Southern District of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Owners of Tritan EMS were sentenced in U.S. District Court for crimes related to a $3.6 million health care fraud scheme.

 

Jeralyn R. Dougherty, 67, of Dublin, was sentenced Friday to 42 months in prison, ordered to pay more than $3.6 million in restitution, including $873,716 to the IRS, and ordered to forfeit numerous financial accounts.

 

Clint J. Green, 47, of Orient, Ohio, was sentenced in June 2019 to 42 months in prison, ordered to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution, including $649,671 to the IRS, and ordered to forfeit numerous financial accounts.

 

In February 2019, Dougherty and Green pleaded guilty to health care fraud and filing false tax returns.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Dougherty’s sentence imposed Friday by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.

 

According to court documents, between January 2012 and June 2017 Dougherty and her son, Green, owned and operated Tritan EMS, LLC (Tritan), a medical transportation company and Medicare and Medicaid provider.

 

Dougherty and Green were aware that Medicare and Medicaid only reimbursed claims for non-emergency ambulance services provided to Medicare recipients who were transported to certain locations, such as a hospitals, skilled nursing facilities or renal dialysis facilities, and only where the patients were being transported to receive Medicare or Medicaid covered services or returning from receiving care for such services.

 

Dougherty and Green billed Medicare and Medicaid for ambulance services knowing that patients were transported by a vehicle other than an ambulance, and knowing that the patients did not meet the Medicare and Medicaid requirements for ambulance services.

 

The total amount of fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid at the direction of Dougherty and Green for ambulance services that were medically unnecessary and by a vehicle other than an ambulance was more than $2.7 million.

 

Dougherty filed false personal tax returns with the IRS for the 2013 through 2016 income tax years. Dougherty misrepresented on her personal tax returns the amount of income she received from Tritan each year. The total tax loss to the IRS was $873,716.

 

Green also filed false personal tax returns with the IRS for the 2014 through 2016 income tax years, and the total tax loss to the IRS was $649,671.

 

“Waste, fraud and abuse in the health care industry contributes to the rising cost of health care and degrades the integrity of our health care system,” said William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Fortunately, one of the government's most powerful weapons is the ability to seize assets through the asset forfeiture program and in this case the government has seized a significant portion of the health care fraud proceeds.”

 

“Those who try to game the health care system will end up losing,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “I’m proud of my staff and our partners at the federal level for securing justice in this case.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation, HHS OIG the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth F. Affeldt and Maritsa A. Flaherty, who prosecuted these cases.

 

# # #

DAYTON – A Dayton man was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 84 additional months in prison for crimes related to an Indiana robbery.

 

Jeremy Watson, 40, was on federal supervised release in April 2018 for a 2004 conviction in the Southern District of Ohio when he robbed a Dollar General Store in Lawrenceburg, Ind. Watson is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for the robbery in Indiana and will serve the additional seven years consecutively.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Miamisburg Police Chief John Sedlak announced the sentence handed down yesterday by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

According to court documents, Watson fled to Miamisburg, Ohio following the robbery in Indiana. Law enforcement officers encountered Watson at a hotel in Miamisburg on April 3, 2018. Watson attempted to flee on foot, but slipped and fell. While on the ground, he turned and pointed a gun toward the police.

 

Watson pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 48 months in prison for that crime and to 36 months in prison for violating his supervised release.

 

Watson had been released from federal custody in June 2017. He had been sentenced to 168 months in prison for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence (a carjacking).

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the ATF and Miamisburg Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt, who is representing the United States in this case. 

 

###

CINCINNATI – Two former members of an Ohio militia group heave pleaded guilty to violating the National Firearms Act by conspiring to possess destructive devices.

 

Ryan D. King, 37, of Franklin, Ohio and Randy D. Goodman, 53, of Ripley, Ohio, each pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to possess unregistered explosive devices. King and Goodman were indicted by a federal grand jury in February.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Todd Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the pleas entered into yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.

 

According to court documents, King and Goodman were members of a militia group operating in the Southern District of Ohio. King and Goodman established a small subset of the militia group and referred to it as the “Special Projects Team.” The defendants advocated that this Team construct, use and stockpile explosives including pipe bombs, landmines and remote activated explosive devices.

 

As part of their pleas, the defendants admitted they conspired to possess destructive devices in violation of the National Firearms Act, specifically, bombs and parts necessary to make pipe bombs.

 

In January 2019, King and Goodman tested their “crater makers” at Goodman’s home in Ripley, Ohio. They discussed construction and ignition methods in detail. Goodman referenced the Boston Marathon as an example of a remote detonation system that worked.

 

They discussed which methods would be most lethal, including constructing their explosive devices out of metal pipes instead of PVC.

 

For example, Goodman asked, “Do we know how they built the pressure cookers for the Boston bombers…we are talking the same concept…”

 

King added, “If you really want explosions you would bury these in the driveway, so they go up and out. We can build land mines, I’ve already built them before, you know that.”

 

Conspiring to possess destructive devices is a crime that carries a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison.

 

This case was investigated by agents with the FBI and is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Glassman and Assistant United States Attorney Sheila G. Lafferty.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – The pastor of a Sharonville church has been charged federally with coercing a minor female in a criminal complaint that details interactions with two alleged victims.

 

Cesar Agusto Guerrero, Jr., 41, of Liberty Township, was charged federally on August 9. The criminal complaint was unsealed today following Guerrero’s initial appearance in federal court at 2:30pm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Litkovitz.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Sharonville Police Chief Steve Vanover announced the charges.

 

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the Sharonville Police Department received several complaints on August 7 regarding the pastor of Mision Cristiana el Calvario Church and a minor female victim.

 

Guerrero allegedly contacted the 17-year-old victim through the Facebook Messenger app and told the victim he had dreamt of her dressed in white and walking in a dark place. The victim told the pastor she had been sexually molested in Guatemala.

 

It is alleged Guerrero told the victim that God was speaking to him and the only way to get out of the dark place was for her to have sexual relations with Guerrero. The pastor allegedly referred to this as a “cleansing process.”

The affidavit details that Guerrero requested a nude video call with the victim as well as photos of her genitalia. He cited several biblical verses while making the request.

 

Further, it is alleged the victim met with the pastor at the Sharonville church on July 30. At that time, the pastor allegedly said he would “free her mouth” by having the victim perform oral sex on him. The pastor also allegedly raped the victim.

 

On August 9, officials with the FBI and Sharonville Police received information from a second alleged victim. According to the affidavit, the second victim had been sexually assaulted by the pastor on more than one occasion, beginning when the victim was 14 years old.

 

Guerrero allegedly told the second victim to show him how she kissed her boyfriend before assaulting her and telling her if she was a child of God she would obey him. 

 

It is also alleged that Guerrero sexually assaulted this second victim on another occasion at his home.

 

Guerrero was arrested last week on state charges and was transferred to federal custody today.

 

Coercing a minor is a federal crime punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison.

 

If you believe you are also a victim in this case, or have relevant information related to Guerrero, please contact the FBI tip line at 513-979-8822.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Sharonville Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey, who is prosecuting the case.

 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

DAYTON – Dontae T. Tucker, 34, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 48 months in prison for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence imposed yesterday by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

According to court documents, in March and April 2018, Tucker possessed five firearms that he sold to an individual in Dayton. The firearms included a rifle, a shotgun and three pistols.

 

Tucker was previously convicted in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

 

Tucker pleaded guilty in November 2018 to illegally possessing firearms.

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation of this case by ATF and Dayton Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace, who is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

DAYTON – Henry B. Essick, III, 34, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 72 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the sentence handed down today by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

 

According to court documents, in September 2018, Essick possessed a Bolt Action Rifle. At that time, Essick was on post-release control with the State of Ohio. During a parole visit, authorities searched Essick’s residence on Harvard Boulevard in Dayton and located the rifle in a downstairs closet.

 

Essick has previously been convicted of felonies, including attempted aggravated arson, rape and kidnapping. He is currently in state custody after being convicted of forgery charges. Essick will serve his federal prison sentence consecutive to his current state one.

 

Essick pleaded guilty in May 2019 to one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by the ATF, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith, who is representing the United States in this case. 

 

###

DAYTON – Today the government is unsealing charges against a friend of Connor Betts for allegedly lying on federal firearms forms.

 

 

The briefing will be held:

 

TODAY: MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2019

 

WHEN:           2 P.M.

 

WHERE:         Walter H. Rice Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse

                        First Floor Conference Room 150

                        200 West 2nd Street

                        Dayton, Ohio 45402

 

WHO:             U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman

                        Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, FBI

                       

                                               

 

 

Room available beginning at 1:40 P.M. No TV lighting provided. ID will be required for entrance at Security.

 

#  #  #

DAYTON – A friend of Dayton mass shooter Connor Betts has been charged federally with lying on federal firearms forms in order to purchase weapons and with illegally possessing those weapons. The friend also allegedly purchased firearm components and body armor for Betts, which Betts used in the August 4 shooting.

 

Ethan Kollie, 24, of Kettering, was arrested Friday evening. His case was unsealed today.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the charges.

 

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, federal agents interviewed Kollie on August 4 in connection with the mass shooting earlier that day in Dayton.

 

During that first interview, Kollie allegedly told agents that he likes guns and currently owns a handgun and a micro Draco pistol.

 

He also indicated that he purchased body armor and a firearm component for Betts earlier this year.

 

Kollie consented to a search of his residence, and while inside, agents smelled marijuana and observed in plain sight a bong and the Draco pistol.

 

Federal agents interviewed Kollie again on August 8. During that second interview, Kollie indicated he and Betts had done “hard drugs,” marijuana and acid together four to five times a week during 2014 to 2015. When asked how often he used drugs in the past year and a half, Kollie said he smokes marijuana every day and has done so since he was 14.

 

The affidavit details that Kollie also told agents he uses psychedelic mushrooms, which he grows in his residence, and “micro-doses” on a constant basis, stating it gives him energy and is “fun.”

 

Kollie allegedly told agents he lied on ATF Form 4473 while purchasing firearms, specifically while answering question 11e that asks, “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” Kollie checked the “no” box.

 

According to the affidavit, Kollie also acknowledged purchasing three items used by Betts during the August 4 mass shooting:

1. body armor,
2. upper receiver that was attached to the AM-15 weapon and
3. 100-round double drum magazine.

Kollie indicated he purchased these items for Betts and stored them at his apartment to assist Betts in hiding them from Betts’ parents. Kollie and Betts allegedly assembled the AM-15 in Kollie’s apartment approximately 10 weeks ago. Approximately six to eight weeks ago, Kollie obtained the drum magazine. At that time, Betts took possession of it, the assembled weapon, and the body armor.

 

Agents returned to Kollie’s apartment with a federal search warrant and recovered the micro Draco pistol, a Taurus Model PT111 G2A semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, including a “bong,” and suspected marijuana and mushrooms believed to contain Schedule 1 Controlled Substances. Kollie was at the apartment at the time agents executed the warrant and was carrying a concealed (with permit) .38 Taurus revolver and a small amount of suspected marijuana, both of which were also recovered pursuant a warrant. Lab testing is in progress. 

 

Possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Making a false statement regarding firearms carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment.

 

Kollie is currently in custody and will appear in federal court in Dayton at 3pm on Wednesday for a detention hearing.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, as well as First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel and Assistant United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace, who are prosecuting the case.

 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three parents have been charged and two have pleaded guilty to receiving their children’s Social Security disability payments while the children were not in their care.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Tracey Thanos, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, announced the charges.

 

Shannon Scott, 35, of Columbus, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King on Wednesday. Scott lost custody of her child in 2014 but falsely represented to Social Security that her child was still living with her in order to continue receiving her child’s disability payments through July 2018. In total, she fraudulently obtained more than $35,000.

 

Jennifer Riggs, 40, of Heath, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King in June. In 2016, Riggs lost custody of her child but continued accepting the child’s Social Security benefits through May 2018, receiving nearly $17,000 in disability payments.

 

Maddo Tamboura, 42, of Whitehall, was charged by a federal grand jury on Thursday and arrested today. According to his indictment, Tamboura kept Social Security payments for two children that did not live with him, totaling more than $19,000.

 

Converting Supplemental Security Income benefits is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigations by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry, who is prosecuting all three cases.

 

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

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged a Columbus man with multiple crimes related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The man allegedly chatted with minor females on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and requested that the girls send him videos of themselves engaged in sexual acts.

 

Michael T. Sutherin, 21, of Columbus, was charged with producing, advertising for, distributing receiving and possessing child pornography, as well as coercing a minor, in a 13-count indictment returned here yesterday and filed today.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the charges.

 

According to the indictment, Sutherin coerced at least four females ages 12 to 15 to engage in sexual activities on video.

 

Sutherin’s indictment includes multiple charges punishable by a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and S. Courter Shimeall, who are prosecuting the case.

 

An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

 

If you believe you were also a victim in this case, or have related information, please contact the FBI at 614-849-1765.

 

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Court accepted guilty pleas this week from three defendants in the
MS-13 racketeering case. Each defendant accepted responsibility for murder, including one homicide in Indianapolis investigated as part of this case.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the pleas entered into before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

 

In February 2018, 23 individuals were charged in a second superseding indictment and alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.

 

The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.

 

The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.

 

Jose Manuel Romero-Parada (a/k/a Russo), 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon to a superseding information. Through his plea to racketeering conspiracy, he accepted responsibility for his role in the murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos and Wilson Villeda.  In addition, he accepted responsibility for his involvement in the murder of Israel Anibal Mejia-Martinez, who was killed with bladed weapons and buried in a park in Indianapolis in 2017. The parties in Romero-Parada’s case have recommended a sentence of 35 to 40 years in prison.  

 

Jose Bonilla-Mejia (a/k/a Espia), 30, of Santa Maria, Calif., accepted responsibility for his role in the murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, Wilson Villeda and Salvador Martinez-Diaz. As part of his plea, he will serve life in prison without the possibility of release. Chief Judge Sargus accepted Bonilla-Mejia’s guilty plea this afternoon.

 

Juan Jose Alvarenga-Alberto (a/k/a Sailen), 30, of Columbus, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon. He accepted responsibility for his role in the 2016 shooting death of Salvador Martinez-Diaz in Columbus.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ICE, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with Bonilla-Mejia’s resolution.

 

Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Jessica H. Kim are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – Rodney Anderson, 35, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 72 months in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.

 

According to court documents, in July 2018, Narcotics Unit investigators with the Cincinnati Police Department were working overtime targeting citywide drug hotspots. While conducting surveillance near the 1600 block of Race Street, they observed Anderson in his vehicle. Anderson violated a traffic law at West Liberty and Elm streets.

 

During the traffic stop, officers discovered more than 60 bindles containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and a pistol.

 

Anderson pleaded guilty in January to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by ATF and Cincinnati Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Springer, who is representing the United States in this case. 

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

###

COLUMBUS, Ohio – One of 19 defendants charged in a gang-related racketeering conspiracy was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 120 months in prison.

 

Dominique Bryant, also known as “Doggy,” 27, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in the racketeering conspiracy in January.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan, United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

 

According to court documents, Bryant and the other defendants are members and associates of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips gang known as T&A.

The gang derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside.

Beginning in June 2010, T&A members and associates conspired in a racketeering enterprise and engaged in murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, witness tampering, robbery, assault and other crimes.

The gang controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.

 

Specifically, co-conspirators are charged with five murders:

the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;

the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;

the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;

the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and

the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.

 

As part of Bryant’s plea agreement, he accepted responsibility for firing a gun and striking two members of the rival gang Poindexter Thug Life (PTL) at Beatty Park Recreation Center in June 2014.

 

Again, in 2014, Bryant retaliated against members of a second rival gang, the Milo Bloods, by shooting his firearm at a vehicle containing Milo Bloods members.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by ATF, FBI and Columbus Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys David M. DeVillers, Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton, who are prosecuting the case.

###

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 120 months in prison for stealing at least 35 vehicles and earning more than half a million dollars by selling their parts.

 

James A. Imes, 50, was sentenced today for operating a chop shop, trafficking in motor vehicle parts, removing or altering vehicle identification numbers and releasing refrigerant chemicals into the environment.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Laurie A. Stevenson and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien announced the sentence handed down today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.

 

According to court documents, from January 2013 until April 2014, Imes stole at least 35 vehicles to dismantle them and sell their parts throughout the Midwest, earning $10,000 to $15,000 per week. He and his associates operated chop shops in three locations on the West side of Columbus to traffic the car parts.

 

Imes told investigators he was renting three separate garage spaces and running a business “disguised as a diesel mechanic shop, but it’s obviously not.” He said the true purpose of the business was to “cut up stolen trucks.”

 

Two of the vehicles were kept for personal use, and the rest were sold as parts or scrap to salvage yards. More valuable parts were sold on Craigslist through posts advertised in cities across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia.

 

During the destruction of the vehicles, HCFC refrigerant chemicals were released into the atmosphere when vehicle air conditioning tubes were cut.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Ohio EPA Special Investigations Unit, as well as the assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Division of Police Auto Theft Unit and Ohio State Highway Patrol Theft and Fraud Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan J.C. Grey and J. Michael Marous and Special Assistant United States Attorney Heather Robinson are representing the United States in this case. 

 

###

CINCINNATI – Lynn Brenneman, 60, of Bowling Green, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Mason Police Chief Todd Carter, Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell, Preble County Prosecutor Martin P. Votel and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.

 

According to court documents, in December 2018, an FBI task force officer was contacted by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer regarding an investigation involving the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old.

 

Brenneman had abused the girl on five different occasions over the course of three years and had gone on trips with the girl’s family to Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan, Washington D.C. and various places in Ohio. For some of the trips, Brenneman paid for campsites and drove the victim in his RV to other states, where he sexually abused her.

 

On one family trip to a state park in Ohio in September 2018, Brenneman abused the victim and she ran from the camper and reported the abuse. Officers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources responded on scene at the campground and interviewed witnesses.

 

During the course of this investigation, it was also revealed that Brenneman had engaged in similar abuse with a second victim years earlier, abusing her between the ages of eight and 11.

 

The parties involved with this case have recommended a sentence of 10 years in prison in addition to lifetime supervised release. Judge Dlott will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.

 

As part of his plea, Brenneman has agreed to pay $75,000 in restitution to one victim and $25,000 to another victim.

 

The plea agreement also accounts for local charges in Warren and Preble counties.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Ohio Division of Natural Resources and Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy, who is representing the United States in this case.

 

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two men, including the lead defendant, have agreed to plead guilty in the MS-13 racketeering case to multiple murders and serve life in prison. Two others have agreed to plead guilty and potentially serve 35-40 years in prison.

Martin Neftali Aguilar-Rivera (a/k/a Momia), 34, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this morning before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. to conspiring to commit racketeering and murder in aid of racketeering. Aguilar-Rivera accepted responsibility for participating in five murders. As a part of his plea, all parties in his case have recommended a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release.

Likewise, a plea agreement was filed this morning for Jose Bonilla-Mejia (a/k/a Espia), 30, of Santa Maria, Calif. Bonilla-Mejia is offering to accept responsibility for his role in the murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, Wilson Villeda and Salvador Martinez-Diaz and serve life in prison without the possibility of release. His plea agreement will be considered by Chief Judge Sargus at a future hearing.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the pleas offered.

In February 2018, 23 individuals were charged in a second superseding indictment and alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.

The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.

The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.

The murders often involved defendants using weapons like machetes, knives and hammers to attack and beat their victims to death. In two of the charged murders, the victims were stabbed and slashed with bladed weapons before being buried in a nearby park.

Plea agreements were also filed today for two other defendants in this case, Jose Manuel Romero-Parada (a/k/a Russo), 24, of Columbus, and Jose Salvador Gonzalez-Campos (a/k/a Danger), 28, of Columbus. Both Romero-Parada and Gonzalez-Campos have agreed to plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy and accept responsibility for taking part in multiple homicides and other gang-related crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering. The parties have recommended a sentence of 35 to 40 years in prison for these defendants. Chief Judge Sargus will consider those plea agreements at future hearings.  

At future hearings, Chief Judge Sargus will consider the recommended terms of imprisonment and determine the ultimate sentences to impose.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ICE, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Jessica H. Kim, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two men, including the lead defendant, have agreed to plead guilty in the MS-13 racketeering case to multiple murders and serve life in prison. Two others have agreed to plead guilty and potentially serve 35-40 years in prison.

 

The briefing will be held:

 

TODAY: MONDAY, JULY 22, 2019

 

WHEN:           IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 10:30AM PLEA HEARING BEFORE CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE EDMUND A. SARGUS, JR.

 

WHERE:         Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse

                        Front steps

                        85 Marconi Blvd.

                        Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

WHO:             U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman

                        Columbus Interim Chief of Police Thomas Quinlan

                        Kristin Beggs, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI

                       

                                               

 

 

Briefing will occur outside the front entrance of the federal courthouse. The plea hearing is open to the media. No cameras are permitted within the courthouse.

 

#  #  #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Joseph Michael Bragg, 40, of Columbus pleaded guilty to charges connected with at least a dozen threats he sent to a sheriff in Oklahoma during a two-month period in 2018, and threatening a Columbus FBI agent who came to Bragg’s residence to interview him.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the pleas entered today before U.S. District Judge Michael Watson.

According to court documents, Bragg transmitted through agency websites between June and July 2018 at least a dozen communications which contained threats to violently injure Rogers County, Oklahoma Sheriff Scott Walton and numerous other individuals in the state. On July 20, 2018, at the request of the FBI office in Oklahoma, an FBI agent in Columbus went to Bragg’s residence. Bragg came to the door, shouted profanities at the agent and told the agent “you have no authority here” before going back inside. Bragg came back to the door threatening to shoot and decapitate the agent. The agent drew his weapon in defense. Authorities came back with a search warrant and later arrested Bragg, who has been in custody since.

Bragg pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and one count of influencing a federal official by threat. The plea agreement includes an agreed sentence of at least 12 months imprisonment, which would include time served, and three years of supervised release to include mental health treatment. Judge Watson will review the plea agreement and determine a date for sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the agencies participating in the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight, who is representing the United States.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three more Columbus men have been charged in a case involving the murder of a husband and wife in an internet café.

 

Chris A. King, 24, Justice B. Stringer, 24, and Brisco Dawkins, 50, were indicted by a federal grand jury on July 18.

 

Dezhan Townsend, 20, and Desjuan Harris, 24, were previously charged by federal criminal complaint and are included in the indictment as well.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O’Brien announced the charges unsealed today after the defendants appeared in federal court.

 

According to court documents, on January 20, three defendants robbed Players Paradise on East Broad Street at gunpoint. Townsend, Stringer and King allegedly murdered security guard Joseph Arrington and then his wife, employee Karen Arrington.

 

An affidavit details that defendants entered the café around 4am on January 20 and positioned themselves near the office door. One person sat at a game as if he was playing it. When Karen Arrington attempted to enter the office, the defendants, armed with handguns, immediately confronted armed security guard Joseph Arrington.

All five men face charges of robbery.

 

Townsend, Stringer and King are charged with two counts of murder. King is also charged with committing murder with the intent to prevent a witness from providing information to law enforcement.

 

Townsend, Harris, Stinger and Dawkins are also charged with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Columbus SWAT officers arrested Townsend and Harris on Wednesday, July 3. They arrested Dawkins and Stringer today. The new charges were unsealed today after Dawkins and Stringer appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura, who ordered them held without bond.

 

King remains at large. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the Columbus Division of Police at 614-645-4545.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Columbus Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys David M. DeVillers and Kevin Kelley, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lowe with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, who are representing the United States.

 

Criminal complaints and indictments merely contain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A U.S. District Court jury here convicted Bruce Lee Felix, 52, of Batavia of using a gun to rob the Cheviot Savings Bank and an earlier robbery of the Cincinnatus Savings and Loan.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Todd Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Colerain Township Police Chief Mark C. Denney, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac, Harrison Police Chief Charles Lindsey and Michael S. Masterson, Director of Enforcement, Ohio Casino Control Commission announced the verdict returned today following a trial that began July 1 before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.

 

Court documents and trial testimony said that Felix, wearing a mask and brandishing a gun, surprised a maintenance man at the Cheviot Savings Bank, 1194 Stone Drive, Harrison, Ohio at approximately 8 a.m. on June 17, 2015 when the maintenance man was entering the back door of the bank. Felix placed his gun to the maintenance man’s temple and demanded that he open the vault. Once he realized only bank tellers could open the vault, he ordered the victim down on the floor of the break room, zip-tied his hands behind his back and his feet together, removed the victim’s boots and waited for the tellers to arrive. When the tellers arrived, Felix ordered them to open the vault and remove the money. He then fled the bank.

 

The jury also convicted Felix of robbing the Cincinnatus Savings and Loan, 3664 Springdale Road, on February 4, 2015 when he jumped out of the bushes as two employees were getting ready to enter the bank around 8 a.m. He forced them to open the vault and remove the money before ordering them to lie on the ground and tying their hands behind their back.

 

Felix was arrested on February 4, 2017 in Batavia.

 

The jury found Felix guilty of one count of armed bank robbery, punishable by up to 25 years in prison, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, punishable by a mandatory minimum of 25 years to life due to a prior firearm conviction in 1996, for the Cheviot Savings Bank robbery. His conviction on one count of bank robbery for the Cincinnatus Savings and Loan is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by law enforcement and Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Springer and Ebunoluwa Taiwo, who tried the case on behalf of the United States. 

 

# # #

CINCINNATI  – A federal grand jury has charged a pharmaceutical distributor, two of its former officials and two pharmacists with conspiring to distribute millions of painkiller pills in an indictment returned here yesterday. Defendants were arrested by federal agents this morning.

 

 

The briefing will be held:

 

TODAY: THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019

 

WHEN:           2:30 P.M.

 

WHERE:         U.S. Attorney’s Office

                        Library

                        221 E. 4th Street, Fourth Floor

                        Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

WHO:             U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman

                        Kathy Federico, Diversion Program Manager, DEA

                        Mauricio Jimenez, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA

                        Verne Waldow, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, HHS-OIG

                       

                                               

 

 

Room available beginning at 2:15 P.M. No TV lighting will be available. ID will be required for entrance at Security on the fourth floor.

 

#  #  #

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged a pharmaceutical distributor, two of its former officials and two pharmacists with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in an indictment returned here yesterday.

 

Four individuals have been charged, including Miami-Luken’s former president and compliance officer and two West Virginia pharmacists.

 

Those charged include:

• Anthony Rattini, 71, of Colorado Springs, Colo., the former president of Miami-Luken;
• James Barclay, 72, of Springboro, Ohio, the former compliance officer of Miami-Luken;
• Devonna Miller-West, 49, of Oceana, W.Va., a pharmacist who owned and operated Westside Pharmacy in Oceana, Wva.; and
• Samuel “Randy” Ballengee, 54, of Lovely, Ky., a pharmacist who owned and operated Tug Valley Pharmacy in Williamson, Wva.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Keith Martin, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General announced the charges.

 

Miami-Luken supplied pharmaceuticals to more than 200 pharmacies in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Tennessee.

 

From 2008 until 2015, the company generated more than $173 million in consolidated sales per year. More than 70 percent of the profits came from wholesale distribution.

 

According to the indictment, Rattini, Barclay and Miami-Luken sought to enrich themselves by distributing millions of painkillers to doctors and pharmacies in rural Appalachia, where the opioid epidemic was at its peak.

 

The distributor and its officials allegedly continued to distribute millions of pills to Westside, Tug Valley and other pharmacies even after being advised by the DEA of their responsibilities as a wholesaler to ensure drugs were not being diverted and to report suspicious orders.

 

It is alleged they filled suspicious orders placed by Miller-West, Ballengee and others.

 

For example, Rattini, Barclay and Miami-Luken allegedly ignored obvious signs of abuse by distributing more than 2.3 million oxycodone pills and 2.6 hydrocodone pills to Miller-West’s pharmacy in a town of approximately 1,394 people.

 

Ballengee’s pharmacy allegedly received more than 120,000 painkiller pills from Miami-Luken in one month. From 2008 through 2014, Miami-Luken distributed more than 6 million hydrocodone pills to Tug Valley Pharmacy.

 

The wholesaler allegedly provided another 2.2 million pills from 2012 through 2014 to another pharmacy that had been cut off from other wholesalers.

 

From 2008 through 2011, Miami-Luken allegedly distributed more than 3.7 million hydrocodone pills to a pharmacy in Kermit, W.Va., a town of 400 people.

 

Each of the defendants and Miami-Luken, Inc. is charged with conspiring to illegally distribute controlled substances, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the DEA and HHS-OIG, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Oakley and Maritsa A. Flaherty, who are prosecuting the case.

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

# # #

DAYTON – One year ago, the Justice Department announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. 

 

The Southern District of Ohio is one of 10 districts included in the initiative to target counties with high drug overdose death rates and focus on federally prosecuting every readily available case involving fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and other synthetic opioids, regardless of the drug quantity.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced 58 operation S.O.S. investigations in the Southern District of Ohio. Of those 58 investigations, 52 involve fentanyl distribution.

 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office here is working in coordination with the DEA, ATF, FBI and HSI to bring cases to fruition. The initiative in the Southern District of Ohio has a primary focus on Montgomery County, given the interconnectedness of drug trafficking across the region, includes cases from nearby counties as well.

 

For example:

• Last month, Salvador Ramirez was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. A federal indictment in July 2018 charged him and six other individuals in a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Miami Valley and across southern and central Ohio. This investigation includes the seizure of more than seven kilograms of fentanyl.
   
• This spring, an Arizona man and a Dayton man pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute large quantities of fentanyl in Dayton. Michael Nailen worked as a commercial truck driver, and when traveling for work, he permitted other individuals to hide kilogram quantities of drugs and bulk amounts of cash in his tractor trailer. More than 400 grams of fentanyl were distributed via Marco Gonzalez, who would meet Nailen in Dayton and other Ohio cities to deliver the drugs to local dealers.
• In March, a Springfield, Ohio man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing 14 grams of carfentanil. Craig Gilbreath ran from officers after being encountered by police and ultimately threw bags containing the carfentanil, which is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and used to immobilize large animals.
   

“The rise of synthetic opioids presents an unprecedented public health and safety crisis in the Southern District of Ohio. Countering that crisis will continue to require prevention, enforcement, and treatment, and it will require everyone working together. Enforcement targeted toward areas particularly hard hit by synthetic opioid distribution, in the interests of reducing supply and disrupting the formation of distribution hubs, is one important piece of our enforcement strategy. The death and destruction caused by synthetic opioids remain unacceptable, but the work that law enforcement agents and prosecutors are doing as part of this operation is one reason for optimism.”

 

The other nine participating districts and some of their successes include:

• The Eastern District of California has reported a total of 27 Operation S.O.S. investigations in which the narcotics seized have included kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
• The Eastern District of Kentucky has reported 15 investigations with six to eight new investigations being added monthly and has charged nine sentence-enhanced “death resulting” cases.
• The District of Maine has an additional 30 cases as a result of Operation S.O.S.
• The District of New Hampshire has had 41 cases through Operation S.O.S. that have resulted in indictments with fentanyl being distributed in 39 of those cases amongst other drugs.
• The Northern District of Ohio has indicted 71 defendants under Operation S.O.S., and has seen a 12 percent decrease in overdose deaths from the year prior.
• The Western District of Pennsylvania noticed the decline in overdose deaths in the county they originally had targeted. This decline was attributed to a large number of people moving out of the targeted county to attempt to circumvent the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has refocused their resources to target the county where fatal overdoses have increased the most.
• The Eastern District of Tennessee has reported seven Operation S.O.S. cases involving 39 defendants, with a number of those including “death resulting” cases.
• The Northern District of West Virginia has 22 Operation S.O.S. cases with one “death resulting” prosecution. One of these investigations resulted in eight separate cases involving 35 defendants.
• Southern District of West Virginia has 62 cases pending as a result of Operation S.O.S. with 13 convictions. Just recently, a 1.2 kilogram mixture of fentanyl and heroin was seized from a defendant in one of those cases.

 

“Our attorneys and law enforcement agents have spent the past year working tirelessly to disrupt the networks engaged in the trafficking of synthetic opioids. Today we are proud to share their successes in 10 of the districts most affected by this scourge,” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen said. “The Department of Justice’s efforts have resulted in countless successes from California to Maine. We have successfully sought enhanced sentences in cases that resulted in deadly overdoses, and we have boosted cooperation among the partners involved. There remains much work to be done, but Operation S.O.S. marks a crucial turning point in the fight against synthetic opioids.”

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The owner of a medical and dental billing company was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for her role in committing more than $2 million in health care fraud.

 

Cindy Dahdah, 61, of Beavercreek, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. 

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

 

According to court documents and testimony, Dahdah and her late husband, Dr. Salim Dahdah, conspired to commit health care fraud from 2007 until 2015.

 

The defendants provided medically unnecessary medical tests and procedures – including nuclear stress tests and invasive cardiac procedures – exposing patients to the risk of serious physical  harm.

 

Cindy Dahdah pleaded guilty in October 2018 to conspiracy to commit and committing health care fraud and making false statements related to health care matters.

 

Salim Dahdah was a licensed cardiologist and owner of Ohio Institute of Cardiac Care (OICC) in Springfield, Ohio. The practice was originally incorporated in 1986 and eventually used the name Advanced Cardiology Associates, Inc. Cindy Dahdah incorporated ACCU-BIL Management, Inc., a privately held medical and dental billing company established in 2001 in Beavercreek. The couple also owned a primary care practice located in the same building as the cardiology practice.

 

OICC focused on treating patients who suffered from cardiac related illnesses, including coronary artery disease. Most of the practice’s patients were elderly and of lower socio-economic class.

 

As part of their conspiracy, the couple created aggressive medical protocols for cardiac related tests and procedures that they required OICC and ACCU-BIL staff to follow regardless of the medical necessity of the procedures.

 

The Dahdahs would name a patient’s last seen physician as a referring physician for invasive and unnecessary procedures, even though the last physician never ordered the procedures. In order to ensure their protocols were strictly followed, Cindy Dahdah would often reprimand, humiliate or threaten to terminate employees who refused to schedule the medical tests.

 

Cindy Dahdah also threatened to terminate primary care patients who refused to be treated by a cardiologist at OICC.

 

In order to increase revenue, Salim Dahdah intentionally misinterpreted cardiac tests, including heart catheterizations, to justify risky procedures like the insertion of heart defibrillators when they were medically unnecessary.

 

For example, Salim Dahdah told a patient in his/her thirties that (s)he needed a heart surgery or (s)he would die. The patient underwent the surgery in 2013 in order for Dahdah to implant an AICD (an implantable defibrillator). Later, the patient sought the services of another cardiologist and determined the AICD had been unnecessary, and had to undergo a second risky heart surgery to have it removed.

 

As a result of the health care fraud scheme, the defendants caused more than 2,000 fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare, Ohio Medicaid and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield totaling approximately $2 million.

 

“The Dahdahs subjected patients to unnecessary nuclear stress tests and invasive cardiac procedures in order to make a quick buck off Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “What an unconscionable business model. The defendant’s prison term is well deserved.”

 

“The human cost of this couple’s crimes far outweighs the financial cost,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “These patients believed their life-altering treatments were medically necessary, but it was all a ploy aimed at squeezing more money out of the state. Nothing – not even this sentence – can erase the anguish inflicted upon this couple’s victims.”

 

The couple was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2017. Salim Dahdah also pleaded guilty in October 2018 to the same crimes as Cindy Dahdah. He died prior to being sentenced.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by HHS-OIG, the FBI and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth F. Affeldt and Maritsa A. Flaherty, who are representing the United States in this case. 

 

# # #

DAYTON – Jason Rosales, 45, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 240 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for two crimes related to methamphetamine.

Rosales was convicted after an eight-day trial last July of conspiracy to possess and attempt to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of the drug.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Keith Martin, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Springfield Police Chief Lee Graf and leaders of the MOWIN Task Force in Kansas City, Mo. announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

According to court documents and testimony, Rosales conspired to and attempted to possess at least 4,427 grams of 100 percent pure “crystal meth” or “ice.”

The MOWIN (Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics) Task Force in Kansas City had interdicted a courier at a Greyhound Bus Station on February 13, 2017 with 10 bundles of crystal meth hidden in a duffle bag. 

The courier had been en route to deliver the drugs in Springfield, Ohio, and ultimately the DEA orchestrated a controlled delivery to Rosales in Dayton. 

Rosales was charged by an indictment in February 2017. He was arrested on February 16, 2017 and has remained in custody since.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA, Springfield Police Department and Kansas City law enforcement, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Sheila G. Lafferty, who represented the United States in this case. 

###

DAYTON – Edgar Ezequiel Ramos-Serrano, 33, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being found in the United States subsequent to a felony conviction.  Ramos-Serrano has been deported on four prior occasions, has been convicted of this same offense twice before, and will likely be deported once again following his prison sentence.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

According to court documents, ICE agents found Ramos-Serrano at the Montgomery County Jail on February 19 following his arrest on local traffic-related charges including driving without a license.

Ramos-Serrano, a citizen of Honduras, had been removed from the United States to Honduras in June 2005, July 2009, July 2010, and November 2013.  Following the July 2009 removal, Ramos-Serrano returned illegally, was found in the Western District of Pennsylvania, was convicted there of Reentry of a Removed Alien, and was sentenced to “time served” (approximately 2 months).  Ramos-Serrano returned illegally once again, and in November 2013, he was found in the Southern District of Ohio, convicted of the same offense, sentenced to time served (approximately five months), and deported.  He returned illegally and was found and arrested in the Southern District of Ohio in February 2019.

Ramos-Serrano pleaded guilty in April 2019 to one count of illegal reentry.  Following service of the one-year prison sentence, Ramos-Serrano will likely be deported to Honduras.  Returning illegally during the three-year period of supervised release imposed will constitute a violation of the terms and conditions of his release and may lead to additional sanctions beyond another criminal prosecution.

“He was sentenced to time served for each of his two prior convictions, then deported, and each time he returned illegally” Glassman said. “This time he’s going to prison for more than just time served, a fair and just sentence which promotes respect for the law.”

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation by ICE, as well as First Assistant United States Attorney Vipal Patel, who is representing the United States in this case. 

###

WASHINGTON – Izmir Koch, 34, of Huber Heights, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for beating a man he believed to be Jewish outside of a Cincinnati restaurant. 

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; Benjamin C. Glassman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence.

Koch was convicted after a trial on Dec. 17, 2018, of one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act and one count of making a false statement to the FBI. 

On Feb. 4, 2017, the Defendant and his companions were heard yelling “I want to kill all of the Jews” and “I want to stab the Jews” outside a Cincinnati restaurant. The victim represented to Koch that he was Jewish, after which Koch began punching and kicking him. A number of other people joined in the assault. The victim was left with a broken facial bone and bruised ribs. The victim was not in fact Jewish, but was with friends and family members who were. 

After the incident, Koch, accompanied by his attorney, spoke voluntarily with the FBI. Koch falsely told the FBI that he was not involved in the assault and that he made no derogatory comments about Jews.

“Individuals should be able to live without fear of attack or intimidation based on their religious beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “Prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Department of Justice and as this sentence today demonstrates, we will not back down from obtaining justice for victims of violence based on hate.”

“Hate-fueled violent crimes ripple through communities, making entire groups feel unsafe and unwelcome, spawning fear and anger,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “That is why investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is such a high priority. Every community – every person – is entitled to the equal protection of the laws.”

“The FBI aggressively investigates hate crime incidents and works closely with impacted communities,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Wickerham. “Each day we strive to protect civil rights and hold accountable those who violate the rights of others.”

This case was investigated by the Cincinnati Division of the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Rossi of the Southern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

For more information about Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.

#   #   #

Izmir Koch, 34, of Huber Heights, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for beating a man he believed to be Jewish outside of a Cincinnati restaurant. 

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; Benjamin C. Glassman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence.

Koch was convicted after a trial on Dec. 17, 2018, of one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act and one count of making a false statement to the FBI. 

On Feb. 4, 2017, the Defendant and his companions were heard yelling “I want to kill all of the Jews” and “I want to stab the Jews” outside a Cincinnati restaurant. The victim represented to Koch that he was Jewish, after which Koch began punching and kicking him. A number of other people joined in the assault. The victim was left with a broken facial bone and bruised ribs. The victim was not in fact Jewish, but was with friends and family members who were. 

After the incident, Koch, accompanied by his attorney, spoke voluntarily with the FBI.  Koch falsely told the FBI that he was not involved in the assault and that he made no derogatory comments about Jews.

“Individuals should be able to live without fear of attack or intimidation based on their religious beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division.  “Prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Department of Justice and as this sentence today demonstrates, we will not back down from obtaining justice for victims of violence based on hate.”

“Hate-fueled violent crimes ripple through communities, making entire groups feel unsafe and unwelcome, spawning fear and anger,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “That is why investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is such a high priority. Every community -- every person -- is entitled to the equal protection of the laws.”

"The FBI aggressively investigates hate crime incidents and works closely with impacted communities," stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Wickerham. "Each day we strive to protect civil rights and hold accountable those who violate the rights of others."

This case was investigated by the Cincinnati Division of the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

For more information about Department of Justice’s work to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes: a one-stop portal with links to Department of Justice hate crimes resources for law enforcement, media, researchers, victims, advocacy groups, and other organizations and individuals.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The leader of an online car sales scam that cheated hundreds of victims around the country pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today and agreed to pay restitution of $9,262,238.90.

Terry J. Boutwell, 36, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, announced the plea entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr.

Two co-conspirators, Tiffany A. Strobl, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, and Shalitha R. Schexnayder, 39, of Miami, Fla., have also entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing.

Court documents outline the scheme which began in 2015 and continued until the three were indicted in October 2018. The defendants were part of a network that attracted online customers through fraudulent postings for vehicle sales. They communicated with victims through email and telephone posing as employees of eBay, and used third parties to open bank accounts in the names of shell corporations that appeared to be affiliated with eBay. They instructed victims to wire funds to various third-party bank accounts they set up. They claimed to be affiliated with eBay’s Buyer Protection Program, when in fact, no such relationship existed.

“The accounts he controlled received more than $9 million from more than 800 victims around the country,” Glassman said. “Our efforts now will focus on doing as much as we can to collect the restitution and help the victims as the investigation continues.”

“The sophistication and brazenness of the defendant’s on-line car sales scam created havoc on innocent victims and deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office.

Boutwell was arrested in January when the indictment was announced. Judge Sargus ordered him to remain in custody. The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine not to exceed $500,000. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable federal statutes. The court will determine a date to sentence Boutwell and the others.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the assistance of United States Secret Service in Toledo, Ohio and Miami, Fla.; the FBI’s Baltimore field office; United States Postal Inspection Service in Detroit; New York State Police; the Canton, Ohio, Butler Village, Ohio, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, Bloomfield Township, Mich., Marlboro Township, New Jersey and Janesville, Wis. police departments; and the Walworth County, Wis. and Clarke County, Ala. sheriff’s offices. Assistant United States Attorney Noah Litton is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal criminal complaint unsealed today charges Dezhan Townsend, 20, with using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death in connection with the robbery of a Columbus internet café in which a husband and wife were murdered. A second man, Desjuan Harris, 24, is charged with robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with two other internet café robberies.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, acting Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan, and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O’Brien announced the charges unsealed today after the defendants appeared in federal court.

According to the complaint, two suspects wearing hoodies entered Players Paradise at 3439 E. Broad Street in Columbus at 4:06 a.m. on January 20, 2019. The two positioned themselves near the office door. One suspect sat at a game as if he was playing it. When a female employee attempted to enter the office, the suspects attacked. The suspects were armed with handguns and immediately confronted an armed security guard. A suspect shot both the male security guard and the female employee, Joseph and Karen Arrington.

Townsend and Harris are charged with robbing Players Paradise on December 10, 2018 and another internet café, Planet Jackpot, at 1245 Alum Creek Drive on January 7, 2019.

Columbus SWAT officers arrested Townsend and Harris on Wednesday, July 3. The charges were unsealed today after the defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura, who ordered them held without bond.

“We will present the evidence gathered so far to a federal grand jury for a possible indictment against the defendants,” Glassman said. “If convicted, each man faces a possible life sentence for their crimes. The investigation is continuing.”

The criminal complaint charges Townsend with three counts of interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Harris is charged with two counts of violating the Hobbs Act and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Columbus Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys David M. DeVillers and Kevin Kelley, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lowe with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, who are representing the United States.

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

# # #

CINCINNATI – Yosbel Ponce Bernal, 26, has been charged with using gas pump skimmers in Butler and Hamilton counties. Ponce is a Cuban national with a Florida address. He was arrested in Louisville, Ky. on Friday.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds announced the charges, which were unsealed Friday.

 

A skimmer placed inside a gas pump collects credit card information from victims using the pump. The skimmer is installed between the credit card reader and the other internal circuitry of the gas pump. The intended gas purchase will typically proceed without interruption of any kind or any notification to the victim or third party. A single gas station skimmer is capable of storing credit card information for hundreds of victims, and many skimmers are capable of storing approximately thousands of card numbers.

 

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, in September 2018, the Butler County Auditor’s Office alerted the FBI to a skimmer in Fairfield, Ohio. The auditor’s office removed the skimmer and discovered information stored from 27 credit cards.

 

In October, camera surveillance of the gas pumps recorded Ponce opening the gas pump door and spending minutes allegedly installing a second skimming device deeper into the gas pump than the first skimmer had been. Ponce is recorded at the pump after midnight; the gas station closed at 11pm.

 

In November, skimmers were discovered on two gas pumps in Hamilton County. Video surveillance from the Hamilton County location also allegedly depicts Ponce.

 

Law enforcement officials tested a gas pump for fingerprints and matched two prints to Ponce. Ponce’s fingerprints are on record from previously applying for asylum in the United States.

 

Using a skimmer is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

 

"We appreciate the efforts of the FBI and United States Attorney's Office as we work together to combat this criminal activity in the region,” said Butler County Auditor Reynolds.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Butler County Auditor’s Office, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry, who is prosecuting the case.

 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

DAYTON – A husband and wife and their Findlay Market vendor have all been convicted of food stamp fraud. A jury returned the verdict today of guilty on all 25 counts following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Anthony V. Mohatt, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General Investigations, Midwest Region, Yvonne DiCristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service and Michelle Thourot, Agent-in-Charge, Ohio Investigative Unit, announced the verdict.

 

A federal grand jury charged Busch’s Country Corner, Inc. and officials with charges related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud in an indictment returned here in June 2018.

According to court documents and trial testimony, from April 2010 until May 2018, Busch’s Country Corner co-owner Michael Busch, his wife, Amanda Jo Busch, and his brother, Randall S. Busch, illegally exchanged cash for SNAP benefits.

 

The defendants caused more than 195,000 individual SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) transactions to be completed by Busch’s Country Corner, totaling more than $5.4 million. According to witness testimony at trial, approximately 64 percent, or $3.4 million, of those SNAP transactions were fraudulent.

 

Co-conspirators used an electronic point of sale device in order to process EBT transactions for cash. For example, one transaction included a beginning EBT balance of $1,300 and an ending balance of $11.

 

Michal and Amanda Busch and Busch’s Country Corner were each convicted on all counts, including conspiracy to steal government funds, submitting false claims, SNAP fraud and wire fraud.

 

“There is no substitute for trial by jury,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “After listening to the evidence attentively for two weeks, this jury rendered verdicts to ensure that the defendants did not get away with getting ahead by stealing taxpayer money.”

 

Randall Busch previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the USDA OIG, Secret Service and Ohio Investigative Unit, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Dwight Keller and Deputy Criminal Chief Laura Clemmens, who are prosecuting the case.

 

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Franklin Township police officer was sentenced in U.S. District Court today for using excessive force as a law enforcement officer.

 

Robert Wells, 49, of Pataskala, Ohio, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. Wells was also sentenced to three years of supervised release.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge James L Graham.

 

Wells was charged by indictment in September 2018. According to the charging document, on May 1, 2018, while acting in his then official capacity as a Franklin County Township police officer, Wells kicked an individual in the head while the victim was lying handcuffed on the ground. This deprived the victim of his Constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer and resulted in bodily injury to the victim.

 

Additionally, Wells then made false and misleading statements in his report relating to the arrest of the victim in order to cover up the excessive force and create a false understanding of the circumstances surrounding the arrest and injury.

 

Wells pleaded guilty in December 2018.

 

“This result reflects the determination of the United States that the willful use of excessive force under color of state law not only won’t be tolerated in the Southern District of Ohio, it will be punished,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “The defendant’s conviction and sentence of imprisonment vindicates the interests of justice, including vindicating police officers, who have among the most dangerous and difficult and important jobs in society today. The defendant rightfully apologized in court today for tarnishing their badge.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Criminal Chief Kenneth L. Parker and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, who has been designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

 

# # #

DAYTON – Gregory Kilgore, 38, formerly of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 48 months in prison for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

According to court documents, on March 28, 2018, while on patrol in the parking lot of a high drug and violent crime area, Dayton Police officers observed Kilgore sitting inside a parked but running vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers could smell the odor of marijuana. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located marijuana, cocaine and a cocaine/fentanyl mixture. Officers also found a Ruger AR556 rifle with three magazines and 57 rounds of ammunition in total.

 

Kilgore’s past convictions include domestic violence, abduction, possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon and having weapons under disability.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the Dayton Police Department and FBI, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Smith, who is representing the United States in this case. 

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

 

###

A Dayton, Ohio man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison and 25 years of supervised release for attempting, and conspiring, to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).  Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Wickerham of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division made the announcement.

“Alebbini was determined to travel overseas for the purpose of joining ISIS and engaging in violence in support of the foreign terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Notwithstanding pleas from others close to him, Alebbini declared that he is a terrorist and decided to move forward with his plan to join ISIS.  Thanks to the great work of the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are assigned to this case, Alebbini’s plans were thwarted and he is being held accountable for his crimes.”

“Alebbini was prepared to kill soldiers and citizens of the United States, the Kingdom of Jordan, and coalition partners fighting against ISIS.  Indeed, Alebbini was prepared to kill any person who did not accept ISIS as the Islamic Caliphate,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “Prison is the right place for him.”

Laith Waleed Alebbini, 28, was convicted following a bench trial in November and December 2018 before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

Alebbini attempted, and conspired, to provide material support and resources to ISIS in the form of personnel, namely himself.

Alebbini, a citizen of Jordan and a U.S. legal permanent resident, was arrested by the FBI on April 26, 2017, at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport, as he approached the TSA security checkpoint.

Alebbini waived his right to trial by jury, and the case proceeded to trial before the Court. The evidence at trial showed that at the time of his arrest, Alebbini had a ticket and boarding pass in hand for a flight to Amnan, Jordan, with a connection in Istanbul, Turkey. The evidence also showed that Alebbini intended to forego the flight to Jordan and instead make his way from Turkey into Syria to join ISIS.

According to court documents and testimony, on April 20, 2017, during a six-hour conversation with a friend who tried to talk Alebbini out of traveling and joining ISIS, Alebbini told his friend: “The Islamic State is fighting a survival war . . . I, cousin, want to go to be an inghimasi soldier.”  

As explained at trial, an “inghimasi soldier” is a particularly lethal type of suicide bomber – one who seeks to cause as much death and destruction as possible prior to detonation.  

On April 26, 2017, about one hour before Alebbini arrived at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport, several relatives pleaded with Alebbini not to join ISIS.  Alebbini responded in three separate back-to-back text messages:  “Do you think I am a criminal”  “I am a terrorist”  “I am mujahid.”

Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Oakwood Police Department, Dayton Police Department, Cincinnati Police Department, Colerain Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, University of Cincinnati Police Department, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, West Chester Police Department, and Cincinnati State Police Department.

First Assistant Vipal J. Patel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case.

DAYTON – A Dayton man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison and 25 years of supervised release for attempting, and conspiring, to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).  U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Wickerham of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division made the announcement.

 

“Alebbini was prepared to kill soldiers and citizens of the United States, the Kingdom of Jordan, and coalition partners fighting against ISIS.  Indeed, Alebbini was prepared to kill any person who did not accept ISIS as the Islamic Caliphate,” said U.S. Attorney Glassman. “Prison is the right place for him.”

 

“Alebbini was determined to travel overseas for the purpose of joining ISIS and engaging in violence in support of the foreign terrorist organization,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Notwithstanding pleas from others close to him, Alebbini declared that he is a terrorist and decided to move forward with his plan to join ISIS.  Thanks to the great work of the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are assigned to this case, Alebbini’s plans were thwarted and he is being held accountable for his crimes.”

 

Laith Waleed Alebbini, 28, was convicted following a bench trial in November and December 2018 before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

Alebbini attempted, and conspired, to provide material support and resources to ISIS in the form of personnel, namely himself.

 

Alebbini, a citizen of Jordan and a U.S. legal permanent resident, was arrested by the FBI on April 26, 2017, at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport, as he approached the TSA security checkpoint.

 

Alebbini waived his right to trial by jury, and the case proceeded to trial before the Court. The evidence at trial showed that at the time of his arrest, Alebbini had a ticket and boarding pass in hand for a flight to Amnan, Jordan, with a connection in Istanbul, Turkey. The evidence also showed that Alebbini intended to forego the flight to Jordan and instead make his way from Turkey into Syria to join ISIS.

 

According to court documents and testimony, on April 20, 2017, during a six-hour conversation with a friend who tried to talk Alebbini out of traveling and joining ISIS, Alebbini told his friend: “The Islamic State is fighting a survival war . . . I, cousin, want to go to be an inghimasi soldier.”  

 

As explained at trial, an “inghimasi soldier” is a particularly lethal type of suicide bomber – one who seeks to cause as much death and destruction as possible prior to detonation.  

 

On April 26, 2017, about one hour before Alebbini arrived at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport, several relatives pleaded with Alebbini not to join ISIS.  Alebbini responded in three separate back-to-back text messages:  “Do you think I am a criminal”  “I am a terrorist”  “I am mujahid.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman and Assistant Attorney General Demers commended the investigation of this case by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes officers and agents from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Oakwood Police Department, Dayton Police Department, Cincinnati Police Department, Colerain Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, University of Cincinnati Police Department, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, West Chester Police Department, and Cincinnati State Police Department.

 

First Assistant Vipal J. Patel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Captain with the Cincinnati Police Department was arrested yesterday afternoon on a charge of theft and bribery.

 

Michael Savard, 52, of Anderson Township, appeared in court today at 1pm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Litkovitz. The case was unsealed at that time.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced the charge.

 

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Savard is a 25-year veteran of the Cincinnati police force. He has served as a captain overseeing the Special Services Section for approximately two years and was a lieutenant for 14 years.

 

While under investigation by the IRS and Cincinnati Police for potential criminal offenses related to financial benefits received as a result of his employment with the Cincinnati Police Department, it is alleged that Savard asked for and received $5,000 from a sergeant within the police department in exchange for Savard’s promise to retire from the Cincinnati Police Department so that the sergeant could be promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

 

The sergeant was next in line on a promotion eligibility list that was due to expire this month. Unless promoted prior to the expiration of the promotion eligibility list, the sergeant would have to retake a civil service promotional exam and might then lose his currently-held top position on the promotion list.

 

It is alleged that Savard told the sergeant he was going to work out a deal to plead guilty to federal charges and was thinking of retiring in July. He allegedly told the sergeant he would retire earlier – in June, prior to the sergeant’s expiration on the promotion list – if the sergeant paid Savard $5,000.

 

Savard accepted the $5,000 in cash yesterday and was immediately arrested by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation division, working in conjunction with the Cincinnati Police Department.

 

Theft and bribery is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation and Cincinnati Police Department, as well as Deputy Criminal Chief Karl P. Kadon and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Singer, who are prosecuting the case.

 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

 

We are unable to comment further on the federal investigation, as it is ongoing.

 

# # #

Columbus, Ohio – A violent Westside drug trafficker was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 197 months in prison.

 

Keith “Butters” Drummond, 41, of Columbus, was sentenced for crimes related to trafficking narcotics and using firearms.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Columbus Interim Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

 

In November 2017, a federal grand jury returned a three-count Superseding Indictment against Drummond, charging him with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including over 28 grams of crack; possession of one or more firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Drummond pleaded guilty to all three charges in July 2018, on the day he was scheduled to stand trial.

 

According to court documents, the charges resulted from a years-long investigation by the Columbus Division of Police and ATF into Drummond for his drug trafficking and firearms activity on the west side of Columbus.

 

Beginning as early as 2011, Drummond operated several “trap houses” on the west side of Columbus where he routinely manufactured and sold crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and oxycodone. His primary trap house was located on North Guilford Avenue, in the “Bottoms” neighborhood. Drummond routinely enlisted drug addicts to work for him at that residence as a “security” force. He would arm these addicts with firearms and then instruct them to safeguard the house, the drugs and his drug proceeds.

 

Drummond also kept a firearm at his personal residence and in his vehicle. He was prohibited by law from possessing any firearms due to prior felony convictions for possession of drugs, domestic violence and felonious assault, as well as two prior convictions of misdemeanor domestic violence.

 

Drummond would often punish people who owed him money for drugs or did not satisfy his requirements as employees. This violence included physical restraint (whether being duct taped to a wall or locked in a dog cage), choking, pistol-whipping individuals to the point of fracturing their jaws, and sexual assault, including anally assaulting one woman with a broomstick.

 

“Drummond’s violence in connection with his drug trafficking was so pronounced that dozens of women and community members submitted letters for the Court’s consideration at sentencing. Most of these individuals were unwilling to share their identity with Drummond for fear of their own safety, so the Government culled those statements down to just six for the Court’s review,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “But those six statements tell quite a story: Beatings from Drummond for not selling enough drugs. Scouting out drug addicts on their payday to keep them hooked. Locking women in dog cages and beating them. And threatening, beating, and sexually assaulting women for buying their drugs from anyone else.”

 

“The defendant has a history of selling drugs, vicious physical assault, and the use of firearms to further his criminal enterprise, despite being prohibited from possessing guns,” stated Jonathan McPherson, ATF’s Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “He is exactly the kind of violent criminal who needs to be removed from our streets, and ATF will continue to work with our partners at the Columbus Division of Police on cases like this to make our community a safer place.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by ATF and the Columbus Division of Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton, who are representing the United States in this case. 

 

###

 

*********** MEDIA ADVISORY ***********

 

FEDERAL & CINCINNATI LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ANNOUNCE ARREST OF CINCINNATI POLICE CAPTAIN

 

            CINCINNATI – Tomorrow the government in conjunction with the Cincinnati Police Department will announce the arrest of a Cincinnati Police Captain, who is being charged federally.

 

The briefing will be held:

 

TOMORROW: FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019

 

WHEN:           2:30 P.M.

 

WHERE:         U.S. Attorney’s Office

                        Library

                        221 E. Fourth Street, 4th floor

                        Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

WHO:             U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman

                        William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation

                        Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac                                    

 

 

Room available beginning at 2:15 P.M. No TV lighting will be available. ID will be required for entrance at Security on the fourth floor.

 

#  #  #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kwame E. McCauley, 37, of Galena, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 60 months in prison for his role in stealing identities to obtain and use new and existing in-store lines of credit at well-known retailers.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, Columbus Police Interim Chief Thomas Quinlan, Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service and other members of the Southern Ohio Financial Crimes Task Force announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

 

McCauley was the lead of five defendants charged in this case.

 

According to court documents, from January 2014 until January 2016, the group bought store merchandise after fraudulently obtaining new and using existing credit from retail stores. McCauley obtained victims’ social security numbers and dates of birth. Afterwards, he ran their credit history reports from websites like creditkarma.com.

 

McCauley provided false identification cards containing the victims’ information but actually bearing photographs of the co-defendants who were “shoppers.” The group would travel to various clothing and electronics retail stores in the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere, including Indiana and Pennsylvania. Examples of the stores include Best Buy, Elder Beerman, Buckle, Menard’s, Meijer and Cabela’s.

 

The group would review the victims’ credit history reports and personal information prior to arrival at the retail stores so the defendants could answer any qualifying questions that the stores used to screen credit applicants. The group opened new and used existing lines of credit on approximately 80 separate occasions causing $150,000 of loss from the retailers.

 

The other defendants charged in this case include Deangelo D. Simms, 26, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; Shirley M. Dillen, 43, of Westerville, Ohio; Julie E. Ring, 38, of Columbus, Ohio and Robert S. Tingler, 32, of Columbus, Ohio. Tingler has been sentenced to 24 months in prison and was ordered to pay approximately $7,400 in restitution. Dillen has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay approximately $4,300 in restitution. Ring has been sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $2,000 in restitution.

 

“The sentence handed down today highlights the seriousness of Kwame McCauley’s conduct,” said William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “The defendants in this case created havoc on the retailers and the individuals whom identities were stolen and used to open lines of credit.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS-CI, Columbus Police and other members of the Southern Ohio Financial Crimes Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J.C. Grey, who is prosecuting the case.

 

# # #

DAYTON – A man helping orchestrate a methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin trafficking conspiracy was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison.

 

A federal indictment unsealed in July 2018 charged Salvador Ramirez, 24, of West Chester, along with six other people with engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Miami Valley and across southern and central Ohio.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Walter H Rice.

 

Ramirez, also known as “Listo,” personally oversaw the distribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin in Ohio. Ramirez would periodically travel to the western United States to obtain kilogram quantities of narcotics and distribute the drugs to local dealers in Ohio.

 

He did this on behalf of Eduardo Bonilla, who operated an international drug ring from his Ohio state prison cell from 2015 until June 2018 while serving a life sentence for murder.

 

Bonilla initially relied on former fellow inmates to run his operation outside of prison and send the proceeds to Mexico. State and federal authorities investigated and prosecuted those individuals, and Bonilla began conducting his illicit business through Ramirez.

 

The others charged in this case include:

• Tamara McQueen, 21, Hamilton
• Luiz Roberto Diaz-Magana, 29, Queretaro, Mexico                        
• Jesus Garcia, aka Jesse Garcia, 49, West Chester
• Joshua L. Leach, 34, Plain City Plain City
• Brandi Danyell Loy, aka Brandi Richey, 34, Plain City
• Takeea Trammell, 41, Dayton

The defendants are charged with manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine and money laundering.

 

In total, this and related cases included charges against 14 individuals and the seizure of more than 140 pounds of meth, seven kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of heroin and more than $130,000 in cash.

 

Glassman commended the investigation of the DEA and task force agencies, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi, who represented the United States in this case.

 

Task force agencies who investigated the cases include the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Monroe and Middletown.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Warren County man who met his victims through his volunteer work as a church bus driver pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court this morning to sexually abusing a minor under the age of 12.

 

A federal grand jury charged Jory Leedy, 49, of Franklin, Ohio, in April 2016. Leedy was scheduled to begin a jury trial today.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil and other members of the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigations (RECI) Task Force announced the plea entered into today before U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black.

 

According to court documents, Leedy sexually abused at least two minor boys as young as seven and eight years old. Leedy met the minors through a religious organization in Dayton, where he volunteered as a bus driver.

 

The children rode the bus, along with their mother, to the ministry on Sunday. Thereafter, Leedy stopped by the residence to play with the boys and eat dinner with the family. Leedy stopped volunteering as a bus driver shortly after.

 

Leedy began going to the residence on a nightly basis. He began buying the minors clothes and games. Eventually, Leedy ingratiated himself into the family, taking the boys to church in Cincinnati and on trips to the zoo, Cincinnati Reds games and Kings Island. He began taking the boys on vacations out of state. For example, Leedy took the victims to religious concerts and to Disney World.

 

Leedy arranged for the purchase of a car for the family. He helped enroll the boys in a private school. Further, Leedy assisted the family in securing another home that was owned by a friend of his; Leedy paid for part of the rent.

 

Leedy had provided the victims’ family with a fake name. His true identity was discovered during an altercation with the victims’ father in which the police were called. Police advised the parents of Leedy’s true identity and that he was a registered sex offender.

 

The victims told police the abuse took place over the course of two years and occurred in different states, including Kentucky, Florida and New York.

 

In addition, Leedy admitted in court documents that between 1999 and 2001 he sexually abused a then-minor relative when he would take the boy on trips for sporting events. 

 

The parties involved in this case have recommended a prison sentence of 30 years in prison. Judge Black will consider that recommendation at a future sentencing hearing.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy and Criminal Chief Kenneth L. Parker, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shane Ryan Hammond, 27, of Hilliard, Ohio, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $48,000 restitution for impersonating a federal agent, kidnapping, wire fraud and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Michael B. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.

 

According to court documents, from at least March 2016 until May 2017, Hammond owned and operated “Midwest Fugitive Task Force” located in Columbus. In this capacity, he was often referred to as Commander or Lieutenant Hammond and sought out employment opportunities as a bail recovery agent for himself and other employees.

 

Hammond was not actually licensed as a bounty hunter, nevertheless, on at least nine occasions, Hammond knowingly and unlawfully kidnapped a person for reward. All of these individuals but one were considered “bail skips” and Hammond had been hired by a bail bondsman in West Virginia to apprehend the individuals and return them to a designated jail facility for a monetary reward.

 

Hammond would often dress in an all-black tactical uniform with a black ballistic vest. He typically carried multiple handguns, throwing knives, a Taser and usually one or two law-enforcement-style badges with ‘SWAT’ shoulder patches and a large back patch reading ‘AGENT,’ but he was not a federal agent, or a law enforcement officer of any kind.

 

For example, in May 2017, Hammond kidnapped an individual outside of the individual’s grandmother’s home in Columbus. He pushed himself into the grandmother’s residence, heavily armed, and ran to the male individual with his AK47 up and pulled out his Taser (Hammond does not have any formal training with either of these weapons). He ordered the individual to the ground, kicked the individual’s drink and threatened the individual not to do “anything stupid” or he would get hurt.

 

As another example, when searching for a female in Canton, Ohio in September 2016, Hammond handcuffed the individual’s mother after forcibly entering the home and pointing a rifle at her. He indicated he was a Federal Bounty Hunter and told her she had the right to remain silent.

 

He then handcuffed the female’s father and said he was taking the father with him to help look for his daughter. Hammond reiterated that if the father did not go with him, he would take his wife to jail.

 

Hammond placed the handcuffed father into his vehicle and did not return him until the following morning – still in handcuffs. In fact, on the drive back, Hammond was pulled over for speeding and Hammond told the Trooper he was working for a federal agency.

 

Hammond routinely represented himself to others as a member of law enforcement, pretending to be a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, working with Homeland Security, a SWAT officer and a federal agent, generally.

 

For example, in March 2017 in the Cincinnati area, Hammond told a female “you realize lying to a federal agent is a crime” and then, “don’t lie to a federal agent, that’s four years in jail.” He then added, “Don’t get an attitude. I’m just letting you know if I come back and I find out you’re involved I’m going to arrest you, you got me.” Making false statements to an official of the United States is actually a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

 

In the same month, Hammond also visited an apartment complex in Jackson, Ohio and called one of the managers to explain that he had a warrant and was seeking a fugitive involved in the shooting of a Huntington, W.Va. police officer, although all of this statement was untrue. He told management he had called the Jackson Police and that the police would stay out of his way because he was a federal investigator and he knew what to do.

 

His false representations at the apartment complex led to the apartment management sharing H.U.D. files with Hammond and Hammond’s search of the apartment of an elderly female, to whom he identified himself as “Commander Hammond with the U.S. Government Fugitive Task Force.”

 

Hammond was charged by a Bill of Information in October 2017 and, in January 2018, failed to appear for his arraignment.

 

Through their efforts to locate Hammond, FBI agents uncovered additional criminal activity – namely, wire fraud and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.

 

Hammond devised a scheme to defraud investors of more than $48,000, telling investors he had secured a government contract for $79 million to provide physical security to the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. Hammond represented that he needed start-up money for the business and legal costs until he would receive the $79 million a few months later.

 

One investor also allowed Hammond to borrow his Chevrolet truck. Hammond then re-registered the truck into his own name, stole it and drove it to West Virginia, where he was later arrested.

 

He pleaded guilty in June 2018 to a Superseding Bill of Information, which included one count each of kidnapping, impersonating an agent of the United States and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, and two counts of wire fraud. Hammond also pleaded guilty to one additional count of kidnapping, as charged by the Southern District of West Virginia in a Bill of Information.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight, who is representing the United States in this case.

 

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Today federal and local law enforcement officials will announce new cases being charged in federal court as part of an initiative to prevent individuals with a history of domestic violence from possessing firearms.

 

The briefing will be held:

 

TODAY: TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

 

WHEN:           1:30 P.M.

 

WHERE:         U.S. Attorney’s Office

                        Main Conference Room

                        303 Marconi Blvd. Suite 200

                        Columbus, Ohio 43215

 

WHO:             U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman

                        Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein

                        Roland Herndon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, ATF

                        Deputy Chief Timothy Becker, Columbus Division of Police

                       

                                               

 

 

Room available beginning at 1:15 P.M. No TV lighting or multbox will be available. ID will be required for entrance at Security.

 

#  #  #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman announced today a new initiative in which federal and local prosecutors are working with law enforcement and domestic violence victim services agencies to hold accountable domestic abusers who illegally possess firearms.

 

As part of the initiative, U.S. Attorney Glassman, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Interim Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced three cases indicted federally today. The cases charge three men with illegally possessing a firearm and/or ammunition after being convicted of domestic violence-related crimes.

 

A federal grand jury today charged Eldon G. Draper, 45, Stephon A. Moore, 30, and Brandon N. Zachariah, 26, all of Columbus, with possessing firearms and/or ammunition after being convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and felony crimes in separate indictments returned here today.

 

According to court documents, on April 13, Draper possessed a Smith & Wesson .38 special firearm and five rounds of ammunition. He was previously convicted in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas of misdemeanor domestic violence and felonious assault, aggravated assault, arson, four offenses of aggravated arson, receipt of stolen property and theft.

 

Moore allegedly possessed a 9mm firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition on May 13. He was previously convicted in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas of misdemeanor domestic violence and felonious assault and attempted robbery.

 

According to Zachariah’s indictment and police reports, on March 20, he possessed a pistol and 22 rounds of ammunition. Zachariah was previously convicted in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas of felonious assault.

 

Possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Individuals who have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or have an active domestic violence protection order are prohibited from possessing a firearm.

 

This initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

Moore’s case included investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman announced the domestic violence program as part of the Southern District of Ohio’s ongoing commitment to protecting people from intimate partner violence and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and communities to respond to domestic violence.

 

The initiative is being implemented with the aim of enhancing collaborations among law enforcement agencies and domestic violence victim services providers, as well as identifying and prosecuting domestic violence abusers who possess guns. 

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of the three cases indicted today by ATF and the Columbus Division of Police, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J.C. Grey and Special Assistant United States Attorney Melanie Tobias with City Attorney Klein’s office, who are prosecuting the cases. U.S. Attorney Glassman also commended the partnership of Lutheran Social Services CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, the Center for Family Safety and Healing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Capital University’s Family Law Clinic.

 

Indictments merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

 

# # #

DAYTON – Jermichael Malcolm, 46, of Dayton, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

According to court documents, when agents executed a search warrant at Malcom’s home in March 2018, they discovered a firearm and a large capacity ammunition magazine.

 

Malcom had previously been convicted in Greene County Court of Common Pleas of aggravated trafficking and Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas of aggravated robbery involving a deadly weapon. Malcom had also been previously convicted federally in the Southern District of Ohio, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

 

Malcom pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, which is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ATF and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hunt, who is representing the United States in this case.

 

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – Richard Lee Devito, 35, of Batavia, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 30 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for creating child pornography.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott.

 

Devito knowingly induced more than 25 minors to send him sexual or nude videos and photographs over the Internet. The minors were typically between the ages of eight and 12. He would often encourage the children to rub their genitalia and place objects up their vagina or anus.

 

For example, Devito induced an eight-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of making child pornography. Devito used the messaging app “ooVoo,” pretended to be a 13-year-old and persuaded the child to send him videos of her naked.

 

Between his two identified accounts on ooVoo, Devito had more than 1,300 pages of chats with minors. Devito exploited victims for months and pretended to be a child himself. His victims spanned the nation and internationally, and also included two minor girls in the greater Cincinnati area. In some instances, Devito first met his victims on the app “musical.ly.”

 

According to one parent’s victim impact statement: “The pictures were captured in my daughters’ bedroom. In a place that we were convinced was safe. Somehow things went from them making dorky lip syncing videos to something beyond my comprehension and I never saw it coming. He broke into our safe zone and he manipulated our girls and I never saw it coming. … He manipulated them. He stole their innocence.”

 

“The lasting damage of Devito’s crimes goes beyond the creation of sexually explicit videos and images of minor children,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “It damages relationships, hurts families, and alters the development of the victim children. Devito’s case should serve as an example that if you prey on children through the Internet, you will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.”

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Timothy S. Mangan, who are representing the United States in this case.

 

# # #

DAYTON – James A. Mayhugh, Jr., 61, of Springfield, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to crimes related to falsifying firearms sales records for more than 200 firearm sales. Mayhugh lied in his records concerning the identity of the purchaser and then actually sold the firearms to unknown individuals on the black market.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the plea entered into before U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

 

Mayhugh owned and operated Jim’s Sports in Springfield. According to court documents, ATF Industry Operation Investigators (IOI) noticed unusual trends in Mayhugh’s sales records. Identical firearm sales to an identical group of individuals had been recorded between 2008 and 2018. Also, while federal law required the purported purchaser to personally complete and sign forms before acquiring a firearm, each document instead bore Mayhugh’s handwriting.

 

While further reviewing Mayhugh’s records, ATF IOIs discovered one customer had died in 2014, even though Mayhugh’s records reflected gun purchases as recently as early 2018. Other customers had actually purchased from Mayhugh on one occasion 15 to 20 years ago, but records showed repeated buys in recent years.

 

Subsequent to a court-authorized search, agents discovered documents reflecting more than 200 firearm sales to fictitious customers.

 

Mayhugh pleaded guilty to willfully violating federal requirements to provide the name, age and address of firearms purchasers. This crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.

 

Mayhugh also agreed to surrender his federal firearms license and no longer operates a business.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by ATF and Assistant United States Attorney Brent G. Tabacchi, who is representing the United States in this case.

 

# # #

CINCINNATI – A grand jury has indicted six defendants in an alleged Middletown narcotics conspiracy.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw, and officials with the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Warren County Drug Task Force, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI Safe Street Task Force announced the charges that were unsealed today.

 

According to the indictment, the six individuals are part of a group that calls itself “All State” and is responsible for distributing more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than 100 grams of heroin in Middletown.

 

Those charged include:

Name

Also Known As

Benwan A. Edwards

 

Marqui D. L. Conley

Key Man

Joseph L. Singletary, Jr.

Joker

Will D. Owens V

 

Hailey E. P. Meeks

 

Tyrese A. Robinson

Tye, Moneybags

 

It is alleged that Edwards and Conley served in leadership roles in the criminal organization. The other defendants allegedly served as sub-distributors and couriers of the drugs, and at times, as the group’s “enforcers.”

 

The indictment details more than 40 alleged specific drug transactions between October 2018 and May 2019. Each of the transactions included $400 to $2,600 in narcotics sales.

 

“The indictment alleges not only a narcotics conspiracy, but a violent one,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “According to the indictment’s allegations, certain co-conspirators used and brandished firearms to facilitate their drug trafficking business, intimidate rivals, and punish anyone who stood in their way.”

 

In January 2019, Edwards, Conley and another person allegedly discussed a murder-for-hire during a drug transaction.

 

In the same month, Edwards allegedly stated, “I got to this level from staying low and getting n***** knocked the f*** off for stepping in my lane.

 

The 38-count indictment charges each of the defendants with participating in a narcotics conspiracy. Other charges include possessing and distributing narcotics, as well as using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.

 

The narcotics conspiracy is punishable by 10 years up to life in prison.

 

The government seeks to forfeit 19 vehicles – including a Maserati, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz and BMW – at least nine firearms and nearly $12,000 in cash in this case.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation of this case by the FBI, Middletown Police, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Warren County Drug Task Force, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI Safe Street Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Karl P. Kadon, who is prosecuting the case.

 

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

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A business manager was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today for crimes related to a $7.9 million scheme to defraud his celebrity clients.

 

Kevin R. Foster, 43, of Montclair, N.J., was sentenced to 89 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $7.9 million in restitution.

 

In August 2018, a jury convicted Foster of 16 charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, bankruptcy fraud, tax evasion and filing false tax returns.

 

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, William Cheung, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation, and Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

 

This case stems from the prior prosecution of Thomas E. Jackson and Preston J. Harrison, who collected approximately $9 million from investors under false pretenses to start and market the sports beverage “OXYwater” through their company, Imperial Integrative Health Research and Development (“Imperial”). The two were convicted by a federal jury in March 2015 of multiple wire fraud, money laundering and tax fraud charges.

 

Foster, as the principal of his management/accounting firm, Foster & Firm, Inc., and as business manager for Shaffer Smith (“Ne-Yo”), induced Smith to invest $2 million into OXYwater under false representations. Unbeknownst to Smith, Foster invested an additional $1.5 million of Smith’s money into the product without his consent and fraudulently took out $1.4 million in lines of credit under Smith’s name by forging his signature.

 

Foster also defrauded a second celebrity client, Brian McKnight, as a way to secure money to help keep Imperial solvent.

 

Ne-Yo and McKnight agreed to invest in the company, not knowing that Foster served as an officer/controller of Imperial. Foster withdrew more money from his victims’ accounts than they had authorized, and transferred some of it to one of Imperial’s business associates in order to help keep Imperial afloat. Foster also used the stolen funds to enjoy a lavish lifestyle, with luxury cars – including a Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, and Mercedes – a personal driver, extravagant suits and jewelry, season tickets to the New York Giants, courtside season tickets to the New York Knicks, and Super Bowl tickets.

 

 

Foster continued to divert funds from Ne-Yo and McKnight, unbeknownst to them, until Imperial went into receivership. Foster then filed for bankruptcy relief on behalf of Imperial in order to claim himself as the majority owner, and made multiple false and misleading statements under oath during his bankruptcy deposition.

 

In addition, Foster failed to report on his 2012 and 2013 tax returns the millions of dollars that he stole from Ne-Yo and McKnight. He also claimed millions of dollars in bogus deductions in order to further reduce his tax liability.

 

“Foster deceived his victims into believing they were investing in a profitable sports beverage company when, in reality, he was using their money as a personal slush fund for his lavish lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “His ongoing and systematic deception also included stealing millions of dollars of additional funds. Not only did Foster betray the trust of his clients who believed he would act in their best interest, but he also used his accounting expertise to fraudulently report his income and live a virtually tax-free life.”

 

“Today’s sentencing marks the successful end of an investigation that uncovered an investment fraud scheme laced with a web of financial lies that generated millions of dollars through false promises and deceit,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge William Cheung of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (CI) Cincinnati Field Office. “When you knowingly mix deceit and trickery into the financial well-being of individuals, you create a recipe for devastation that could last a lifetime.”

 

Foster was charged in an original, seven-count indictment in July 2016. A superseding indictment containing 10 counts was returned in November 2017. The final, second superseding indictment added six more charges in May 2018.

 

Foster’s restitution includes more than $1.4 million to the IRS.

 

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation and FBI, and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica H. Kim who is prosecuting the case.

 

# # #