Southern District of Ohio

CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 18 months in prison for committing wire fraud as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain a Covid relief loan.

Kelton McClarrin, 33, received nearly $21,000 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under false pretenses and used the money for personal expenditures including jail commissary services, CashApp, Grubhub, DoorDash, Facebook purchases and hotels.

According to court documents, McClarrin applied for a Covid relief loan on May 16, 2021, falsely claiming in the application that he was the sole owner of a business named “Kelton McClarrin.” McClarrin claimed his business was established in 2019 and had a gross income of $100,000 for that year. McClarrin also submitted a forged bank statement in support of the loan application.

McClarrin was sentenced to two years in prison in a Hamilton County case on May 7, 2019. He remained incarcerated until Nov. 17, 2020, when he was paroled to a halfway house. He used the address of the halfway house as his business address on the loan application.

In April 2022, McClarrin applied for loan forgiveness for the $21,000 PPP loan. He stated on the application forms that he had 20 employees and had spent $20,000 of the loan on payroll costs.

McClarrin was arrested in August 2023 and pleaded guilty in October 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the sentence imposed on March 5 by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. The case was investigated by the Social Security’s Office of Inspector General with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A California man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to transporting a minor interstate to commit third degree rape of the Ohio teenager.

Alex Roman Nguyen, 29, of San Diego, pleaded guilty to transportation with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The plea agreement includes a sentencing recommendation of up to 151 months in prison.

According to court documents, Nguyen met a 15-year-old girl from Hillsboro, Ohio, online and traveled from San Diego to Ohio to meet her in July 2022. Nguyen drove the minor to Kentucky to attempt to purchase airplane tickets and engaged in sex acts with the minor while in Kentucky.

Unable to obtain flight tickets, Nguyen and the minor boarded a Greyhound bus bound for San Diego and traveled on it until they were apprehended by law enforcement in El Paso, Texas.

Nguyen was charged by criminal complaint in the Southern District of Ohio the next day.

Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Hillsboro Police Chief Eric Daniels announced the guilty plea entered on March 4 before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Julie D. Garcia are representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Lamarion Gray, 19, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to armed robbery of a United States postal carrier.

The agreement calls for a sentence of 80 to 100 months in prison.

Gray is one of at least a dozen defendants charged in the Southern District of Ohio since 2022 with crimes related to postal robberies.

According to court documents, on July 12, 2023, Gray used a handgun and robbed a postal carrier for the carrier’s arrow key and vehicle key.

At approximately 4:30pm, Gray approached the mail carrier who was delivering mail by foot near Cliffside Drive in Cincinnati. Gray displayed a firearm and demanded the keys.

Video surveillance of the armed robbery was obtained by nearby residences.

When federal agents executed a search warrant on Gray’s vehicle, they discovered a postal arrow key and vehicle key, the gloves consistent to those used during the robbery, and a gold-colored barrel for a handgun consistent with the firearm used during the robbery.

Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; and Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Juarvez Reemos Juan Whitfield-Neeley, 25, of Toledo, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 121 months in prison for armed robbery.

According to court documents, in March 2020, Whitfield-Neeley shot three people during two separate robberies.

“For the sake of a few dollars, Whitfield-Neeley forever altered the life of at least three victims through gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The resulting federal cases against him should send a clear message to Whitfield-Neeley and others that it is not worth it, and you will ultimately pay by serving time in federal prison.”

While robbing the Berkeley & Main Market in Columbus on March 15, 2020, he shot the store clerk in the back of the knee. A brief struggle ensued, and a gun in the clerk’s pocket fell to the floor. Whitfield-Neeley stole the clerk’s gun and fled.

Two weeks later, in Toledo, Whitfield-Neeley used the gun he had stolen from Columbus and fired several shots at two clerks in a corner store in Toledo. He shot both clerks in the torso, stole a gun from one of the injured clerks and took the cash from the register.

In June 2020, Whitfield-Neeley was charged in the Southern District of Ohio for the Columbus robbery and shooting. He was later taken into custody in the Northern District of Ohio, where he pleaded guilty to crimes associated with the Toledo robbery and was sentenced there to 207 months in prison. The defendant will serve his sentence for the Southern District of Ohio consecutively to the sentence he is already serving.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.

CINCINNATI – A local, self-identified “Incel” was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 80 months in prison for attempting to conduct a mass shooting of women.

Tres Genco, 24, of Hillsboro, Ohio, admitted he plotted to commit a hate crime, namely, a plan to shoot women at a university in Ohio. He was arrested by federal agents in July 2021 and has remained in custody since.

“Genco intended to carry out a devastating mass murder of innocent women in this state for no other reason than the fact that he hated them. Everybody deserves to live without threats of violence or fearing acts of terror,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Genco’s sentence reflects the need to protect the community from him for a significant period of time. I thank each of our law enforcement partners for working together to keep our community safe.”

“Genco plotted to violently attack women and was motivated by his personal hatred,” stated FBI Cincinnati Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Mimura. “Law enforcement, working together, stopped his deadly attack from happening. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and community partners to disrupt threats and prevent violence in our community.”

Genco identified as an Incel or “involuntary celibate.” The Incel movement is a predominantly male online community that harbors anger towards women, fueled by their inability to convince women to engage in sexual activity with them.

According to court documents, Genco maintained profiles on a popular Incel website from at least July 2019 through mid-March 2020 and posted more than 450 times on the site. More than 3,000 items on Genco’s two phones contained the word “Incel.”

In one online post, Genco detailed spraying “some foids [women] and couples” with orange juice in a water gun. Genco compared his “extremely empowering action” to similar conduct by known Incel Elliot Rodger. In May 2014, Rodger killed six people and injured 14 others, including shooting individuals outside a University of California, Santa Barbara sorority house. Prior to his mass attack, Rodger shot a group of college students with orange juice from a water gun. Rodger also emailed a 107,000-word manifesto to multiple media outlets before his mass shooting.

Genco wrote a manifesto, too, stating he would “slaughter” women “out of hatred, jealousy and revenge…” and referring to death as the “great equalizer.” The investigation revealed that the day he wrote his manifesto, Genco searched online for two sororities, including one at The Ohio State University. His Google searches included “sorority osu” and “ohio state university sororities.”

As part of this investigation, law enforcement agents discovered a note of Genco’s that indicated he hoped to “aim big” for a “huge!” kill count of 3,000 people with a reference to the same date as Elliot Rodger’s attack. The note said Genco intended to attend military training.

In 2019, Genco purchased tactical gloves, a bulletproof vest, a hoodie bearing the word “Revenge,” cargo pants, a bowie knife, a skull facemask, two Glock 17 magazines, a 9mm Glock 17 clip, and a holster clip concealed carry for a Glock.

Genco attended Army Basic Training in Georgia from August through December 2019. He was discharged for entry-level performance and conduct.

On Jan. 11, 2020, Genco wrote a note on his phone entitled “isolated” that he described as “the writings of the deluded and homicidal.” Genco signed the document, “Your hopeful friend and murderer.”

On Jan. 15, 2020, the defendant wrote another note on his phone that appears to document surveillance of an unidentified school. He wrote: “10:53 am, fairly busy, Wednesday, Students seem fairly nerdy, some hipster dull kids as well. The track is primarily unused. Ages vary. The average appears to be early 20s. Car quality is generally mid lower tier. Some sort of building behind the college look into it. They have no check of any sort entering the building. I wasn’t questioned at all. Backpacks are very common.”

That same day, Genco searched online for topics including “planning a shooting crime” and “when does preparing for a crime become an attempt?”

On March 11, 2020, Genco screenshotted information on his phone about radio codes for Columbus police and The Ohio State University police. He also accessed the Facebook pages for one of the university’s sororities.

The next day, on March 12, 2020, Highland County sheriff’s deputies responded to Genco’s residence. At the residence, in the trunk of Genco’s vehicle, police officers found, among other things, a firearm with a bump stock attached, several loaded magazines, body armor and boxes of ammunition. Inside the residence, police officers found a modified Glock-style 9mm semiautomatic pistol, with no manufacturer’s marks or serial number, hidden in a heating vent in Genco’s bedroom. As part of his plea, Genco admitted that he possessed both firearms in furtherance of his plot.

Genco pleaded guilty in October 2022 to one count of attempting to commit a hate crime.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Timothy S. Mangan are representing the United States in this case.

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A federal jury convicted an Ohio pharmacist and his operations manager, a pharmacy technician, yesterday for conspiring to defraud Ohio’s Medicaid program.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Nathanael Thompson, 45, of Westerville, owned four pharmacies in Columbus, Ohio. Sanam Ahmad, 34, of Galena, managed the pharmacies. Thompson and Ahmad conspired to charge Medicaid for a particular manufacturer’s omeprazole, a type of proton pump inhibitor, which was reimbursable at a significantly higher rate than most omeprazole. In reality, the dispensed medication was generic omeprazole purchased at big-box warehouse retail stores. In addition, to maximize profits, Thompson’s pharmacies put in place certain protocols to dispense omeprazole as though a doctor had prescribed the drug even when there was no prescription.

The jury convicted Thompson and Ahmad of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and two counts of defrauding Medicaid. They face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy charge and each health care fraud charge. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Mimura of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Chicago Region, Special Agent in Charge Jeff Krafels of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) Mid-Atlantic Area Field Office, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, and Director Steven W. Schierholt of the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Executive made the announcement.

The DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, USPS-OIG, Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Kathryn Furtado and Leslie Fisher of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Toronto, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to crimes related to a multi-million investment scheme that victimized at least 65 individuals.

William T. Caniff, Jr., 54, admitted to committing wire fraud and money laundering.

According to court documents, Caniff executed an investment scheme through a business he helped establish called Berkley Capital Management, LLC purportedly to trade binary options.

Binary options are a type of options contract in which the payout depends on the outcome of a yes/no proposition. For example, a person may invest in a binary option related to whether a company’s stock reaches a certain value, but the binary option does not give the investor any property interest in the company’s stock itself.

From March 2016 through December 2018, Caniff’s investment funds received more than $4.9 million from investors, most of whom were Dutch nationals. Caniff misappropriated approximately $2.3 million of the investors’ funds for his own personal benefit like the purchase a residence, car payments and credit card payments.

Caniff used new investments to make payments to past investors and invested only $85,000 in binary options.

As part of his scheme, Caniff fraudulently obtained membership to the North American Derivatives Exchange, Inc. (Nadex), an online binary-options exchange headquartered in Chicago. He lied about having been convicted of multiple felonies to be approved as a Trading Member on Nadex.

Parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of 30 months in prison. As part of the plea, Caniff has agreed to pay approximately $2.3 million in restitution.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

The United States Attorney’s Office and IRS-Criminal Investigation thanked the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigative Service and the Dutch Ministry of Justice for their assistance in the investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.

Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to committing a federal hate crime by physically assaulting a victim based on the victim’s race.

Darrin Johnson, 27, admitted to physically attacking an Asian American victim on Calhoun Street at the University of Cincinnati on Aug. 17, 2021.

“I remain steadfast in the belief that hate has no place in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “We will continue to use our federal law enforcement authority to investigate and prosecute hate crimes like the one committed by Johnson.”

According to court documents, Johnson made racist comments toward the victim, including, “Go back to your country…You brought the kung flu here…You’re going to die for bringing it.”

After threatening to kill the victim, Johnson punched the victim on the side of his head. The force of the punch caused the victim to fall and hit his head on the bumper of a parked car. Johnson continued his attack on the victim, who was bleeding on the ground, until two bystanders intervened and restrained Johnson.

The victim suffered multiple injuries, including an orbital contusion, facial lacerations and acute head injury.       

In October 2021, Johnson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and criminal intimidation for the incident and was sentenced to serve 360 days in county jail.

Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.

The parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of up to 22 months in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter is representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted two local men with crimes related to trafficking narcotics and illegally possessing firearms.

Raymond Gerard McClure, 42, of Dayton, and Christopher Michael Doerr, 32, of Middletown, are charged in an 8-count indictment.

According to the charging document, the defendants conspired from October 2023 until February 2024 to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

The drugs included 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

On Feb. 7, it is alleged Doerr possessed bulk amounts of narcotics within 1,000 feet of Middletown Early Learning Center and Oakland Park.

McClure and Doerr are each charged with illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime and in furtherance of a serious drug offense.

The narcotics conspiracy as charged in this case is punishable by at least five and up to 40 years in prison. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a serious drug offense carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit Division; and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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CINCINNATI – A New York man was arrested on federal charges alleging he traveled to Ohio to sexually exploit a minor victim.

Noah Knight, 30, of Yonkers, New York, is charged by criminal complaint with aggravated sexual abuse and production of child pornography. He was arrested in Yonkers yesterday.

According to the charging documents, Knight met the 11-year-old victim on Snapchat and came from New York to visit her. Knight allegedly had sex with the victim multiple times that day. Knight allegedly took the victim to Wilmington Cinemas and Walmart, and his CashApp account shows purchases made at both locations.

It is alleged that Knight, who is also known as Noah Matos, made video recordings of his sexual abuse of the child.

Knight appeared in federal court in New York today and will ultimately be transported to the Southern District of Ohio to face his charges.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Shawn Gibson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Wilmington Police Chief Ron Fithen announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Gaffney Painter and Kyle J. Healey are representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to sex trafficking and racketeering.

The parties involved in this case have recommended a sentence of more than 19 years up to 25 years in prison for Terrael A. Alls, 29.

According to court documents, in February 2022, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force received a tip from a Columbus Division of Police emergency operator. According to the tip, an individual had contacted authorities after receiving a business card from a man advertising a modeling agency.  The caller received the card at the Red Roof Inn on Renner Road in Columbus. The business card was for a company called Elite Diamond Studios and the advertised phone number were ultimately linked to Alls’s as well as various online sex escort advertisements.

Alls, who is also known as “Rell” and “Ace,” recruited women under the guise of modeling for him as a photographer. He served as a pimp for his victims, advertising them for sexual escort services on various websites. Alls transported his victims to and from hotels while giving them drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, then later using their drug dependency against them to continue profiting from their commercial sex acts. Alls was frequently physically abusive to his victims as well. For example, he fired a gun near a victim’s head and threatened to pistol-whip her. He also punched the victims and slammed them onto tables.

Alls kept the proceeds of the victims’ sexual encounters.

A forensic examination of Alls’s digital devices revealed location data or WiFi logins at several hotels, including Scarlet Inn in Worthington, Motel 6 in Grove City and Red Roof Inn in Columbus. The defendant’s laptop had more than 42,000 sexually explicit images, videos and advertisements to include images and videos of the victims identified in this case.

Alls was arrested in March 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

The case was investigated by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which was formed under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and includes resources from the Columbus Division of Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, The Ohio State University Police Department, Marysville Division of Police, Salvation Army, Southeast Healthcare, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

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CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to laundering more than $8 million for online romance scammers.

Pamela Moore, 65, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. She was charged by a bill of information last month.

According to court documents, between 2020 and 2023, Moore’s personal and business bank accounts with multiple banks received more than $8 million in criminally derived funds. Moore personally received $1.7 million of the funds, which she used or converted to Bitcoin at the direction of the scammers.

For example, Moore maintained multiple business bank accounts for PSM Custom Designs and Jewelries and used the purported jewelry business accounts solely for money laundering. 

The parties involved in Moore’s case have recommended a sentence of up to three years in prison. As part of her plea, Moore will pay $1,680,900 in restitution. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Ryan A. Keefe are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to fraud crimes related to stealing identities to get more than $100,000 in fraudulent lines of credit.

Siyuan Ye, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to his plea agreement, between January 2022 and August 2023, Ye stole the identities of at least 15 victims. Ye repeatedly obtained Ohio and Florida driver licenses of other individuals without their authorization and then used the licenses to fraudulently obtain credit from retailers in the victims’ names.

He used the fraudulent credit to purchase a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, three motorcycles and a variety of electronics.

For example, in April 2023, Ye used a stolen identity and fraudulent line of credit to purchase $8,400 worth of goods from a Micro Center in Columbus. Ye bought graphics cards, laptops and an Apple watch.

That same month, Ye used the same Ohio victim’s identity to buy a Suzuki motorcycle at Iron Pony Motorsports in Westerville.

As part of his plea, Ye has agreed to pay more than $115,000 in restitution. Parties involved in his case have recommended a sentence of 24 to 36 months in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Shawn Gibson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati tenant pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false statements accusing her landlord of violating the Fair Housing Act.

Dermisha Pickett, 33, fabricated messages from her landlord stating the landlord did not want Black tenants.

According to court documents, in February 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office was forwarded several text messages purportedly sent by the Cincinnati-area landlord as part of a civil rights report. The U.S. Attorney’s Office referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) to investigate the claims.

The investigation revealed that the landlord owns more than 100 properties, including 56 properties rented through HUD’s housing choice voucher program. Many of his tenants appear to be Black/African American.

In March 2023, Pickett met with HUD agents and provided the agents with numerous discriminatory messages purportedly made by Pickett’s landlord. Pickett also claimed to receive a call from the landlord as she arrived at the meeting and placed the call on speaker phone.

Pickett told agents that she had attempted to pay her portion of the rent but that her landlord returned it, stating he did not want to rent to Black individuals.

In a later interview with the landlord, the landlord told agents he did not want to continue to rent to Pickett because she was causing extensive damage to the property.

Phone records and forensic analysis indicate that no text messages were exchanged during the time periods Pickett claimed. It is alleged that Pickett used mobile applications to fabricate the text messages.

“False reports to law enforcement undermine legitimate reports of racial discrimination and could discourage victims from coming forward for fear that they will not be believed,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “This office will continue to do its due diligence when presented with any potential civil rights violations.”

“Making false reports of racial discrimination is unacceptable and can have tangible effects on other tenants who rely on HUD-assisted housing,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the HUD Office of Inspector General. “In this case, if the landlord had violated the Fair Housing Act, his participation in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program may have been revoked, causing the displacement of approximately 50 families who rely on the Housing Choice Voucher program. These families would have been forced to uproot their families to find new homes, incurring non-reimbursable expenses.”

Pickett was charged by criminal complaint in August 2023.

Making a false statement to federal officers is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Shawn Rice, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Region announced the guilty plea entered into today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in federal court today to 171 months in prison for committing six robberies in Columbus in September and October 2020.

Ronald Lee Jacobs, 46, was convicted following a jury trial in August 2023 of six counts of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

At the time of the robberies, Jacobs was under supervision with the State of Ohio after serving a nine-year sentence for aggravated robbery with a firearm specification.

According to court documents and trial testimony in his current case, Jacobs committed at least six recent robberies, including:

• Hampton Inn on South Hamilton Road on Sept. 5, 2020,
• Wing Snob on North High Street on Sept. 12, 2020,
• United Dairy Farmers on North High Street on Sept. 24, 2020,
• Shell Gas Station on South Hamilton Road on Sept. 30, 2020,
• Wing Snob on North High Street on Oct. 8, 2020, and
• Walgreens on East Livingston Avenue on Oct. 12, 2020. 

During the robberies, Jacobs typically wore either an inside-out gray sweatshirt or a dark sweatshirt, dark pants and used a blue bandana. Jacobs was employed at a glue factory and, during multiple robberies, had visible glue splatters on his clothing. He called off work for one robbery and left during his shift to commit another one of the robberies.

In jail calls, Jacobs discussed the firearms he used and said he committed the robberies because he was “broke” and needed to pay child support.

“There’s no excuse for committing dangerous crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “There are numerous resources available to assist individuals who are returning to our communities from periods of incarceration. In this case, we are grateful that no one was seriously harmed or killed by Jacobs’s actions and his sentence reflects the fact that bad choices often have serious consequences.”

Jacobs was charged by criminal complaint and arrested in November 2020. In March 2021, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Jacobs and that indictment was superseded in September 2021.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted two brothers and their father, charging them with crimes related to conspiracies to distribute narcotics and obstruct justice. 

Chase Alexander Crump, 34, of Centerville, Colin Tanner Crump, 32, of Centerville, and Mark Crump, 56, of Englewood, were arraigned in federal court Monday and today.

Chase and Colin Crump are charged in a narcotics conspiracy punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

According to court documents, the brothers conspired to distribute more than two kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 100 grams of fentanyl analogue, and cocaine. It is alleged the drug trafficking took place between November 2023 and January 2024 in Miamisburg, Englewood, Franklin, Centerville and Cincinnati.

The brothers are also charged with maintaining a drug premises on River Downs Drive in Centerville. Law enforcement agents discovered approximately half a kilogram of fentanyl analogue at the residence. While executing a search warrant at the defendants’ parents’ house near Oberer Field in Englewood, agents discovered additional fentanyl and a firearm.

After the FBI arrested Chase and Colin Crump in January 2024, it is alleged they conspired with their father, Mark Crump, on jail calls to obstruct the investigation. For example, they allegedly conspired to destroy Chase Crump’s burner phone. All three defendants are charged with conspiring to obstruct justice, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Shawn Gibson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations Detroit; and members of the Warren County Drug Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Dlaquan Cantrell, 33, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 132 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, in fall 2022, Cantrell sold narcotics to an undercover officer on four occasions. Prior to the meetups, Cantrell used FaceTime, voice calls and text messages to set up the drug transactions. For example, in one FaceTime call, Cantrell opened a shoe box and showed the undercover officer a large amount of drugs and cash.

Cantrell sold drugs in the parking lots of local establishments like Applebee’s and Kohl’s.

When law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence at which Cantrell was staying, officers discovered hundreds of grams of marijuana hidden in a Lego box in a child’s room, as well as fentanyl, a stolen, loaded firearm and magazine attachment. Cantrell also hid $8,000 in cash inside a child’s teddy bear.

The fentanyl Cantrell sold was mixed with Xylazine.

Cantrell was arrested in October 2022 and pleaded guilty in September 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and members of the Warren County Drug Task Force announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Iraqi citizen living in Columbus was sentenced in federal court here today to 178 months in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization as part of a plot to murder former United States President George W. Bush.

Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 53, believed the former President was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the entire country of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The defendant’s own life changed during and after the war and he proudly assisted in this plot.

Shihab originally entered the United States in September 2020 and primarily resided in Columbus from December 2020 until his arrest in May 2022. Throughout much of that time, Shihab attempted to provide material support to terrorists in furtherance of a plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush.

Shihab hoped to smuggle at least four Iraqis associated with ISIS into the United States with the goal of completing the assassination. In fact, in the fall of 2021, Shihab believed he successfully smuggled an ISIS member into the United States for a fee of $40,000. Shihab accepted tens of thousands of dollars for the purported smuggling. In reality, the individual was fictitious, and the interaction was coordinated under the direction of the FBI.

In furtherance of the assassination plot, Shihab traveled to Dallas in February 2022 to conduct surveillance of locations associated with the former President. For example, he recorded videos of the front access gate and surrounding area leading into the neighborhood of the former President’s home.

In March 2022, Shihab met with others in a hotel room in Columbus to look at sample firearms and law enforcement uniforms.

Shihab required the use of burner phones, encrypted communication applications and code names as plans evolved.

Shihab was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents in May 2022. He pleaded guilty in March 2023 to attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Shihab was also sentenced today to a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, National Security Division; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Frank Russo from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to a misdemeanor charge under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits a person from intentionally interfering with or intimidating any person because that person is providing reproductive health services. Mohamed Waes, 33, of Columbus, also pleaded guilty to felony charges of communicating interstate threats and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 5, 2022, Waes intentionally interfered with and intimidated employees of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio by threatening over the phone to burn down their building because they were providing reproductive health services.

“Threatening to burn down facilities that provide reproductive health services is not just unlawful, it’s conduct that frightens and obstructs patients and providers of reproductive services,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to enforcing the FACE Act to protect all patients who seek reproductive health services and to protect all staff and facilities that provide these services.”

“We will hold accountable individuals who make threats of force against health service providers and institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will do our part in charging those who break federal laws. As a society, we must handle our disagreements in a more civil way than threats of violence and intimidation.”

“Mohamed Waes made a credible threat to commit violence and harm others,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Mimura of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office. “The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue civil rights violations and work with our partners to keep the community safe.”

“Waes played a crucial role in a business email compromise scheme by attempting to launder nearly $2 million in fraud proceeds,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Cincinnati Field Office. “IRS:CI remains committed to following the money and bringing those who launder illegal proceeds to justice.”

According to court documents, Waes also conspired with others from on or about March 21, 2019, through on or about March 4, 2020, to launder funds using business email compromise (BEC) fraud schemes. As part of this conspiracy, scammers created fake email domains which mimicked legitimate email domains and then sent emails to various companies impersonating vendors and asking that payments be made on actual invoices to bank accounts controlled by Waes and others. Waes attempted to launder a total of $1,972,792.84 in BEC proceeds, of which he successfully laundered $273,982.08.

A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Cincinnati Field Office and IRS:CI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Rausch and Peter Glenn-Applegate for the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus interstate cargo-transport trucking company owner pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to wire fraud. He illegally overbilled shippers, consolidated shipments, and caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of goods shipped to destinations in Ohio like Bath and Body Works and Amazon warehouses.

Gurtej Singh, 48, admitted to covertly opening sealed truck trailers and removing goods. Singh and others illegally consolidated loads to save on delivery costs and failed to deliver many goods to their final destinations.

According to court documents, from April 2018 until December 2019, Singh was employed by Cargo Solutions Express as the manager of its warehouse on Fisher Road in Columbus. Singh later created his own transport company, owning and managing Bhullar Transport Group LLC from January 2020 until May 2022. Singh maintained a warehouse for his company on Interchange Road in Columbus.

In January 2019, Singh filed an application with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on behalf of Bhullar and lied by stating that he did not have certain relationships with other FMCSA-regulated entities. In reality, Singh was affiliated with Cargo Solutions Express and two other trucking companies, Roadhawk Transportation and Show Time Carrier.

The trucking companies provided interstate trucking transportation for manufacturers and retailers. The shippers often paid a premium to reserve the entire truck for cargo that they did not want mixed with others’ cargo. To ensure that loads were not tampered with in transit, the shippers often added serialized plastic seals to the trailer locking mechanism and noted the serial number on the shipping documents. Receivers of the goods could then compare a trailer seal to the paperwork to ensure that the trailer had not been opened.

Singh and others charged the premium rate but opened trailers and consolidated cargo to generate higher profits. They altered the seal serial numbers and paperwork, among other tactics to hide the scheme from shippers and receivers.

For example, in December 2018, Cargo Solutions Express picked up a load in Santa Clarita, California, to be delivered to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, containing products for Bath and Body Works. The load was delivered with an intact seal, indicating that the load had not been opened in transit, but 10 pallets of products worth nearly $230,000 were missing.

When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cargo Solutions Express warehouse in Columbus, they discovered the 10 missing pallets of Bath and Body Works lotions, along with several other pallets of goods reported stolen from multiple shipments bound for an Amazon warehouse in Groveport, Ohio.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Andrea M. Kropf, Special Agent-In-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region; and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered on Feb. 6 before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Twombly is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – Two brothers were sentenced in federal court here today for leading a long-running drug-trafficking organization that sourced bulk amounts of narcotics from Los Angeles and Houston to Dayton and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The government argued at sentencing that Roger Earl Walton, Jr., 44, of Concord, North Carolina, and Shawn Lee Walton, 50, of Charlotte, North Carolina, were sophisticated drug distributors, who, from 2014 until 2020, led a lucrative conspiracy to traffic kilogram quantities of cocaine.

Roger Earl Walton, Jr., also known as “Mike,” was sentenced to 168 months in prison. Shawn Lee Walton, also known as “Swoop,” was sentenced to 151 months in prison.

“Drug trafficking, by its very nature, is devastating to communities,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners across multiple jurisdictions, the Waltons can no longer harm our cities.”

According to court documents, the Waltons and four other defendants conspired to traffic at least 3,000 kilograms of converted drug weight. The six defendants were charged by indictment in August 2020. As part of this case, law enforcement has seized more 25 kilograms of cocaine and more than one million in cash from the drug-trafficking organization.

Over the course of the narcotics conspiracy, law enforcement in various jurisdictions conducted multiple stops, searches and seizures of the Walton drug-trafficking organization. They include at least half a dozen law enforcement interactions in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Ohio. 

The coconspirators convicted and sentenced as part of this case include:

Name

Also Known As

Age

City of residence

Sentence imposed

Noah Alexander Sherrill

704 Noah

36

Dayton

48 months in prison

Rauland Pollard, III

Saki, Sockey

38

Dayton

51 months in prison

Glynn Sewell

Frezzy

42

Charlotte, NC

100 months in prison

Louis Walton

 

26

Charlotte, NC

24 months in prison

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the sentences imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman.

U.S. Attorney Parker recognized the critical assistance of the Oklahoma COMIT Task Force, the Charlotte Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and Beaumont, Texas, police departments, the Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office and the DEA in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Smith and Rob Painter and Trial Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe, now with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section, represented the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The lead defendant charged in a narcotics and money laundering conspiracies case was sentenced in U.S. District Court today. Seven defendants are responsible for conspiring to traffic thousands of oxycodone pills and more than three kilograms of methamphetamine into Ohio from Florida and California, and for conspiring to launder more than $2.5 million in drug proceeds.

Michael J. Moore, 47, of Inglewood, California, was sentenced to 192 months in prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of methamphetamine and oxycodone trafficking and for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute the drugs.

According to court documents, from at least 2015 through at least 2018, Moore and six women conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and oxycodone. The defendants illegally diverted and transported oxycodone pills from Florida to Ohio and from California to Ohio. They trafficked methamphetamine from California to Ohio.

For example, Moore obtained fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions in Florida on approximately 10 occasions between 2015 and 2016, allowing him to obtain more than 1,000 pills.

Lower-level members of the conspiracy fraudulently obtained a substantial number of pills, providing them to higher-level members and keeping the balance of the pills as payment to feed their addictions.

In total, the group obtained and distributed between 5,656 and 100,000 30-milligram oxycodone pills, which were then sold for between $20 and $30 per pill.

Moore was involved in the shipping and distribution of at least 3,114 grams of methamphetamine that was approximately 98 percent pure.

Moore and the others conspired to launder the drug proceeds by opening bank accounts at several financial institutions, making money transfers, and concealing cash and flying it on commercial flights.

The other defendants convicted in this case include:

Name

Age

City

Sentence Imposed

Mykell Reeneesha Uneek Hawes

33

Cerritos, California

132 months in prison

Brandy Monique Casey

44

Inglewood, California

30 months in prison

Marisa A. Wallace

29

Columbus, Ohio

72 months in prison

Angela N. Faber

41

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

48 months in prison

Heather M. Russell

36

Columbus, Ohio

48 months in prison

Janette M. Breckenridge

33

Columbus, Ohio

48 months in prison

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Whitehall Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to two counts of kidnapping a minor.

As part of the plea, parties involved in the case have recommended a sentence of 20 years in prison for Nalah T. Jackson, 25.

“There is no greater responsibility than protecting our youth,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “This community watched in horror as Nalah Jackson preyed on two vulnerable babies. Today, she admitted her crime and agreed to spend 20 years in prison for her actions.” 

According to court documents, between Dec. 19, 2022, and Dec. 22, 2022, Jackson kidnapped two minor children in Columbus and traveled interstate with one of them. 

Specifically, close to 10pm on the night of Dec. 19, Jackson walked out of Donatos Pizza on North High Street in Columbus and drove away in a black Honda Accord that had been left running in the parking lot. Two twin five-month-old infants were buckled in the back seat. The infants’ mother was inside Donatos to pick up a delivery order at the time.

Over the next several hours, Jackson drove from Columbus to Dayton and to various other locations in central and western Ohio.

Jackson arrived at the Dayton International Airport close to 3am. She parked in an economy lot and left the infants in the car while she entered the airport. Jackson attempted to hire an Uber to find the stolen car in the economy lot, but could not pay, and ultimately found the stolen car on foot. After finding the vehicle, Jackson left one of the infants in the parking lot at approximately 4am. A passerby parking their vehicle saw the baby in his car seat wrapped in a quilt between two vehicles and alerted security.

After Jackson left the Dayton International Airport parking lot at high speeds, she traveled to Indianapolis with the second baby still in the vehicle.

She arrived at a Papa Johns Pizza on Indiana Avenue near the university district at approximately 8am on Dec. 20, and exited the stolen car on foot. She never returned to the vehicle, leaving the second baby strapped in his car seat in the back seat of the car.

The baby remained strapped in the car seat for the next two-and-a-half-days while family members, concerned citizens and law enforcement officers continued to search for him.

By happenstance, an Indianapolis woman encountered Jackson after she abandoned the stolen vehicle on Dec. 20. Jackson was selling stolen merchandise outside of a local gas station. The woman gave Jackson a ride to a nearby shopping plaza and gave Jackson her cell phone number in case Jackson came across any more holiday gifts for resale.

That night, the woman noticed several social media posts regarding the kidnapping and recognized Jackson as the alleged kidnapper. The woman called her cousin, and together they formulated a plan to meet up with Jackson to confirm her identity, recover the infant if possible and lead Jackson to law enforcement.

On Dec. 22, the women met up with Jackson, whom they traced to a local residence through a phone number Jackson had previously used to call one of them. The women confirmed that Jackson was the same person identified as the kidnapping suspect and drove her to several shopping centers in Indianapolis, all-the-while surreptitiously attempting to contact law enforcement in Columbus and Indianapolis.

Eventually, one of the women was able to route local law enforcement to their vehicle over the phone by pretending that she was speaking with her boyfriend and providing updates on her location. The women tried to signal to Indianapolis police that Jackson was the kidnapping suspect, and eventually told officers when they were removed from Jackson’s immediate presence.  Jackson provided a false name and another individual’s identification card to the officers. After some time, the officers confirmed Jackson’s identity and arrested her for kidnapping. After the arrest, they let the two women go without interviewing them about their time spent with Jackson.

The two women decided to continue searching for the missing infant. They discovered a bus schedule that Jackson left behind in the backseat of their vehicle and decided to focus their search on a bus route near the university district.

While driving around searching that area to no avail, and with driving conditions worsening quickly due to an impending snowstorm, the women decided to get something to eat before heading home. As they were pulling into a Blaze Pizza, they noticed a black Honda Accord at the nearby Papa Johns and noticed snow had already accumulated on the car.

They drove up to the stolen car and attempted to open the back door, which was locked. The driver’s door did open. Due to an overwhelming foul smell coming from the car, and the silence of the baby, one of the women screamed, assuming the baby was deceased. Upon hearing the scream, the baby alerted and began crying. One of the women removed the baby from his car seat and began comforting him.

The women then noticed an empty Indianapolis police cruiser parked nearby and began looking for officers, who they found on their lunch break inside the Blaze Pizza. Indianapolis police then relocated to Papa Johns Pizza and took custody of the baby, taking him to a local hospital. The infant was treated for dehydration, heart abnormalities due to the dehydration, extreme diaper rash and skin deterioration due to him being buckled in a car seat for three days while sitting in his own excrement.

U.S. Attorney Parker acknowledged the numerous law enforcement agencies who have assisted in this case, including FBI offices in Columbus, Dayton and Indianapolis; the Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Dayton International Airport and Indianapolis police departments; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Ohio State Highway Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST).

Assistant United States Attorneys Emily K. Czerniejewski and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A father and daughter have each been convicted of federal crimes related to financial fraud.

India Cook, 37, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to four counts of making false statements on COVID-relief loan applications.

Rodney Cook, 56, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to two counts of making false statements on COVID-relief loan applications and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) documents.

According to court documents, in 2020 and 2021, India Cook filed fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

Specifically, she submitted applications that were false and contradicted each other for several different companies, including C&H Tax Service, ADMR Shoes, Tax Lab LLC and Care 4 U. India Cook ultimately received nearly $144,000 in fraudulent loans.

Rodney Cook prepared and submitted an application for AMP Clothing LLC (his daughter’s company) to receive pandemic related funds. AMP Clothing was not operating and did not have any employees or revenue at the time. He ultimately received and fraudulently spent more than $205,000 in EIDL and PPP loans.

In a separate scheme, Cook purchased rental properties through a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that was exclusively for owner-occupants who planned to live in the purchased property. Cook used “straw buyers” to purchase HUD properties in Cincinnati that he then rented out.

Rodney Cook was sentenced in January 2024 to pay full restitution, a $7,500 court fine and to serve three years of probation. India Cook will be sentenced at a later date.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) and Cincinnati Police Chief Theresa A. Theetge announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A federal judge has convicted a Fairfield, Ohio, man of participating in a narcotics conspiracy that is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

The verdict against Eric Jason Clark, 41, was announced yesterday afternoon following a bench trial on Jan. 29 before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Clark and others conspired to possess with the intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and 400 or more grams of fentanyl.

In May 2021, DEA agents began investigating Clark after receiving information that he was interested in purchasing 10 kilograms of cocaine from Los Angeles for $33,000 per kilogram.

During conversations related to drug sales in June and July 2021, Clark said he wanted to “stick to that white girl, the Christina Aguilera,” meaning cocaine, because law enforcement “want to fight that war on drugs with people passing away from [fentanyl].” But if the “price was right,” Clark said he’d buy fentanyl too, so long as it was “top notch.”

Clark carried multiple cell phones at a time and said he disposed of his phones and numbers as quickly as every two days. He said he always kept $300,000 cash in his car.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Clark was engaging in large-scale narcotics purchases in the Cincinnati area.

Clark was ultimately arrested in August 2021. At the time of his arrest, officers discovered five kilograms of cocaine and more than $200,000 of cash in his vehicle, as well as five more kilograms of cocaine and more than three kilograms of fentanyl at his luxury stash house apartment.

At the time, Clark was on supervised release following a prior federal drug conviction. In 2008, he was sentenced in a case in the Southern District of Ohio to 180 months in prison.

Clark will be sentenced by the Court at a future hearing. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentence and sentencing of the defendant will be determined based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge announced the verdict. Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy and Assistant United States Attorney David P. Dornette are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Columbus police officers have been arrested on federal charges alleging they stole multiple kilograms of cocaine and provided it to others to sell.

John Castillo, 31, of Grove City, and Joel M. Mefford, 34, of London, Ohio, were arrested today and appeared in federal court this afternoon, at which point their cases were unsealed.

According to Mefford’s indictment, in February 2020, he was investigating a drug crime and unlawfully gained access to a detached garage belonging to the subject of the investigation. It is alleged Mefford, without a warrant, discovered two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters of the garage. Mefford allegedly unlawfully seized one of the kilograms and left the other to be found during the execution of a search warrant the next morning. The defendant allegedly gave the stolen narcotics to an individual to sell.

Similarly, in February and March 2020, Mefford was investigating drug-trafficking activity at houses on Ambleside Drive and Kilbourne Avenue in Columbus. On March 7, 2020, the officer allegedly took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from the house on Ambleside Drive and arrested an individual there. He then allegedly traveled to the house on Kilbourne Avenue and removed a kilogram of cocaine. That same day, it is alleged Mefford turned in one kilogram of cocaine to evidence and stole the other kilograms to be sold.

It is further alleged that Mefford stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room in April 2020, replacing it with fake cocaine.

Mefford also allegedly deposited more than $72,000 in cash derived from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.

Castillo’s indictment alleges that in February 2021, Castillo took approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a house on North Everett Avenue and did not turn it into evidence. He allegedly planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement discovery later that day at the house. The 10 kilograms of cocaine were allegedly stored in another person’s basement before they were given to another individual to sell.

Castillo and Mefford are charged in separate indictments with possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Mefford is also charged with money laundering and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Zrinka Dilber, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office and the Columbus Division of Police.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to buying firearms with stolen credit card information and leading a conspiracy to pick up the firearms in illegal straw purchases, as well as separately obtaining a fraudulent COVID-relief loan.

Zephaniah Jones, 21, admitted to conspiring to make false statements on federal firearms forms, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

According to court documents, from April through July 2022, Jones and others attempted to place online orders for firearms with Guns.com and other online retailers for delivery to Cincinnati. Jones and his coconspirators completed online orders for 56 firearms and succeeded in obtaining at least 37.

Under federal law, the firearms could not be shipped directly to Jones or a coconspirator; they had to be shipped to a local federal firearms licensee (FFL). At the FFL, Jones’s coconspirators lied on ATF Form 4473, a form required when purchasing a firearm from an FFL, by pretending to be the actual buyer of the firearms. In fact, the firearms were for Jones, who intended to resell them.

Jones used stolen credit card information and billing addresses to place all the orders. For example, within two weeks in June and July 2022, Jones used the credit card information of three individuals to make purchases of firearms totaling more than $15,000. Jones bought large numbers of the same or similar models of firearms, intending to resell them. For example, he bought at least 14 Glock pistols, 11 F.N. Five-Seven pistols, and six FN 509 pistols.

Some of the guns involved in the conspiracy were traced to crimes within a short period of time. For example, just 15 days after purchase, one pistol was used to shoot into an occupied residence in Columbus; it was later also used in a shots-fired incident and a separate felonious assault. Another pistol was recovered from a juvenile less than three months after purchase, after being used in a different shots-fired incident in Columbus.

Separately, in February 2020, Jones submitted a fraudulent application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, falsely claiming that he owned a business called Jones Lawncare LLC. As a result, Jones was awarded a PPP loan for nearly $21,000 that was later forgiven.

Parties involved in Jones’s case have recommended a sentence of 79 months in prison. Five other coconspirators in the straw-purchasing conspiracy have been charged federally.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case. The case investigated by the ATF with assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Indian national pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to running a dark web narcotics conspiracy that moved hundreds of kilograms and tens of thousands of pills of controlled substances throughout the United States and established a multi-million-dollar drug enterprise. According to the DEA, this case involves the largest single cryptocurrency and cash seizure in DEA history; the defendant has forfeited cryptocurrency accounts that ultimately became worth $150 million.

Specifically, Banmeet Singh, 40, of Haldwani, India, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

According to court documents, Singh created vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces such as Silk Road 1, Silk Road 2, Alpha Bay, Hansa and others, to sell controlled substances, including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine and Tramadol.

Customers ordered controlled substances from Singh using the vendor sites and by paying with cryptocurrency. Singh then personally shipped or arranged the shipment of controlled substances from Europe to the United States through U.S. mail or other shipping services.

From at least mid-2012 through July 2017, Singh controlled at least eight distribution cells within the United States, including one in Columbus. Other distribution cells were in Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota and Washington. Individuals in those distribution cells received drug shipments from overseas and then re-packaged and re-shipped the drugs to locations in all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Singh was arrested in London in April 2019 and the government secured his extradition to the United States in 2023. Singh is one of eight defendants who were members of this drug trafficking organization who have been convicted of drug trafficking charges throughout the United States. 

“In the Singh organization’s drug orders, the members frequently used the vendor name ‘Liston’ and signed off with the signature phrase, ‘I’m still dancing.’ Today, with Banmeet Singh’s plea of guilty, the dance is over,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker.

“Banmeet Singh and traffickers like him think they can operate anonymously on the dark web and evade prosecution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s guilty plea, which includes forfeiture of approximately $150 million in cryptocurrency, demonstrates that the Justice Department will hold criminals who violate U.S. law accountable no matter how they conceal their activity. Together with our international partners, we will continue to find criminals lurking in the darkness and bring their crimes to light.”

“Banmeet Singh is designated as a Consolidated Priority Target, which makes him one of the most significant drug trafficking threats in the world,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “He is responsible for shipping massive quantities of deadly drugs throughout the United States, mostly purchased on the internet and sent through the mail.  His criminal enterprise has caused untold suffering to perhaps tens of thousands of people throughout the country.  Along with our global network of law enforcement partners, the investigation into his associates will continue, wherever they operate, until the threat to our communities has been stopped.” 

Parker, Argentieri and Greene were joined by Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson of the IRS’ Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Acting Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit Field Office, Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Pittsburgh Division, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, Upper Arlington Police Chief Steve Farmer, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant and officials with the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center in announcing today’s guilty plea.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Central Authority (UKCA) provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Singh from the UK.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Hunter of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Emily Cohen of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

# # #

An Indian national pleaded guilty today to selling controlled substances on dark web marketplaces and agreed to forfeit $150 million.

According to court documents, Banmeet Singh, 40, of Haldwani, India, created vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces, such as Silk Road, Alpha Bay, Hansa, and others, to sell controlled substances, including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine, and Tramadol. Customers ordered controlled substances from Singh using the vendor sites and by paying with cryptocurrency. Singh then personally shipped or arranged the shipment of controlled substances from Europe to the United States through U.S. mail or other shipping services.

“Banmeet Singh and traffickers like him think they can operate anonymously on the dark web and evade prosecution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s guilty plea, which includes forfeiture of approximately $150 million in cryptocurrency, demonstrates that the Justice Department will hold criminals who violate U.S. law accountable no matter how they conceal their activity. Together with our international partners, we will continue to find criminals lurking in the darkness and bring their crimes to light.”

“In the Singh organization’s drug orders, the members frequently used the vendor name ‘Liston’ and signed off with the signature phrase, ‘I’m still dancing’,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “Today, with Banmeet Singh’s plea of guilty, the dance is over.”

From at least mid-2012 through July 2017, Singh controlled at least eight distribution cells within the United States including cells located in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, among other locations. Individuals in those distribution cells received drug shipments from overseas and then re-packaged and re-shipped the drugs to locations in all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Banmeet Singh operated a global dark web enterprise to send fentanyl and other deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America — in all 50 states — as well as Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “DEA is proud to have worked with its law enforcement partners in the United States and the United Kingdom to dismantle this enterprise, protect the American people, and bring Singh to justice.”

“The guilty plea serves as a reminder that IRS:CI special agents will uncover illegal activity here and abroad, pierce the perceived veil of anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies, and bring those responsible for laundering drug proceeds to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) Cincinnati Field Office. “IRS will continue to push the agency to the forefront of complex cyber and money laundering investigations and work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to protect the American public.”

Over the course of the conspiracy, the Singh drug organization moved hundreds of kilograms of controlled substances throughout the United States and established a multimillion-dollar drug enterprise which laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds into cryptocurrency accounts, which ultimately became worth approximately $150 million.

In April 2019, Singh was arrested in London, and the United States secured his extradition in 2023.

“Dismantling online marketplaces that seek to poison our communities is a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit. “Capitalizing on our international footprint and our law enforcement partnerships, we will do everything we can to safeguard Ohio communities against drug traffickers. Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of years of hard work across multiple jurisdictions both here in the United States and internationally.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to keeping employees and customers of the U.S. Postal Service safe from dangerous substances in the mail,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). “Furthermore, we will continue to take all necessary actions to combat and remove dangerous and illicit drugs from the mail stream and the dark web. The charges against this individual proves the resolve of postal inspectors and our law enforcement partners to pursue these organizations with every resource at our disposal, and to ultimately see that justice is served.”

Singh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces an agreed upon sentence of eight years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

DEA, IRS:CI, HSI, USPIS, and Upper Arlington and Colombus, Ohio Police Departments are investigating the case. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and U.K. Central Authority (UKCA) provided significant assistance.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Singh from the United Kingdom.

Trial Attorney Emily Cohen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Hunter for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

An Ohio man was sentenced today to 21 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to dogfighting and fentanyl distribution. For today’s sentence, he will serve nine months concurrent with, and 12 months after, the 10 years he is already serving on the drug charges.

Michael Valentine, 40, of Bidwell, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of raising and training dogs for the purpose of fighting, and five counts related to fentanyl distribution. He was sentenced on Jan. 26, 2023, to serve 10 years in prison for the drug distribution charge and five years of supervised release. In total, Valentine will serve 11 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

“Dogfighting is a barbaric offense that cruelly harms animals and endangers the surrounding community,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those engaged in this horrific practice face significant punishment.”

“Valentine’s crimes endangered both humans and dogs,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “Thanks to the work of our investigative partners, hundreds of grams of fentanyl were taken out of circulation before reaching our local communities and more than 50 dogs were removed from the defendant. It is appropriate that Valentine will spend a significant amount of time in federal prison.”

“The relevant provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Springer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “The USDA-OIG thanks the Justice Department, who prosecuted the case, and Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their assistance with the investigation.”

According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated Valentine for dogfighting offenses in 2019 after a dog attacked a small child living with him. That investigation led to a search warrant of the Valentine’s residence and the seizure of 40 dogs. The search also recovered numerous items of dog fighting paraphernalia, including treadmills, veterinary supplies and dogfighting videos.

On March 8, 2022, a second search warrant was executed at the Valentine’s residence as part of a fentanyl-distribution investigation. That search revealed dog fighting paraphernalia, as well as two assault-style rifles. In addition, a search of a nearby parcel of land revealed 677 grams of fentanyl and 69 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution, and an additional 11 dogs, which Valentine was keeping for purposes of dogfighting. Valentine had previously sold 141 grams of fentanyl from the property.

The case was investigated by USDA-OIG and the FBI with assistance from the Gallia County Sherriff’s Office.

This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Marous for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

CINCINNATI -- A federal jury convicted a former ICE deportation officer today for crimes related to abusing his position to deprive the civil rights of victims under his supervision in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program.

Andrew Golobic, 52, of Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio, was found guilty on four counts including obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering and destruction of records in a federal investigation.

The verdict was announced this evening following a trial that began on Jan. 8 before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. The jury began deliberations on Jan. 19 and found Golobic guilty on four of seven counts.

Golobic was convicted of depriving a woman under his supervision in the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program of her fundamental right to bodily integrity, by forcing her to engage in nonconsensual sex. ATD allows certain asylum seekers and other immigrants who ICE has determined pose a low risk to public safety to remain in their communities while their immigration cases are pending. After being approached by agents from FBI and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General in June 2020, Golobic deleted evidence from his cellphones. 

Golobic was employed as a deportation officer with ICE from 2006 to 2020 and was assigned to the ICE office in Blue Ash, Ohio. He was assigned to the ATD program from approximately 2015 to 2020.

In his role, Golobic supervised immigrants with vulnerable backgrounds including those fleeing violence, exploitation, and sexual assault. Golobic knew he had power over women under his supervision. Golobic had discretion over the degree of freedom and movement afforded to participants under his supervision. He had the authority to decide the type of monitoring, frequency of reporting and level of supervision, as well as the authority to recommend that ATD participants who violated conditions of the program be detained or deported. 

Golobic’s sentence will be determined by the Court based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors at a future hearing.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and John R. Pias, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS-OIG) announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Ashley N. Brucato are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Gallia County man was sentenced to 11 years in prison today after pleading guilty to dogfighting and fentanyl distribution. He will serve nine months concurrent and 12 months consecutive to the 10 years he is already serving on the drug charges.

Michael Valentine, 40, of Bidwell, Ohio, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of raising and training dogs for the purpose of fighting and five counts related to fentanyl distribution. He was sentenced on Jan. 26, 2023, to serve 10 years in prison for the drug distribution charge. He will also serve five years of supervised release.

“Valentine’s crimes endangered both humans and dogs,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Thanks to the work of our investigative partners, hundreds of grams of fentanyl were taken out of circulation before reaching our local communities and more than 50 dogs were removed from the defendant. It is appropriate that Valentine will spend a significant amount of time in federal prison.”

“Dogfighting is a barbaric offense that cruelly harms animals and burdens the surrounding community in many ways,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those engaged in this horrific practice face significant punishment.”

“The relevant provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Springer of USDA-OIG. “The USDA-OIG thanks the Department of Justice, who prosecuted the case, and Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their assistance with the investigation.”

According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated Valentine for dogfighting offenses in 2019 after a dog attacked a small child living with him. That investigation led to a search warrant of the Valentine’s residence and the seizure of 40 dogs. The search also recovered numerous items of dog fighting paraphernalia, including treadmills, veterinary supplies and dogfighting videos.

On March 8, 2022, a second search warrant was executed at the Valentine’s residence as part of a fentanyl-distribution investigation. That search revealed dog fighting paraphernalia, as well as two assault-style rifles. In addition, a search of a nearby parcel of land revealed 677 grams of fentanyl and 69 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution, and an additional 11 dogs, which Valentine was keeping for purposes of dogfighting. Valentine had previously sold 141 grams of fentanyl from the property.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with assistance from the Gallia County Sherriff’s Office.

This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. More information about OCDETF can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Michael Marous and Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman are prosecuting the case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was arrested on federal fraud charges alleging he used a stolen identity for decades, compiling an extensive criminal record, getting married and fathering a child all under the assumed identity.

Yaw Mintah Afari, 46, appeared in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati yesterday, at which point his case was unsealed. He is scheduled for a detention hearing at 1:30pm tomorrow.

An affidavit filed in this case details that the victim of Afari’s alleged identity theft has significantly suffered from having his identity stolen. For example, the victim was arrested in 2009 for a warrant in Georgia for a crime that Afari committed while using his identity. The victim later had to take a DNA test to prove that he was not liable for child support payments for a child that Afari fathered under the victim’s name. Further, the victim lost his job as an Uber driver because of the criminal record Afari compiled under his identity.

According to court documents, Afari was born in Ghana in 1977 and entered the United States on a visitor’s visa in 1999. Afari obtained a Virginia driver’s license in 1999. In July 2001, he was charged with assault in Fairfax, Virginia.

After his assault charges, it is alleged that Afari stole the identity of an acquaintance that lived on his road.

It is alleged that Afari used the stolen identity in connection with various arrests, including on fraud, theft and forgery charges in Georgia in 2007 and 2009. Afari was convicted and sentenced to prison terms for the crimes in Georgia and was paroled in 2012.

In 2018 or 2019, Afari moved to Cincinnati. It is alleged he married a woman in 2019 and used the stolen identity for a marriage certificate in Hamilton County. Afari also fathered a child while using the assumed identity.

In February 2022, Afari applied for a passport in Cincinnati using the victim’s name, which led to an investigation into his true identity.

Afari is charged with aggravated identity theft (which is punishable by a two-year mandatory prison sentence), passport fraud (up to 10 years in prison) and making false statements to an agent of the federal government (up to five years in prison).

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the charges. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. Social Security Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals, and Ohio BMV Investigations. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy A. Landry is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was indicted and arrested for federal crimes related to armed robberies of United States postal carriers.

Anthony J. (“AJ”) Williams, 19, was arrested yesterday in Pittsburgh and will make his initial appearance there today. He is charged with conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, aggravated robbery of property of the United States, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to the indictment, in November and December 2022, Williams robbed two postal carriers of their service keys. Williams allegedly brandished a Glock 19 firearm at the first victim and wounded the second victim by punching him in the face.

The four-count indictment details that Williams allegedly conspired with at least four other individuals to rob postal service employees of their service keys to access USPS “blue boxes” and steal checks and money orders.

Specifically, it is alleged that on Nov. 9, 2022, Williams committed an armed robbery against a postal carrier on Michigan Avenue in Columbus. Williams allegedly received $2,000from co-conspirators for stealing the carrier’s service key.

On Christmas Eve in 2022, Williams allegedly punched a Canal Winchester postal carrier who was working on Kodiak Drive and threatened to kill him if he did not turn over his postal service key.

Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by at least seven years and up to life in prison. Aggravated robbery of government property carries a potential penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Conspiring to commit an offense against the United States is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – Five Dayton individuals have been charged federally in a narcotics conspiracy that allegedly resulted in at least one overdose death and one serious bodily injury.

Those charged include:

Name

Also known as

Age

Ricardo Busbee

Cardo

33

Torrence Busbee

Woody

30

Demarion Galloway

Duke

28

Dalaquan McGuire

Rico

26

Doretha Hughes

 

27

In summer 2023, local and federal law enforcement began investigating a significant increase in drug overdoses that had occurred within a six-block radius in Dayton.

According to the 10-count indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. They allegedly possessed and distributed methamphetamine at a premises where a minor resided.

It is also alleged that on July 27, 2023, Ricardo Busbee and Hughes distributed a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine that caused an overdose death. The drug combination also allegedly caused serious bodily injury to another individual.

Ricardo and Torrence Busbee are also charged with illegally possessing firearms as previously convicted felons.

All the defendants are charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. They allegedly possessed at least 14 guns that they kept in a storage unit and at residences on Laura and Basswood avenues.

Due to the allegation that death and serious bodily injury resulted from the drug conspiracy, if convicted, the defendants face a punishment of at least 20 years and up to life in prison.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Aftal announced the charges that were unsealed on Jan. 12 and commended the cooperative investigation with the assistance of partner agencies including Huber Heights, Trotwood, Springfield and Bellefontaine police departments, Miami County and Montgomery County sheriff’s offices, the FBI, United States Marshals and Ohio Adult Parole Authority. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Kelly K. Rossi are representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former local high school teacher was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 240 months in prison for crimes related to secretly recording explicit videos of his students at school and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Justin Foley, 48, of Delaware, Ohio, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child pornography.

Foley was employed as a chemistry teacher at Columbus Alternative High School at the time of his offenses. He used his cell phone and other digital media devices in a hidden manner to capture the genitalia of his female students under their skirts and shorts during the school day.

According to court documents, in August 2022, the Delaware Police Department received CyberTip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding numerous images of apparent child sexual abuse material that were uploaded via Google email accounts. Investigators tracked the IP addresses for the reported email accounts to Foley. During the investigation into Foley, officers discovered a second CyberTip report. Five of the IP addresses in the second report belonged to Columbus Public Schools.

Delaware County law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Foley’s residence on Sept. 20, 2022. Court documents detail that Foley admitted to creating videos in the classroom and hallways of the school at which he taught and that he had created some of these videos as recently as the previous week.

A review of Foley’s devices by the FBI revealed they contained numerous videos that were voyeuristic in nature and appear to have been self-produced. The videos were recorded at the high school Foley worked at, local department stores in central Ohio, public areas of downtown Delaware, Ohio, and various dressing rooms at different unidentified locations. It is apparent from the videos that the victims depicted in them did not know they were being recorded.

Foley created numerous videos of female students in the hallways of Columbus Alternative High School or of females that were students in his classroom.  In the videos he secretly recorded, Foley would hide his phone camera or place it beside or behind the victims in attempt to record up their skirts or shorts. Foley then took screenshots from the content he filmed of his victims and created still images of the victim’s nude genitalia, zooming in and “lightening” some of the screenshots to enhance the images.

In addition to the videos he created himself, more than 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material were recovered from Foley’s devices that depicted a series of images of prepubescent females in various stages of nudity or fully nude exposing their genitals or anus to the camera.

Foley was arrested and charged locally in Delaware County in September 2022. He was charged federally in November 2022. 

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler; Delaware Police Chief Adam Moore; Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa A. Schiffel; and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer M. Rausch and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, today announced new appointments to his management staff.

Parker oversees a staff of approximately 125 people, including 65 Assistant United States Attorneys. The Office serves the southern 48 counties in the state and is responsible for virtually all federal litigation in the Southern District of Ohio. This includes criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.

Management staff appointments are effective Jan. 13, and they include:

First Assistant United States Attorney Kelly A. Norris

Ms. Norris joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbus in 2018, primarily handling narcotics and gun cases. During her tenure, she has been the District’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Deputy Chief and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Coordinator. She previously served in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, beginning in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University and her law degree from the Valparaiso University School of Law before working for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as an Assistant Attorney General in the Health Care Fraud Section.

Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy

Ms. Muncy most recently served as the District’s Executive Assistant United States Attorney and served as the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Chief from 2019 to 2022. Muncy has also served as the District’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator.  She has served as a criminal Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2007. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Muncy was First Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Kenton County, Kentucky, from 2002-2007. Muncy is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and the Syracuse University School of Law.

Muncy will be assisted in her Criminal Chief Duties by five Deputy Criminal Chiefs. They are:

Brian J. Martinez, Deputy Criminal Chief (Columbus)

Mr. Martinez has served as the Deputy Criminal Chief in the Columbus office since 2019.  Martinez joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2014. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Associate Attorney General of the United States from 2012 to 2014 and as the Chief of Staff of the Justice Department’s Civil Division from 2009 to 2012. Prior to his work at the Department, Martinez was an associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Francisco from 2003 to 2009. Martinez clerked for the Hon. Thelton Henderson of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. He attended Stanford University for both his undergraduate education and law school.     

Emily N. Glatfelter, Deputy Criminal Chief (Cincinnati)

Ms. Glatfelter has served as a Deputy Criminal Chief in the Cincinnati office since 2015. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cincinnati in 2012, primarily handling financial crimes matters. She previously served in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maryland, beginning in 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler University and her law degree from Indiana University before working for Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C. She also clerked for the Hon. David F. Hamilton while he served as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana.

Brent G. Tabacchi, Deputy Criminal Chief (Dayton)

Mr. Tabacchi has served as a Deputy Criminal Chief in the Dayton office since 2021. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dayton in 2007, handling the prosecution of drug organizations and financial crimes.  He previously served in the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California. In the early 2000s, he worked as an associate at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago and as a law clerk for the Hon. Kenneth F. Ripple, Judge for the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He graduated from the University of Illinois with his bachelor’s degree and law degree.

Frederic Shadley, Deputy Criminal Chief (Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force)

Mr. Shadley joined the office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) in Cincinnati in 2022. He is a Cincinnati native who attended the University of Notre Dame for both his undergraduate and law degrees. Shadley has previously served as an Associate with Winston & Strawn in Chicago and as a Law Clerk for the Honorable John Blakley in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Since 2017, he has served as an AUSA for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida.

Jessica W. Knight, Deputy Criminal Chief (Support Staff)

Ms. Knight joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2012, primarily handling white collar and national security cases. She currently serves as the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Committee (ATAC) Coordinator, Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee, and District Election Officer. She previously served as Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief from January 2021 – February 2022. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Knight served as a Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Tax Division. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Denison University, master’s degree from the University of Maryland and law degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law.  

Civil Chief Brandi Stewart

Ms. Stewart joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dayton in 2014, where she defended the United States and its agencies in a wide array of civil suits brought against the government. She currently serves in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement division in Cincinnati where she primarily investigates and prosecutes fraud and civil rights cases on behalf of the United States. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Stewart was in private practice at a large Cincinnati-based law firm practicing civil litigation. 

Deputy Civil Chief John Stark

Mr. Stark joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbus in 2003, where he has primarily represented the federal government and individual federal employees in a wide array of defensive suits. Prior to joining the District, he was in private practice at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP in Michigan. He is also a veteran of the United States Army. Stark received his B.S., M.B.A., and J.D. degrees from The Ohio State University.

Appellate Chief Mary Beth Young 

Ms. Young will continue as Appellate Chief, a position she has held since 2016, with supervisory responsibility for criminal and civil filings in the Court of Appeals and coordination of the District’s appellate practice with other divisions of the Department of Justice. Young became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2012 in Columbus after serving two years as a Special AUSA. Prior to joining the District, Young was in private practice in Columbus and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Moritz College of Law. Young received her B.S. from the University of Kentucky, her M.S. from Georgia Tech, and her J.D. from the University of Chicago. Following law school, Young served as law clerk to Judge David Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, then to Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court.

Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill

Ms. Hill will continue as the District’s Senior Litigation Counsel (SLC), a position she has held since April 2021. As the SLC, Hill is responsible for legal training and development. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbus in 2011 and served as the District’s Project Safe Childhood (“PSC”) Coordinator from 2012 until 2021. She previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington D.C. from 2007 to 2011. Prior to beginning her career as an assistant federal prosecutor, Hill clerked for the Hon. Robert I. Richter while he served on the Criminal Division of the D.C. Superior Court. She received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School and her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Columbus men involved in the murder of a husband and wife in a local Internet café were sentenced in U.S. District Court this week to decades in prison.

Chris A. King, 28, was sentenced yesterday to 480 months in prison. King shot and murdered both the husband and wife while they were working.

Justice B. Stringer, 29, was sentenced today to 360 months in prison. Stringer drove co-defendants to and from the robbery resulting in murder.

Five total defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2019 for crimes related to a string of robberies of Internet gaming businesses, including the robbery at Players Paradise on East Broad Street that resulted in murder on Jan. 20, 2019.

According to court documents, King and a co-defendant robbed Players Paradise at gunpoint and allegedly murdered security guard Joseph Arrington and then his wife, employee Karen Arrington. Stringer then drove the men away from the Internet café.

Defendants were also responsible for a prior café robbery at Players Paradise on Dec. 10, 2018, stealing $30,000 in cash. Stringer also admitted to his involvement in a Jan. 7, 2019, robbery of Planet Jackpot café on Alum Creek Drive.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the sentences imposed by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A New Jersey man who is alleged to have fled to Turkey has returned to the United States and pleaded guilty to his role in a nationwide, off-the-road tire sale fraud scheme that resulted in tens of millions of dollars of losses.

Ahmet Neidik, 64, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit wire fraud.

Neidik was the co-owner of, and ran the daily operations for, transportation, logistics and importing/exporting businesses. Some of the proceeds of the scheme were sent to businesses controlled by Neidik. Neidik would then wire money to the bank accounts of co-conspirators.

It is alleged that John K. Eckerd, Jr., 58, of Dallas, is the leader of the multi-state conspiracy.

Conspiring with previously convicted and sentenced defendant Jason E. Adkins, 46, of Jackson, Ohio, Eckerd and others orchestrated a $50 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 50 investors.

According to Eckerd’s indictment, from 2012 until at least in or around late 2018, Eckerd represented himself to potential investors as an entrepreneur and businessman with expertise in the market for off-the-road tires. Off-the-road tires are over-sized tires that are used on earth moving equipment and/or mining equipment. Eckerd had control of or access to many corporations allegedly used as part of the scheme.

Co-conspirators allegedly solicited millions of dollars from investor-victims under false pretenses. Investors were told their money would be used to buy off-the-road tires at a steep discount, and that the tires would then be re-sold to a buyer at a much higher rate. Investors were promised a high percent rate of return on investment, generally within 180 days.

It is alleged defendants rarely bought or sold tires, and when they did, they used the same tires as the basis for multiple deals, promising multiple investors that they each owned the same tires.

Defendants corresponded with the potential investors face-to-face, as well as through a combination of phone calls, text messages, and, on occasion, emails. It is alleged they used private planes to showcase their inventory and appear wealthy and successful. Defendants also allegedly provided investors with elaborate, fraudulent paperwork regarding the purported deals. The co-conspirators requested large investments and loans, most to be funded through wire transfers.

With his guilty plea, Neidik admitted to participating in the scheme. To give potential investors confidence in the tire deals, Eckerd and Adkins offered the services of a purportedly neutral third party to arrange shipment of the tires and/or hold investment funds in escrow until certain conditions were met in completing the deal. Neidik allowed Eckerd and Adkins to represent to investors that he was the neutral third party, and on some occasions, entered into escrow agreements with the investors.

As part of his plea, Neidik has agreed to pay $370,000 in restitution for his part of the scheme.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorneys S. Courter Shimeall, Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and David J. Twombly are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A career bank robber was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 162 months in prison for armed robberies he committed in Athens and Marietta in 2020.

William E. Johnson, 58, of Lancaster, committed armed robberies in August 2020 in Athens and October 2020 in Marietta. As part of his sentence, he will pay more than $50,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, on Aug. 17, 2020, Johnson brandished a firearm at Hocking Valley Bank on East State Street in Athens. Johnson wore a prosthetic forehead and nose, skin-toned arm sleeves/gloves, makeup and a COVID mask, all designed to disguise his appearance.

Johnson ordered employees to get on the floor and then emptied several drawers of cash. In total, he took more than $25,000. After stealing the cash, he tied the employees’ hands with zip ties. Johnson ordered the bank manager to give him the keys to the bank manager’s car and the manager complied. Johnson fled the bank in the stolen vehicle.

On Oct. 22, 2020, Johnson robbed the Citizens Bank on North Second Street in Marietta. Johnson was wearing a full-length Halloween-style mask that made him appear to be an old man and wore a red hood pulled up around his face.

Johnson possessed a gun and forced his way behind the tellers’ counter. He emptied several drawers, stealing $11,390.

At the time, Johnson had a warrant out for his arrest for a pending indictment for a bank robbery in Williamstown, West Virginia.

Law enforcement officers spotted Johnson driving in West Virginia on the evening of the Marietta bank robbery and pulled him over. Johnson attempted to flee on foot, telling officers they would have to kill him to take him into custody again. Officers tased Johnson and placed him under arrest.

Officers searched Johnson’s vehicle and located more than $9,000 in cash, a loaded handgun, zip ties and his disguises.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; the Athens, Marietta, Williamstown, W.Va. and Parkersburg, W.Va. police departments; the Washington County and Wood County, W.Va. sheriff’s offices; and the West Virginia State Police announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Noah R. Litton and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted Thomas O. Crowell, 35, of Canal Winchester, with narcotics, firearms and fraud crimes.

The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on Jan. 8 before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Crowell, who is also known as “T-Mack,” possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana in June 2021. He illegally possessed firearms at the time, namely, a rifle and a Glock. Crowell is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Crowell was also convicted of wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining COVID-relief Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding by falsely claiming to own a trucking business called “Thomas Crowell.” In April 2021, Crowell applied for the PPP loan and received nearly $20,000. 

Possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana carries a potential punishment of at least five years and up to life in prison. Illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; and Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods announced today’s verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Damoun Delaviz are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Lower Salem, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to crimes related to exploiting minor victims in Ohio and in the Philippines.

James A. Sabolick, 58, admitted to bringing a minor from West Virginia to his hunting cabin in Washington County to engage in illicit sex acts. Sabolick also admitted to sending money to Filipino women for their basic living expenses in exchange for child sexual abuse material.

Sabolick pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually exploiting a minor and one count of possessing child pornography. As part of his plea, the parties involved in his case have recommended a sentence of 25 years in prison.

“This case shows that we are dedicated to working across all levels of law enforcement to hold people accountable for their crimes, no matter where they exploit their victims,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Our priority is putting perpetrators like Sabolick behind bars for significant periods of time so that they can no longer prey on the vulnerable.”

“Our law enforcement priority will always be to protect the most vulnerable, especially children in our communities,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “Our laws also protect children in other countries from Americans looking to sexually exploit them. HSI special agents will continue to leverage our international footprint to hold those violators accountable.”

“This predator fed his sick desires at the expense of vulnerable children,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “Excellent work by our human trafficking task forces and federal partners to end his evil exploitation.”

According to court documents, on July 24, 2021, Marietta police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Sabolick was driving. Sabolick told officers he was alone while attempting to conceal a minor female, who officers discovered in the back seat.

Further investigation conducted by the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Sabolick had driven the minor from West Virginia to a cabin near his residence in Washington County to engage in various sex acts with the minor.

Some of the sex acts involved abuse such as needle pokes, lighter burns, restraints, strangulation and urination. Items recovered from Sabolick’s hunting cabin and vehicle included panty hose, lubricant and a box of t-pins. Sabolick photographed the minor victim during the sexual abuse.

Court documents detail that Sabolick had met the minor victim when she was approximately 13 or 14 years old. Sabolick possessed several communications and nude images of the minor victim on his phone.

Additional forensic review of Sabolick’s electronics and social media accounts revealed he had communicated with Filipino women he knew through prior trips to the Philippines in 2013 and 2014. In recovered Facebook chats, the women requested money from Sabolick for basic living expenses like food, utility bills, tuition, etc. In exchange, Sabolick requested sexually explicit images of their minor children and offered to send them money for the child sexual abuse material.

For example, in December 2020, Sabolick sent money to a Filipino woman for images of her daughter’s genitalia. Financial records from Paypal, Western Union, Xoom and Moneygram all revealed numerous transactions to the Philippines totaling more than $1,000, including to the Filipino women identified in the investigation on the same days that Sabolick was requesting child pornography from them.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Washington County Sheriff Larry R. Mincks and Marietta Police Chief Katherine Warden announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.

The case was investigated by both the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which are operated under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.

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CINCINNATI – Two Cincinnati men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in separate cases to possessing Glock switches.

Glock switches are devices that convert firearms to machineguns: fully automatic weapons that fire more than one shot without reloading the trigger.

Ronnell Aaron Clay, 21, pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a machinegun. Taviyon Broussard, 20, pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to the same crime.

According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2023, Clay drove over double yellow lines and was stopped by Cincinnati police officers. Officers located a Glock pistol with a missing backplate and crack cocaine in the vehicle. In a subsequent search of the vehicle, another officer located a gold Glock switch.

Clay had been using his Instagram account to advertise Glock switches for sale in the Cincinnati area.

Broussard’s court documents detail that he illegally possessed a modified firearm on Nov. 8, 2022. Broussard was using a 3D-printed Glock conversion device.

Illegally possessing a fully automatic weapon is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Congress sets maximum statutory sentences and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a later hearing.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge announced the guilty pleas. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is representing the United States in these cases, and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato represented the United States in the case against Broussard.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A Vandalia man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 156 months in prison and eight years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of a local elementary school.

The United States argued at sentencing that Jason Glanton, 34, possessed enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of thousands of full-grown adults in close proximity to kids in kindergarten through third grade at Helke Elementary School on Randler Avenue in Vandalia.

Glanton’s narcotics included fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and a xylazine mixture known by the street names “tranq dope” and “zombie dope.” Xylazine is particularly dangerous because it has no known antidote, meaning Narcan/naloxone is less effective at reversing overdoses.

According to court documents, in the fall of 2022, the FBI and Dayton Police Department began investigating Glanton for fentanyl trafficking. Law enforcement observed Glanton sell fentanyl on at least three occasions in January and February 2023.

While executing a search warrant in February 2023, agents discovered more than 136 grams of fentanyl, $9,000 in cash, five semiautomatic handguns and more than 300 rounds of ammunition in a basement office at Glanton’s home on Pool Avenue. Investigators also discovered three loaded handguns in the primary bedroom.

In Glanton’s Chevrolet Silverado, officials discovered $10,000 in cash in the trunk and a loaded handgun in a hidden compartment inside the vehicle.

When Glanton was arrested in March 2023, he had more than $1,700 in cash on him and nearly 75 grams of fentanyl in his Chrysler 300.

Glanton pleaded guilty in September 2023.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Christopher Lawrence Spicer, 23, of Middletown, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Spicer led local officers on a high-speed chase in spring 2023 before being arrested.

According to court documents, on March 16, 2023, Spicer was approached by law enforcement while driving a stolen Ford F-150 in a Middletown business parking lot. Spicer backed into a police cruiser and fled throughout Middletown at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. While fleeing, Spicer ran a red light at the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Jackson Lane. Spicer collided with another vehicle, rendering his own vehicle disabled. He was arrested at that time.

When officer’s searched Spicer’s truck, they discovered a loaded Romarm/Cugir Micro Draco 7.62x39mm pistol and more than 200 fentanyl pills.

The parties involved in Spicer’s case have recommended a sentence of 60 months in prison. The Court will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Middletown Police Chief David Birk announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A former Cincinnati city councilman was sentenced in federal court here today to 24 months in prison for honest services wire fraud.

While serving as a city councilman in fall 2018, Jeffrey Pastor, 39, of Cincinnati, received a $15,000 cash bribe in return for his official action to advance development projects in the city.

According to court documents, in September 2018 Pastor and his associate flew to Miami, Florida, on a private plane to meet with investors regarding a real estate development project. Pastor never paid for or disclosed the trip. During the trip, Pastor explained he would ensure favorable action on behalf of the city for the project and could receive money through his associate’s non-profit entity (which had been incorporated two weeks prior). Pastor discussed “compensation” and agreed to accept $15,000 for helping with the project. He said the purpose of his associate’s entity was to “sanitize” the money.

After flying back to Cincinnati, Pastor called the investor to “negotiate a monthly retainer” and said that $15,000 would be the retainer fee for providing official action.

On Oct. 4, 2018, Pastor accepted $15,000 in cash. After receiving the money, Pastor continued to solicit bribes on multiple occasions for an eight-month period.

Pastor and Tyran Marshall were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2020. Pastor pleaded guilty in June 2023 and Marshall pleaded guilty in December 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A California man who traveled to Ohio to engage in sex acts with a 14-year-old he met online was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 204 months in prison.

Kameron E. Tolbert, 28, of Suisin City, California, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child pornography.

According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2022, law enforcement was dispatched to a home in Jackson, Ohio after Tolbert had jumped through the minor victim’s bedroom window when he was discovered in her bedroom by family members. Tolbert fled on foot and then by vehicle.

The next day, the principal at the victim’s local high school identified Tolbert’s vehicle in the school parking lot and notified a school resource officer who detained Tolbert at the school.  Tolbert admitting being there at the school to see the minor victim.

Tolbert had first met the victim online six months prior and began chatting with her via different social media applications, including Discord. He admitted to flying from Sacramento, California, to Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 20, 2022, to meet the victim at her home in Jackson. Tolbert parked nearby her residence and snuck into the victim’s home through her bedroom window to avoid security cameras at the front door. He admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with her at her home on August 21 and August 22.

A forensic examination of Tolbert’s digital devices revealed more than 500 images and 1,100 videos depicting child sexual abuse of both prepubescent and pubescent minors. Images and videos of the 14-year-old minor victim engaged in sex acts with Tolbert were also recovered.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati division; and Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to sexually exploiting and sextorting more than 25 known victims in at least three states.

Lorenzo A. Winfield, 22, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting minors, possessing child pornography and communicating interstate with the intent to extort. As part of his plea, the parties involved have recommended a sentence of 23 to 27 years in prison.

According to court documents, from at least 2016 until 2021, Winfield used extortion to solicit and collect explicit photos of underage girls at his Columbus high school, the Arts and College Preparatory Academy (ACPA), where he was known as the “ACPA Hacker”.

Winfield would contact students at ACPA and demand nude photographs of them.  He would also hack into victims’ social media accounts and use the photos he obtained against them.  Winfield would further tell the victims he had nude photos of them or other students that he would distribute to friends or family unless the victims complied. On numerous occasions, Winfield followed through on these threats, distributing sexually explicit photos of his victims to others to prove he was serious with his threats in a bid to contain more content. In addition, Winfield told the victims to send him sexually explicit images or videos in order to regain control of their own social media accounts.

Winfield used several social media accounts of his own to participate in the exploitation and extortion of the victims that have been identified thus far. His accounts were active across platforms such as Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Skype and Google Hangouts.

Winfield was separately investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office for extorting and exploiting at least four victims in Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia.

For example, one identified victim was approximately 11 years old at the time Winfield first made contact with her. Winfield sent nude photos of the victim to students at a Virginia middle school and eventually, as she got older, to students at her high school. The victim originally met Winfield via a social media game. Winfield threatened to harm her family if she did not comply with his requests for sexually explicit photos and videos and continued to exploit and extort her until his arrest.

Similarly, Winfield exploited at least one victim in College Station, Texas.

If you believe you were also a victim of Winfield’s crimes, or have information related to this case, please contact the FBI at (614) 849-1733.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea offered this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. U.S. Attorney Parker and Special Agent in Charge Rivers commended the cooperative investigation in this case with FBI divisions and state and local law enforcement agencies in Ohio, Virginia and Texas. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Three Cincinnati men were sentenced in federal court today for conspiring to commit mail theft.

Lawrence Sherman, 23, was sentenced to 40 months in prison. Brandon McCollum, 21, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Jeffrey Wiley, 23, was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

According to court documents, between July 2022 and June 2023, the defendants conspired to steal postal arrow keys to then steal mail from blue collection boxes. The conspiracy caused a loss amount of between $250,000 and $550,000 and involved 10 or more victims.

Conspirators would steal any cash contained in the mail from the receptacles. They would also steal checks and “wash” or erase the original information in an attempt to fraudulently convert the checks. The defendants would then deposit the altered checks in borrowed accounts and withdrawal cash from ATMs.

There were multiple police chases connected to this particular scheme and at least one stolen vehicle driven by Sherman. During one such traffic stop in Springfield Township in January 2023, McCollum was in possession of a stolen postal arrow key.

Sherman, McCollum and Wiley are three of at least a dozen defendants charged in the Southern District of Ohio in 2022 and 2023 with crimes related to postal robberies.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced the sentences imposed today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott and acknowledged the assistance of the Wyoming, Springdale and Green Hills police departments. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A dual Ghanaian and American citizen currently residing in Ohio was indicted for crimes related to a romance-fraud conspiracy and making false statements on a COVID‑relief application.

Benjamin Adu Acheampong, 37, of Fairfield, Ohio, is charged in a 7-count indictment.

According to the indictment, from January 2019 through July 2021, Acheampong conspired with others to create false online profiles, which the conspirators used to express romantic interest in victims. Once the victim believed he or she was in a romantic relationship with the person pictured in the online profile, the coconspirators, using false pretenses, would convince the victims to send money by mail or by wire transfer. For example, the conspirators commonly falsely represented that the person pictured in the online profile was expecting a large inheritance of gold and needed financial assistance to bring it to the United States, or that he or she needed money for a plane ticket or medical expenses.

Acheampong allegedly laundered part of the $1 million in scam proceeds through multiple bank accounts, including bank accounts he opened in the name of ABA Automotive & Export LLC, an Ohio LLC he created.

It is alleged the money was laundered by making wire transfers, including to accounts in Africa, and by falsely representing that the transfers were for, among other things, paying workers and family expenses.

In addition, the indictment alleges that Acheampong made false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in a Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan application, which resulted in the SBA awarding him more than $20,000 in COVID relief to which he was not entitled.

Acheampong is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, two counts of international money laundering, and two counts of concealment money laundering, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Acheampong is also charged with one count of making false statements to an agent of the United States, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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