District of Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a White River Junction, Vermont man has been charged with repeatedly charging at police officers while holding a shield as officers were engaged in lawful crowd dispersal during a civil disorder event.

A federal grand jury in Portland, Oregon has returned a one-count indictment charging Charles Randolph Comfort, 24 with Civil Disorder.

According to court documents, during the late evening of June 25, 2020, a group of individuals blocked traffic on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and NE Emerson near Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) North Precinct. Dumpsters were taken by members of the crowd from nearby businesses and rolled into the streets and fireworks were thrown over the barricade on NE Emerson Street at the officers stationed there. An unlawful assembly was declared in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020 and PPB made repeated public address announcements telling the group to leave the area.

A PPB Rapid Response Team officer was assisting with moving the crowd that was in the middle of NE MLK Blvd and observed Charles Randolph Comfort carrying a black shield which he repeatedly used as he charged at officers as they were attempting to disperse the crowd.  Upon refusing to leave the area, Comfort was placed under arrest where he actively attempted to pull away and kicked a PPB officer multiple times.

Charles Randolph Comfort made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial.

The FBI and PPB investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.— Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, provides the below statement on ongoing violence in Portland:

“This nation’s most successful movement for racial equality and justice was led by a man dedicated to non-violent principles. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in nonviolence, winning his opponents’ friendship and understanding without humiliation, and he held a deep faith in the future. His aspirations for racial justice unquestionably remain unfinished, but his philosophy on how to achieve it remains just as relevant today.

George Floyd’s death has forced law enforcement and the justice system to closely examine our work and has led our society to ask critical questions. For more than 100 consecutive nights, Portland has been the center of large demonstrations and protests. Peaceful protests, public dialogue, and ongoing legislative and policy reviews at every level are essential to identifying solutions and bringing about meaningful and positive changes. Civility and respect are key elements to this process.

By contrast, there has been nothing civil, respectful, or positive about the nightly violent and destructive protests in Portland, Oregon. On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations end, violent agitators have physically attacked police officers and firefighters, damaged buildings, and repeatedly attempted to set public buildings on fire. These agitators include not just local residents but people who have travelled from out of state. 

On several occasions in August, demonstrations were held during the day where groups with opposing ideologies clashed and engaged in physical violence against one another. Following one of these political rallies, a man was shot and killed. Most recently, acts of violence towards law enforcement and first responders include a Portland firefighter being shot in the chest with a steel ball bearing launched from an arm-mounted slingshot, a man dousing several police officers with high-powered bear deterrent spray, a man punching a female police officer in the face, and a woman striking a police officer in the head from behind with a wooden shield.

This violent and senseless criminal conduct does nothing to promote meaningful or positive change. It forces the focus away from racial justice, instills fear in our community, and deters visitors. It is destroying the fabric of a city and a state that we love.

As a direct consequence of this criminal behavior and the media attention it generates, this community must now deal with the threat of even more outsiders traveling to Portland to participate in what they’ve been watching on social media and television for weeks. This too is not a new phenomenon for Portlanders. In August 2019, after a summer of violent clashes between opposing protest groups, several groups put out national calls for supporters to travel to Portland to join in a citywide melee.

Fortunately, despite hundreds of people answering this call and traveling to Portland, the outstanding work of the Portland Police Bureau and other local law enforcement agencies kept opposing groups mostly separated and violence to a minimum. The city now faces a similar scenario for Saturday, September 26th where numerous groups with opposing ideologies are gathering in the Portland area.

This comes at a time when our community and state continue to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a major uptick in gun violence, and, now, massive wildfires burning across the state. Already limited public safety resources are fatigued and stretched thin. Our community deserves an end to the violence. Together, we need to call out violent agitators on the right and the left and stand up for civility.

Local residents and anyone traveling to Portland with the intent to commit violence are on notice. There will be consequences for acts of violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting people who impede or assault law enforcement officers, damage federal property, and set fire to buildings. Make no mistake: those who commit violence in the name of protest, will be investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and face prison time. Already more than 100 people have been arrested and more than 80 people are facing federal charges related to protest violence.

Our office will work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the FBI, to monitor criminal activity, and will bring federal charges where appropriate. We are committed to supporting our community and will help our law enforcement partners perform their essential public safety duties.”

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that two men have been charged with Fraud crimes against the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon.

A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a 6 count indictment charging Roderick Ariwite, age 65, a resident on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho, and Thomas Adams, age 48, a resident on the Warm Springs Reservation, with Conspiracy and Theft/Misapplication of Funds from a Tribal Organization.  This indictment charges Ariwite and Adams with conspiring to misappropriate $93,700 of tribal funds and with five counts of substantive misappropriation of tribal funds. 

In a separate indictment, Ariwite is charged alone with Interstate Transportation of Security Taken by Fraud.  This indictment alleges interstate transportation of a $23,000 check Ariwite obtained by fraud from a board member of a tribal business entity.

According to the indictments, Ariwite was CEO of the Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation (WSEDC) d/b/a Warm Springs Ventures (WSV).  WSV operates as the management organization for several tribal business ventures.  One of those ventures is the Warm Springs Construction Enterprise (WSCE).  WSCE bids on and executes construction projects like building roads and commercial buildings.  Thomas Adams was Manager of WSCE, under the supervision of Ariwite.

The indictment against Ariwite and Adams alleges that beginning in October 2017, Ariwite and Adams created their own construction company called Warbonnet Construction Services.  Thereafter, and on tribal time, while drawing tribal salaries and travel reimbursements, they engaged in work projects for Warbonnett.  The indictment alleges that in one instance Ariwite and Adams used $48,900 in tribal funds to hire a subcontractor for a Warbonnet construction project. 

The indictment also alleges Ariwite and Adams hired REDD, a consulting company Ariwite operated, for two projects that gave no benefit to the Tribe.  Ariwite and Adams paid REDD $9,800 to create a Statement of Qualifications (a marketing brochure) for WSCE.  Ariwite and Adams jointly created the SOQ and they allegedly included false and fabricated information about WSCE.  For instance, most of the construction projects the SOQ said WSCE had worked on were in fact projects by a private construction company Ariwite and Adams worked with through Warbonnet.  Additionally, some of the supposed WSCE professional staff the SOQ profiled were employees of the private construction company.  Ariwite and Adams submitted the false and fabricated SOQ to WSCE and allegedly enriched themselves with $9,800 of tribal funds.

Ariwite and Adams also paid REDD $28,000 in tribal funds to create and submit to the U.S. Small Business Administration what is known as an 8(a) application.  SBA operates a business development program for small, disadvantaged businesses and an 8(a) certification gives preferences to bid on government contracts.  REDD never produced an 8(a) application.  In this way, Ariwite and Adams allegedly misapplied $28,000 in tribal funds and enriched themselves with these funds.

The separate indictment against Ariwite alleges that in May/June 2018, Ariwite defrauded a WSV board member and transported the $23,000 fraud proceeds, in the form of a check drawn on the board member’s personal bank account, from Oregon to Idaho. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

EUGENE, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Colorado man has been charged with a hate crime after stabbing a Black man from Ontario, Oregon while the man was sitting in a fast food restaurant.

A federal grand jury in Eugene has returned a one-count indictment charging Nolan Levi Strauss, 26, a Colorado resident, with a hate crime involving an attempt to kill.

According to the indictment, on the morning of December 21, 2019, a 48-year-old Black man arrived at an Arby’s fast food restaurant adjoining the Pilot Travel Center in Ontario where he planned to provide final documentation for a pending job application. The man sat in the lobby of the restaurant while waiting for the manager.

Unprovoked and without warning, Strauss approached the man from behind and stabbed him in the neck. Following a struggle for the knife, the man freed himself and Strauss was detained by store employees. When asked by the store employee why he attacked the man, Strauss stated he did so because the man “was Black, and I don’t like Black people.”

The stabbing resulted in two lacerations to the victim’s neck. Afterward, he was life-flighted to Boise, Idaho for emergency surgical intervention.

Strauss will make his first appearance in federal court on October 19, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ontario Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A Colorado man has been charged with a hate crime after stabbing a Black man from Ontario, Oregon while the man was sitting in a fast food restaurant, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon.

A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a one-count indictment charging Nolan Levi Strauss, 26, a Colorado resident, with a hate crime involving an attempt to kill.

According to the indictment, on the morning of Dec. 21, 2019, a 48-year-old Black man arrived at an Arby’s fast food restaurant adjoining the Pilot Travel Center in Ontario where he planned to provide final documentation for a pending job application. The man sat in the lobby of the restaurant while waiting for the manager.

Unprovoked and without warning, Strauss approached the man from behind and stabbed him in the neck. Following a struggle for the knife, the man freed himself and Strauss was detained by store employees. When asked by the store employee why he attacked the man, Strauss stated he did so because the man “was Black, and I don’t like Black people.”

The stabbing resulted in two lacerations to the victim’s neck. Afterward, he was life-flighted to Boise, Idaho for emergency surgical intervention.

Strauss will make his first appearance in federal court on Oct. 19, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Ontario Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the Malheur County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Cameron A. Bell, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Gavaughn Gaquez Streeter-Hillerich, 22, has been charged by criminal complaint with two counts of using fire to maliciously damage and attempt to damage a building housing the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct and various private businesses on June 26, 2020.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020, a group of demonstrators were present near the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct on NE Emerson Street in Portland. The precinct is located in a city-owned building containing multiple private businesses. Streeter-Hillerich was seen in video footage intentionally setting a large dumpster on fire near the building’s northwest exterior corner. The fire was set on top of the dumpster, which had been pushed up against plywood affixed to the building to protect windows and prevent break-ins. Officers used fire extinguishers to try and extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.

The fire caused damage to the building and, were it allowed to spread, would have threatened the safety of 15 police personnel and four individuals in custody inside the building. Video evidence of the fire submitted by a private citizen led investigators to identify Streeter-Hillerich and bring charges in this case.

Streeter-Hillerich was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Vancouver, Washington on September 15, 2020. He made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered released pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

This case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDviolence. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.

Photograph depicting a tire being placed on top of the ignited dumpster, with a red circle around a tattoo on Streeter-Hillerich’s right-inner forearm.

 

Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich with a red circle around a tattoo on the right-inner forearm.

 

Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich attempting to ignite a fire on a dumpster pushed against the plywood affixed to the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct.

 

Photograph depicting the fire as it burned and the crowd, including Streeter-Hillerich, surrounding it.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Marion County, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Mark William Osburn, 39, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut.

According to court documents, on September 23, 2018, an Oregon state trooper stopped Osburn after observing him commit several traffic violations. Osburn gave the trooper a fraudulent Washington State driver’s license in another man’s name. A records check revealed that the other man had an Oregon concealed handgun license, proving that the license Osburn produced was a fake. Troopers searched Osburn’s car and found ten fentanyl pills, approximately 74 grams of methamphetamine, and a pistol.

In a separate incident in December 2018, Salem Police officers executed a search warrant at a local motel room after receiving information that Osburn and his girlfriend were selling drugs out of the room. Officers found and seized methamphetamine, user quantities of cocaine and heroin, digital scales, several firearms, ammunition, counterfeit currency, fake identification cards, and $2,300 in cash, among other items. Officers also found a shotgun in Osburn’s vehicle.

Osburn told investigators that he and his girlfriend had been living in the motel room for two months. He admitted to using and selling methamphetamine, and claimed to have sold up to a kilogram of methamphetamine in a 24-hour period. He further admitted to trading drugs for firearms.

Osburn was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; two counts of felon in possession of a firearm; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count each of possession of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. On February 8, 2020, Osburn pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Osburn has an extensive criminal history that includes six prior state convictions for delivering methamphetamine

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Oregon State Police, and the Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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.

MEDFORD, Ore.—William Gregory Douglas, 38, of Cave Junction, Oregon, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison today and three years’ supervised release for threatening to shoot YouTube employees at the company’s San Bruno, California headquarters after his account was removed for violating the video-sharing platform’s terms of service.

According to court documents, sometime on or before August 22, 2018, YouTube removed Douglas’ video channel for violating the platform’s terms of service. In response, on August 23, 2018, Douglas posted five tweets threatening violence against YouTube employees. In one of the tweets, Douglas threatened a “bigger mass casualty” event, appearing to reference a prior shooting incident at YouTube’s headquarters in April 2018 that injured three employees.

Later, on September 8, 2018, Douglas posted a tweet stating “Hey why do you guys keep ignoring me would it be better if I leave you with no other options like your [sic] leaving me…I’m beyond pissed…I wonder how I should deal with this frustration.” Finally, on September 17, 2018, Douglas tweeted a direct threat at one of YouTube’s senior leaders saying “…I’m coming for you today #pray.”

On October 4, 2018, a federal grand jury in Medford, Oregon returned a one-count indictment charging Douglas with cyberstalking. Later, on January 14, 2020, he was charged by criminal information with one count of making interstate communications with the intent to extort. On February 20, 2020, Douglas pleaded guilty to the latter charge.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone with information about real or perceived threats of violence should call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov. For immediate threats to life and safety, please call 9-1-1.

EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for placing a hoax bomb at the Deschutes County Courthouse on July 29, 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Jonathan Tyler Allen, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. As part of his sentence, Allen was also ordered to pay $43,620 in restitution to the Deschutes County Circuit Court, Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, First Interstate Bank in Bend, and Bend Fire & Rescue.

According to court documents, on or about July 28 to July 29, 2019, Allen and co-conspirator Kellie Cameron, 31, also of Bend, conspired with one another to shut down the Deschutes County Courthouse in Bend by planting a fake bomb and calling in a bomb threat. Around the same time, Cameron constructed a fake bomb using batteries, wiring, a circuit board, and a fuel filter, among other materials.

On July 29, 2019, Allen and Cameron drove to the courthouse and placed the hoax device on a ramp near the building. At approximately 7:18am the same day, Cameron, who was with Allen, used a cell phone to call 911. He told the operator, “I just want to let you know that there are two bombs, one’s in the courthouse and good luck finding the other one.” Less than an hour later, with Allen again present, Cameron called 911 a second time to repeat his threat. Allen later threw one of the phones used into a canal to avoid being caught.

On August 7, 2019, Allen and Cameron were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to make a threat regarding explosive materials and conveying false information and hoaxes. On June 5, 2020, Allen pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Cameron made his first appearance in federal court on August 21, 2019. He entered a not guilty plea and was ordered detained. Cameron remains in federal custody awaiting trial.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Nathan J. Lichvarcik and William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Laurielle Yvette Aviles, 29, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after punching a Portland Police Bureau officer in the face during a declared riot on July 3, 2020.

According to court documents, on July 2, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team was conducting crowd control duties during a declared riot near the Multnomah County Justice Center and Mark O. Hatfield. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland. Individuals in the crowd threw mortars, fireworks, glass bottles, rocks, and other objects at officers; blocked roads, and impeded traffic flow.

In the early morning hours of July 3, 2020, a Portland police officer was executing an arrest of a rioter when Aviles is alleged to have forcibly intervened. Aviles attempted to pull the officer off of the arrestee and punched the officer in the face. The arresting officer tried to gain control of the arrestee and Aviles, but was unable to do so. A second officer observed the struggle and saw Aviles throwing punches. The second officer intervened and was able to place Aviles under arrest. Aviles was later released by state authorities.

On September 8, 2020, Aviles surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service. Today, Aviles made a first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings. If convicted, Aviles faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Jeffrey Fitch, 49, of Beaverton, Oregon, was sentenced today to twelve months and one day in federal prison for willfully failing to collect or pay over employment taxes to the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon also ordered Fitch to pay more than $453,000 in restitution to the IRS.

According to court documents, since 2002, Jeffrey Fitch, an engineer, owned and operated SFA Engineering LLC and SFA Design Group LLC. Between March 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016, Fitch collected federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from his employees’ paychecks and gave them paystubs reflecting the taxes withheld. However, during this time period, Fitch never paid the IRS the amount of tax withheld from his employees nor did he file the appropriate employer tax returns. In addition, Fitch also failed to pay his employer’s share of payroll taxes due to the IRS. 

Fitch used a large portion of the withheld funds to pay for his and his family’s personal expenses. In total, Fitch owed the IRS $453,879.40, which he paid just prior to sentencing.

On January 15, 2020, Fitch was charged by criminal information with one count of failing to collect or pay over employment taxes. On February 26, 2020, he pleaded guilty to the same charge.

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Claire M. Fay, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

PORTLAND, Ore.—In separate criminal cases, three Portland residents have been charged with civil disorder for crimes committed during declared civil disturbances in Portland, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

William Grant Reuland, 24, is charged with civil disorder after assaulting police officers with a high-powered laser on June 13 and 14, 2020; Alexandra Eutin, 24, is charged with civil disorder after striking a police officer with a wooden shield on July 16, 2020; and Pedro Aldo Ramos, Jr., 20, is charged with civil disorder after punching a female police officer in the face on August 24, 2020.

U.S. v. Reuland

According to court documents, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on June 13, 2020, a civil disturbance was declared when a crowd gathered around the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland. A Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officer watching the crowd from the roof of the Justice Center observed two individuals, one later identified as Reuland, allegedly standing in the middle of the street and repeatedly hitting several officers in the face with high-powered lasers.

The officer moved to a lower floor and was able to photograph Reuland. The officer kept track of Reuland as the crowd was dispersed. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2020, Reuland joined a group of individuals marching from the Justice Center to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s personal residence. Reuland was observed shining a laser at the Mayor’s residence and at other homes in the neighborhood. The officer who originally spotted Reuland with the laser, tracked his location until Reuland was contacted by other officers and taken into custody for assaulting a public safety officer. He was later released by state authorities.

On September 4, 2020, U.S. Marshals Service deputies arrested Reuland at his residence in northwest Portland.

U.S. v. Eutin

At approximately 11:45 p.m. on July 16, 2020, an unlawful assembly was declared after several people in a large crowd gathered near PPB’s southeast precinct on East Burnside Street in Portland began throwing rocks, bottles, and other hard objects and pointing high-powered lasers at officers. The group blocked traffic and ignored warnings to disperse.

Eutin is alleged to have used a wooden shield and hoses to strike a PPB officer in the head while he was attempting to arrest another individual. A second officer arrested Eutin for assaulting a public safety officer, and she was later released.

On September 6, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Eutin at her residence in southeast Portland.

U.S. v. Ramos

At approximately 10:20 p.m. on August 23, 2020, an unlawful assembly was declared after several people in a large crowd gathered near PPB’s north precinct on Northeast Emerson Street in Portland began throwing chunks of ceramic, rocks, and glass bottles at officers. The group blocked traffic and ignored warnings to disperse. Shortly thereafter, the gathering was declared a riot due to ongoing criminal behavior.

At around the same time, Ramos is alleged to have grabbed a PPB officer by her vest while she was arresting another individual and pull her away from the arrestee. Ramos then punched the officer in the side of her face. He was arrested for assaulting a public safety officer and later released.

On September 8, 2020, Ramos turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Reuland, Eutin, and Ramos made their initial appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. All were released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, the three face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

These cases were investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security Investigations. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDviolence. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Kelvin Valentino McDuffie, 34, of Supai, Arizona, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and one year of supervised release today for assaulting an in-custody defendant in the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland.

According to court documents, on July 26, 2019, Deputy U.S. Marshals escorted McDuffie, an adult female victim, and other male and female inmates into a prisoner elevator inside the federal courthouse. The male and female inmates were separated by a metal chain-link screen and McDuffie was restrained with handcuffs and a belly chain.

As the elevator arrived at a floor, McDuffie reached his fingers through the chain-link screen and touched the victim’s inner thigh and buttocks through her clothing with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, and degrade the victim and arouse and gratify his own sexual desire.

McDuffie was in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after being arrested in the District of Oregon for an alleged violation of the supervised release that had been imposed following a conviction for assaulting a federal officer in the District of Arizona.

On November 21, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging McDuffie with assault and abusive sexual contact. On April 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to assault.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to enforcing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). PREA requires the development and promulgation of “national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape.” These standards, like the law mandating them, are intended to address a serious public safety, public health, and human rights problem—the incidence of sexual violence in our nation’s confinement facilities. To learn more about PREA, please visit:  https://bja.ojp.gov/program/prison-rape-elimination-act-prea/overview.

PORTLAND, Ore.—On September 2, 2020, a Springfield woman who owned several durable medical equipment stores in Oregon was sentenced to federal prison for defrauding six health insurance plans of approximately $1.3 million and for evading $99,000 in federal income taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Saffron Gustafson, 43, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Gustafson was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to the victim insurance plans.

“Health care fraud affects all Americans because it increases the cost of health insurance and reduces the amount of money insurance plans have available to pay legitimate claims,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The investigation and prosecution of health care fraud is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department.”

“Ms. Gustafson exploited the insurance companies of vulnerable patients and then evaded payment of her significant tax liability,” said IRS–Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “Tax evasion is a crime that impacts each and every American, which is why it is a top priority for IRS–Criminal Investigation special agents.”

According to court documents, between June 2013 and August 2017, Gustafson owned and operated Saffron’s Specialized Medical, a durable medical equipment company with retail stores in Portland, Springfield, and Salem, Oregon and in Vancouver, Washington. Gustafson’s stores supplied customized compression garments to patients with circulatory medical conditions.

To defraud health insurance plans, Gustafson submitted bills requesting payment amounts inflated by 600% or more. To support these false billings, Gustafson, and employees acting at her direction, fabricated invoices from her wholesaler. Gustafson and her employees destroyed the genuine wholesaler invoices so insurance companies could not review them during audits. The six victim insurance plans are Cambia (Regence), CHAMP VA, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, TRICARE, and Providence.

Gustafson also evaded $99,606 in income taxes she owed for 2015 by falsifying records and diverting profits from her company to pay various personal expenses, including paying off the mortgage on her parents’ rental property and paying her psychic.

On November 12, 2019, Gustafson pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging her with health care fraud and tax evasion.

This case was investigated by the FBI; IRS-Criminal Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Amtrak Inspectors General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It was prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Kevin Phomma, 26, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after assaulting several police officers with bear spray during an unlawful assembly on August 26, 2020.

According to court documents, on August 26, 2020, protesters gathered near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on South Macadam Avenue in Portland, blocking city streets. The crowd spray-painted the building’s façade and threw projectiles at federal agents. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared the event an unlawful assembly at approximately 10:45 p.m. Minutes later, the Portland Police Bureau instructed the crowd to disperse and issued a use-of-force warning for non-compliance.

As Portland officers began dispersing the crowd, Phomma was witnessed pepper spraying officers. Phomma positioned himself with a shield in one hand and a spray can in the other. Phomma doused several officers with pepper spray while they attempted to arrest him. Once in custody, officers discovered the pepper spray was in fact a powerful bear deterrent pepper spray. While searching Phomma, officers also found a sheathed, three-inch dagger attached to his hip. Phomma was later released.

Today, Phomma turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service. He made his first appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings. If convicted, Phomma faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Kristopher Michael Donnelly, 26, of Kelso, Washington, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after assaulting a local police officer and being arrested during East Portland riots on August 5 and 8, 2020.

According to court documents, at approximately 10:30pm on August 5, 2020, Donnelly was observed using a hammer to destroy a window at the police bureau’s East Precinct on Southeast 106th Avenue in Portland. Donnelly was spotted by police throwing hard objects capable of causing injury, refusing to disperse, and blocking traffic. When a Portland officer attempted to arrest Donnelly, he forcefully struck the officer in the face with his elbow. He continued to resist arrest, requiring several more officers to assist. Donnelly was eventually arrested by Portland Police for riot, second degree disorderly conduct, interfering with a public safety officer, assaulting a public safety officer, vandalism, and resisting arrest.

On August 8, 2020, Donnelly was again arrested by Portland Police during a declared riot outside the Penumbra Kelly Building, a police facility on East Burnside Street in Portland, for interfering with a public safety officer, riot, and second degree disorderly conduct. Donnelly was observed by law enforcement blocking the street and throwing hard objects. Donnelly attempted to flee from officers and resisted arrest before successfully being taken into custody.

On August 30, 2020, Donnelly was arrested a third time for riot-related offenses. He was transferred to federal authorities on September 2, 2020 for his first appearance in federal court. If convicted in federal court, Donnelly faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Hugo Ryan Berteau-Pavy, 26, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after targeting the eyes of multiple law enforcement officers with a high-powered laser during a June 13, 2020 civil disturbance in Portland.

According to court documents, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on June 13, 2020, a civil disturbance was declared when a crowd gathered around the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland. At approximately 10:50pm, local police began to clear the crowd. A Portland Police Bureau officer watching the crowd from the roof of the Justice Center observed two individuals, one later identified at Berteau-Pavy, standing in the middle of the street and repeatedly hitting several officers in the face with high-powered lasers.

The officer moved to a lower floor and was able to photograph Berteau-Pavy. The officer kept track of Berteau-Pavy as the crowd was dispersed. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2020, Berteau-Pavy joined a group of individuals marching from the Justice Center to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s personal residence. Berteau-Pavy was observed shining a laser at the Mayor’s residence and at other homes in neighborhood. The officer who originally spotted Berteau-Pavy with the laser, tracked his location until Berteau-Pavy was contacted by other officers and taken into custody. Berteau-Pavy was later released by state authorities.

On September 2, 2020, FBI agents arrested Berteau-Pavy at his residence in southwest Portland without incident.

Berteau-Pavy made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Berteau-Pavy faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man has pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. 

On September 2, 2020, Pierce Matthew Morrow, 24, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, a charge punishable by up to twenty years in prison, with a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence; a $250,000 fine; and a life term of supervised release.

According to court documents, Morrow participated in an online chat room that involved the exchange of child pornography, and posted images of prepubescent girls and boys engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The FBI executed a search warrant at Morrow’s Bend residence in January 2018. A subsequent search of his phone revealed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography. Morrow admitted to posting child pornography online.

On January 18, 2018, Morrow was charged by criminal complaint with possession, distribution, and receipt of child pornography. He will be sentenced on December 3, 2020 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Jeffrey Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Eva Warner, aka Joshua Warner, 25, of Beaverton, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder, a felony, after targeting the eyes of multiple law enforcement officers with a high-powered laser during an August 8, 2020 riot in North Portland.

According to court documents, in the late evening on August 8, 2020, a riot was declared at the Portland Police Association office on North Lombard Street in Portland after individuals broke windows and set fire to the office. The crowd also used vehicles and dumpsters to illegally block nearby vehicle traffic.

Oregon State Police officers notified the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team that Warner had directed a high-powered, green laser into the eyes of numerous law enforcement officers attempting to disperse the riot. Warner resisted arrest, prompting officers to use force. Officers found a black, pen-style laser pointer on Warner’s person. Warner was taken into custody and later released.

On September 2, 2020, Warner was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in a southeast Portland apartment without incident.

Warner appeared in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Warner faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Jesse Herman Bates, 38, of Seattle, Washington, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after shooting a firefighter with a ball bearing during a protest in Portland on July 13, 2020, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of July 13, 2020, a firefighting crew was working to put out a fire burning in the middle of an intersection in downtown Portland that was blocking traffic. A crowd of approximately 300 people were in the immediate area, some of whom were assaulting police officers and committing acts of vandalism and property damage. A firefighter, who was wearing a grey uniform with a large medic patch, was walking across the street to brief his team when he was shot in the chest with a round metal ball bearing.

The firefighter said the shot came from a protester armed with a “wrist rocket” style slingshot. A Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw the suspect on camera and identified Bates as the slingshot shooter. Bates was also identified by his clothing. At approximately 3:50 a.m, law enforcement officers spotted Bates near a white tent in Lownsdale Square holding a crowbar. When officers confronted him and told him he was under arrest, Bates ran with the crowbar in hand. After receiving a less lethal munition to his backside, Bates dropped the crowbar and was taken into custody. He was later released.

On August 25, 2020, detectives from Seattle Police Department’s Robbery Unit received Bates’ outstanding federal arrest warrant and promptly issued a department-wide notice. Seattle police officers checked Bates’ last known address in West Seattle and learned that he was known to frequent Cal Anderson Park in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. On September 1, 2020, bicycle officers spotted Bates on East Broadway Avenue near the park and arrested him without incident. He was then transferred to the District of Oregon by the FBI.

Bates made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Bates faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Michelle Peterson O’Connor, 31, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with civil disorder after throwing a helmet at an officer making an arrest during an unlawful assembly in Portland on August 24, 2020.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 24, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team was conducting crowd control duties during a riot near the bureau’s Northeast Precinct. Portland officers witnessed O’Connor pick up a helmet from the ground and throw it at an officer arresting another person, striking the officer in the head. O’Connor was arrested without incident.

O’Connor made her initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. She was released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, O’Connor faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Lonnie Vantewa Albert, 55, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint for allegedly assaulting two Federal Protective Service officers with a sport utility vehicle on August 30, 2020, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 30, two Federal Protective Service officers deployed to Portland in support of ongoing federal law enforcement operations departed the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in a rental vehicle en route to their hotel. Both officers were wearing their government-issued uniform with visible police patches and a badge.

While driving east on Interstate 84 approaching Interstate 205, one of the officers observed a gray sport utility vehicle passing on their left. The officer observed the other driver, later identified as Albert, glance toward him. Albert then turned sharply, nearly hitting the officers’ vehicle. The driving officer made several attempts to change lanes and pass Albert, but Albert swerved in either direction to block their vehicle. After positioning his vehicle to the officers’ left, Albert turned sharply to the right, striking the officers’ vehicle and causing his own vehicle to spin before coming to a stop.

When one of the officers got out of the vehicle to see if Albert was injured, Albert drove toward the officer, veered left, and fled the scene. The officers briefly pursued Albert to collect his license plate number and other identifying information. Albert then exited the freeway and stopped his vehicle near Adventist Health Portland, a hospital on SE 100th Avenue. When the officers pulled into the hospital parking lot, Albert pursued at a high rate of speed and struck the officers’ vehicle a second time.

Shortly thereafter, Portland Police Bureau officers placed Albert under arrest. The FPS officers’ vehicle sustained visible dents, scratches, and other damage.

Albert made his first appearance in federal court on September 1, 2020 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Albert faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland couple with previous fraud convictions was sentenced to federal prison today for defrauding a local elderly couple of approximately $1.6 million in a scheme lasting more than two years, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Ronnie Stevens aka Tim Ephrem, 51, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Steven’s wife, Tina Ephrem aka Lisa Ann Peterson, 44, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

“Elder abuse is a devastating crime that can leave its victims financially and emotionally damaged for the rest of their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Seniors fall victim to fraud schemes at far greater rates than the rest of the population. We all need to watch out for our elderly friends and loved ones. Your vigilance will make a difference. Our office remains committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities seeking to exploit Oregon’s seniors.”

“Prison sentences and restitution are what we can offer in the justice system. But, how can these elderly victims recover their sense of security and ability to trust others in what should be their golden years?” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Stevens and Ephrem can never truly repair the damage they have done through their selfishness.”

“On behalf of the Tigard Police Department, I want to express our appreciation to our federal partners who assisted us with investigation,” said Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine. “This was a serious crime occurring in Tigard as individuals preyed upon our elder community, one of our most vulnerable populations. The successful prosecution of this case has ensured the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”

According to court documents, between September 2016 and December 2018, Stevens and Ephrem conspired with one another to defraud an elderly couple, Adult Victim 1 (AV1) and Adult Victim 2 (AV2).

The scheme began in September 2016 when AV1, who was 76 years old at the time, offered a commercial trailer for sale at his business. Stevens claimed he brokered vehicle sales and could sell the trailer in exchange for a cut of the profit. Stevens did not ultimately sell the trailer, but quickly ingratiated himself with the victim.

Stevens later approached AV1 with an alleged lucrative investment opportunity. Stevens claimed that a friend named Tammy Ward was set to inherit an estate valued in excess of $100 million from her recently deceased father, but could not come up with the fees and legal costs necessary to release the estate. Stevens told AV1 that if he could advance the funds to release the estate, AV1 would receive a substantial return when the estate closed.

AV1 made multiple payments to Stevens over a period of time as Stevens told him various stories about delays and increased costs associated with the release of the estate. As part of the conspiracy, AV1 and AV2 both spoke to a woman on the phone who claimed to be Tammy Ward. Investigators revealed that Tammy Ward was a fictitious identity used by Stevens and Ephrem as part of the fraud scheme.

Between 2016 and 2018, Stevens placed more than 5,000 outgoing calls to AV1 and AV2 and, along with Ephrem, stole more than $1.6 million from their two victims. Stevens and Ephrem spent the stolen money on rent, utility bills, restaurants, cigars, luxury retail purchases and repeated travel to Las Vegas, Nevada and other locations including Hawaii, Anaheim, California, and Spirit Mountain Lodge in Grand Ronde, Oregon.

Stevens and Ephrem were arrested on January 11, 2019. They made their initial appearances in federal court the same day and were ordered detained.

On January 8, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Stevens and Emphrem. Together, on November 18, 2019, they pleaded guilty to conspiring with one another to commit wire fraud.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman ordered Stevens and Emphrem to pay more than $1.6 in restitution to their victims.

This case was investigated by the Tigard Police Department and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Donna Maddux and Julia Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting nearly 10% of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know needs help, abuse complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder abuse victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

MEDFORD, Ore.—Oluwole Oluwaseun Odunowo, 37, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for his role in a nationwide conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, IRS-Criminal Investigation began a lengthy investigation into the fraud scheme when, in May 2013, a victim in Medford, Oregon notified the IRS that false federal and Oregon state tax returns were filed electronically using her and her husband’s personal identifying information including their social security numbers and dates of birth.

IRS determined the scheme required co-conspirators to amass a large supply of stolen U.S. taxpayer identities; obtain IRS filing PINs using victim identities; acquire prepaid debit cards in victims’ names; use fictitious email addresses; file fraudulent tax returns and conceal refund proceeds by wiring cash to Nigeria. Fraudulent tax returns were filed using the identities of thousands of Oregon and Washington taxpayers. In total, the scheme lasted several years and netted co-conspirators more than $11.6 million in fraudulent tax returns.

Using approximately 700 stolen identities he received from a co-conspirator, Odunowo filed fraudulent tax returns seeking over $1.5 million in refund payments. These returns resulted in nearly $403,000 in tax refunds paid by the IRS.

On September 6, 2018, Odunowo was indicted by a federal grand jury in Medford. On May 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Ann L. Aiken ordered Odunowo to pay $402,846 in restitution to the IRS.

This case results from a joint investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations with support provided by the Department of Treasury, Inspector General for Tax Administration, the U.S. State Department, and the Oregon Department of Revenue Policy and Systems Unit and was prosecuted by Byron Chatfield and Gavin Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—The former office manager and bookkeeper for a La Grande, Oregon medical practice pleaded guilty today for devising a scheme to defraud her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Anndrea D. Jacobs, 49, pleaded guilty to filing a false personal income tax return, falsely impersonating an IRS employee, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud as a joint resolution for two criminal cases.

According to court documents, beginning on or about January 2011 and continuing until her termination in December 2015, Jacobs used her position and access to the medical practice’s finances to steal money from the practice by, among other means, writing business checks to herself or for her own benefit. Jacobs used the stolen funds to make payments on personal credit cards, and pay other personal expenses unrelated to the medical practice.

In an attempt to hide her illicit actions, Jacobs prepared and maintained false business financial records, overstating expenses and estimated tax payments. Further, without the knowledge or consent of the medical practice owner, she opened a business bank account in his name; deposited a business check payable to the Oregon Department of Revenue into her own personal account; gave the practice owner falsified property tax statements with total due balances of zero; and convinced the practice owner to grant her limited power of attorney to handle the practice’s pending IRS tax collection action.

In perhaps her most brazen attempt to conceal her embezzlement activity, Jacobs created a fictitious identity as an IRS Taxpayer Advocate, aka Linda Gibson; established a phone number and voicemail account for the fictitious identity; and purported to assist the medical practice owner with his IRS tax collection issues while impersonating “Linda Gibson.”

On September 12, 2018, a federal grand jury in Portland returned 15-count indictment charging Jacobs with wire fraud, filing false tax returns, aiding or assisting the preparation of false tax returns, falsely impersonating an employee of the U.S., and aggravated identity theft. On June 5, 2020, Jacobs’ pre-trial release was revoked for committing bank fraud. On June 9, 2020, Jacobs was indicted a second time for the new fraud. She remains in custody pending sentencing.

Under the terms of her plea agreement, Jacobs will join the U.S. Attorney’s Office in jointly recommending a four-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on December 7, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez.

Jacobs has also agreed to pay restitution in full to her victim as ordered by the court.

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). It is being prosecuted by Donna Maddux and Ryan Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that 74 people are facing federal charges for crimes committed adjacent to or under the guise of peaceful demonstrations in Portland since at least May 29, 2020.

            For more than 90 consecutive nights, Portland has been home to large demonstrations and protests against police use of force and anti-Black racism. On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations end, various public and private buildings have been the target of vandalism and destruction. Local, state, and federal law enforcement working to protect these buildings and ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators have been subjected to threats and assaults from violent agitators while performing their duties.

            “Violent agitators have hijacked any semblance of First Amendment protected activity, engaging in violent criminal acts and destruction of public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners are expeditiously working with local and state law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute these individuals that are disrupting the rule of law in our communities and physically attacking our law enforcement officers and destroying property. Violent agitators not only delay real reform, but make our community less safe by keeping law enforcement from responding to other critical calls for service.”

            “While the FBI supports and safeguards Constitutionally-protected activity and civil rights, there is no permit for assault, arson or property damage and these are not victimless crimes,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Among the victims of violent crime are business owners, residents and individuals exercising their First Amendment rights through protests or other legitimate forms of expression.”

            “The nightly violence has to stop,” said Russel Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon. “It is drowning out the voices of the many who are calling for change, and pulling police resources away from their primary mission of keeping this community safe. We must all come together to find a productive way to move forward.”

            “As the nation’s primary source for fire investigative knowledge, ATF remains committed to investigating those responsible for committing arsons in our communities and holding them responsible for their illegal actions,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan McPherson. “As a reminder, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for arson. ATF takes these violent actions seriously and will work diligently to bring justice to the victims.”

            “It is vitally important that all Americans have the ability to exercise their first amendment rights to freedom of speech,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Eben Roberts. “Unfortunately, much of what we’re seeing in Portland is the antithesis of that. Instead tragic events are being used as excuses for individuals with ill intent disguising themselves as activists to commit violent crimes against their communities and law enforcement officers. Progress can only be made if community leaders, law enforcement and the public come together in the name of social change, justice and peace.”

            Since May 26, 2020, federal law enforcement authorities have arrested 100 people for crimes committed during local demonstrations. Seventy-four face federal charges, including felonies, misdemeanors, and citation violations. Crimes include assaults on federal officers, some resulting in serious injuries; arson and attempted arson; damaging federal government property; failing to obey lawful orders; and unlawful use of a drone; among others.

Charged defendants include:

• Edward Carubis, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 1, 2020;
• Rowan Olsen, 19, is charged (photos available) with creating a hazard on federal property, disorderly conduct, and failing to obey a lawful order on July 2, 2020;
• Shant Singh Ahuja, 28, of Oceanside, California, is charged with destruction of federal property on July 4, 2020;
• Gretchen Blank, 29, of Seattle, Washington, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Andrew Faulkner, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Christopher Fellini, 31, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Theodore Matthee-O’Brien, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Cody Porter, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Taimane Teo, 24, of Eugene, Oregon, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Benjamin Wood-Pavich, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
• Jacob Gaines, 23, a Texas resident, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 11, 2020;
• Lillith Grin, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 12, 2020;
• Benjamin Bolen, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 13, 2020;
• Kevin Weier, 36, is charged with attempted arson on July 13, 2020;
• Wyatt Ash-Milby, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Jerusalem Callahan, 24, is charged with damaging government property on July 21, 2020;
• Zachary Duffly, 45, is charged with creating a disturbance on July 21, 2020;
• Caleb Ehlers, 23, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Paul Furst, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Jennifer Kristiansen, 38, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 21, 2020;
• Ella Miller, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Marie Sager, 27, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Giovanni Bondurant, 19, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
• Bailey Dreibelbis, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
• Gabriel Huston, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
• Joseph Lagalo, 37, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 22, 2020;
• Taylor Lemons, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
• Joseph Ybarra, 21, is charged with arson on July 22, 2020;
• David Hazan, 24, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
• Nicholas Kloiber, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
• Cameron Knutson, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
• Carly Ballard, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
• David Bouchard, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
• Dakota Eastman, 30, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
• Josslynn Kreutz, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
• Ezra Meyers, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
• Mark Rolycanov, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
• Pablo Avvocato, 26, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Douglas Dean, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Rebecca Mota Gonzales, 37, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Thomas Johnson, 33, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Richard Lindstedt, 33, is charged with violating national defense airspace on July 25, 2020;
• Nathan Onderdonk-Snow, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Stephen O’Donnell, 65, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Joshua Webb, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
• Jeffree Cary, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• John Tyler Gabriel, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• Noelle Mandolfo, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• Patrick Stafford, 35, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• Travis Williams, 27, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• Caleb Wills, 29, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
• Brodie Storey, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 27, 2020;
• Edward Schinzing, 32, is charged (photos available) with arson on July 28, 2020;
• James Hickerson, 54, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 28, 2020;
• Ian Wolf, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order and creating a hazard on federal property on July 28, 2020;
• Sabastian Dubar, 23, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
• Jordan Johnson, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
• Evan Kriechbaum, 31, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
• Christine Margaux, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
• Gabriel Agard-Berryhill, 18, is charged (video available) with arson on July 30, 2020;
• Isaiah Maza, 18, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 31, 2020;
• Dakotah Horton, 24, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on August 17, 2020; and
• Dakota Means, 20, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on August 24, 2020.

Eleven others have been issued citation violations. All defendants, unless noted, are presumed to be local residents.

            Several of the charges being used to prosecute violent agitators carry significant maximum prison sentences. For example, felony assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

            It is important to note that while some federal charges require crimes be committed on federal property, others do not. Violent acts committed throughout the city of Portland under the guise of peaceful protest are being evaluated by local federal prosecutors for prosecution.

            These cases are being investigated by the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and Federal Protective Service. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

            Indictments, complaints, and informations are only accusations of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDViolence.

            Specifically, the FBI is assisting partner agencies by asking for the public’s help in identifying individuals who participated in or may have been a witness to criminal activity at the following locations:

• Near or inside the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland on the night of May 29, 2020 or into the morning of May 30, 2020. Details here: Justice Center
• Near the Chase Bank branch located at 811 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, shortly before 1 a.m. on May 30, 2020. Details here: Chase Bank

Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or (503) 224-4181. They can also be submitted online by visiting: tips.fbi.gov.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Gerald Ryan Davis, 37, of St. Helens, Oregon, was sentenced today to 13 years in federal prison and a life term of supervised release for travelling across state lines to repeatedly sexually assault a 14-year-old victim.

According to court documents, Davis used social media to find his victim and, beginning in December 2014, repeatedly traveled across state lines to meet in person and engage in criminal sexual conduct. Davis gave the victim alcohol during these encounters.

Davis, who was 33 years old at the time, had previously been convicted in 2011 of sexually abusing a 17-year-old and was sentenced to probation. While on probation, he repeatedly violated his release conditions by contacting minor victims and was ordered to serve two years in prison. He was released in July 2014, five months prior to sexually assaulting the minor victim in this case.

On January 31, 2017, local police officers arrested Davis after executing a search warrant at his St. Helens home. While in custody, he admitted to sexually assaulting the minor. On March 1, 2019, he waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of traveling with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the St. Helens Police Department. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Dakota Kurtis Means, 20, a resident of Portland, has been charged by criminal information with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and intimidating a federal employee near the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse on August 24, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

According to court documents and information shared in court, at approximately 5:30am on August 24, 2020, an employee was walking to work at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse when Means allegedly began following the employee, yelling obscenities. Means was carrying a black colored paintball rifle and yelled “it’s a paintball gun now, but it’s going to be an AR later,” seemingly referring to an AR-15 assault rifle. Means was arrested a short time later near the courthouse by U.S. Marshals Service deputies.

Means made his initial appearance in federal court on August 24, 2020 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered released to a residential re-entry center pending a one-day jury trial scheduled to begin on October 27, 2020.

Forcibly assaulting, impeding, and intimidating a federal employee while engaged in or on account of the performance of their official duties, a Class A misdemeanor, is punishable by up to one year in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Protective Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

EUGENE, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the owner of residential rental housing in Florence, Oregon, made discriminatory statements, preventing a foster parent from applying to rent a home, in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.

“Under the Fair Housing Act, owners and managers of rental housing must ensure their properties are open to families with children,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Our office will vigorously enforce this important civil rights protection to provide relief for families victimized and deter future discrimination.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, alleges that Kathie Carmer, 74, of Florence, engaged in unlawful familial status discrimination in connection with a single family home in Florence that she had advertised for rent on Craigslist. The civil complaint alleges that a prospective tenant called Carmer in November 2018 to inquire about the rental and disclosed that she was looking for a residence suitable for herself and her four foster children. Carmer then allegedly made discouraging and discriminatory comments to the prospective tenant about her intent to leave the children with a babysitter while she is working, a carpeted house not being suitable for children, and the tenant not being a good fit for the rental. Carmer did not provide the prospective tenant an opportunity to continue with a rental application.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigated this case after receiving a complaint from the prospective tenant. The department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Defendant violated the Fair Housing Act.

The filed complaint asserts three allegations against Carmer of discrimination against families with children, based upon the findings of HUD’s investigation: (1) refusing to rent or to negotiate for the rental of the advertised property because of familial status; (2) discriminating in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the rental of a dwelling because of familial status; and (3) making discouraging and other discriminatory statements to a potential renter with children.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, a civil penalty, and a court order barring future discrimination and harassment. While the complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct; the allegations must be proven in federal court.

The United States is being represented in this matter by Adrian Brown, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of familial status discrimination or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Carmer, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, are asked to contact the United States Attorney’s Office at 503-727-1000 and request to speak to the Civil Rights Coordinator.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland man has been charged with assaulting a U.S. Marshals Service deputy with a baseball bat during a riot at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland on July 27, 2020.

Dakotah Ray Horton, 24, has been charged by criminal complaint with one count of assaulting a federal officer.

“Assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon is a serious violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “I applaud the tenacity of the deputy U.S. Marshals who, for multiple weeks, worked tirelessly to identify this defendant.”

“This case is a shining example how law enforcement successfully works together to pursue violent opportunists that assault federal law enforcement personnel as they are serving their community—in this case, literally protecting the institution of American justice, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Eben Roberts. “HSI stands ready to assist in these types of investigations to ensure law enforcement can safely and effectively perform its congressional mandate.”

For several weeks in June and July 2020, the Hatfield Federal Courthouse was the site of large demonstrations and protests. On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations ended, the courthouse was the repeated target of vandalism. U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the building were subjected to threats and assaults from rioters while performing their duties.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of July 27, 2020, rioters attempted to destroy a security fence in front of the Hatfield Federal Courthouse with power tools. Rioters proceeded to attack law enforcement officers by throwing hard objects, glass bottles, and explosive devices at them.

After rioters ignored repeated orders to leave the area, the U.S. Marshals Service formed a line in front of them and began to move forward to disperse the crowd. As deputies approached, they attempted to arrest an individual for assaulting an officer. As one of the deputies knelt on the ground to assist with the arrest, Horton approached from behind and struck the deputy in the upper back, neck, and shoulder with a wooden baseball bat causing non-life-threatening injuries. When the deputy turned around, he observed Horton pointing the bat at him. The assault was witnessed by multiple individuals and captured on several internet video feeds.

On August 2, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service distributed a bulletin to law enforcement agencies in the Portland metropolitan area seeking assistance in identifying Horton. The bulletin included a full body photo of Horton as well as many close-ups of his face collected from videos posted online. Two weeks later, on August 17, 2020, a deputy U.S. Marshal observed an individual in the Rock Creek area of Washington County matching Horton’s physical appearance as depicted in the bulletin. The individual, later confirmed to be Horton, was arrested without incident. During his arrest, deputies found a loaded firearm concealed in Horton’s waistband.

Horton made his initial appearance in federal court on August 18, 2020 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Today, he was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

Assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Leah K. Bolstad, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Horton strikes a deputy U.S. Marshal with a wooden baseball bat. Second angle of Horton striking a deputy U.S. Marshal with a wooden baseball bat. Horton shortly after assaulting a deputy U.S. Marshal. Detail of clothing worn by Horton during assault on a deputy U.S. Marshal. Horton after his August 17 arrest.

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Hood River, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison last week for his role in a conspiracy to traffic marijuana grown in Hood River and Portland to Florida, and launder the proceeds back to Oregon, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. On August 14, 2020, Cole William Griffiths, 32, was sentenced to two years in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in April 2018, following several months of investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Griffiths’ Hood River residence, seizing 4,376 marijuana plants, $7,700 in cash, firearms, ammunition and several vehicles. Griffiths was not present during the search, having just left for Florida. Investigators later seized a yacht Griffiths owned in Florida valued at approximately $225,000.

On August 21, 2018, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Griffiths with conspiring to manufacture, possess with the intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana and maintaining drug-involved premises; conspiring to commit money laundering; and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On April 22, 2019, Griffiths pleaded guilty to the first two counts.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Jones ordered Griffiths to forfeit any criminally-derived proceeds and property used to facilitate his crimes, including more than $256,956 in U.S. currency; a 2000 Sealine F44 Yacht; eight vehicles; two all-terrain vehicles; four trailers; heavy construction equipment; and 14 firearms.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the department’s strategy for reducing the availability of drugs in the U.S. OCDETF was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack on drug trafficking by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in coordination with state and local law enforcement.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams released the following statement today regarding the recent assault of a motorist in Downtown Portland and continued violence citywide:

“Like many Oregonians, I was sickened by the video circulating online showing a man being pulled from his truck in Downtown Portland and beaten and kicked until he lies on the pavement unconscious. While the circumstances leading up to this brutal assault are still under state and federal review, I must condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this depraved violence.

We must all continue to work together to achieve peace in the streets of Portland. If we are not successful, I fear one day soon we will wake up to news that a Portlander has been killed. We cannot let this happen.”

MEDFORD, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Klamath Falls, Oregon man is facing federal criminal charges for cashing more than $458,000 worth of social security checks issued in the name of his deceased aunt. George Doumar, 76, has been charged by complaint with theft of public funds and mail theft.

According to court documents, in February 2020, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Office of Anti-Fraud Programs identified a 114-year-old supercentenarian who appeared to be the second-oldest living person in the U.S. receiving Social Security retirement benefits. SSA systems indicated that no updates had been made to the person’s benefit record in more than 30 years, leading SSA staff to believe that the person may be deceased. The matter was referred to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG).

SSA records indicated that the benefit recipient was born on August 7, 1905 in New York City and had first applied for retirement benefits in August 1970. The person did not receive any payments until September 1977 after she reached her delayed retirement computation age. SSA records further showed that from 1977 until present day, the benefit recipient received monthly Social Security retirement checks disbursed by the U.S. Treasury and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. The last known update to the recipient’s SSA benefit record was in July 1989, when the recipient’s address was updated to Frontier Parcel & Fax Service on S. 6th Street in Klamath Falls, a commercial mail receiving agency that accepts mail from the Postal Service on behalf of third parties.

In March 2020, an investigator with SSA-OIG interviewed two of the benefit recipient’s nieces. Both nieces claimed that their aunt died in the 1960s or 1970s and recalled attending her funeral in Brooklyn, New York, where she had reportedly lived her entire life. According to one niece, their aunt did not have any children and was not married. She recalled that Doumar, her Aunt’s nephew, was close with her aunt near the time of her death and was named the sole beneficiary of her life insurance payout.

Investigators soon discovered that Doumar himself was an active Social Security beneficiary and received his checks at the same address on S. 6th Street in Klamath Falls. State of Oregon Employment Department records showed that Doumar had owned Frontier Parcel & Fax Service since 1990. He owned the property on which the business was located and a residence approximately 20 miles southwest of Klamath Falls city limits. According to SSA records, Doumar purchased the property on S. 6th Street seven days prior to the address on his aunt’s benefit record being changed to the same address.

On April 1, 2020, a U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Postal Inspector obtained the most recent commercial mail receiving agency report for Frontier Parcel, which showed the names of current postal box owners. The list did not contain anyone with the first or last name of Doumar’s aunt. On May 1, 2020, an Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 was issued to Doumar’s aunt by the U.S. Treasury, as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. Two weeks later, the check was deposited at a nearby bank after being endorsed with the aunt’s purported signature.

On June 16, 2020, SSA-OIG investigators obtained a copy of the aunt’s death certificate from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, confirming that she had died on March 7, 1971 in Brooklyn. Investigators determined that Doumar had added his aunt to he and his wife’s shared checking account in 1989. His aunt’s Social Security checks were often bundled in deposits with other checks made payable to Doumar. Doumar’s account was used to pay for various living expenses including mortgage, car loan, medical, and utility payments.

Investigators obtained bank surveillance footage from February 2020 that showed a man, who appeared to match Doumar’s physical description, depositing one of his aunt’s retirement checks. On July 14, 2020, investigators from SSA-OIG and USPIS interviewed Doumar at his Klamath Falls residence. When asked about his aunt, Doumar sighed, slumped his head, and stated, “that’s a long story…what happened was, well she’s passed and yes, I’ve been collecting her Social Security.”

Doumar will make his first appearance in federal court on August 24, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, and 3 years’ supervised release. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also seek restitution on behalf of SSA.

This case was jointly investigated by SSA-OIG and USPIS. It is being prosecuted by Rachel Sowray, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Robert J. Jesenik, 61, a former chief executive officer of Aequitas Management, LLC and several other Aequitas-owned entities, has been indicted along with three other former company executives for their roles in a fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

Jesenik, a former resident of West Linn, Oregon, is charged in a 32-count indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. Also charged are Nelson Scott Gillis, 67, of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Brian K. Rice, 54, of Portland; and Andrew N. MacRitchie, 56, formerly of Palm Harbor, Florida.

According to court documents, Jesenik, Gillis, MacRitchie, Rice, and others used the Lake Oswego company to solicit investments in a variety of notes and funds, many of which were purportedly backed by trade receivables in education, health care, transportation, and other consumer credit areas.

From June 2014 through February 2016, the former executives solicited investors by misrepresenting the company’s use of investor money, the financial health and strength of Aequitas and its related companies, and the risks associated with its investments and investment strategies. Collectively, the defendants also failed to disclose other critical facts about the company, including its near-constant liquidity and cash-flow crises, the use of investor money to repay other investors and to defray operating expenses, and the lack of collateral to secure funds.

Jesenik founded the Aequitas group of companies, and, as chief executive officer, controlled the organization’s structure and had ultimate decision-making authority over company activities.      

Gillis, who was previously indicted for conspiring to submit false statements to a federally insured creditor, was the company’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer. In these roles, he was responsible for directing Aequitas’s overall financial policies and accounting functions. He established and maintained the company’s accounting principles, practices, procedures and initiatives, prepared financial reports and presented findings and recommendations to the executive teams, and oversaw all financial functions.

MacRitchie was the company’s executive vice president and chief compliance officer. As such, he was responsible for the development and implementation of risk management and compliance processes and procedures. MacRitchie oversaw all Aequitas accounting, legal, and audit functions, and participated in fundraising. He also established Aequitas’s New York Office and directed Aequitas’s “Lux Fund,” a Luxembourg-based fund used to solicit international investors.

Rice served as Aequitas’s executive vice president and president of wealth management. Among his responsibilities, Rice oversaw the solicitation of investments through registered investment advisors (RIA) and managed Aequitas’s affiliated RIAs.

If convicted on all charges, each of the defendants could face decades in prison and millions of dollars in fines and restitution, as well as five years’ supervised release following their prison terms.

Former Aequitas executives and co-conspirators Brian A. Oliver and Olaf Janke previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering on April 19, 2019, and June 10, 2019, respectively. As part of their plea agreements, they have both agreed to pay restitution in full to their victims as determined and ordered by the court.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration. It is being prosecuted by Scott E. Bradford and Ryan W. Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland woman has been charged with preparing more than 1,000 false and fraudulent federal income tax returns requesting over $3 million in fraudulent refunds.

A federal grand jury has returned a 25-count indictment charging Elizabeth Munoz, 36, a resident of southeast Portland, with filing false tax returns on behalf of herself and her clients.

“Falsifying tax returns to get fraudulent refunds harms every American because it takes revenue from federal programs that benefit the public,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Every taxpayer must file accurate returns with the IRS and pay all taxes required by law. Those who fail to do so will face significant consequences, including criminal prosecution, prison, and monetary penalties.”

“Unscrupulous return preparers create unforeseen hardships for their clients that include unexpected tax debt along with penalties and interest,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. “IRS-CI devotes considerable resources to ensuring all return preparers follow the law and act in good faith on behalf of their clients.”

According to court documents, from 2015 through 2018, Munoz operated a tax return preparation business that promised her clients the “biggest refund guaranteed.” Munoz allegedly prepared 1,196 false tax returns for 629 clients. She manipulated various entries on their returns to falsely claim tax credits for which her clients were not eligible.

Munoz will make her first appearance in federal court on August 27, 2020. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison, three years supervised release, and $6.2 million in fines.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

MEDFORD, Ore.—The leader of a southern Oregon drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in and around Klamath Falls, Oregon was sentenced to federal prison today, announced Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Rogelio Gomez-Arias, 24, of Klamath Falls, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in May 2018, southern Oregon law enforcement began investigating Gomez-Arias’ trafficking organization. Investigators learned than an individual in Mexico supplied the organization with methamphetamine in exchange for cash and firearms, and instructed it to transport narcotics to other west coast cities and beyond.

In August 2019, investigators conducted three controlled buys with Gomez-Arias, purchasing a total of three pounds of methamphetamine. During these purchases, Gomez-Arias directed other members of his organization and openly explained his history of drug dealing. He explained in detail how he started selling small quantities of drugs and then moved up to ounces and, later, pounds. He bragged of making $500,000 in a single week and transporting drugs to other cities, including Seattle and New York. This information was corroborated when a co-conspirator was stopped on his way to New York with more than 700 grams of fentanyl.

On October 9, 2019, a coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement operation was conducted to dismantle Gomez-Arias’ drug trafficking organization. Four federal search warrants were executed in Klamath Falls and Dorris, California. Investigators seized more than 37 pounds of methamphetamine, 440 grams of heroin, 14 firearms, and nearly $50,000 in cash and arrested five co-conspirators, including Gomez-Arias.

On October 2, 2019, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a six-count indictment charging Gomez-Arias and three co-conspirators with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and distribution of a controlled substance. A fourth co-conspirator was charged by criminal complaint.

On July 30, 2020, Gomez-Arias pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Three of Gomez-Arias’ co-conspirators—Alexis Chavez-Franco, 23; Domingo Matias-Hernandez, 36; and Juan Rodriguez-Ramirez, 62—remain in custody pending trial. A fourth co-conspirator, Irving Beas Ceballos, 35, is on pre-trial release.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane ordered Gomez-Arias to forfeit the U.S. currency seized and the firearms used to facilitate his crimes.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET) and the Siskiyou Unified Major Investigation Team (SUMIT). It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, the centerpiece of the department’s strategy for reducing the availability of drugs in the U.S. OCDETF was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack on drug trafficking by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in coordination with state and local law enforcement.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Isaiah Jason Maza, Jr., 18, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and willfully damaging government property during protests at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse on July 22, 2020.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of July 22, 2020, a group of individuals gathered in an exterior entryway of the Hatfield Federal Courthouse. Several members of the group, including Maza, began removing plywood attached to the front of the building to protect its damaged glass façade. After the group successfully removed the plywood sheeting, Maza made multiple attempts to kick in the window, struck it with a metal object, and repeatedly pounded on it with what appeared to be a hammer.

Shortly thereafter, a number of people successfully removed the entire wooden structure protecting the courthouse entryway and an unknown individual broke one of the windows. After this breach, Maza walked toward the building carrying a cylindrical object. Maza then appeared to light a fuse connected to the object and place it inside the broken window. A short time later, the object exploded in close proximity to law enforcement officers exiting the building through the broken window. A deputy U.S. Marshal sustained injuries to both his legs as a result of the blast.

On July 31, 2020, deputy U.S. Marshals spotted Maza less than one block from the courthouse. Maza ran from the deputy marshals who pursued him several blocks by foot before catching and arresting him.

Maza made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

Assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Willfully damaging government property is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is being jointly investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Gabriel Agard-Berryhill, 18, has been charged by criminal complaint with using fire to maliciously damage the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland on July 28, 2020.

“No legitimate protest message is advanced by throwing a large explosive device against a government building. Mr. Agard-Berryhill’s actions could have gravely injured law enforcement officers positioned near the courthouse, other protesters standing nearby, or himself,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “I applaud the ATF agents and U.S. Marshals Service deputies who worked quickly to identify Mr. Agard-Berryhill before he had an opportunity to hurt others.”

“The violent opportunists engaged in dangerous acts of violence, such as arson, need to realize there will be grave consequences,” said Russel Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon. “Serious crimes of this nature go beyond mere property damage to the courthouse and endanger people’s lives.”

According to court documents, at approximately 11:50pm on July 28, 2020, security cameras at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse captured footage of a large incendiary object enter the building’s portico area and land near plywood sheeting affixed to the building’s façade. A few seconds later, the object exploded, igniting a fire near the building’s main entrance. Federal law enforcement personnel collected various items near the site of the explosion and sent them to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) laboratory for further analysis.

ATF investigators reviewed social media posts from the night of the explosion and located videos of the incendiary object being thrown. The individual depicted throwing the object, later identified to be Agard-Berryhill, was a young, Caucasian male wearing a green colored vest, camouflage pants, and a mask. Investigators observed the person in other protest-related videos posted online wearing the same vest and attempting to hold a shield in front of a naked woman.

Investigators also found a post on Twitter depicting a product review for the vest. The review included a photo of a person wearing the vest who matched the description of the person seen throwing the explosive device. The review states “I got this [vest] for my grandson who’s a protestor [sic] downtown, he uses it every night and says its [sic] does the job.” Investigators later found the same photo on a Facebook page and, using law enforcement databases, were able to positively identify Agard-Berryhill.

Agard-Berryhill made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered released pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

This case is being jointly investigated by ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Edward Thomas Schinzing, 32, has been charged by criminal complaint with using fire to maliciously damage or destroy the Justice Center in downtown Portland on May 29, 2020.

Multnomah County and the City of Portland own the Justice Center building located at 1120 SW 3rd Avenue in Portland. The facility houses the Multnomah County Detention Center jail and the Portland Police Bureau headquarters.

According to court documents, Schinzing was marching with a group of protestors when he arrived at the front of the Justice Center shortly before 11:00 p.m. on May 29, 2020. A few minutes later, several people broke windows near the northwest corner of the Justice Center where the Corrections Records Office is located. They subsequently entered the secured office through the broken windows.

Three civilian Multnomah County employees were working inside the Corrections Records Office at the time and fled for safety as the windows were broken. Based on a preliminary review of publicly-available videos from YouTube, Twitter, surveillance cameras, and still photos posted online, about 30 individuals entered the Justice Center through the broken windows. The individuals spray-painted portions of the office; damaged computer and other office equipment, furniture, and interior windows; and started fires.

Among those who entered the Justice Center, Schinzing was identified by a comparison with a jail booking photo and a distinctive tattoo of his last name across his upper back. Schinzing spread a fire that started near the front of the office by lighting additional papers on fire and moving them into a drawer of a separate cubicle.

At about 11:08 p.m., the building’s fire sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fires. At about the same time, law enforcement officers secured that portion of the Justice Center. The Multnomah County Detention Center housed approximately 289 inmates at the time.

Schinzing made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

This case is being jointly investigated by the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); U.S. Marshals Service; Portland Police Bureau; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office; and Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Schinzing marching with a crowd of demonstrators across the Burnside Bridge in Portland on May 29, 2020 Schinzing marching with a crowd of demonstrators in downtown Portland on May 29, 2020 Schinzing inside the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 before the fire is ignited Close up of Schinzing inside the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 before the fire is ignited Schinzing spreading the fire in the Corrections Records Office by moving flaming papers into separate cubicles on May 29, 2020 A demonstrator photographs the fire in the Corrections Records Office on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020 Damage to the Corrections Records Office from fire on May 29, 2020

 

Update (9/16/2020): The case brought against a Corvallis man previously charged for harassing and stalking federal employees assigned to assist Federal Protective Service with ongoing civil unrest in Portland has been dismissed. The man’s name has been removed from this release to protect his privacy.

Correction (8/6/2020): An earlier version of this press release incorrectly identified the person arrested on July 24, 2020 as Ronald Bernard Hickey, 44, a Canadian National. This man has not been charged with any crime in the District of Oregon. A Corvalis man has been charged for harassing and stalking federal employees assigned to assist the Federal Protective Service with ongoing civil unrest in Portland.

Charges include assaulting federal officers, failing to obey lawful orders, and operating a drone in restricted airspace

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that 22 people have been arrested and are facing federal charges for their roles in weekend protests at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland.

According to court documents, since May 26, 2020, protests in downtown Portland have been followed by nightly criminal activity including assaults on law enforcement officers, destruction of property, looting, arson, and vandalism. The Hatfield Federal Courthouse has been a nightly target of vandalism during evening protests and riots, sustaining extensive damage.

U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the courthouse have been subjected to nightly threats and assaults from demonstrators while performing their duties.

Six people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 23, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 24, 2020. Carly Anne Ballard, 34, and David Michael Bouchard, 36, are charged with assaulting federal officers; and Josslynn Kreutz, 28, Dakota Eastman, 30, Ezra Meyers, 18, and Mark Rolycanov, 28, are charged with failing to obey lawful orders.

On July 24, 2020, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested a Corvallis, Oregon man for harassing and stalking federal employees assigned to assist the Federal Protective Service (FPS) with ongoing civil unrest in Portland. The individual used his Twitter account to knowingly release personal information of these employees in an attempt to threaten, intimidate, or incite violence against them.

Eight people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 25, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 26, 2020. Rebecca Gonzales-Mota, 37; Stephen O’Donnell, 65; Thomas Johnson, 33; Nathan Oderdonk-Snow, 21; Joshua Webb, 22; Pablo Avvacato, 26; and Doug Dean, 34, are charged with assaulting federal officers. Richard Lindstet, 33, is charged with operating a drone in restricted airspace.

Seven people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 26, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 27, 2020. Michael Stephenson, 23; Caleb Willis, 29; Noelle Mandolfo, 30; Travis Williams, 27; Patrick Stanford, age unknown; Coree Jefree, age unknown; and Tyler Gabriel, 22, are charged with assaulting federal officers.

All defendants, unless noted, are presumed to be local residents.

These cases are being jointly investigated the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Protective Service. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints and informations are only accusations of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that 18 people have been arrested and are facing federal charges this week for their roles in recent weeknight protests at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland.

According to court documents, since May 26, 2020, protests in downtown Portland have been followed by nightly criminal activity including assaults on law enforcement officers, destruction of property, looting, arson, and vandalism. The Hatfield Federal Courthouse has been a nightly target of vandalism during evening protests and riots, sustaining extensive damage.

U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the courthouse have been subjected to nightly threats and assaults from demonstrators while performing their duties.

Five people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 20, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 21, 2020. Jennifer Kristiansen, 37, is charged with assaulting a federal officer; Zachary Duffly, 45, is charged with creating a disturbance; Wyatt Ash-Milby, 18, is charged with trespassing on federal property; and Caleb Ehlers, 23, and Paul Furst, 22, are charged with failing to comply with a lawful order.

Seven people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 21, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 22, 2020. Jerusalem Callahan, 24, is charged with willfully damaging government property; Joseph Ybarra, 21, is charged with arson; Marnie Sager, 27, and Ella Miller, 26, are charged failing to comply with a lawful order; and Taylor Lemons, 31; Giovanni Bondurant, 19; and Gabriel Houston, 22, are charged with assaulting federal officers.

Six people have been charged for alleged criminal conduct during a protest beginning July 22, 2020 and continuing into the early morning hours of July 23, 2020. Joseph Lagalo, 37; Baily Dreibelbis, 22; Nicholas Kloiber, 26; David Hazan, 24; Hailey Holden, 30; and Cameron Knuetson, age unknown, are charged with failing to comply with a lawful order.

All defendants are presumed to be local residents.

All 18 defendants have made their first appearances in federal court and were ordered released pending jury trials or other follow-up court proceedings.

These cases are being jointly investigated the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Protective Service. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints and informations are only accusations of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Aftermath of fire lit near perimeter fencing of Hatfield Federal Courthouse Pile of debris thrown at federal law enforcement at Hatfield Federal Courthouse Water bottles used as projectiles piled near entrance to Hatfield Federal Courthouse Water bottles used as projectiles piled near entrance to Hatfield Federal Courthouse Water bottles used as projectiles piled near entrance to Hatfield Federal Courthouse

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Matthew Hogan Peters, 36, of Dana Point, California, has been charged by superseding information with healthcare fraud and tax evasion.

Peters, who owned and operated local compounding pharmacies, was previously indicted by a federal grand jury on December 19, 2019, on charges that he submitted dozens of fraudulent patient attestations in support of reimbursement claims to CVS Caremark, a national pharmacy benefit manager.

“Seeking to defraud pharmaceutical insurance providers is a crime that impacts all Americans in the form of increased health care costs. Mr. Peters added to Americans’ shared losses resulting from his crimes by further depriving the U.S. of millions in personal income taxes owed,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “These charges demonstrate our commitment to stopping health care fraud in any form and preventing anyone from cheating the IRS.”

“When people infect our health care system with fraudulent schemes as Peters has done, everyone pays. The greed and the self-dealing of scams like this one impact not only the insurance companies and federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, but all Americans who depend on affordable health care options to take care of their families,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.

“Mr. Peters made calculated decisions to divert health care fraud proceeds with the intent of evading his more than $5 million dollar tax liability. His actions hurt all Americans who pay their fair share of taxes,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell.

The new charges, filed today, accuse Peters of willfully evading the payment of approximately $5.49 million in federal income taxes from 2014 through 2017. Peters is accused of diverting millions of dollars in corporate revenue for various personal uses, including funding real estate projects in Belize and purchasing homes in Incline Village, Nevada, and San Carlos and Laguna Beach, California.

Peters owned and operated Professional Center 205 Pharmacy and Portland Professional Pharmacy, compounding pharmacies located in Southeast Portland. The pharmacies filled prescriptions for, among other things, compounded pain creams, a lucrative line of products. Private and federal healthcare insurance programs reimburse compounding pharmacies for such creams at rates far higher than comparable over-the-counter or bulk-manufactured medications.

CVS Caremark administered prescription drug benefits for many patients the pharmacies served. From April 1, 2014, through May 15, 2015, Peters sought reimbursements of more than $3.4 million from CVS Caremark, which in turn paid him nearly $1.69 million. In mid-2015, CVS Caremark audited Professional Center Pharmacy’s claims for reimbursement and identified approximately 185 claims that lacked records proving customers’ receipt of medications.

Facing possible suspension from CVS Caremark’s network, Peters submitted documentation to explain the discrepancies identified in the audit. This documentation included 41 written attestations, each purporting to bear the electronic signature of an individual patient, confirming that the patient received the prescription in question. Peters is alleged to have created each of their electronic signatures himself.

Peters will remain on pre-trial release pending a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin on September 8, 2020.

This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Offices of Inspectors General for the United States Postal Service and the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Ryan W. Bounds and Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and Elizabeth Ballard Colgrove, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, for the District of Oregon.

A criminal information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams released the following statement today on federal law enforcement’s response to ongoing protests in Portland:

“The overarching goal of law enforcement is public protection and, during tense and dangerous situations, de-escalation. Federal law enforcement officers protecting the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse and other federal buildings have been operating with those two critical goals. Night after night for the past 50 nights, they have protected the federal courthouse from incursion and fire. They have rebuffed efforts to enter the building by force and have been met with an onslaught of commercial fireworks, laser strikes, glass, mortars, paint, and anything else near at hand. They have endeavored to find the individuals within the crowd who are committing these violent acts and arrest them in a manner that is safe for both the officers and nearby non-violent protesters.

In limited instances, their conduct has been questioned and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General appropriately opened an investigation into the use of less lethal ammunition directed at a protestor last week.

Based on news accounts circulating that allege federal law enforcement detained two protestors without probable cause, I have requested the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to open a separate investigation directed specifically at the actions of DHS personnel.

As U.S. Attorney, I will continue to work in concert with local and federal law enforcement and city and community leaders to bring about an end to this violence.”

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams released the following statement regarding the U.S. Marshals Service use of less-lethal munitions during weekend protests:

“Per U.S. Marshals Service protocols, their internal investigation of this weekend’s incident has now been referred to the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. We must respectfully decline further comment on this matter.”

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Texas man has been charged with assaulting a U.S. Marshals Service deputy with a construction hammer during weekend protests at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland.

Jacob Michael Gaines, 23, a Texas man currently residing in a recreational vehicle in Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with one count of assaulting a federal officer.

According to court documents, at approximately 1:00am on July 11, 2020, Gaines was observed using a hammer to damage a barricaded entrance at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse. At the time, federal law enforcement personnel were staged inside the courthouse to protect the facility and respond to incidents. Law enforcement attempted to exit the courthouse to prevent Gaines from breaching the barricaded entrance.

While attempting to detain him, Gaines struck a U.S. Marshals Service deputy three times with the hammer. The deputy deflected the blows to prevent serious injury, but in process was struck in the left shoulder, lower neck, and upper back. While being struck, the deputy managed to hold onto Gaines while other officers handcuffed him and placed him under arrest.

Gaines made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Protective Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

For several weeks, the Hatfield Federal Courthouse has been a repeated target of vandalism during evening protests and riots, sustaining extensive damage. U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the courthouse have been subjected to nightly threats and assaults from demonstrators while performing their duties.

Deputy U.S. Marshal approaching Gaines Gaines outside courthouse barricade with hammer in right hand Courthouse barricade with hole from Gaines' hammer strikes 4 lb DeWalt construction hammer seized from Gaines

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—In separate criminal cases, three men, Mitch Bryan Schoonover, 37, of Portland; Isaiah Holt, 32, also of Portland; and Jay Rodney Ferdig, 44, of Salem, Oregon; were sentenced this week to federal prison for illegally possessing firearms as convicted felons, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

“The goal of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program is to reduce violent crime and victimization across Oregon,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “A key pillar of our strategy is to reduce illegal gun ownership. With the assistance of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners, we have made significant progress toward this goal.”

U.S. v. Schoonover

On July 6, 2020, Schoonover was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on January 1, 2020, Gresham Police officers stopped Schoonover for a traffic violation and on suspicion that the vehicle he was driving was stolen. Officers searched the vehicle after confirming it was stolen and found a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a loaded magazine, and a clear glass pipe containing methamphetamine residue.

In 2005, after learning that another man had spent the night with his girlfriend, Schoonover shot and killed the man at short range with a rifle. He was convicted in Multnomah County Circuit Court of first degree manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

This case was investigated by the Gresham Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis S. Burkhart.

U.S. v. Ferdig

Ferdig was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on August 2, 2019, Ferdig and his fiancée were staying at a Salem motel with their 11-month- and three-year-old children. They left both children in the care of an extremely intoxicated cousin and went to a local park to inject methamphetamine. The children wandered away and a motel guest brought both children inside for their protection and to prevent the three-year-old from running into the street. During a subsequent welfare check, police discovered the children were barefoot and had not had their diapers changed for hours. Ferdig and his fiancée were arrested upon their return to the motel.

Police discovered drug packaging on Ferdig’s person and a .22 caliber pistol with a round in the chamber, two boxes of ammunition, plastic bags with shards of methamphetamine, two digital scales, hypodermic needles, and a stun gun in his vehicle.

Ferdig’s criminal history spans more than two decades. He is prohibited from possessing a firearm after numerous felony convictions for assault, sex offenses, drug offenses, robbery, burglary, and other crimes.

This case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron G. Chatfield.

U.S. v. Holt

Holt was sentenced today to 37 months in prison and three years’ supervised release for money laundering, drug trafficking, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court documents, beginning in July 2016 and continuing until his arrest in April 2018, Holt used his association with a licensed marijuana producer in Portland to divert state-legal marijuana into the black market. Holt sold marijuana in-person to out-of-state customers traveling to Oregon and by mail to remote customers using the U.S. Postal Service.

The investigation started when Holt directed his girlfriend to purchase a handgun for him. In April 2018, ATF agents obtained and executed a search warrant on Holt’s Northeast Portland residence. They found 11.5 grams of cocaine and nearly $2,000 in cash on Holt’s person and three firearms, drug packaging materials, shipping labels, 14 pounds of marijuana, and $46,100 in cash in the residence.

After his arrest and federal indictment, Holt continued to distribute cocaine. From April to August 2019, law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases of cocaine from Holt. In total, law enforcement purchased or recovered from Holt approximately 158 grams of cocaine during these purchases.

Holt is prohibited from possessing a firearm after several felony convictions in Multnomah County Circuit Court in 2007 for selling marijuana and shooting an individual during an altercation.

This case was investigated by ATF, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Portland Police Bureau. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia E. Jarrett and Leah K. Bolstad.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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.

Schoonover Firearm Ferdig Firearm Holt Firearm

 

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that seven people have been arrested and face federal charges for their roles in weekend riots at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland.

According to court documents, since May 26, 2020, protests in downtown Portland have regularly been followed by nightly criminal activity including assaults on law enforcement officers, destruction of property, looting, arson, and vandalism.

Rowan Olsen, 19, of Portland, is charged with disorderly conduct, creating a hazard on federal property, and failing to obey a lawful order; Shant Singh Ahuja, 28, of Oceanside, California, is charged with destruction of federal property; and Andrew Steven Faulkner, 24, of Beaverton, Oregon; Gretchen Margaret Blank, 29, of Seattle, Washington; Christopher Fellini, 31, of Portland; Cody Porter, 28, of Portland; and Taimane Jame Teo, 24, of Eugene, Oregon, are charged with assaulting federal officers.

The Hatfield Federal Courthouse has been a repeated target of vandalism, sustaining extensive damage. U.S. Marshals Service deputies and officers from the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection working to protect the courthouse have been subjected to threats; aerial fireworks including mortars; high intensity lasers targeting officers’ eyes; thrown rocks, bottles, and balloons filled with paint from demonstrators while performing their duties.

On July 2-3, 2020, Olsen is accused of using his body to push on and hold a glass door at the Hatfield Courthouse closed, preventing officers from exiting the building and causing the door to shatter. With the door broken, a mortar firework entered the courthouse, detonating near the officers. The officers used shields and their bodies to block the open doorway for approximately six hours until demonstrators dispersed.

On July 4, 2020, Ahuja is accused of willfully destroying a closed-circuit video camera mounted on the exterior of the Hatfield Courthouse.

On July 5, 2020, Blank is accused of assaulting a federal officer with a shield while the officer was attempting to arrest another protestor.

On July 5-6, 2020, Faulkner, Fellini, Porter, and Teo are accused of assaulting federal officers with high intensity lasers. At the time of his arrest, Faulkner also possessed a sheathed machete.

All seven defendants made their first appearances in federal court on July 6, 2020 and were released pending trial.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

These cases are being investigated jointly by the U.S. Marshals Service; FBI; U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Federal Protective Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Homeland Security Investigations.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Glass courthouse door broken by Olsen Pyrotechnic mortar exploding in courthouse lobby after glass door was broken by Olsen Fellini possessions seized during arrest Front of shield used by Blank to assault federal officer Back of shield use by Blank to assault federal officer

 

 PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Portland man has been arrested for his role in an overnight attack on the Hatfield Federal Courthouse.

“The lawless and violent acts of extremists across the political spectrum cannot continue. Violence directed at federal, state, and local law enforcement and property destruction is inconsistent with the aims of social justice,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “These are criminal acts and individuals who engage in them will be held accountable.”

Rowan M. Olsen, 19, aka Kiefer Alan Moore, was arrested by Federal Protective Service officers in the early morning hours of July 3, 2020, and a criminal complaint alleging destruction of government property is being presented to a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Olsen will remain in custody until his first appearance in federal court on July 6, 2020.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Last night’s demonstration marked a significant escalation in violence against federal property in Portland. Officers from the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as U.S. Marshals, were assaulted with bottles, rocks, commercial-grade fireworks, and improvised explosives. Other incendiary devices were thrown into the Hatfield Federal Courthouse.

These actions are illegal and will not be tolerated. Perpetrators of violence against federal law enforcement officers and property will face arrest and prosecution.

EUGENE, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today the appointment of Cedar Wilkie Gillette to serve as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Coordinator for the District of Oregon.

As the District of Oregon’s first MMIP coordinator, Ms. Wilkie Gillette will gather reliable data to identify MMIP cases connected to Oregon; conduct outreach with tribal communities to assist in the creation and implementation of community action plans; coordinate with tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement in the development of protocols and procedures for responding to and addressing MMIP cases; and promote improved data collection and analyses throughout Oregon.

Working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Eugene, Ms. Wilkie Gillette will serve tribal communities and victims throughout Oregon.

“We are very excited to welcome Ms. Wilkie Gillette into this important new position designed to serve native crime victims and their families. For generations, American Indians and Alaskan Natives have suffered from disproportionately high levels of violence. This is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Ms. Wilkie Gillette is eminently qualified for this role and will join a long history of District of Oregon staff committed to reducing violent crime in tribal communities.”

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Wilkie Gillette served as a law fellow for Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization. She has a juris doctorate from the Vermont Law School and a bachelor’s degree in applied social justice and human rights activism from the University of Minnesota. Ms. Wilkie Gillette is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and a direct descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. She has conducted extensive research on indigenous human rights and environmental justice issues.

On November 22, 2019, Attorney General William Barr launched a national strategy to address missing and murdered Native Americans. When establishing the MMIP Initiative, the Department of Justice made an initial investment of $1.5 million to hire MMIP coordinators to serve with U.S. Attorney’s Offices in 11 states, including Oregon.

The strategy also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that a Rainier, Oregon man has been charged with kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and transporting her from her home in Ilwalco, Washington to Rainier.

James Donald Cooley, 59, has been charged by criminal complaint with one count of kidnapping.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of May 18, 2020, Cooley is alleged to have traveled from his home in Rainier to his ex-girlfriend’s home in Ilwalco without notice or invitation. He parked his vehicle on the side of Highway 101 near her home. Cooley approached his ex-girlfriend and a confrontation ensued. He grabbed her by her arms, tied her hands together with zip ties, and began pulling her toward the highway. Cooley drug his ex-girlfriend a couple hundred feet to his vehicle, put a knife to her throat, shoved her into the backseat, and began driving back to Rainier.

When Cooley arrived at his residence, his sister, who also lives in Rainier, spotted Cooley’s ex-girlfriend at his residence. Cooley’s sister confronted them and the ex-girlfriend told her that Cooley was going to kill her. Cooley’s sister contacted the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and reported the incident. Sheriff deputies responded and later arrested Cooley.

Cooley made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. He was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

This case was investigated by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Gregory R. Nyhus, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Domestic violence is a serious violent crime that includes both physical and emotional abuse. It is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members and communities.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have developed support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.