Eastern District of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA - Kathleen Fields, 43, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was charged by Information, filed on May 16, 2016, with one count of possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, a possible fine, supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by U.S. Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrea G. Foulkes.

     An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Francis J. Bass, 61, of Montgomery County, PA, a former employee of Lundy Law in Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to four counts of subscribing a false federal income tax return. As the Intake Coordinator for the law firm, he referred personal injury clients to medical providers and hired private investigators. In exchange for these referrals, Bass received payments directly from the medical providers and investigators selected by him. He received approximately $500 per client.

During tax years 2009 through 2013, Bass understated the income on his tax returns by failing to report the majority of the funds he received from these medical providers. To conceal the source of the funds he received for his referrals, Bass created a fictitious Schedule C “investigation” business, on which he reported a minimal amount of the referral payments.

For tax years 2009 through 2012, Bass failed to report approximately $483,901 in income and owed additional taxes of approximately $126,104. As part of his plea agreement, Bass agreed that he owed an additional $77,360 in taxes for approximately $341,264 in income for tax year 2013. The total amount of taxes owed to the IRS for 2009 through 2013 is approximately $203,464.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 13, 2016. The defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 12 years in prison, one year of supervised release, a possible fine, and a $400 special assessment

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Terri A. Marinari and David J. Ignall.  

PHILADELPHIA - Edward Terrell Providence, 51, of the Bronx, New York, was charged by Indictment, unsealed today, with one count of bank fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  Providence was arrested this morning.

According to the indictment, Providence posed as legitimate PNC Bank account holders to obtain ATM cards for their accounts. Other co-schemers then used the cards to withdraw more than $388,000 by purchasing goods at various merchants and withdrawing cash from ATM machines.

If convicted, Providence faces a mandatory term of two years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of 42 years, up to five years of supervised release, a possible fine, and a $700 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Materials Sciences Corporation, a government contractor  headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $219,909 to resolve allegations that the company unreasonably billed federal agencies to cover depreciation and other expenses associated with a 58-foot-long Hatteras Yacht Fisherman.  The settlement was announced by United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

Specifically, the United States contended that between 2006 and 2015, Materials Sciences Corporation described the yacht as the company’s Mississippi office and incorporated yacht-related expenses into the company’s indirect cost rate submissions to receive payment under government contracts, primarily with the United States Navy.  The United States contended that the yacht-related costs were unreasonable and therefore unallowable.

Materials Sciences Corporation also agreed not to use the yacht for any purpose and to dispose of the vessel within a specified period of time.  The agreement therefore ensures that the company’s billing practice will not repeat itself in the future.

As part of this settlement, Materials Sciences Corporation did not admit liability or wrongdoing.

This investigation was led by the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the United States Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael S. Macko and Virginia Powel.

PHILADELPHIA – Bassem Kuran, 23, of Philadelphia, formerly the owner of VIP Ambulance, Inc., (“VIP”) now defunct, was charged by information with making false statements in a health care matter, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. 

The information, filed May 13, 2016, alleges that when defendant Bassem Kuran owned VIP, the  company transported patients who were able to walk and could travel safely by means other than ambulance and were, therefore, not eligible for ambulance transportation under Medicare requirements. It is alleged that the defendant, or others acting on his behalf, falsified reports to make it appear that the patients needed to be transported by ambulance when the defendant knew that the patients could be transported safely by other means and that many of them were able to walk.  The defendant allegedly billed for the ambulance services as if those services were medically necessary and, as a result, the Medicare program paid more than $66,000 for the inappropriate method of transportation.

If convicted, the defendant faces a substantial term of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a possible fine, mandatory restitution, forfeiture of assets, and a special assessment. The defendant could also be excluded from participating in federal health care programs.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul W. Kaufman and Mary E. Crawley.

An information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Ruben Cotto, Jr., 28, of Allentown, PA, was charged yesterday by Indictment with the production and attempted production of child pornography as well as the distribution and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life, a possible fine, up to a lifetime of supervised release, a $300 special assessment, and an additional $15,000 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - George William Schantz, 42, of Lynn Township, PA, was charged today by Indictment with the enticement of a minor, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life, up to a lifetime of supervised release, a possible fine, a $100 special assessment, and a $5,000 additional special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.  Anyone with additional information about this case can call the FBI at 215-418-4000.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Anthony Andrews, 35, of Philadelphia, PA, was convicted today on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm.  A sentencing date is scheduled for July 15, 2016.  Andrews faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

On June 17, 2014, Andrews knowingly possessed four firearms and ammunition that included an MPA (Masterpiece Arms) 5.7x28 caliber pistol; an MPA (Masterpiece Arms), 9 millimeter pistol; a CAI (Century Arms International/Zastava Arms) 7.62x39 caliber pistol; and a Phoenix Arms, .25 ACP caliber pistol. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose Arteaga.

PHILADELPHIA – An indictment was filed today charging three doctors in a scheme to sell commonly abused prescription drugs in exchange for cash payments.  Charged in the conspiracy are: Dr. Alan Summers, 78, of Ambler, PA; Dr. Azad Khan, 63, of Villanova, PA; and Dr. Keyhosrow Parsia, 79, of Ridley Park, PA.  The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, health care fraud, and money laundering and was announced by United States Attorney Zane David Memeger, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Tuggle, and Special Agent-in-Charge Nick DiGuilio with Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

The indictment alleges that Dr. Summers operated a medical clinic on South Broad Street in Philadelphia, and sometimes operated under the business name “NASAPT” (National Association for Substance Abuse-Prevention & Treatment).  Dr. Summers employed numerous other doctors, including Dr. Azad Khan and Dr. Keyhosrow Parsia. The defendants sold prescriptions for Suboxone and Klonopin in exchange for cash payments. Suboxone is a brand name for a drug used to treat opiate addiction. None of the defendants conducted medical examinations or mental health examinations as required by law in order to legally prescribe these controlled substances. Dr. Summers also assisted his customers in obtaining health insurance benefits for these illegally prescribed controlled substances by providing false information to health insurance companies so that his customers could fill the prescriptions using their health insurance. Many of the customers who frequented this clinic were, in fact, drug dealers or drug addicts who sold the prescribed medications. During the duration of the conspiracy, Dr. Summers illegally sold over $5 million worth of controlled substances.

“We have a public health crisis in this county involving prescription drug abuse that is exacerbated by doctors like these defendants,” said Memeger. “Every doctor who abandons his or her ethics to engage in the prescription-for-pay culture is breaking the law. They need to ask themselves whether it is worth the money to put people in danger, to risk the loss of their medical licenses, and to lose their freedom. Our office will continue to investigate and prosecute those individuals whose unscrupulous and illegal conduct contributes to this deadly epidemic.” 

“These doctors capitalized on the addiction epidemic that is typically responsible for numerous deaths across our region,” said Tuggle.  “The DEA will remain vigilant in pursuing investigations in an effort to combat this serious public health crisis.”

“Doctors who enable addicts betray their profession,” said DiGiulio. “In this case it is alleged the defendants were illegally prescribing dangerous controlled drugs and causing government health care programs to pay for the unnecessary prescriptions, which is health care fraud. We will continue to work with our partners to dismantle dangerous pill mills, protect government funds, and keep the public safe.”

If convicted of all charges, each defendant faces a possible prison term, fines, restitution, special assessments, and a term of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Livermore.

     An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – An information was filed today charging Ulric Miller, 34, of Philadelphia, PA, with possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment charges Miller with one count of possession of child pornography on July 17, 2015.         

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison, a possible fine, forfeiture, restitution, at least five years of supervised release, a special assessment of $100 and, if not indigent, an additional $5,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

An Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – Court documents were unsealed today in relation to the guilty plea entered by Matthew McTish, 57, of Orefield, PA.  McTish pleaded guilty on April 28, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery offenses, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. McTish faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a possible fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 2, 2016.

McTish[1] was the president of an engineering firm which heavily relied on contracts with governmental organizations in Pennsylvania, including the cities of Allentown and Reading.  Public Official #1, of Reading, PA, and Public Official # 3, of Allentown, PA, made clear to subordinates and donors that favorable official action would be withheld from certain donors who failed to provide satisfactory campaign contributions.  By the same token, these elected officials directly and indirectly communicated to certain donors that they were expected to provide items of value, including campaign contributions, in return for certain past or prospective official actions in Reading and Allentown. 

Public Official #1 and Public Official #3 identified certain engineering firms, including McTish’s, as promising targets for their pay to play schemes.  Public Official #1 and Public Official #3 believed that these firms were particularly vulnerable to fundraising solicitations by elected city officials because of the firms’ reliance on municipal contracts and their desire to win such contracts in Reading and Allentown.   Public Official #1 and Public Official #3 believed that for these firms, losing thousands of dollars to campaign treasuries was more acceptable than being shut out of consideration for millions of dollars’ worth of contracts.  McTish admitted that under pressure from Public Official #1, Public Official #3 and their subordinates, he agreed to remit thousands of dollars of campaign contributions in order to keep his company viable for consideration for municipal contracts in Reading and Allentown.    McTish agreed to continue raising such contributions for Public Official #1 even after he had lost re-election so that Public Official #1 could help McTish’s firm before leaving office.  McTish also agreed to reward Mary Ellen Koval with a campaign contribution for her efforts in helping Public Official #3 trying to steer a contract to his company. 

After paying campaign contributions to reward Koval and Public Official #3 for their efforts to steer an Allentown city contract to his company, McTish learned that the city had cancelled its plans for the contract.  When McTish met with Public Official #3 to discuss the prospects of future engineering contracts with the City of Allentown, Public Official #3 asked for even more money – this time asking McTish to raise at least $21,600 before a federal campaign reporting deadline of June 30, 2015.  Public Official #3 claimed that winning the federal campaign would allow him to provide greater assistance to McTish’s company.  McTish was unhappy with Public Official #3’s demand but gave a $2,500 contribution in order to maintain his company’s viability for future contracts from the City of Allentown.   

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joe Khan, Michelle Morgan, and Anthony Wzorek.

[1] McTish was identified in pleadings in related cases (and in paragraph 15 of his own Information) as “Donor #2.”

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Tuffour, 27, of Philadelphia a was charged by Indictment, unsealed May 6, 2016, with one count of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

The indictment alleges that while he was working as a customer service representative for TD Bank, Tuffour abused his position of trust in numerous ways including: opening fraudulent accounts for co-conspirators so that they could deposit counterfeit checks into those accounts; helping the co-conspirators withdraw the cash before TD Bank discovered that the checks were fraudulent; wiring money from the fraudulent accounts before TD Bank discovered that the checks were fraudulent; and secretly stealing customer information that he sold to co-conspirators, who used it to manufacture false IDs and counterfeit checks that they then used to unlawfully access the customers’ accounts.

Tuffour faces a mandatory minimum term of two years in prison with a statutory  maximum sentence of 36 years, a period of supervised release, a possible fine, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Lowe.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Marc Fox, 44, of Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania, was charged today by Information with one count of intentionally causing damage to a computer, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The Information alleges that between September 11, 2015 and October 2, 2015, Fox sent unauthorized commands to a computer owned by UGI Utilities, Inc., a company that supplies natural gas to customers in Pennsylvania. The Information alleges that by sending these unauthorized commands, Fox intentionally changed the passwords and permissions for certain accounts on UGI’s computers.  It is further alleged that Fox then sent commands to a UGI computer that caused the rerouting of emergency calls to UGI during certain time periods so that these emergency calls were not directed to the proper UGI telephone representatives, thus delaying the response to these high priority calls. The Information alleges that Fox’s computer intrusions caused more than $5,000 in damage and caused a threat to public safety. 

If convicted the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a possible fine, restitution to UGI, and a $100 special assessment.    

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – Mark Cooper, 35, of Philadelphia, PA, entered a guilty plea today to a conspiracy involving more than 2,000 counterfeit monthly passes for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and possession of access device making equipment announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  U.S. District Court Judge Berle M. Schiller scheduled sentencing for August 4, 2016.

Between August 2013 and June 2015, Cooper conspired with Kimberly Adams to produce and sell counterfeit SEPTA monthly TransPasses, which allow passengers to board SEPTA buses, trolleys and subway trains.  Once Cooper created the counterfeit passes, he gave them to Adams. Adams met customers, predominately City of Philadelphia employees inside and outside of City Hall, and sold the counterfeit passes for approximately $50.  A genuine monthly TransPass normally sells for $91.  The defendants counterfeited and sold in excess of 2,000 monthly passes and split the proceeds.   

Cooper faces a statutory maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, four years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.  Adams pleaded guilty on August 11, 2015 and is scheduled to be sentenced May 18, 2016.

The case was initiated by the City of Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General, jointly investigated with the FBI and the SEPTA Office of the Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen Marston.

PHILADELPHIA – The United States has reached a settlement agreement with the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, on behalf of its operating divisions, including the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), for the alleged submission of false home health care billings to the Medicare program.  The settlement includes $75,787 to resolve allegations that Penn Care at Home violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for services not rendered and for services that were not reasonable or necessary.  As part of the settlement agreement, UPHS has also agreed to implement new compliance oversight measures for its home health entities and will annually submit certified compliance reports pertaining to its home health entities to the United States Attorney’s Office through 2019.  The settlement releases UPHS from liability for conduct pertaining to a specific limited number of episodes of patient care.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit pending in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys John T. Crutchlow and Gregory B. David.          

PHILADELPHIA - Fernando Sanchez, 42, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 29, 2016 to 15 months of in prison for embezzling approximately $99,106 from a bank in Lancaster where he was employed as a manager.  In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Edward G. Smith ordered 24 months of supervised release and a $300 special assessment.

Sanchez perpetrated the thefts by making a series of electronic wire transfers to another financial institution where he maintained an account without the knowledge or approval of the account holder. Sanchez used a portion of the money that he had embezzled from his employer’s bank client, to pay personal expenses, such as credit card bills, and to give money to his relatives.  After the wire fraud was discovered and Sanchez was confronted with evidence of his crimes, Sanchez repaid the money that he had stolen and admitted his guilt.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laurie Magid and Floyd J. Miller.

PHILADELPHIA – The United States has reached a settlement agreement with Hesco Bastion Limited (Hesco), based in Leeds, England, in which the company has agreed to pay $2.1 million to resolve allegations of false claims and overcharges, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The allegations stem from the international transportation of blast walls that Hesco manufactured and sold to the U.S. government.  Hesco is a privately held company.

Hesco contracted with the Department of Defense to provide blast walls, also known as Concertainer Units, and to ship them from England to a U.S. military base in Germany.  The government and Hesco agreed that the price for the transportation of the Concertainer Units would not exceed £650 per truckload of Concertainer Units.  From 2002 until 2011, Hesco transported the Concertainer Units using a third-party freight forwarder.  During that period, Hesco charged the government a fixed price of £650 per truckload, while paying its transportation subcontractor less than £650 per truckload, which the government contends violated the parties’ contracts. 

In 2009, the government requested that Hesco provide documentation concerning the amount Hesco had been paying its transportation subcontractor for the transportation of the Concertainer Units.  In response, the government alleged, Hesco knowingly provided the government false information concerning the amount that Hesco had been paying to its transportation subcontractor.  The government further alleged that Hesco also knowingly misled the government by submitting 47 false invoices that were made to appear to be authentic invoices from the transportation subcontractor, and that Hesco engaged in a kickback scheme by which it received undisclosed off-invoice credits from its transportation subcontractor.  The government contends that the submission of false invoices and the kickback scheme violated the False Claims Act. 

The investigation was conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel M. Sweet and Colin M. Cherico.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

PHILADELPHIA - The United States reached a civil settlement today with Drakontas LLC, a for-profit technology company with offices in Glenside, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey, that provides software and communications technology to various markets, including to law enforcement and public safety personnel.  Under the settlement agreement, Drakontas LLC agreed to pay $155,322 to resolve allegations that it improperly spent federal grant funds that it received under cooperative agreements with the United States Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.

Specifically, the United States contended that during the year 2010, Drakontas LLC’s accounting system lacked sufficient detail and did not comply fully with the requirements of the cooperative agreements and, as a result, the company did not accurately record and support all drawdowns of grant funds during that year.  In addition, the United States contended that during years 2009 and 2010, Drakontas LLC was reimbursed for certain compensation of high-level company executives that exceeded the amounts permitted under the cooperative agreements. 

Drakontas LLC’s payment of the settlement amount resolves those accounting problems during year 2010 and the company’s payment of excess compensation during years 2009 and 2010.

In addition to the payment of $155,322, Drakontas LLC agreed to undertake a broad compliance program to ensure proper use and accounting of federal grant funds in the future.  For example, for each year in which Drakontas LLC receives federal funds, the company agreed to retain an independent auditing firm to review the company’s financial systems, internal controls, grant accounting, and compliance.  Drakontas LLC also agreed to designate a Grant Compliance and Quality Assurance Coordinator, report credible evidence of misuse of federal funds, and undergo training on federal grant reporting and the use of federal funds.  The settlement agreement requires Drakontas LLC to maintain records of the training and to submit compliance-related documents with any applications for federal grant funds.

The investigation and resulting settlement underscore the need for federal grant recipients to follow the rules for using and tracking grant funds — and, in particular, any rules that limit employee compensation — because grant recipients will be held accountable for mishandling funds.  As part of this settlement, Drakontas LLC did not admit to liability or wrongdoing.

The allegations arose from an investigation led by the United States Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Macko.

PHILADELPHIA - Michael A. Dunn, 56, of Philadelphia, was charged today by indictment with one count of bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment charges that, on April 20, 2016, Robinson robbed the TD Bank at 1500 JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia.

If convicted of all charges, Dunn faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. 

This case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joan E. Burnes.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Gokhan Ayaz, 34, of Maple Shade, New Jersey, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that on or about April 4, 2016, Ayaz, an alien, and native and citizen of Turkey, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about March 11, 2013.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of two years.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”) and United States Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrea Foulkes.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Melkin Andeldo Estrada-Hernandez, a/k/a “Melkin Aneldo Estrada,” 30, of Oreland, PA, was charged today by Indictment with illegal reentry after deportation, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that on or about March 28, 2016, Estrada-Hernandez, an alien, and native and citizen of Guatemala, was found in the United States after having been deported from the United States on or about June 28, 2012.

If convicted the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ERO”), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joan E. Burnes.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Desmond Janqdhari, 29, of Philadelphia, was sentenced on May 2, 2016, to 481 months in prison for armed carjacking, robbery, and firearms crimes. On January 28, 2016, a federal jury found Janqdhari guilty of robbery which interfered with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), armed carjacking, and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

On January 6, 2014, Janqdhari stole a 2005 Toyota Corolla by forcing the car’s owner to surrender her keys at gunpoint.  On January 11, 2014, Janqdhari and co-defendant Keith Williams robbed the Wireless Factory Store at 5618 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia.  They stole $300 from the store while holding employees at gunpoint. Williams pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson ordered restitution to the victims in the amount of $440, five years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose Arteaga.

PHILADELPHIA - A multi-count superseding indictment, unsealed Monday, charges Zaki M. Bey, 38, of Philadelphia, PA, with conspiracy to file false claims with the IRS, conspiracy to commit loan fraud and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related charges, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, Bey conspired to file false federal income tax returns for tax years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.  Bey allegedly filed these tax returns claiming false withholding payments and Form 1099-OID (“Original Issue Discount”) income for his company, Natural Home Builders.  Bey also allegedly assisted another individual in filing a false amended tax return with the IRS that included false withholding and Form 1099-OID income. 

It is further alleged that beginning in 2007, Bey conspired with other individuals to submit false information in mortgage applications for at least 13 properties in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and in New Jersey.  Bey was responsible in securing more than $2 million in residential mortgage loans on these properties, which were allegedly purchased by straw purchasers acting on Bey’s behalf.  With the assistance of a co-conspirator who was a mortgage broker, Bey submitted loan applications to lenders containing false information about the straw buyers’ income, assets, extent of pre-existing liabilities and the intent to occupy the properties as primary residences. Bey and the co-conspirators also created and submitted altered payroll, wage and tax documents to lenders to support the fraudulent loan applications. 

It is further alleged that beginning in 2010, Bey conspired with others to create false employment and payroll documents and make fraudulent loan applications made to lenders through auto dealerships in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Bey was able to obtain at least six automobiles purchased through straw buyers by submitting false loan applications based on income used from the fraudulent payroll documents.                    

If convicted, Bey faces a statutory maximum sentence of 253 years in prison, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and a $1,500 special assessment.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James Pavlock.   

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Sheikh Mohammed Khurshan, 55, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, in a disability benefits fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  Khurshan is charged with 11 counts of wire fraud, 16 counts of health care fraud, one count of Social Security fraud, one count of false statements, and one count of false statements in connection with an application for a passport.  According to the indictment, the defendant applied for and received disability benefits from the Social Security Administration while lying and concealing his work activity. 

As a result of this allegedly fraudulent application for disability benefits, the defendant also received health care services and treatment under Medicare and Medicaid.  The defendant also applied for a replacement passport, allegedly lying that his passport had been lost.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the Social Security Administration of $145,166.24, and a loss to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of $181,851.86.          

If convicted, the defendant faces a substantial period of incarceration, a period of supervised release, forfeiture, a possible fine, restitution of $327,018.10, and a $3,000 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Diplomatic Security Service. Assistance was provided by the FBI and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

PHILADELPHIA - Tony Myers, 30, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for two counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  Myers pleaded guilty, on September 21, 2015, to receiving and possessing images of child pornography between August of 2013 and April of 2014. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ordered restitution of $5,000, 20 years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.

In May of 2013, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) sent a lead to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that on April 26, 2013, an individual operating a particular Dropbox account uploaded five files that contained child pornography.

On April 2, 2014, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence. Myers made a number of admissions during the course of an interview with HSI agents. He stated that he watched and downloaded child pornography and preferred images of children between the ages of 12 and 14. He admitted to a pattern of binging on child pornography for three to four days and then breaking his addiction for months. Agents seized 16 forms of electronic media from Myers’ home and, through analysis, found approximately 500 images and more than 50 videos of child pornography.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) and was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.

PHILADELPHIA – A federal jury today returned verdicts of guilty against Brian Hartline, 51, of Collegeville, PA, and Barry Bekkedam, 48, of Hobe Sound, FL, in a fraud conspiracy involving NOVA Bank. Hartline had served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank and Bekkedam had served as Board Chairman.  Their scheme involved the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and was devised to defraud the government of more than $13 million. Both defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, TARP fraud, and two counts of false statements to the federal government. U.S. District Court Judge C. Darnell Jones scheduled a sentencing date for July 21, 2016.

Bekkedam and Hartline, with others, formed NOVA Bank in 2002. Bekkedam also owned and operated a financial advisory company, Ballamor Capital Management, and advised Ballamor clients to invest in NOVA.  But in 2008, NOVA faced risk of failure because of bad loans and investments.  In October 2008, NOVA Financial Holdings, Inc., of Berwyn, Penn., the parent company of NOVA Bank, applied for approximately $13.5 million through the U.S. Department of the Treasury Troubled Asset Relief Program.  In June 2009, NOVA Bank was approved to receive the TARP funds on the condition that the bank raised $15 million in additional, private capital. 

Bekkedam and Hartline devised a scheme to make NOVA bank appear more financially sound than it was – that new money was being inevested in the bank.  As part of the scheme, the defendants arranged for NOVA Bank to loan money to G.L., a Florida businessman, for G.L. to transfer to NOVA’s parent company so it would appear as though the bank had new capital from an outside investor. In fact, the “new money” investment was the bank’s own money.

On June 30, 2009, NOVA wired $5 million to G.L.’s bank account in Florida and, approximately two hours later, G.L. wired $5 million to an account used for investments in NOVA Financial Holdings, Inc.  In October and December 2009, Bekkedam and Hartline convinced two others to make similar “investments” using loans from NOVA, in efforts to make NOVA appear more financially sound than it actually was. The defendants also told and directed employees to tell the U.S. Department of Treasury that NOVA had raised new capital when it had not.  The defendants concealed the true purpose of the loan to G.L. and falsely stated the purposes of the other two loans.  

The bank ultimately did not receive TARP funds and in October 2012, the bank failed and was closed by state and federal banking regulators.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, the Office of Inspector General of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Ignall and Jennifer Barry.

PHILADELPHIA – Norman Ridgeway, 26, of Croydon, Pennsylvania, was charged by Indictment today with production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

Additionally, Ridgeway was charged with one count each of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence. According to the indictment, while law enforcement was in pursuit of Ridgeway, Ridgeway “wiped” his cell phone by resetting it to factory settings in an effort to alter, destroy, and conceal evidence of child pornography. Further, Ridgeway allegedly made a telephone call in which he instructed and commanded another person to locate, obtain, and destroy an SD memory card he kept in his wallet which contained child pornography.

If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of 100 years in prison, a possible fine, three years of supervised release, and a $700 special assessment.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance provided by the Bensalem Township Police Department, the Warminster Township Police Department, the Middletown Township Police Department, and the Bristol Township Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. Petkun.

An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – Angel Mascorro, 52, of Aurora, Illinois pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit money laundering and seven counts of money laundering. The guilty plea follows the trial of two of his co-defendants – Alejandro Sotelo, 43, of Chicago, IL, and Francisco Gonzalez Jose, 44, of Philadelphia, PA, who were found guilty late last Friday night by a federal jury, of taking part in a continuing criminal enterprise and other charges.  The jury also found Sotelo and Gonzalez Jose guilty of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, conspiracy to import heroin, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and, as to Gonzalez Jose, possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; and as to Sotelo distribution of 14 kilograms of heroin.  All three were members of the Laredo Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). Sentencing hearings are scheduled for August of 2016. Sotelo and Gonzalez Jose each face a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison; Mascorro faces a significant term of imprisonment.  To date, 18 defendants (including Mascorro) have pleaded guilty; four defendants, including alleged kingpins Antonio Laredo and Ismael Laredo and their wives, are in Mexico. Another five defendants are awaiting trial.

Brothers Antonio and Ismael Laredo, the alleged leaders of the Laredo DTO, supervised 21 defendants in an operation that imported multiple kilos of heroin from Mexico into the United States and distributed it to other drug traffickers in Philadelphia, Camden, NJ, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, and New York, NY. According to court documents, the Laredo DTO smuggled-in approximately 1,000 kilograms of heroin using various concealment techniques such as placing kilogram quantities of heroin in car batteries, car bumpers, concealed vehicle traps, and sealed fruit and vegetable cans. Alejandro Sotelo served as a DTO cell head in Chicago where he oversaw the stash house operation and the movement of multi kilogram quantities of heroin from Mexico into Chicago. Sotelo also arranged the trans-shipment of multi-kilogram quantities of heroin to Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York. 

Members of the DTO used violence, such as assaults and kidnapping, threats of violence, including murder and arson, and firearms, to protect their product and proceeds and to prevent members from withdrawing from the organization. The DTO supplied multi-kilogram quantities of heroin to drug traffickers in the Philadelphia area, including the (Christian) Serrano DTO, the (Darbin and Gabriel) Vargas DTO, and the Camden, New Jersey based (Confesor) Montalvo organization, among others.

According to the indictment, members of the Laredo DTO would transport heroin shipments by various means, including car and train. The Laredo brothers had special car batteries manufactured for the purpose of concealing the loads of heroin and, in 2012, a courier used that method to deliver three kilograms of heroin to Philadelphia. A shipment of four kilograms was concealed inside a car speaker box. A shipment of 7.6 kilograms of heroin was concealed in sealed fruit and vegetable cans in Texas, and the couriers were directed to deliver the heroin to defendants Darbin Vargas and Gabriel Vargas, of the Vargas DTO in Philadelphia.

The DTO consisted of numerous relatives and associates who set up “funnel accounts” that were used for the purpose of laundering the proceeds of the drug operation back to Mexico. The Laredo brothers, it is alleged, used a variety of money laundering techniques, including the use of the funnel accounts, wire transfers of funds, and Western Union money grams, to launder at least $5 million of the heroin proceeds back to Mexico, where the Laredo brothers currently reside.    

In addition to the prison terms, each defendant in the case faces possible fines, periods of supervised release, a criminal forfeiture judgment to the United States of up to $60 million, and special assessments.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s offices in Philadelphia, PA, Allentown, PA, Camden, NJ, Mexico City, Mexico, Chicago and Rockford, IL, Newark, NJ, New York, NY, Tyler, TX, Raleigh, NC, Jefferson City and St. Louis, MS, Richmond, VA, and the DEA Special Operations Division; FBI, Philadelphia; U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations in Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Philadelphia Police Department; Darby Borough Police Department; SEPTA Transit Police Department; Berks County District Attorney’s Office; Bucks County District Attorney’s Office; Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA  in New Jersey: the N.J. Attorney General’s Office, N.J. Parole Board, Cherry Hill Police Department, Delaware River Port Authority Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office; in Illinois: Rockford Police Department, Will County Sheriff's Department, Skokie Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Oak Lawn Police Department, Addison Police Department, Prospect Heights Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Arlington Heights Police Department, West Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff's Department, and McHenry County Narcotics Task Force; in Texas: Texas Department of Public Safety, CID Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant Police Department; in Missouri: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Audrain County Sheriff’s Department, East Central Drug Task Force; in Virginia: the Mecklenberg County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Virginia State Police; and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Support was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State Police, the U

Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph T. Labrum, III, Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Strauss, of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

PHILADELPHIA – A lawsuit was filed yesterday against John Longacre, his companies, and the South Philadelphia Tap Room at 1509 Mifflin Street, which he owns, for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The lawsuit is the first to be brought as a result of the Philadelphia Restaurants ADA Compliance Review that was undertaken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in March 2015, in an effort to evaluate the ADA compliance of 25 of the most popular and frequented restaurants in Philadelphia. The lawsuit also names Longacre Holdings, LLC, LPMG Management Company, LPMG Construction Management, LPMG Financial, Longacre Property Management Group, and Citywide Properties One. 

The Complaint alleges that the South Philadelphia Tap Room is engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination due to numerous alleged violations of the ADA.  These violations pertain to the restaurant’s entrance and restrooms.  The owners and operators of the South Philadelphia Tap Room did not respond to multiple communications from the U.S. Attorney’s Office informing them of the accessibility barriers that exist in the restaurant. 

“The purpose of the Compliance Review was to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to area restaurants,” said Memeger. “Such an initiative is important in a city like Philadelphia that is widely known for its vibrant restaurant scene.  As alleged, neither the ADA, nor the warnings from this Office were enough to convince the South Philadelphia Tap Room to comply with the law, and the goal of this lawsuit is to see that they finally do.”

The Philadelphia Restaurant ADA Compliance Review is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Coordinator, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, and by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Crutchlow.

PHILADELPHIA - James Kerr Schlosser, 59, of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, was charged today by Indictment with engaging in corrupt endeavors to impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  Schlosser is also charged with willfully failing to file federal income tax returns and to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from learning that he had earned income which should have reported to the United States Treasury.

The indictment alleges since 1995, Schlosser, a manufacturer’s representative for companies that sold medical equipment and surgical devices to various health care providers,   stopped filing federal income tax returns.  Along with attempting to revoke his American citizenship and social security number, Schlosser also declared himself to be a Sovereign Human Being thus making himself not subject to federal income taxation even though he earned income. 

To conceal the income that he had earned, Schlosser attempted to assign his income to multiple foreign business trusts and corporate soles which he created and registered with the Nevada Secretary of State. In order to obtain possession of the income, Schlosser entered into contracts with Nevada-based mailing forwarding services who caused the income, that had been sent to the foreign trusts and corporate soles, to be forwarded to Schlosser in Pennsylvania or other individuals who Schlosser had convinced to serve as trustees for one or more of the foreign business trusts.

Upon receipt of the income, Schlosser and the trustees deposited the money into non-interest earning investment accounts that Schlosser had established at two investment companies in an effort to keep the investment companies from issuing IRS Form 1099-INT to the Internal Revenue Service.  To further conceal his receipt of income, Schlosser purchased gold coins from at least four coin dealers which he then reconverted into cash through multiple purchases and sold in furtherance of his scheme to conceal the income that he had received. 

If convicted, Schlosser faces a substantial period of incarceration, a fine, and a special assessment.  The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Floyd J. Miller.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

William Taylor, 61, of Havre de Grace, Maryland, was charged by Information, filed on April 22, 2016, with three counts of simple assault, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The Information alleges that on or about February 4, 2016, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Taylor assaulted Victim No. 1 at three different times.  These assaults occurred between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM in the afternoon.  Taylor was then employed as a construction superintendent on a project at the Navy Yard.  

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of six months on each count. 

The case was investigated by the Navy Criminal Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Benjamin Easley, 38, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison in connection with a fraud and identity theft ring in which the conspirators stole and attempted to steal approximately $1.1 million from the banks they targeted.  Easley pleaded guilty in November 2014 to seven counts of bank fraud, 15 counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy. Easley also pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in a separate case against him. The cases were consolidated for sentencing.

Easley obtained the personal and bank account information of victims, recruited people to pose as those victims to make fraudulent withdrawals and wire transfers from the victims’ accounts, and provided false identity documents to use to access the victims’ accounts.  In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Rufe ordered restitution of $595,289, five years of supervised release, and a $2600 special assessment.

The cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service and were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys KT Newton and Michael Lowe.

PHILADELPHIA - Darrell Williams, 45, and David Story, 47, both of Philadelphia, were each sentenced today to 240 months in prison for their roles in a robbery conspiracy that targeted jewelry stores.  In addition to the prison terms, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence F. Stengel ordered five years of supervised release, a $1,100 special assessment for Story, and a $900 special assessment for Williams.  In addition to the conspiracy, Williams and Story were charged with using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.  Both pleaded guilty – Williams on April 9, 2015; Story on April 20, 2015. The Court imposed restitution in the amount $5,219,205.84 on Story and Williams.

On three separate occasions - July 13, 2011, April 13, 2012 and August 22, 2012 - Story committed an armed robbery of the Tourneau store in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Williams participated in the robberies on July 13, 2011 and April 13, 2012.  On January 9, 2012, the pair, along with co-conspirators Rufus Lawson, Anthony Lockwood, and Kenneth L. Williams, committed a robbery of Govberg Jewelers, located at 292 Montgomery Avenue in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  On February 22, 2012, Williams and Story, along with Rufus Lawson and Kenneth L. Williams, robbed the Bernie Robbins Jewelers, located at 595 E. Lancaster Avenue in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. Earlier, on November 1, 2011, Williams and Story, along with Rufus Lawson, Jackie Howard and Willie Hawkins Smith, robbed the Kingston Jewelers located at 2010 Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Radnor Township Police Department, the Lower Merion Township Police Department, the Upper Merion Township Police Department, the Limerick Township Police Department, the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Department, the Upper Providence Township Police Department, the Royersford Police Department, Evesham Township (New Jersey) Police Department, the Lawrence Township (New Jersey) Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wilmington Police Department (Delaware), the Delaware State Police and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski and Assistant United States Attorney Jamie M. McCall, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware.

PHILADELPHIA – Michael Fleck, 40, formerly of Allentown, PA, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion and bribery offenses and one count of tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  Fleck is a former member of Easton’s City Council. U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 25, 2016. 

According to court documents, Fleck was a principal and co-owner of an Allentown-based consulting company that a) conducted fundraising and other campaign-related services for certain elected officials in Pennsylvania (“the political clients”)  and b) lobbied these same political clients on behalf of individuals and companies who sought contracts and other favorable treatment from local governments (“the business clients”).  Public Official #1 of Reading and Public Official #3 and Mary Ellen Koval of Allentown were each elected officials in their respective cities as well as political clients of Fleck’s.  Public Official #1 and Koval sought re-election to the offices that they held, while Public Official #3 aspired to win higher office through statewide election.  Each of these three elected officials attempted to leverage their respective public offices – which gave them actual and perceived authority over the awarding of municipal contracts – for items of value, including campaign contributions.

Ramzi Haddad, charged separately, and the parties identified as Donor #1, Donor #2, Donor #3, Donor #4, Law Firm #4, Donor #5, and “the Partnership” all sought city contracts and/or other favorable treatment from local governments in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including Allentown and/or Reading.  Public Official #1, Public Official #3, and Koval each exploited their official positions in order to obtain thousands of dollars’ worth of campaign contributions from one or more of these individuals and organizations.  According to court documents, in each of instances, a public official and/or a donor reached or attempted to reach an explicit exchange of campaign contributions and official action.  Fleck admitted that as part of his “consulting” services, he helped facilitate such quid pro quo solicitations, offers, and agreements and obtained tens of thousands of dollars of campaign contributions through the use of extortion, bribery, and/or fraud.

In Allentown, for example, once the Partnership began making large campaign contributions for Public Official #3, Fleck helped manipulate a purportedly fair and confidential contract award process to the Partnership’s advantage.  Once Public Official #3 communicated his wishes to them, Fleck and Finance Director Gary Strathearn, with the help of Assistant City Solicitor Dale Wiles, both charged separately, sabotaged the award process to ensure that the Partnership prevailed over its competitors.  Similarly, City Controller Mary Ellen Koval agreed to help Public Official #3 and Fleck by attempting to steer Allentown city contracts to certain of Public Official #3’s donors, including Donor #1.  In Reading, Fleck, Reading public official Eron Lloyd, and others helped Public Official #1 obtain campaign contributions from companies that relied heavily on government contracts, such as the companies represented by Donor #2 and Donor #3, as consideration for Public Official #1’s efforts to steer Reading city contracts to them.

Public Official #1 and Public Official # 3 allegedly limited their direct interactions with certain donors.  When donors and officials in Allentown and Reading raised concerns about having to interact with Fleck and/or his employees in connection with official city business, Public Official #1 and Public Official #3 rebuffed their concerns and insisted that they interact with Fleck and/or his employees.

To conceal and continue the conspiracy, Public Official #1, Eron Lloyd, Public Official #3, Mary Ellen Koval, Garret Strathearn, Dale Wiles, and Fleck employed counter-surveillance maneuvers and obstructed justice by, among other things, making false statements to FBI agents conducting a federal criminal investigation.  For example, on March 11, 2015, Fleck falsely stated to FBI agents that he had not told anyone that the agents had confronted him earlier that day when, in fact, as Fleck well knew, he had disclosed the encounter to several others with the intention of warning Public Official #3 about the FBI’s investigation into a bribery, kickback, and extortion scheme.

Fleck also filed false and fraudulent joint U.S. individual income tax returns for tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013, in which he concealed income from his consulting company of approximately $130,897.41, overstated certain deductions, and failed to remit approximately $43,467 in payroll taxes, causing a tax loss of approximately $77,738.

Fleck faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, a possible fine, supervised release, and a $200 assessment.  Koval, Strathearn, Wiles, Haddad and Lloyd have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.  (Wiles: June 6, 2016; Lloyd: June 7, 2016; Koval: July 26, 2016; Strathearn: July 27, 2016; Haddad: July 28, 2016.)

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Allentown Resident Agency, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joe Khan and Anthony Wzorek.

PHILADELPHIA – Cory Foster, 28, a detainee at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia, was charged today by indictment with attempted escape, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, on October 14, 2015, Foster, who had been indicted and was being detained at the FDC, attempted to escape.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a possible fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose Arteaga.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The former owner and president of Chestnut Consulting Group Inc. and Chestnut Consulting Group Co. (the Chestnut Group) pleaded guilty today to bribing an official at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). 

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge William F. Sweeney of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division made the announcement.

Dmitrij Harder, 43, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, a U.S. legal permanent resident, pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the FCPA before U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2016.

According to admissions made in connection with Harder’s plea, the EBRD was a multilateral development bank headquartered in London that was owned by more than 60 sovereign nations and provided financing for development projects in emerging economies, primarily in Eastern Europe.  Harder admitted that between 2007 and 2009, he engaged in a scheme to pay approximately $3.5 million in bribes to an EBRD official to corruptly influence the official’s actions on applications for EBRD financing submitted by the Chestnut Group’s clients and to influence the official to direct business to the Chestnut Group. 

The EBRD ultimately approved applications for financing from two of the Chestnut Group’s corporate clients; the first resulted in the EBRD providing an $85 million investment and a 90 million Euro loan, while the second resulted in a $40 million investment and a $60 million convertible loan, according to the plea.  Harder admitted that the Chestnut Group earned approximately $8 million in “success fees” as a result of the EBRD’s approval of these two applications.   

In a related action, the EBRD official, Andrey Ryjenko, and his sister, Tatjana Sanderson, have been charged by the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service and are pending trial.  A status conference in that matter is set for June 8, 2016.

The FBI’s Philadelphia Division is investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Senior Trial Attorney Jason Linder of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.  The City of London Police’s Overseas Anti Corruption Unit and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance.  Germany, Jersey and Guernsey also provided assistance in this matter.

Additional information about the department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa. 

PHILADELPHIA – Dmitrij Harder, 43, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, the former owner and President of Chestnut Consulting Group Inc. and Chestnut Consulting Group Co. (the “Chestnut Group”), pleaded guilty today to bribing an official at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Harder is a legal permanent resident of United States. U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 21, 2016.

The EBRD was a multilateral development bank headquartered in London, England, and was owned by more than 60 sovereign nations and provided financing for development projects in emerging economies, primarily in Eastern Europe.  Between 2007 and 2009, Harder engaged in a scheme to pay approximately $3.5 million in bribes to an EBRD official to corruptly influence the official’s actions on applications for EBRD financing submitted by the Chestnut Group’s clients and to influence the official to direct business to the Chestnut Group. 

The EBRD ultimately approved applications for financing from two of the Chestnut Group’s corporate clients; the first resulted in the EBRD providing an $85 million investment and a 90 million Euro loan, while the second resulted in a $40 million investment and a $60 million convertible loan.  Harder also admitted that the Chestnut Group earned approximately $8 million in “success fees” as a result of the EBRD’s approval of these two applications.   

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan and Senior Trial Attorney Jason Linder of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.  The Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit of the City of London Police and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance. Germany, Jersey and Guernsey also provided assistance in this matter.

PHILADELPHIA – A superseding indictment was unsealed today charging six people in a robbery conspiracy that took place in Allentown, PA, and included seven robberies over a month-long period.  Jacob Pabon, 19, and Lytic Fauntleroy, 19, were charged in December 2015 with robbery which interferes with interstate commerce, and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with two of the charged robberies. The superseding indictment adds conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, five additional counts of Hobbs Act robbery, five additional counts of use of a firearm in relation to a violent crime, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  The superseding indictment also adds four defendants to the case.

Charged with Pabon and Fauntleroy in the conspiracy count are: Victor Morales, 21, Ruben Tarrats, 23, of Allentown, PA, Adrian Tosado, 22, also of Allentown, PA, and Jose Rapalo, 20, of Bethlehem, PA. A fifth defendant, Kairashaad Johnson, 21, of Allentown, PA, is charged in one of the robberies.

According to the indictment, the defendants robbed seven businesses, in May of 2015 in the city of Allentown, PA.  Those robberies include: the May 7, 2015 robbery of Sun’s Deli at 1341 Union Street (Pabon, Tarrats, Tosado) and of North 7th Market and Bakery (Morales, Fauntleroy, Pabon, Tosado); the May 14, 2015 robbery of Betty Mini Market at 922 Chew Street (Morales, Tarrats, Rapalo); the May 21, 2015 robbery at 10th Street Market (Pabon, Rapalo, Johnson); the May 26, 2015 robbery of M&J Market at 448 North 2nd Street (Morale, Fauntleroy, Tarrats, Rapalo) and the Dominguez Food Market at 517 West Gordon Street (Morales, Fauntleroy, Tarrats); and the May 29, 2015 robbery of Speedway at 1043 Lehigh Street, (Fauntleroy, Pabon, Tarrats).  In each robbery, the alleged robbers are also charged with using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.  Morales is charged as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  According to the indictment, the defendants used some of the robbery proceeds to pay rent on a house at 324 North Law Street, in Allentown, which they used as a stash house for their firearms.

“Thanks to the diligent work of the Allentown Police Department and ATF agents, a violent robbery crew has been dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger. “My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to keep the citizens of this district safe.” 

“Dangerous people who commit dangerous crimes with firearms will be dealt with and brought to justice,” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Sam Rabadi. “ATF will work together with our State and local partners to target and arrest armed robbery gangs who threaten the safety of our homes, our businesses, and our neighborhoods.”

“I would like to thank the officers and detectives who spent countless hours investigating these robberies and for the assistance from the ATF,” said Allentown Police Chief Keith Morris. “Their diligence paid off and we were able to take some very violent individuals off the streets.”

If convicted of all counts, Tarrats faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 107 years in prison; Fauntleroy, Pabon, and Morales each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 82 years in prison; Rapalo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 57 years in prison; Tosado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 32 years in prison; and Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison; each faces a maximum sentence of life, plus possible fines, supervised release, and special assessments.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric A. Boden.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.   

PHILADELPHIA - Martha Stanley, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with three counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government funds, and one count of social security fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, the defendant received retirement benefits intended for a deceased relative after her relative’s death in June 2005.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $102,126.              

If convicted, defendant Martha Stanley faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 75 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, restitution to the government of $102,126, a possible fine, and a $500 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.

An indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

PHILADELPHIA – Cesar Vega-Castro, 34, a Mexican national formerly residing in Tuscon, Arizona, was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering. Vega-Castro was an essential member of an international drug trafficking organization which brought thousands of kilograms of marijuana to the United States from Mexico and laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds. Vega-Castro pleaded guilty on May 18, 2014 to conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered a $300 special assessment and five years of supervised release.

As a result of the investigation, 11 members or associates of this organization were federally prosecuted.  Of those, seven were convicted in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; two were convicted by the Middle District of North Carolina; and one was convicted in the District of New Jersey.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carrillo. 

PHILADELPHIA – An indictment was unsealed today charging Daniel Mattson, 34, of Springfield, PA, and Anthony Lembo, 33, of Newtown Square, PA, with numerous counts involving child exploitation, United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  Both defendants were arrested this morning by FBI agents.  Following an initial appearance they were ordered detained pending a formal detention hearing on April 20, 2016.

According to the indictment, on various dates between 2009 and April of 2015, Mattson and Lembo distributed, received, and maintained a collection of thousands of images and videos of children being sexually abused and in sexually explicit positions.  It is further alleged that Lembo received the same type of sexually explicit images of children that he downloaded from the Internet and received from other users on the Internet.  

If convicted of all charges, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison with a maximum sentence, per count, of 20 years in prison, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and a special assessment.

This case was investigated by Delaware County Detectives in the Office of District Attorney and the FBI.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – Charlene Leak, 46, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with conspiracy and bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The indictment alleges that in 2009, Leak worked as a check runner in a $1.2 million check fraud conspiracy run by Phillip Eric Weems, who has since pleaded guilty for his role in leading the conspiracy, and who was sentenced in February 2014 by U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez to 121 months’ incarceration. 

According to the indictment, in her role assisting Weems in running bad checks, Leak, along with other co-conspirators, opened personal and corporate bank accounts at various financial institutions, incorporated sham corporations to further the conspiracy, and caused counterfeit and forged securities to be created and drawn on the accounts of the sham corporations.  Leak and her co-conspirators then used the counterfeit and forged securities to pay for goods and property knowing that the various bank accounts had no or insufficient funds in the accounts.  According to the indictment, Leak was responsible for an intended loss of $317,890.61.

If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 35 years in prison, up to $500,000 in fines, three years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James A. Petkun and Ashley K. Lunkenheimer.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Ellwood Quillen, Jr., 66, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was charged today by Indictment with three counts of bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The charges arise from the October 26, 2015 robbery of the TD Bank, located at 401 W Lancaster Avenue, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, the November 13, 2015 robbery of the TD Bank, located at 4020 City Line Avenue, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and the November 20, 2015 robbery of the WSFS bank, located at 9 East Baltimore Pike, in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years in prison, a possible fine, a $300 special assessment and a period of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Lansdowne Police Department, the Lower Merion Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yvonne Osirim.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Carl Pierre-Charles, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was charged today by indictment with conspiracy, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, the defendant used counterfeit credit, debit or gift cards, encoded with stolen credit account numbers, to purchase cartons of cigarettes and other items.

If convicted. Carl Pierre-Charles faces a maximum possible sentence of 19 years in prison, a $400 special assessment, a possible fine, and a period of supervised release.

The case was investigated by United States Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attomey K.T. Newton.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Jamie Lynne Combs, 35, of McKinleyville, California, was charged today by Indictment with interference with flight crew members and attendants and possession of a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the indictment, on March 18, 2016 while flying on United Airlines Flight Number 384, traveling from San Francisco California to Philadelphia, Combs assaulted and intimidated several United Airlines flight attendants and interfered with their performance and duties.  It is further alleged that following her arrest at the Philadelphia International Airport, Combs was found to be in possession of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance. 

If convicted, Combs faces a substantial period of imprisonment, a possible fine, a special assessment and a period of supervised release. 

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Floyd J. Miller.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Francis J. Bass, 61, of Montgomery County, PA was charged today by Information with four counts of subscribing a false federal income tax return, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the Information, Bass willfully failed to report a substantial amount of income on his 2009 through 2012 tax returns.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 12 years in prison, one year of supervised release, a possible fine, restitution to the IRS, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Terri A. Marinari and David J. Ignall.

     An Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA - Daryl McCall, 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by Information with one count of theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  According to the Information, the defendant received retirement benefits intended for his mother, after his mother’s death in March 2009 until August 2013.  The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $52,314.          

If convicted, the defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, restitution to the government of $52,314, a possible fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.

An Information is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

PHILADELPHIA - Somath Hom, 24, of Philadelphia, PA was charged today by Indictment with two counts of making false statements to a federal firearms licensee regarding guns he purchased on November 3 and November 9, 2015 from federal firearms licensees, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a possible fine and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arlene Fisk.

      An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – An indictment was unsealed today charging Mohammed Jabbateh, 49, a citizen of Liberia residing in East Lansdowne, PA, with immigration fraud and perjury, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Jack Staton, Homeland Security Investigations. Jabbateh, a/k/a “Jungle Jabbah,” is charged with two counts of fraud in immigration documents and two counts of perjury.

According to the indictment, in December of 1998, when making application for asylum and later for permanent legal residency, the defendant was not truthful about his activities during Liberia’s first civil war while he was a member of The United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO) and later ULIMO-K, a rebel group that battled for control of Liberia. Jabbateh was a commander or higher ranking officer in ULIMO and ULIMO-K. According to the indictment, Jabbateh, during his overall time as a ULIMO commander or higher ranking officer, either personally committed, or ordered ULIMO troops under his command to commit the following nonexclusive list of acts: 1) the murder of civilian noncombatants; 2) the sexual enslavement of women; 3) the public raping of women; 4) the maiming of civilian noncombatants; 5) the torturing of civilian noncombatants 6) the enslavement of civilian noncombatants; 7) the conscription of child soldiers; 8) the execution of prisoners of war; 9) the desecration and mutilation of corpses; and 10) the killing persons because of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin or political opinion.

In January of 1999, during the asylum seeking process, Jabbateh was interviewed by an immigration asylum officer for purposes of determining whether his application should be granted. To this end, it is alleged that Jabbateh falsely responded "no" to the following two queries: 1) "[H]ave you ever committed a crime?"; and 2) "[H]ave you ever harmed anyone else?" On or about December 23, 1999, Jabbateh, largely based upon his answers to questions posed on his Form I-589 asylum application and his answers to questions posed during his asylum application interview, received asylum.

It is alleged that when Jabbateh applied for legal permanent residency by filing a Form I-485 with United States immigration authorities, he falsely responded "No" to the following two questions:

     Have you ever engaged in genocide, or otherwise ordered, incited, assisted or otherwise participated in the killing of any person because of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin or political opinion?

     Are you under a final order of civil penalty for violating section 274C of the Immigration and Nationality Act for use of fraudulent documents or have you, by fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact, ever sought to procure, procured, or procured, a visa, other documentation, or entry into the U.S. or any immigration benefit?

According to the indictment, the defendant knew his answer was false in that he had ordered, incited, assisted, and otherwise participated in the killing of any person because of religion, nationality, ethnic origin, and political opinion; and knew that he had procured asylum in the United States by fraud and willful misrepresentation of material fact.

“This defendant allegedly committed unspeakable crimes in his home country, brutalizing numerous innocent victims,” said Memeger. “He then sought to escape to the United States where he lied about his criminal background on federal immigration forms. This office will use whatever tools are available to bring to justice serious criminals who abuse our immigration process by concealing their background and history.”

“The United States has always welcomed refugees and those fleeing oppression, but we will not be a safe haven for alleged human rights violators and war criminals,” said Staton.

If convicted, Jabbateh faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison, a possible fine, a $400 special assessment, and a period of supervised release.

The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Linwood C. Wright, Jr.

To support the victims in this case and others in the community that may have been victimized by Jabbateh but have not yet reported, Homeland Security Investigations has established a Victim Assistance Hotline.  Impacted individuals are encouraged to call (215) 717-4987 to speak with a Victim Assistance Specialist.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PHILADELPHIA – Samuel Mangel, 53, of Boca Raton, Florida, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, in an insurance fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Mangel is charged with wire fraud relating to the sale of life insurance policies and engaging in the business of insurance after having been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty.  

The indictment alleges that Mangel ran businesses in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, that brokered the sale of life insurance policies and that were involved in the business of issuing insurance policies.  The indictment alleges that, in brokering the sale of the life insurance policies, Mangel falsely represented to the sellers of the policies the full commissions and full amounts that the buyers agreed to pay and that Mangel falsified records to hide the additional payments by the buyers.  As the broker, Mangel received the full commission payments, which were supposed to be used, in part, to pay the other agents. The indictment also alleges that Mangel, after having been convicted of a criminal felony involving dishonesty, illegally engaged in the business of insurance in the issuance of $7.5 million of life insurance policies.

If convicted of all charges, Mangel faces a statutory maximum term of 85 years in prison, mandatory restitution, a possible fine, a period of supervised release, and forfeiture may be ordered.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah L. Grieb.

Indictments are accusations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.