Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrell Donta Ravenell, a/k/a “Beast,” age 36, of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 28, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to a term of 14 years’ imprisonment for his role in a fentanyl drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ravenell previously pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy on August 9, 2023, and admitted that beginning in 2018 and continuing to the time of indictment in June 2023, he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams but less than 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl throughout Northampton and Monroe Counties.  Ravenell’s sentence was also enhanced because he unlawfully possessed firearms in relation to his drug trafficking. 

Judge Mannion also ordered Ravenell to serve a term of five years of supervised release following release from custody. 

This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathyn White, a/k/a “Jay,” age 28, of Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to a term of 7 years’ imprisonment for his role in a fentanyl drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, White pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy on May 30, 2023, and admitted that beginning in 2019 and continuing to July of 2021, he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 40 grams but less than 160 grams of fentanyl throughout Monroe County.  His sentence was also enhanced because he maintained a premise for the purpose of storing and distributing fentanyl.

Judge Mannion also ordered White to serve a term of 8 years of supervised release following release from custody.

This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

 This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Vincent Watson, age 47, of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, was convicted after a jury trial of production of child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the evidence at trial proved that between October 23 and 24, 2021, Watson produced four videos and one still image of child pornography in Wilkes-Barre.  The videos and image showed Watson having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, posing her in the nude for the camera, and giving her alcohol.  Following two days of testimony, the jury found Watson guilty on all counts after a deliberation of less than 30 minutes. 

“One of HSI’s primary missions is to protect children from dangerous predators who seek to exploit them for their own greed or self-gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “Watson’s conviction sends a clear message that HSI and our partner agencies will devote every resource available to investigating, prosecuting and convicting those who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens.”

United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani has tentatively set sentencing for April 2024.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Plains Township Police Department, Kingston Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Lab, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Sean A. Camoni are prosecuting the case.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 15 to 150 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thadusse Hartridge, age 22, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on November 28, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Julia K. Munley, to the charge of possession of contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hartridge, formerly of Washington D.C., admitted to possessing a dangerous prison-made weapon, commonly known as a “shank.”  The charge stems from an incident in October 2022 in which staff at FCI Schuylkill found Hartridge in possession of the weapon.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Creed White, age 65, of Freeland, Maryland, was charged in a criminal information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and engaging in an unlawful monetary transaction.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that White owned Aluminum Alloys MFG, LLC, an aluminum smelting and processing business located in Yoe, York County, Pennsylvania, and additionally owned or controlled 18 other sham corporate entities that did not have any employees or business operations. The information alleges that White, conspiring with others, including several of his employees, filed more than 120 applications on behalf of White’s non-operational businesses for pandemic stimulus funds, including under the Payment Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.  The information alleges that 42 of these loan applications were approved and funded with more than $11.5 million into bank accounts that White controlled. 

The information also alleges that the applications White and his co-conspirators filed contained numerous material misrepresentations about who controlled and operated the non-operational businesses.  It is alleged that the PPP and EIDL applications included fraudulent supporting documentation, including false information about the number of employees who purportedly worked at the non-operational businesses, fabricated bank records and financial statements, forged and falsified IRS documents, and material misrepresentations regarding wages paid, taxes withheld and paid, gross receipts, and other expenses allegedly incurred by the applicant businesses. 

White and his co-conspirators allegedly obtained more than $11.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds through filing the fraudulent applications.  It is also alleged that White misused the loan proceeds to make unauthorized expenditures for his benefit and the benefit of his businesses.

“Fraudulently obtaining over $11.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds that are meant to provide assistance to eligible small businesses will not be tolerated as shown by today’s charging of Defendant White,” said U.S. Attorney Karam.  “My office will continue to diligently work with our law enforcement partners to pursue fraud against federal relief programs.”  

“Individuals making false statements to fraudulently obtain pandemic funds for personal gain will face justice,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

“The charges announced today show IRS-CI’s ongoing commitment to defend the integrity of the pandemic relief programs,” said Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation.  “IRS-CI along with our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively investigate those who schemed to defraud these programs that were intended to help struggling individuals and businesses.”

“Treasury OIG is working closely with its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute criminals who cheat and steal funds meant to help individuals and businesses harmed by the pandemic,” said Rich Delmar, Treasury Deputy Inspector General. 

The PPP and EIDL programs, both funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  PPP funds were offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.  EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligations. 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby is prosecuting the case.

The combined maximum penalty under federal law for wire fraud and money laundering is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud  (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Lee Ingalls, Jr., age 61, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of sending threatening communications via interstate transmission.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, it is alleged that on November 6, 2023, Ingalls left two threatening voicemail messages on the main congressional office answering system in Washington, D.C.  It is also alleged that in both voicemail messages Ingalls specifically threatened to kill the same specifically identified United States Congressman.  It was determined Ingalls made the calls from his cell phone while Ingalls was in Hampden Township, Cumberland County.

Ingalls was charged by criminal complaint and arrested on November 10, 2023.  Ingalls appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Daryl F. Bloom on November 13, 2023 and was ordered held in pretrial detention pending action by a federal grand jury.

The United States Capitol Police investigated the case and were assisted locally by the Fairview Township Police Department and the York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William Behe is prosecuting the case.

Ingalls faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tony Oliver, age 32, of Paterson, New Jersey; Rosa Duran, age 40, of Davenport, Florida; and Dewayne Hutton, age 23, of East Orange, New Jersey, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.  The indictment was returned on October 10, 2023, but remained under seal until all defendants were arrested.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute fentanyl and heroin between April 2021 and September 2023, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.  Tony Oliver specifically was charged with conspiring to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, which is the equivalent of approximately 16,000 potentially lethal individual doses of fentanyl.  The indictment also alleges that the defendants distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl on three dates in May, July, and September 2023.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Customs and Border Patrol, and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Luisa H. Berti are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The penalties under federal law for the most serious offense charged against Tony Oliver are a minimum 10 years and maximum life of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalties under federal law for the most serious offenses charged against Rosa Duran and Dewayne Hutton are up to 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Paul Helring, age 47, a former Scranton police officer and the former elected police union president, was charged yesterday by Criminal Information with the offense of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the Information alleges that Helring, while serving as the coordinator of Scranton Police Department’s extra duty overtime program, knowingly obtained by fraud over $5,000.00 in compensation paid to him for extra duty patrol shifts at several local, lower-income housing complexes that Helring claimed to work but did not in fact work.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force with assistance from the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffery St John and Philip J. Caraballo are prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges contained in a criminal information are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Caron Pitter, age 47, Rohan Lyttle, age 49, and Charlene Marshall, age 44, lawful permanent residents of the United States and originally from Jamaica, were found guilty of all charges against them following a two-week jury trial that concluded on November 17, 2023. The indictment charged the defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to the conspiracy charges against all defendants, Caron Pitter was charged with several counts of mail fraud, and Rohan Lyttle was charged with multiple counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and interstate transportation of goods taken by fraud. A fourth defendant, Rohan Lytle, Jr., age 26, was charged with some of the same offenses, and he remains a fugitive.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the defendants received funds from victims of a Jamaican lottery scam between 2017 and 2020. The evidence at trial showed that an individual based in Jamaica posing as a representative of Publisher’s Clearing House used “lead lists” containing the names and personal information of elderly Americans to contact potential victims. These individuals were contacted by phone and email and falsely told that they had won multimillion-dollar prizes through Publisher’s Clearing House but needed to prepay taxes and other fees in order to claim their supposed prizes. These elderly individuals were then directed to make payments in various ways, including by sending packages containing tens of thousands of U.S. dollars through the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and Federal Express. In addition to cash packages sent by mail, the victims transmitted funds through bank-to-bank wire transfers, Zelle, MoneyGram, and Western Union. Victims were also defrauded in other ways. For instance, fraudsters gained access to victims’ credit cards and Amazon accounts and used those accounts to purchase goods, such as mobile phones and televisions. They also obtained debit cards for victims’ checking accounts and used those cards to make cash withdrawals at ATMs located in Jamaica.

Several victims testified at trial. They included a 78-year-old former resident of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a 70-year-old resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a 90-year-old resident of Walterboro, South Carolina. Collectively, these victims lost over $1.1 million in connection with this fraud scheme.

All of these victims testified that they were contacted by a representative of Publisher’s Clearing House and directed to send money to claim their respective prizes. All of them sent money to the defendants charged in this case, as well as other locations. The victim from Mechanicsburg, PA and the victim from Philadelphia, PA collectively sent in excess of $200,000 in cash packages just to these defendants. In some cases, victims were also directed to receive funds from third parties that they didn’t know and send those funds to other individuals that they were led to believe were also Publisher’s Clearing House representatives.

Evidence at trial also showed that the defendants operated an auto body shop in Queens, New York known as Rocars Auto and an affiliated used car dealership based in Kingston, Jamaica known as Rolcam Company Limited. The defendants used the proceeds of the lottery scam to purchase and repair salvage vehicles from online vehicle auctions and ship those vehicles to Rolcam Company Limited for sale to customers in Jamaica.

The victim from Mechanicsburg, PA was also told that he had won a new Range Rover, in addition to his cash prize. He was directed to pay for and ship over $15,000 in parts from a Land Rover car dealership to Rocars Auto in Queens, New York, under the false pretense that his vehicle was in need of upgrades before it could be sent to him. The evidence at trial showed that the defendants used these parts to repair a 2019 Land Rover that they purchased from a salvage vehicle auction house. After repairing the vehicle, they shipped it from Rocars Auto to Rolcam Company Limited in Kingston, Jamaica, where it was sold to an unidentified buyer believed to be associated with the lottery scam.

The defendants used various means to disguise their receipt of victim funds, including distributing the money among each other so that the funds could be deposited in a variety of bank accounts and exchanged for cashier’s checks so that they would not appear in bank accounts at all. The defendants also regularly broke up larger amounts of cash into smaller amounts to make their deposits look smaller in size, which had the effect of evading banks’ reporting requirements for large cash transactions.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma and Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams prosecuted the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years for each offense. The maximum penalty for interstate transportation of goods taken by fraud is 10 years. The Court may also impose on each defendant a term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a lottery scam, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (372-8311).  The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.  You may also contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-800-372-8347 or online at www.uspis.gov/report.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Antoine Montgomery, 34, and Jamal Jenkins, 35, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, were indicted on November 21, 2023, by a federal grand jury for conspiracy and possession and distribution of fentanyl.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Montgomery and Jenkins conspired to distribute fentanyl since December of 2022, and possessed fentanyl on November 17, 2023, with the intent to distribute the narcotic in Luzerne County.

The case was investigated by the Wilkes-Barre City Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the DEA.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.         

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Fidanqui-Marten, age 21, formerly of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to serve 14 years’ imprisonment to be followed by five years’ supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea to distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  In addition, he was ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution, as well as a $300 special assessment.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Fidanqui-Marten engaged in the large-scale distribution of methamphetamine in 2020. During the course of a drug sale for one pound of methamphetamine in September 2020, he and co-defendant Damar Coad pointed handguns at an undercover police officer and robbed him of $7,500. When the police attempted to apprehend Fidanqui-Marten and Coad, a high-speed car chase ensued and Fidanqui-Marten drove into a ditch and was apprehended in possession of a .9mm handgun and $4,000 of the buy money used to purchase the drugs. Coad was sentenced on July 18, 2023, to seven years’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police and was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Damen Drakeford, age 30, of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on November 21, 2023, before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to committing multiple bank robberies.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Drakeford admitted to committing four bank robberies, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in July 2023.  

Specifically, Drakeford admitted to robbing the following institutions:

            - Fulton Bank, Netcong, New Jersey, on July 7, 2023;

            - Provident Bank, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, on July 11, 2023;

            - Fidelity Bank, Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, on July 11, 2023; and

            - M&T Bank, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on July 14, 2023.

A total of $32,988 was taken in the robberies.  After the M&T Bank robbery, Drakeford was apprehended by members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, after he led the police on a high-speed vehicle chase, crashed his vehicle, and ran into the nearby woods where he was arrested by the police.

The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.  Members of the Fair Lawn and Netcong Police Departments in New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Police, also assisted with the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, for each of the robberies, Drakeford faces a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gregory A. Wilson, age 50, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on an attempted enticement of a minor charge. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on November 8, 2023, in Centre County, Wilson attempted to persuade, entice, and coerce a minor child to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.        

The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mason Morey, age 27, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 20, 2023, to 300 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for attempted online enticement and sexual exploitation of children. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between November 28, 2022, and December 8, 2022, Morey used the online application “Wikr” to communicate with an individual who Morey believed was the father of a 13-year-old girl who was offering his daughter for sex.  However, Morey was actually communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer.  On December 7, 2022, Morey travelled to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to meet and engage in sexual activity with the 13-year-old girl.  Law enforcement placed Morey under arrested upon his arrival and seized multiple cell phones in his possession. Law enforcement conducted a digital extraction of the information on Morey’s cell phones and discovered that he was creating pornographic videos and images with two minors and transmitting these images to another individual. 

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

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

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Crispen, age 32, of Howard, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 21, 2023, by a federal grand jury on attempted enticement of a minor and attempted receipt of child pornography offenses. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from November 8 to November 9, 2023, in Centre County, Crispen attempted to persuade, entice, and coerce a minor child to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.  The indictment also alleges that Crispen attempted to receive child pornography on November 8, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case. 

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrell Lockhart, age 26, a federal inmate incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution at Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge of possession of a weapon.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 11, 2023, inmate Lockhart was found in possession of a homemade knife, commonly referred to as a “shank.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Special Investigative Services of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is up to five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Mansberger, age 58, of Cassville, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 21, 2023, by a federal grand jury on an attempted enticement of a minor charge. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on November 10, 2023, in Centre County, Mansberger attempted to persuade, entice, and coerce a minor child to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.

 The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case. 

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Melissa Mangione, age 29, of Stroudsburg, PA, was indicted on November 14, 2023, by a federal grand jury for heroin and fentanyl trafficking.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from approximately February 2018 until October 27, 2021, Mangione conspired with others to distribute and did distribute heroin and fentanyl at locations in Monroe County, PA.    

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Essameddin Birry, age 41, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 14, 2023, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between May 31, 2023, and July 27, 2023, Birry distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions in Luzerne County. The indictment further alleges that on September 11, 2023, Birry possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a handgun during and in relation to drug trafficking when he was a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Moniqua Ramirez, age 44, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine following a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson that concluded on November 15, 2023.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ramirez conspired with others to smuggle kilograms of cocaine into Central Pennsylvania through the U.S. Mail. The cocaine was shipped in Puerto Rico and mailed to various drop locations in Lancaster, where the parcels were retrieved by conspirators for further distribution. They also engaged in street level drug trafficking, including selling heroin and fentanyl to customers. The conspirators transported cash back to Puerto Rico in furtherance of the trafficking.

Ramirez’s coconspirators, Ricardo Soto, Jonathan Lopez Arizmendi, Ricky Sanchez, Angel Leon-Rivera, Omar Carmenaty Morales, and Lucas Doel Gonzalez-Alvarado, pleaded guilty.  On January 19, 2023, Ricardo Soto was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Jonathan Arizmendi, Ricky Sanchez, Angel Leon-Rivera, Omar Carmenaty Morales, and Lucas Doel Gonzalez-Alvarado are awaiting sentencing.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Lancaster County Drug Task Force and York County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Consiglio and Christian Haugsby are prosecuting the case.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Justin Passetti, age 31, of Kingsley, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 14, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 36 months’ imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Passetti previously pleaded guilty and admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute high-quality crystal methamphetamine in the Susquehanna County area in March 2020.  The charge stems from an incident on March 11, 2020, in which the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Passetti was an occupant. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of five pounds of crystal methamphetamine.

The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.   

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Lee Ingalls, Jr., age 61, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was charged in a one count criminal complaint with the interstate transmission of threatening communications.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, it is alleged that on November 6, 2023, Ingalls left two threatening voicemail messages on the main congressional office answering system in Washington, D.C.  It is also alleged that in both voicemail messages Ingalls specifically threatened to kill a specifically identified United States Congressman. It was determined Ingalls made the calls from his cell phone while Ingalls was in Mechanicsburg.

Ingalls was arrested on November 10, 2023.  Ingalls appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Daryl F. Bloom on November 13, 2023 and was ordered held in pretrial detention pending action by a federal grand jury.

The United States Capitol Police investigated the case and were assisted locally by the Fairview Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William Behe is prosecuting the case.

Ingalls faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

SCRANTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Jamaican national was sentenced on November 9, 2023, in federal court in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to 192 months in prison for his role in a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States.

Damone Oakley, 41, of St. James Parish, Jamaica, was extradited to the United States in 2022 and pleaded guilty in July 2023 to two counts of mail and two counts of wire fraud.

From at least 2010 through 2019, Oakley participated in a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims. Oakley’s victims received mailings, text messages or phone calls in which they were falsely told that they had won millions of dollars and luxury vehicles in a sweepstakes, but first needed to pay taxes and fees in order to claim their winnings. Oakley used phony names during the scheme, including “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine,” and instructed his victims on how to send their money (and to whom the funds should be sent). His victims were located throughout the United States, and used wire transfers, direct bank deposits, the U.S. Postal Service and private commercial mail carriers to send money directly to Oakley as well as to individuals in the United States and elsewhere who served as intermediaries and transmitted the money to Oakley. In addition to sending cash or wire transfers, Oakley’s victims were directed to purchase electronics, jewelry and clothing, which were sent to mail forwarding services in Florida, and then on to Oakley in Jamaica. The victims never received any “winnings.” Oakley’s victims lost hundreds of thousands of dollars during the course of the scheme.

“This sentence reflects our office’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and punishing those who engage in this type of behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Working together with our skilled and dedicated law enforcement partners, Oakley was held accountable for his crimes.”

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Through our National Elder Fraud Hotline, we identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, who often can least afford to sustain financial losses.”

“There was a time when scammers operating beyond our borders felt they could operate with impunity. Those days are gone,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal inspectors track down these scammers no matter where they are. And with our Department of Justice partners’ extradition powers, scammers are brought to the United States to face the music. In this case, it’s to the tune of 192 months in prison.”

Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. USPIS investigated the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Jamaica to secure the arrest and extradition of Oakley.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa. Information about the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Clifford Johnson, age 59, of Franklin Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 8, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to six years’ imprisonment on the charges of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Johnson previously pleaded guilty and admitted to distributing and conspiring with others to distribute between 500 and 1500 grams of high-quality crystal methamphetamine in the Susquehanna County area between August 2019 and April 2020.  Investigators made three separate purchases of crystal methamphetamine from Johnson and then obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s residence in Susquehanna County where an additional amount of crystal methamphetamine was seized.

The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.           

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Angela Castillo, age 39, of Freeland, PA, was sentenced on November 8, 2023, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani, to 10 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, with 5 months of electronic monitoring, in connection a wire fraud scheme involving the preparation and submission of numerous false Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications.   

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between June 2020 and September 2020, on behalf of other individuals and in exchange for payment, Castillo prepared and submitted to the United States Small Business Association (SBA) at least 40 false EIDL applications containing material misrepresentations.  Castillo’s conduct resulted in the SBA paying out approximately $163,000.00 in COVID-19 relief funds to individuals, none of whom actually owned a qualifying small business and who therefore were not entitled to receive such funds under the program.  At her sentencing, Castillo was ordered to pay $163,000.00 in restitution to the SBA.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

# # #

A Jamaican national was sentenced today in federal court in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to 192 months in prison for his role in a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States. 

Damone Oakley, 41, of St. James Parish, Jamaica, was extradited to the United States in 2022 and pleaded guilty in July 2023 to two counts of mail and two counts of wire fraud.

From at least 2010 through 2019, Oakley participated in a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims. Oakley’s victims received mailings, text messages or phone calls in which they were falsely told that they had won millions of dollars and luxury vehicles in a sweepstakes, but first needed to pay taxes and fees in order to claim their winnings. Oakley used phony names during the scheme, including “Officer Alex Logan” and “Officer Stan Valentine,” and instructed his victims on how to send their money (and to whom the funds should be sent). His victims were located throughout the United States, and used wire transfers, direct bank deposits, the U.S. Postal Service and private commercial mail carriers to send money directly to Oakley as well as to individuals in the United States and elsewhere who served as intermediaries and transmitted the money to Oakley. In addition to sending cash or wire transfers, Oakley’s victims were directed to purchase electronics, jewelry and clothing, which were sent to mail forwarding services in Florida, and then on to Oakley in Jamaica. The victims never received any “winnings.” Oakley’s victims lost hundreds of thousands of dollars during the course of the scheme.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue individuals who prey on vulnerable and elderly victims through fraudulent schemes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Through our National Elder Fraud Hotline, we identify perpetrators of these schemes and prioritize the pursuit of those who deliberately target vulnerable consumers, who often can least afford to sustain financial losses.”

“This sentence reflects our office’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and punishing those who engage in this type of behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Working together with our skilled and dedicated law enforcement partners, Oakley was held accountable for his crimes.”

“There was a time when scammers operating beyond our borders felt they could operate with impunity. Those days are gone,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen, of the U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal inspectors track down these scammers no matter where they are. And with our Department of Justice partners’ extradition powers, scammers are brought to the United States to face the music. In this case, it’s to the tune of 192 months in prison.”

Senior Litigation Counsel Linda I. Marks of the Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case.

USPIS investigated the case. 

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Jamaica to secure the arrest and extradition of Oakley.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa. Information about the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Heidel, age 41, of Fulton County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on January 19, 20, and 27, 2023 and April 13, 2023, Heidel distributed child pornography in Fulton County.  The indictment also alleges that Heidel possessed child pornography from August 2022 to May 2023. 

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Huntingdon Borough Police Department, and the Huntingdon County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. 

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Ricardo Pena, age 58, of the Dominican Republic, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry and four counts of distributing fentanyl.    

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about March 7, 2017, Pena was previously removed from the United States through Alexandria, Louisiana, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on or about October 25, 2023, Pena was encountered in Dauphin County.  In addition, the indictment alleges that on four occasions, Pena distributed fentanyl between August 23, 2023, and October 10, 2023. 

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.   

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty for this offense is up to 100 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rasheed Ibrahim, age 23, formerly of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 6, 2023, by the Honorable Jennifer P. Wilson to 15 months’ imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Ibrahim is currently incarcerated at the York County Prison on related local charges.   

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ibrahim and co-defendant Infinite Corbett possessed with the intent to distribute marijuana on February 27, 2021, in York City, Pennsylvania. Corbett pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced on March 21, 2023, to serve 65 months’ imprisonment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the York City Police Department and was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and Bruce D. Brandler.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jose Torres, age 28, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty on November 3, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Torres admitted to possessing between 15 kilograms and 50 kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in the Lackawanna County area in September 2022. The charges stem from an incident on September 29, 2022, in which members of the Pennsylvania State Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle in Lackawanna County. Torres and codefendant, Luis Gonzalez, age 27, of El Paso, Texas, were the occupants of the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of sixteen individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine, having a street-value of approximately $500,000.

Luis Gonzalez previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mariani on November 2, 2023

The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police and the Scranton Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, the offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison.  The maximum penalty under federal law is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Casey VanGorder age 28, of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, VanGorder admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute between 40 grams and 160 grams of fentanyl in the Luzerne County area between 2019 and 2020.  VanGorder was indicted by a grand jury in August 2020 for fentanyl trafficking.

The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, the offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

###

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Gonzalez, age 27, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty on November 2, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gonzalez admitted to possessing between 15 kilograms and 50 kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in the Lackawanna County area in September 2022.  The charges stem from an incident on September 29, 2022, in which members of the Pennsylvania State Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle in Lackawanna County. Gonzalez and codefendant, Jose Torres, age 27, of El Paso, Texas were the occupants of the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of sixteen individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine, having a street-value of approximately $500,000.

The charges against Jose Torres remain outstanding.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police and the Scranton Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, the offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison.  The maximum penalty under federal law is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Wyatt Andrew Jones, age 28, formerly of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Christopher C. Conner to 45 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 15 years of supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea for production of images containing the sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography. Jones was also ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution to the victims of his offenses. Jones is currently incarcerated at the York County Prison on related local charges.   

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Jones produced and distributed images of him sexually abusing his infant daughter and solicited and received sexually explicit images from a 13-year-old female victim located in Australia. Jones began sexually abusing his infant daughter in January 2021 when she was just three days old and continued that abuse until April 2021 when he was arrested on related local charges now pending in the York County Court of Common Pleas. Jones produced numerous videos of the sexual abuse of his infant daughter and distributed the videos using the internet. The infant’s mother, Marisel Toro, pled guilty to producing images containing the sexual exploitation of her infant daughter and is scheduled for sentencing on January 18, 2024.

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

The case was investigated by the York City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler.

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SCRANTON - The Department of Justice joins survivors, victim service providers, advocates, and communities nationwide in recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This is a time to center the experiences of survivors, honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence; express gratitude to the countless individuals in the movement to end violence; and raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As part of its monthlong observance of DVAM, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is proud to announce that the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $1,347,116 to the Middle District to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

The announced grants will reach Tribal nations, historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.

Specifically, the Middle District of Pennsylvania received the following funds for the 2023 fiscal year:

• OVW awarded $573,202 for PA Coalition against Domestic Violence/PA Coalition Against Rape under State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to enhance the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault.
• OVW awarded $374,836 State College Borough under the Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program to promote coordinated community responses among law enforcement agencies, courts, victim service providers, and other system partners.
• OVW awarded $399,078.00 to Widener University under the Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program) to support colleges and universities to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies for such crimes and to develop prevention education and awareness programs.

“I am pleased to announce that the Middle District of Pennsylvania has been awarded over $1.3 million in funding from the Office on Violence Against Women,” said United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam.  “These grants will help agencies, organizations, and colleges to provide victim services and to address domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in our communities across the Middle District.”

“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”

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OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Speedwell was part of a large-scale drug trafficking operation moving quantities of methamphetamine from Philadelphia to Altoona, Pennsylvania.  Law enforcement conducted a coordinated traffic stop on October 7, 2019, in York County, in which Speedwell was a passenger of the vehicle and found in possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford prosecuted the case.   

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.      

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 30, 2023, Todd Franklin Stydinger, age 42, of Perry County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 121 months’ imprisonment for receiving child pornography. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Stydinger previously pleaded guilty to receiving images and videos of child pornography. A search warrant was executed on Stydinger’s residence, and 13 electronic devices were seized. It was found that Stydinger downloaded 198 images and 73 videos depicting child pornography using multiple platforms.

Judge Conner also ordered Stydinger to serve 15 years on supervised release after the conclusion of his prison sentence and ordered Stydinger to pay approximately $35,000 in restitution and assessments. 

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.

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

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 30, 2023, Scott Marinelli, age 52, of Mountainside, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Marinelli admitted that between November 2017 and April 9, 2018, he participated in a scheme to defraud victims of proceeds from the sales of six properties.  Marinelli, a suspended attorney from New Jersey, acted as a real estate broker and title agent and directed a mortgage company to wire loan funds to him for the sale of the properties.  Marinelli further admitted that instead of properly dispersing the funds from the mortgage company, he used the money that he received for his own personal benefit. Marinelli further admitted that as part of his scheme, he stole the identities of the property sellers, a notary public, a title agent, and an accountant.  Marinelli currently faces additional, unrelated charges in federal court in Washington, D.C., and in state court in New Jersey.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.

Marinelli faces a maximum total period of incarceration of 120 years for the wire fraud charges and must serve at least an additional two and up to twelve years for the aggravated identity theft charges.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the

Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 27, 2023, Miguel Eduardo Rosario, age 37, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to life imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury, followed by a consecutive term of five years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Rosario was found guilty of multiple federal crimes on February 2, 2023, following a seven-day jury trial before Judge Mariani.  The evidence showed that Rosario was a large-scale drug dealer operating out of Reading.  While on state parole for a prior drug conviction, Rosario continued to sell fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and Xanax in the Berks and Schuylkill County areas between January 2017 and November 2019.  Rosario was found guilty on all counts of the indictment, including counts relating to an individual who first overdosed from heroin and fentanyl distributed to him by Rosario, and then suffered death approximately six months later from heroin and fentanyl again distributed to him by Rosario.  Rosario was also convicted of firearm charges related to his distribution of methamphetamine in exchange for firearms.

During the seven-day trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony from approximately 35 witnesses, including expert witness testimony from a forensic pathologist, multiple forensic toxicologists, a medical toxicologist, and a forensic cell phone examiner. 

The life sentence imposed by Judge Mariani was mandated pursuant to federal law for defendants found guilty of distributing a controlled substance resulting in death, after having previously been convicted of a felony drug offense.  Rosario’s criminal history involved multiple felony drug offenses, which also rendered him a career offender under federal law.  However, Judge Mariani stated that even without the mandatory sentence, he would have sentenced Rosario to a term of life imprisonment.  The five-year term of imprisonment was also mandated pursuant to federal law to run consecutive to the drug trafficking sentence.

Rosario was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,801.00 representing the funeral costs associated with the decedent. 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Brian Gallagher prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

 This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Josiah DeJesus, age 22, of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty on October 26, 2023, before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to serving as a coordinating courier in a Dominican Republic-based “grandparents” fraud scheme that preyed upon elderly, American victims from states across the country.    

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from approximately June 2020 to October 2020, along with four other Bronx men whom he recruited, DeJesus regularly traveled from New York City to various locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio to retrieve UPS and Fed Ex packages containing thousands of dollars in cash.  These packages were sent by elderly victims, who were induced to send the money based upon false claims that their grandchildren had been arrested and charged with serious vehicular crimes and, consequently, were in immediate need of money.  These false claims were made to the elderly victims in phone calls that they received from DeJesus’ oversees co-conspirators in the Dominican Republic, who posed either as the victims’ grandchildren or as attorneys representing the victims’ grandchildren.  

DeJesus acknowledged that the monetary loss attributable to his conduct was between $250,000 and $550,000, that his conduct resulted in substantial financial hardship to five or more victims and involved the unlawful use of the means of identification of five or more victims.  DeJesus agreed to make restitution to the victims in the amount of $328,780.00.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation –Philadelphia Division, and its state and local law enforcement partners in Berks County, PA.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kristopher R. Hall, age 46, formerly of State College, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jennifer P. Wilson to 20 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 20 years of supervised released based upon his previously entered guilty plea for attempting to produce images containing the sexual exploitation of a child. Hall is currently incarcerated at the Dauphin County Prison on related local charges.   

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hall solicited a 14-year-old female to send him sexually explicit images and engaged in a sexual relationship with that victim for approximately six months. Hall also solicited and received sexually explicit images from three additional minor females. Hall pleaded guilty in the Court of Common Pleas for Cumberland County to indecent sexual assault of a person under the age of 16 regarding his relationship with the 14-year-old female victim and is scheduled to be sentenced for that offense on October 31, 2023.

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

The case was investigated by the State College Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas and Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler prosecuted the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brent Anthony Benito, age 39, citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, was convicted of hindering his removal to Trinidad and Tobago following a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann that concluded on October 24, 2023. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Benito entered the United States illegally in 2013 and in 2014, was convicted in Delaware County of sexual assault, and sentenced to 48-96 months’ imprisonment. In 2016, he was ordered removed from the United States and was scheduled for a flight back to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2022, but refused to be fingerprinted and board the plane. After another flight was scheduled to remove him from the United States in April 2022, he refused to take a Covid-19 test which was required to enter Trinidad and Tobago.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorneys Alisan V. Martin and Geoffrey MacArthur are prosecuting the case.

Benito faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Roy Niles, age 58, of Nineveh, New York, pleaded guilty on October 26, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Niles admitted to conspiring with another individual to distribute between 1.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in the Susquehanna County area in March 2020.  The charge stems from an incident in March 2020, in which Niles arranged to purchase several pounds of crystal methamphetamine from another individual in Susquehanna County.  After the methamphetamine was received by Niles, the Pennsylvania State Police moved in and attempted to arrest him.  Niles fled from the police and led police on a high-speed chase from Pennsylvania into New York.  Niles was later apprehended.

The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The New York State Police also provided assistance during the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, the drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dwayne Sherman, age 49, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 20, 2023, to 262 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for drug trafficking and money laundering.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in September 2022, a jury convicted Sherman on all charges, including money laundering and drug trafficking conspiracy. 

Sherman conspired with Mexican cartel members from 2012 to 2018, and was caught by the FBI in 2015-2016, in an undercover sting operation where Sherman tried to send $550,000 in cash back to Mexico.  Sherman was also captured by police in Los Angeles, California smuggling two kilograms of cocaine.  Evidence was introduced at trial that Sherman regularly travelled to Mexico and developed a relationship with a Mexican drug trafficking group.  Money owed was smuggled across the border and then deposited into corrupt Casa de Cambio or money exchanges in Tijuana, Mexico. The drugs were then smuggled back into the United States through a variety of means.  

At sentencing, Judge Wilson found that Sherman was responsible for approximately 46 kilograms of cocaine, and with smuggling hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.  She also made the finding that Sherman possessed guns as part of the drug trafficking activities.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hawthorne (California) Police Department, the San Diego County Sherriff’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio and Carlo Marchioli prosecuted the case.

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

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Johnny Quinones, age 37, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted on October 18, 2023, of straw purchasing a gun, possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and conspiracy, after a bench trial before United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Quinones conspired with three other individuals to purchase firearms for felons and persons under indictment. Quinones was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions.

On August 11, 2020, Harrisburg Police responded to a shooting victim in the City of Harrisburg where a victim was shot in the head. They eventually focused on Johnny Quinones, a felon. The investigation ultimately revealed that Taashaun Mansfield was buying guns for felons. Mansfield bought seven guns in a two-month period, and each time he lied on the forms about who was going to receive the guns. All of guns ended up in the possession of people prohibited by law from possessing the guns.

The following coconspirators pleaded guilty to weapons offenses and were sentenced:

• Taashaun Mansfield was sentenced to 37 months in prison;
• Michael Windham was sentenced to 46 months in prison; and
• Antonio Godbolt was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Richard Euliss are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ronald Geraldo Molina, age 37, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 12 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for aggravated identity theft.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Molina sold counterfeit debit cards to an undercover Pennsylvania State Trooper holding account and pin information from various financial institutions encoded on the magnetic strips. Investigators determined that the account information was likely stolen from a single gas station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In all, the scheme included 82 debit cards containing stolen identification information from consumers.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Charles N. Lenhart, age 43, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 11, 2023, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms offenses. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Lenhart with possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and fentanyl.  Lenhart is further charged with possessing an Anderson Arms .223 caliber Am15, a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun, and an ESS .38 revolver in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also charges Lenhart with unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The offenses took place on May 31, 2023, in York County.

The case was investigated by the Lower Windsor Township Police department, York County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney William Behe is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty for these offenses is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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HARRISBURG: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jean Cortes Malave, age 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 11, 2023, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard Karam, the indictment alleges that on November 29, 2022, in York County, Pennsylvania, Cortes Malave distributed a quantity of fentanyl.  The indictment further alleges that on that same day, Cortes Malave possessed an additional quantity of fentanyl with the intent to distribute the controlled substance.  The indictment also alleges that Cortes Malave possessed a .380 Baretta Pico handgun and a Highpoint 40 caliber pistol in furtherance of the above-alleged drug trafficking crime.

The case was investigated by the Northern York County Regional Police, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Monroe is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty for the distribution of a controlled substance offense is a term of 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of at least three years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is life imprisonment, a term of five years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Madeline Nieves, age 49, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 15 months of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for conspiring to defraud the United States.  Nieves also was sentenced to serve a three-year term of supervised release, following her term of imprisonment.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Nieves previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to evade taxes, for both her personal tax returns, and for a business that she operated.  Specifically, Nieves pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to defraud the IRS, from 2018 to 2020, in connection with staffing company Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania, and received in excess of $1.2 million in revenue.  Nieves failed to withhold, report, and pay Encore Staffing Solutions LLC employee wages to the IRS.  Nieves also failed to report her own personal income from Encore Staffing Solutions LLC to the IRS.  The crimes resulted in a tax loss of nearly $160,000, which Nieves was ordered to pay in restitution to the IRS.

Five other individuals were previously prosecuted in this investigation:

• Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of the Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from temporary staffing companies Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees.  The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer.  Holmes also pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore Staffing Solutions LLC.  Holmes awaits sentencing.
• Nari Lam, age 31, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS.  From 2016 through 2020, Nari Lam, as the owner of temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS.  Nari Lam awaits sentencing.
• Danny Sing, age 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to its employees, and to failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes to the IRS.  Danny Sing and his coconspirators paid Global Staffing Services, Inc. employees in cash, paid themselves in cash, and cashed all checks received from Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s clients, to conceal the income and wages from the IRS.  The criminal activities occurred between 2013 and 2020.  Sing also pleaded guilty to providing in excess of approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks to managers and supervisors at Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s client, to obtain business for Global Staffing Services, Inc.  Sing awaits sentencing.
• Den Lam, age 49, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged in an information alleging that he conspired with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to its employees.  Den Lam also was charged with failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to the IRS.
• Jason R. Bonnewell, age 41, of North Abington Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury with conspiring to commit honest services fraud, and filing false tax returns.  Bonnewell, during his tenure as a supervisor at a Pennsylvania food services company from 2014 to 2019, allegedly accepted cash bribes and other things of value from the owners and operators of Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing.  In exchange for the kickbacks, Bonnewell and his coconspirators entered contracts with and hired the temporary employees of the two staffing companies.  Allegedly, over $13,000,000 were paid to the two staffing companies, in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks.  Bonnewell also was charged with three counts of filing false tax returns, for tax years 2017 through 2019, for allegedly failing to disclose the cash payments on his tax returns.  Bonnewell awaits trial.

The cases were investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.

Indictments and Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Quinniea Gross, age 27, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 36 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for giving false statements in connection with acquisition of firearms. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gross was convicted by a jury of conspiracy and straw purchasing firearms in July 2023.  Gross accompanied a drug addict to several firearms dealers in Northeastern Pennsylvania and took possession of firearms purchased by her coconspirator.  Gross did so for drug traffickers to whom the drug addict owned money for a drug debt. Gross also purchased four firearms herself, two of which were seized in an unrelated drug trafficking investigation in Philadelphia. Coconspirator Christian Barnes was sentenced to 15 months in prison on August 1, 2023, for conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of eight firearms.

In addition to the 3-year prison term, Judge Mannion ordered Gross to serve a 2-year term of supervised release, and to pay $400 in special assessments and court fees.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Gallagher and Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dontrace Blaine, age 36, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Canaan, in Waymart, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 37 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on November 8, 2020, Blaine assaulted another inmate with a combination lock wrapped in a bedsheet, causing injury.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.

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