd Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.

 

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

 

In his prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein told the awardees: “These 179 award recipients embody the best of the Department of Justice…Today’s honorees have earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, you have earned the gratitude of your fellow citizens — whose communities you have made safer, whose lives you have improved, and whose trust you have rewarded. ”

 

Collyer and Rice were honored for their prosecution of Dr. Harold Persaud, a Westlake cardiologist currently serving 20 years in prison. Persaud was convicted following a jury trial of health care fraud for performing unnecessary catheterizations, tests, stent insertions and causing unnecessary coronary artery bypass surgeries as part of a scheme to overbill Medicare and other insurers by $29 million.

 

“Mike and Chelsea’s work in this case exemplifies the best of our office,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “They worked tirelessly to not only to hold Dr. Persaud accountable for his crimes, but also to bring justice to his victims.”

 

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

A Cleveland man was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison for administering a group that shared images of toddlers being tortured and sexually assaulted, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

 

Brian C. Keeling, 34, was sentenced to 320 months in prison by U.S. District Judge James Gwin. He pled guilty earlier this year to three counts -- advertising, possession of child pornography and receipt and distribution of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

 

Keeling administered a group on Kik that shared images of child exploitation. The group was named “Toddlers” and had 50 members. Keeling posted messages to the group such as: “Wish we could find a babies group” and “who has some hardcore toddlers,” according to court documents.

 

Keeling possessed more than 30 movie files and hundreds of images of child pornography and sexual abuse, including a toddler bound by her ankles, which are secured to a rod, who is can be heard screaming while she it tortured and sexually abused, according to court documents.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan following an investigation by the Cleveland office of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.

A Toledo man with a long criminal history was convicted by a jury of illegally having a firearm, law enforcement officials said.

 

Lawrence Lee Walls, 46, was convicted in federal court of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Walls is expected to be sentenced later this year. Walls qualifies for sentencing enhancements under the Armed Career Criminal Act due to his prior convictions.

 

Walls possessed a Hi-Point 9 mm Luger semi-automatic pistol in the 700 block of Tecumseh Street in Toledo on Oct. 16, 2015, according to evidence presented at trial.

 

Walls brandished the gun at others as police pulled up. He then fled and tossed the gun in some brush, where police later found it fully loaded, according to evidence presented at trial. 

 

He was previously convicted of aggravated assault (1993); aggravated assault (1998); and aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, aggravated burglary with a firearm specification and robbery (2001), according to court documents.

 

The investigating agencies in this case were the Toledo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah P. Hood and Tracey Ballard Tangeman.

 

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

The owner of a Chardon demolition company was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for violating the Clean Air Act when he did not take steps to abate asbestos when he tore down a building in Canton, law enforcement officials said.

Russell P. Stewart, 48, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay $876,228 in restitution. The sentence will be served concurrently to a state prison sentence for a related case in which he improperly disposed of hazardous waste.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count of improper asbestos demolition and one count of failure to timely dispose of asbestos waste.

Stewart is the owner and operator of Chemstruction. He entered into a contract on Nov. 1, 2011, to demolish the former Stark Ceramics facility on West Church Street in Canton. The site covered approximately 500 acres and consisted of numerous commercial buildings, according to court documents.

The contract provided that all asbestos-containing materials would be removed and abated in accordance with environmental regulation and industry standards. An earlier environmental survey showed asbestos was present throughout the site, according to court documents.

Stewart participated in and directed the demolition of the structures from November 2011 through January 2013.

An inspection in October 2012 revealed crushed panels contained asbestos. Inspectors told Stewart to stop demolition until a cleanup plan could be developed but Stewart continued with demolition, causing asbestos panels to be crumbled, pulverized and reduced to powder, according to court documents.

“We will aggressively prosecute those who pollute our environment, whether it’s releasing asbestos into the air or dumping waste into our lakes and stream,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said.

“This is about protecting Ohioans and the air they breathe,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “It’s a collaborative effort. We are continuously working with other agencies to protect public health and safety.”

“The defendant’s actions in this case released asbestos fibers into the environment and resulted in a $800,000 cleanup funded by the U.S. EPA,” said Scot Adair, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Ohio. “It’s imperative that asbestos be removed safely, and EPA and its law enforcement partners will hold to account those who refuse to obey the law.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Beeson following an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

An Ohio couple was charged in federal court with illegally importing and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, law enforcement officials said.

Charged are James F. Halpin, 30, and Grace A. Bosworth, 38, both of Cincinnati.

Law enforcement agents purchased fentanyl on the dark web in May 2017. Fentanyl and analogue drugs are often mailed from China, Hong Kong and elsewhere. Sometimes they are sent to Canada before being mailed into the United States, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

The drugs were delivered to a location in Northern Ohio on May 30, having been mailed from the post office in Newport, Kentucky. The drugs were tested and determined to be a mixture of furanyl fentanyl, carfentanil and another fentanyl analogue, according to the affidavit.

Investigators determined the markings on these packages were identical to at least 40 shipments mailed from post offices in the Cincinnati area. It was also determined that Halpin and Bosworth lived at an address that routinely received parcels mailed from abroad and that he regularly mails out packages to addresses all over the country, according to the affidavit.

On June 6, investigators located a parcel that originated from Montreal addressed to Halpin and Bosworth’s address. A search of the package revealed five grams of a mixture of fentanyl, carfentanil and furanyl fentanyl, according to the affidavit.

“The amount of drugs seized is enough to kill a football stadium full of people,” Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja said. “This case underscores that our state is being inundated with large amounts of deadly drugs. We will continue to aggressively prosecute drug traffickers while working to prevent the next generation of addicts.”

“As a law enforcement community, HSI and our partners are aggressively engaged in combatting these deadly fentanyl smuggling organizations,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Francis. “Fentanyl and other opioids have reached epidemic levels in Ohio, due to its high potency and inexpensive cost. We take very seriously our responsibility to helping to stop this public scourge.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Riedl, Karl Kadon and Matthew Cronin following an investigation by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, operating at part of the Border Enforcement Security Taskforce.

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

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

 

A Massillon man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for enticement and distribution of child pornography, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Richard Snyder, 72, was sentenced to 121 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson.

Snyder knowingly used a computer and the Internet, to attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 13-year-old girl to engage in illegal sexual activity with him. This took place from May 26 through August 17, 2016, according to court documents.

Snyder also knowingly distributed and attempted to distribute child pornography via a computer in July 2016, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan. The case was investigated by the Canton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Jackson Township Police Department and the Canton Police Department.

A Parma Heights financial advisor was charged in federal court for defrauding clients out of more than a half-million dollars, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Martin R. Stancik, 67, was charged by information with one count of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identify theft said

 

Stancik, a financial advisor, stole money his clients believed he would use to purchase annuities and life insurance policies on their behalf. Stancik then used the stolen funds for his own personal benefit, according to the information.

 

Stancik also stole a client’s identity by taking out a loan against his client’s life insurance policies, without his authorization or knowledge, by forging his client’s name and depositing the loan proceeds check into Stancik’s own bank account. Stancik created false documents purporting to be account statements for policies he never purchased, but nevertheless provided to his clients so they believed the policies existed, according to the information.

 

The total loss associated with Stancik’s conduct is approximately $543,369, 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 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 Adam Hollingsworth following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

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

A Toledo man was indicted for distributing six kilograms of heroin, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Plancon.

 

Ricardo Rivera, 40, was indicted on one count distribution of approximately six kilograms of heroin. He was arrested last month after DEA agents observed him take a black duffel bag from 1443 Western Avenue in Toledo and place it in the trunk of a vehicle. That car was stopped in North Baltimore, Ohio, and found to have six kilograms of heroin, according to court documents.

 

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who traffic the heroin and opioids that have killed so many of our neighbors and relatives,” Sierleja said. “Only through enforcement, combined with education and prevention efforts, can we hope to turn the tide on this epidemic.”

 

“This investigation demonstrates that the disruption of heroin trafficking and putting the brakes on the current opioid epidemic is DEA’s top priority,” Plancon said. “The seizure of six kilograms of heroin in Toledo is significant, and not only puts a dent into heroin trafficking in the community, but also illustrates that DEA and our partners in law enforcement are working hard to slow the supply of this deadly drug into the region.”

 

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 Drug Enforcement Administration, in Toledo. 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 Richland County man was indicted for three bank robberies, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Christopher E. McCarthy, 29, of Ontario, Ohio, is accused of robbing the Richland Bank in Mansfield on April 26; the Farmers and Savings Bank in Loudonville on May 3 and the Farmers National Bank in Wooster on May 4.

 

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 FBI-Mansfield Resident Office; Mansfield Police Dept.; Loudonville Police Dept.; Wooster Police Dept.; Ohio BCI; Millersburg Police Dept.; Holmes County Sheriff’s Office; and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for Richland County. The case 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 North Royalton man was charged in federal court with fraudulently claiming more than $133,000 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.

Amin Mohammad, 45, was charged via criminal information with 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 the information.

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 the information.

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

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

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

A two-count indictment was filed charging a Cuyahoga Falls financial advisor with defrauding people out of nearly $1.3 million related to a fraudulent hotel project in Florida, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Gary J. Boecker, 63, was indicted on one count of wire fraud and one count of making false statements in a loan application.

Boecker worked as an attorney and a financial advisor. He devised a scheme to enrich himself and to fund the “Ocean Jade Health Retreat,” a business venture in Florida known as a water therapy hotel, according to the indictment.

Starting at early as 2014, Boecker pitched his Florida “water therapy hotel” to Victim 1, promising an annual return on investment of 15 percent. Boecker led Victim 1 to believe he owned the hotel involved in the project and told her he already had five investors in the project, both of which he knew were false, according to the indictment.

Victim 1 was a close personal friend of Boecker. Based on his false representations, she agreed to invest $300,000 in the Ocean Jade project. He also caused unauthorized withdrawals of $426,900 from her account in 2014 and 2015, according to the indictment.

Boecker was employed at Victim 2’s company for more than a decade, eventually becoming Chief Financial Officer. Boecker fraudulently obtained $536,300 from Victim 2’s company between 2014 and 2016. The money was for Boecker’s benefit and to further the Ocean Jade project, according to the indictment.

Boecker also used a corporate credit card from Victim 2’s company for $24,274 of personal expenses unrelated to Victim 2’s company, including airfare and rental cars in the Fort Lauderdale area related to the Ocean Jade project, according to the indictment.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda H. Barr following an investigation by the FBI and U.S. Department of Labor.

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

An Akron man was indicted for illegally having drugs and firearms, and assaulting law enforcement officers, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Alphonse K. Colbert, 29, was indicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of being a felon on possession of a firearm, one count of using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of assault on law enforcement officers.

Destiny R. Clay, 18, of Akron, was indicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Colbert and Clay were found on March 9 to have approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine. Colbert also had heroin and a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite a prior conviction in Summit County Common Pleas Court for felonious assault, according to the indictment.

On April 19, Colbert was found to be in possession of 142 grams of methamphetamine, as well as two Smith and Wesson .40-caliber pistols, a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun, a Romarm Cugir 7.62-caliber rifle, a Fabrique National 9 mm pistol and ammunition, according to the indictment.

Colbert also assaulted two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers on April 19, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit the six firearms and ammunition, as well as $5,680 in cash seized during the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Riley following an investigation by the Akron Police Department and the Akron/Summit County HIDTA Initiative, which includes DEA, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and the police departments of Akron, Copley, Springfield, Tallmadge, Stow, the University of Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Reminderville, Silver Lake, New Franklin and Barberton.

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.

Three U.S. Postal employees in Akron and a fourth man were indicted for a conspiracy in which they stole packages containing marijuana from the U.S. mail and then sold the drugs, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Named in the three-count indictment are: Rabih Kairouz, 29, of Akron; Anton D. Easter, Jr., 26, of Akron; Scott Gay, Jr., 33, of Canton, and Corey Turnbull, 26, of Ravenna.

 

Kairouz, Gay and Turnbull worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Kairouz and Turnbull worked as a supervisor at the Five Points station in Akron while Gay was a manager at the North Hill station, according to court documents.

 

Together, intercepted suspected drug parcels at U.S. Post Offices in Akron, opened the parcels, removed marijuana contained inside, sold the marijuana to Easter and shared the profits. This took place between February and May 2017, according to the indictment.

 

Kairouz also had a kilogram of methamphetamine that he stole from the mail, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, a 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 U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Akron Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F. DeBaggis and Teresa L. Riley.

 

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

A Hudson man was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for laundering approximately $1.5 million in proceeds from marijuana trafficking, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Stuart Pflaum, 35, was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver. Eight people have now been sentenced for their crimes related to the conspiracy.

James Sorgi operated a drug trafficking and money laundering organization that shipped marijuana from California to Cleveland. He grew the marijuana in California and obtained marijuana from other growers. Sorgi then worked with Pflaum and Robert Serina to direct others to receive multi-pound shipments of marijuana in Ohio and sell it there, according to court documents.

Pflaum, Sorgi, Serina and others directed people to collect the drug proceeds and make cash deposits into various bank accounts. Sorgi, through Pflaum and Serina, then directed people to convert the cash into money orders and send the money to California, according to the indictment.

This took place between June 2013 and February 2015, according to court documents.

Sorgi was sentenced to 80 months in prison. Serina’s case is pending.

Pflaum, also known as DJ Xplosive, also worked as a music producer and was nominated for a Grammy Award, according to court documents.

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

Four people were indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to mail heroin from California to the Warren area, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Named in the seven-count indictment are: Derrick Eggleston, 31; Rachael Sherman, 38, both of Warren; Alexander Zamudio, 43; and Zoany Zamudio, 38, both of Victorville, California. All four are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute heroin.

 

The defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. This took place beginning as early as September 2015 through November 2015. It was part of the conspiracy that Alexander Zamudio sent heroin through the U.S. mail from California to Sherman’s residence in Warren. Eggleston then picked up the heroin from that residence and compensated Sherman, according to the indictment.

 

Eggleston sent money through the U.S. mail from Warren to Alexander in California. Zoany Zamudio later replaced Alexander Zamudio as Eggleston’s point of contact when Alexander was incarcerated and unable to send heroin through the mail or receive drug payments, according to the indictment.

 

On Sept. 9 and Oct. 7, 2015, Alexander Zamudio used the U.S. mail to send heroin to Sherman and Eggleston. Eggleston and Sherman attempted to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin on Sept. 10, 2015. Zoany Zamudio used the U.S. mail to send heroin to Sherman and Eggleston on Oct. 26, 27 and Nov. 2015, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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.

Two Trumbull County men were indicted for stealing an Army Humvee, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

 

Austin Bollinger, 22, of Brookfield, was indicted on one count each of theft of government property and receiving stolen government property. Daniel Thompson, 22, of Girard, was indicted on one count of receiving stolen government property.

 

Bollinger stole a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Model M1165A1, from government property on March 18, according to the indictment.

 

From March 19 to March 24, 2017, Bollinger and Thompson retained and concealed the stolen HMMWV, with the intent to convert the vehicle for Bollinger’s own use, according to the indictment.

 

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

 

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

 

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

Three people from Lima were sentenced to prison this week for their roles in a sex trafficking conspiracy involving a 14-year-old girl, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja, FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony and Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin.

 

Randy Thompson, 26, was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison. Shemeric Cook, 30, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Precious Russell, 20, was sentenced to nine years in prison.

 

All three defendants frequented the 4th Street apartment complex in Lima and played a role in the sex trafficking of a 14-year old girl from that location in November 2015, according to court documents and testimony.

 

Thompson forced the victim to engage in commercial sex acts from his apartment, from a nearby gas station and caused the victim to be transported to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she was prostituted as well. He also lied to investigators during the case.

 

Thompson pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to engage in the sex trafficking of a minor, one count of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in prostitution, two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation.

 

Cook pled guilty to obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation for his role in lying to investigators, attempting to distance himself from the crimes and trying to protect others who were involved in the sex trafficking of the victim.

 

Russell pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the sex trafficking of a minor and one count of sex trafficking of a minor. She assisted Thompson in his prostitution of the victim out of the 4th Street apartment complex, including creating on-line advertisements offering the sexual services of the minor, according to court documents and testimony.

 

Megan Hitt and Jacqueline Young are scheduled to be sentenced on June 27th for their roles in the conspiracy. Lorenzo Young and Aundre Davis, who were convicted at trial this year, are scheduled to be sentenced on September 7th.

 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Daniel Hurley following an investigation by the Lima Police Department, the FBI and the Northwest Ohio Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Six people from Greater Cleveland were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Indicted are: Donte L. Harris, 35, of Cleveland; Michael T. Tarter Jr., 36, of Cleveland; Creason Graham, 22, of Cleveland; Deon McGregor, 32, of Cleveland Heights; Lamar Brownlee, 18, of Cleveland, and Christopher Howse, 26, of Elyria.

 

Harris was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

 

Harris on May 4 possessed a Charter Arms, Model Undercover 38 Special, .38 caliber revolver, which had an obliterated serial number, and 28 rounds of 9mm ammunition, after having been convicted in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas of attempted robbery, aggravated assault, drug trafficking and burglary, according to the indictment.

 

The Harris case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.

 

Tarter was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

 

Tarter on April 18 possessed a Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, after having been convicted twice of drug trafficking in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and trafficking in heroin and trafficking in cocaine in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas. He also possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine, according to the indictment.

 

The Tarter case was investigated by the ATF and the Middleburg Heights Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.

 

Graham was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On May 15, Graham possessed a Sturm Ruger, Prescott, 9mm pistol, and ammunition, after having been previously convicted of aggravated robbery and having a firearm under disability in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

 

The case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein.

 

McGregor on April 29 possessed five round of 9 mm ammunition after having twice been convicted of drug trafficking and once having been convicted of aggravated assault in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, according to the indictment.

 

The McGregor case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Miller.

 

Brownlee was charged with theft of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. Brownlee stole a Glock, Model 43, 9mm pistol from a federal firearms licensee located in Lyndhurst on April 19, according to the indictment.

 

The Brownlee case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein.

 

Howse on March 9 possessed a Taurus 9 mm handgun despite prior convictions in Lorain County Common Pleas Court for aggravated robbery and kidnapping, according to the indictment.

 

The Howse case was investigated by the Elyria Police Department and FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Corts and Vasile Katsaros.

 

The cases are unrelated.

 

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 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.

Dennis J. Northover, II, 27, of Mansfield, was charged with one count of receiving and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja

 

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 Brian M. McDonough following an investigation by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

 

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

A U.S Postal Service mail carrier was indicted for allegedly stealing the contents 74 letters addressed to homes in Twinsburg, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

 

Condrick E. Womack, Sr., 38, of Euclid, was indicted on one count of theft of mail matter by officer or employee.

 

From at least June 2016 through on or about September 14, 2016, Womack, did knowingly embezzle letters, packages and other items entrusted to him and which came into his possession intended to be conveyed by mail, and carried or delivered by any carrier, messenger, agent, or other person employed in any department of the Postal Service, to wit: the contents of approximately 74 first class letters in envelopes addressed to or sent by multiple individuals at addresses in the Twinsburg area, according to the indictment.

 

If convicted, a 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 Gates Mills Police Department, the Twinsburg Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. 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.