Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ramon Williams, age 44, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 5, 2022, to 137 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on May 25, 2022, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of possessing two handguns in furtherance of drug trafficking, and to a separate count of distributing over 28 grams of crack cocaine.  Charges were originally filed against Williams on March 20, 2019.  Williams, however, failed to appear at a Court hearing on December 4, 2019, and absconded from pretrial supervision.  He was located and arrested in Monroe County on March 24, 2022, and later pleaded guilty to the above charges. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stroud Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

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

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fredy Mendoza, age 34, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to 300 months’ imprisonment for methamphetamine trafficking, and 18 months’ imprisonment for committing pandemic unemployment fraud, to run concurrent with the methamphetamine trafficking sentence.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on July 23, 2021, Mendoza pleaded guilty to conspiring with several other individuals to distribute and possess with intent to distribute between 5 and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Hazleton area between October 2019 and July 2020 and laundering between $40,000 and $95,000 in drug proceeds. He also pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine on December 9, 2019.     

Mendoza also pleaded guilty to committing pandemic unemployment fraud while incarcerated and awaiting trial on the federal narcotics charges. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program was created by the March 2020 CARES Act, as part of the United States government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s health and economic well-being. The PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.

Mendoza pleaded guilty to conspiring with his codefendant, Christina Covey, formerly of Drums, Pennsylvania, to file false PUA applications on his behalf and for another federal inmate. The applications sought unemployment benefits for both inmates by claiming that they were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and available to work, despite their incarceration on underlying federal drug trafficking charges. The conspirators subsequently filed false weekly certifications required to continue receiving PUA benefits, ultimately securing nearly $30,000 dollars, which were mailed in debit cards to Covey. Mendoza was ordered to pay $29,799 in restitution.

Covey was also Mendoza’s codefendant in the methamphetamine trafficking case. Covey previously pleaded guilty to both methamphetamine trafficking, and to conspiring to commit pandemic unemployment fraud.  She was sentenced by Judge Mannion to 48 months’ imprisonment for the methamphetamine trafficking, and 15 months’ imprisonment for committing pandemic unemployment fraud, five months of which were to run consecutive to the methamphetamine trafficking sentence.

The methamphetamine trafficking case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts.  The pandemic fraud case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.

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.

The narcotics investigation was 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.

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

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ryan Eastman, age 29, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 7, 2022, to 120 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for his role in a conspiracy to distribute at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Eastman and at least 22 other individuals conspired to and did distribute more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from June of 2017 until February 6, 2020, in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lancaster, Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, as well as many law enforcement agencies in the counties where the distribution activities were occurring. Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Behe prosecuted the case.

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

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas Perkins, age 57, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, was charged on June 28, 2022, by a federal grand jury with perpetrating a fraud and money laundering scheme that included approximately $420,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). 

The PPP is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds are offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Perkins, the sole proprietor of Well-Versed Oilfields, LLC (“Well-Versed”), a Wellsboro-based energy industry consulting firm, took out $465,000 in PPP loans in the name of Well-Versed, and then used $420,000 of those loan proceeds to buy a beach front vacation home in Dauphin Island, Alabama.  In December of 2020, Perkins then asked for loan forgiveness for these funds, declaring in his loan forgiveness application that he used the funds for eligible pay costs, such as payroll costs, business mortgage interest payments, business rent or less payments, or business utility payments, and that at least 60% of the forgiveness amount was used for payroll costs. In reality, Perkins spent over 90% of the PPP loan amounts on the beach front vacation property, intending to be used as a secondary residence and a potential rental income source. Perkins is charged with one count each of Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Unlawful Money Transaction, and making a False Loan Application.

The case was investigated by the IRS, Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses 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 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 Jason T. Cawley, age 44, owner of J Cawley Moving, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2022, before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Cawley, who was responsible, as owner of J Cawley Moving, for collecting and paying over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal payroll taxes, including Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes, willfully failed to pay over to the IRS these required taxes for the period from 2015 through 2019, in the total amount of $398,726.61. 

These charges stem from an investigation by IRS-Criminal Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 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 Fausto Lorenzo-Gomez, age 31, was charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Lorenzo-Gomez, a citizen of Honduras, had been deported in September 2019.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after that date.  He was located in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania, during a traffic stop.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jaime M. Keating.

Lorenzo-Gomez faces a maximum penalty of 2 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 Esgardo Carrillo, age 29, of Stanton, California, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 45 months’ imprisonment and a 2-year term of supervised release, for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that moved large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine from California to various major Midwest and East Coast cities.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from at least mid-2018 until April of 2019, Carrillo coordinated a group of couriers, who packaged substantial quantities of illegal drugs in suitcases and transported them via commercial flights from West Coast locations to cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Milwaukee.  Carrillo either himself took or coordinated at least 21 such trips during the conspiracy period.  Upon arriving at their locations, Carrillo and the other couriers would pass on the illegal drugs to co-conspirators for local distribution.      

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.

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

The 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.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that yesterday Damian Julmal Navarro, age 27, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl, as well as for possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Navarro pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin/fentanyl, and to a second charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.   Navarro was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020.  With the exception of Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB,” all other co-conspirators pleaded guilty.  Gott was convicted after trial in August 2021, and is awaiting sentencing. 

This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.

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

This case was also 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.

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Charles Meininger, Jr., age 37, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for mailing threatening communications. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that, in October of 2021, Meininger mailed letters to General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks, threatening to kidnap and injure both of those officials along with Senator Nancy Pelosi.  The indictment also alleges Meininger sent a threatening letter to a news journalist in Wilkes-Barre.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 25 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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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Alex Santiago, age 40, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was charged by a federal grand jury for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on June 15, 2022, Santiago was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber firearm loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition, in Mount Carmel. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 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 are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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WILLIAMSPORT -  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brent Anthony Benito, age 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury for hindering removal. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Benito is a removable alien, with a valid order of removal.  The indictment alleges that Benito knowingly took steps to prevent his own removal.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin.

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.

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 today that Jesse Diaz, age 53, of Sciota, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with a child exploitation crime involving accessing and viewing child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that Diaz used his Kik messenger account to access a private chat group dedicated to the distribution and sharing of child pornography with the intent to view minors, including a minor under the age of 12 years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon Divisions.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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 justice.gov/psc.

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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WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Williamsport charged Mario Hernandez-Gonzaga, age 40, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hernandez-Gonzaga was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on May 11, 2009.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime before November 5, 2021.  He was found in the United States in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 2022, by Deportation Officers after failing to appear for court on DUI charges pending in Northumberland County.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

Hernandez-Gonzaga faces a maximum penalty of 2 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 Antonio Menzell Clark, age 36, of Ashley, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a firearm charge. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on January 12, 2022, Clark possessed a handgun when he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, the United States Marshal Service and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is 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.

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 Hubert Carter, age 41, a federal prison inmate, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about June 9, 2022, while an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, Carter possessed a 5.5 inch metal implement with a cloth handle capable of being used as a weapon.   

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 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 Gerard M. Karam was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  The oath of office was administered by Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Karam was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney by President Biden on April 22, 2022, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 13, 2022.  Mr. Karam replaces John C. Gurganus, who was appointed United States Attorney by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on an interim basis on November 17, 2021.

Mr. Karam, of Dickson City, Pennsylvania, will lead the office which covers 33 Pennsylvania counties located in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania.  Mr. Karam was a partner in the Scranton law firm of Mazzoni, Karam, Petorak and Valvano for 27 years, and served as the managing partner for 20 years. Mr. Karam’s practice focused on complex civil and criminal litigation.  His experience includes corporate and individual representation on cases involving civil rights violations, corporate compliance laws, homicide, public corruption, tax evasion, drug offenses, fraud offenses, firearms offenses and personal injury claims.

Mr. Karam has a background in public service including serving as Assistant Public Defender in the County of Lackawanna from 1990-1993. In 1994, he was promoted to Chief Public Defender, a position he held for 10 years. From 2010-2022, Mr. Karam served as General Counsel to the Housing Authority of Lackawanna County, a Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agency.

Mr. Karam is a former President of the Lackawanna Bar Association.  He also served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam earned a Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph’s University in 1984 and received his law degree in 1987 from Loyola University School of Law.

“It is a great honor and privilege to be sworn in as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement and community partners in pursuit of justice.”

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joel Kiessling, age 55, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 192 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, for child exploitation offenses.

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Kiessling previously entered a guilty plea in November 2018, to attempting to entice a minor to travel for sexual purposes and possession of child pornography. Kiessling was in contact with multiple underage females and was attempting to have them travel to Pennsylvania from out of state to have sex with him.

Based on Kiessling’s prior offenses, Chief Judge Brann found that Kiessling was fully aware of the potential consequences of his actions yet remained undeterred.

The case was investigated by the Williamsport Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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. For more information about internet safety education, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alex Santiago, age 40, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal complaint on June 15, 2022, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, on June 15, 2022, Santiago was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber firearm in Mount Carmel. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 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.

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

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Noel Rivera-Lezama, age 35, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Ismael Rivera-Lezama, age 34, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Devon Fleming, age 28, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and Ramsee Anthony Munoz, age 32, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine and 40 grams and more of fentanyl in Northumberland and Columbia Counties on multiple occasions from April 2021 until the present.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Northumberland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Bloomsburg Police Department, the Sunbury Police Department, the Shamokin Police Department, and the Coal Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

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

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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marlon Valoy De La Rosa, age 23, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced on June 8, 2022, to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,138.01 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 4, 2020, at approximately 4:30 AM, Steelton Borough Police observed De La Rosa along with two other individuals tampering with a U.S. Mail blue collection box in the Borough of Steelton, Pennsylvania.  One individual, later identified as Enrique Reyes, used what appeared to be a white rope with an object attached to it to “fish” into the mailbox’s opening while a second individual, later identified as Josue Peguero, stood nearby as a lookout.  De La Rosa drove the vehicle in which the individuals arrived and left the scene.

Following a traffic stop, the individuals were found to be in possession of numerous debit cards in different names, none of which matched De La Rosa, Reyes, or Peguero.  De La Rosa possessed a receipt from a fraudulent ATM transaction using a stolen check and a stolen, washed check belonging to a different individual. 

The investigation showed that De La Rosa, Reyes, and Peguero had conducted multiple fraudulent debit card transactions in New York City just prior to traveling to the Harrisburg area and had also recently traveled to the Boston area, where they had gone mail fishing and obtained additional checks from the mail.  Their debit card transactions involved the use of stolen, altered checks and debit cards belonging to other people.  The investigation further determined that the three had been involved in the stealing of checks and the depositing of these checks in a fraudulent manner for several months leading up to the time of their arrest.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Steelton Borough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jerell Adgebesan, age 34, of Baltimore and Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to participating in the June 25, 2016, murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The guilty plea was before United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner. Adgebesan faces a possible life sentence. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the charges against Adgebesan were the result of a six-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, all to have been shot in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and once in the head. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene.  Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival. 

The evidence presented at the guilty plea proceeding established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operation. Coles, White and co-defendant Devin Dickerson learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Adgebesan and co-defendant Kenyatta Corbett recruited members of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family and others from Baltimore to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore. The killers were promised that they could take as payment $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Coles, White, Dickerson, Corbett, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms.

Adgebesan, along with other individuals, were charged in connection with the investigation:

• Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty after a guilty trial in April of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and is awaiting sentencing;

• Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and is awaiting sentencing;
• Kenyatta Corbett, age 38, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
• Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
• Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and is awaiting sentencing;
• Johnnie Jenkins-Armstrong, age 22, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing;
• Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
• Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness;
• Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire and is awaiting sentencing 
• Mark Johnson, age 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and is awaiting sentencing; and
• Llesenia Woodard, age 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing.

Joshua Davis, age 30, previously pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders. Davis was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment. Torey White’s trial is scheduled for January 2023.

The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation:  Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.

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

This case was also 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 also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run.”  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. 

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses 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 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 Matthew Coke, age 23, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), and Devonte Andrews, age 29, an inmate at FCI Allenwood, were charged separately yesterday by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two federal inmates were charged with possessing contraband in prison:

• Coke was found in possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 14, 2022; and

• Andrews was found in possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 16, 2022.

The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the cases.

If convicted, Coke faces a maximum of five years of incarceration 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 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 a former attorney, Kenelm L. Shirk, age 72, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to time served of 16 months and 20 days’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, and one year of supervised release with conditions by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, for threatening to murder members of the United States Senate.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on March 7, 2022, Shirk pleaded guilty to making threats to murder Democratic members of the United States Senate. On January 21, 2021, Shirk made threats to murder Democratic members of the United States Senate in retaliation for the performance of their official duties on January 6, 2021. Later that day, on January 21, 2021, Pennsylvania State Police troopers arrested Shirk while he was en route to Washington D.C. A search of Shirk’s vehicle recovered two handguns and an AR-15 rifle and loaded magazines, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Shirk has remained in custody since this incident when bail was denied.  As part of his supervision, Shirk was ordered to comply with psychiatric counseling, forfeit the weapons and ammunition involved with the case and provide a DNA sample. 

The Court expressed gratitude to the law enforcement responders and Chambersburg Hospital staff for their efforts in this matter. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, the Cornwall Police Department, and the Washington D.C. Capitol Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating prosecuted the case.

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Shelley Noreika, age 48, of Newville, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for false statements relating to health care matters. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Noreika admitted that on or about February 4, 2020, she made false statements concerning her 5-year-old daughter to medical providers.  Noreika told her daughter to pretend having a seizure while Noreika videotaped her.  Noreika then emailed the video clip of the fake seizure to her daughter’s pediatric neurologist, along with false statements concerning the minor child’s medical condition. On multiple other occasions, Noreika also falsely reported to medical providers that her daughter experienced seizures, when in fact no such seizures occurred. Noreika never witnessed her daughter have an actual seizure on February 4, 2020, or on any other date. Noreika misled medical providers concerning the health and condition of her daughter knowing they would rely on her false statements in their diagnosis and treatment decisions. 

Pursuant to the terms of a written plea agreement, the parties agreed the offense involved a loss amount exceeding $95,000 but less than $150,000, which includes costs borne by insurers and the government for the daughter’s unnecessary medical treatment and visits. 

Noreika no longer cares for the minor child, and she also faces related state charges which are pending. 

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense charged is five years of imprisonment, a term 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Jeremy Acevedo, age 31, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 235 months in prison, for drug trafficking and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Acevedo pleaded guilty to trafficking over five kilograms of methamphetamines, trafficking fentanyl, and being in possession of firearms as a convicted felon.  The drugs and firearms were seized during a June 17, 2021, search warrant at Acevedo’s York home. During the search, police arrested Acevedo and seized 17 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, firearms, and other drug trafficking materials. Acevedo was a previously convicted felon and prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the York County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio 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 opioids.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl 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 being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two federal inmates were indicted separately yesterday by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood) inmates were indicted for:

• Jeffery Wood, age 26, possession of a sharpened plastic shank on April 19, 2020; and

• Jeffrey Lamarche, age 43, possession of a sharpened metal shank, and several strips of paper soaked in a Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid on May 18, 2020.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel are prosecuting the cases.

If convicted, Wood and Lamarche face a maximum of five years of incarceration 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 indictments 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 two federal inmates were charged separately by criminal informations yesterday for possessing contraband in prison.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, two federal inmates were charged with possessing phones in prison:

• Christopher Edwards, age 51, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, possessed an iPhone on October 22, 2021;

• Angel Anchondo, age 20, an inmate at the Low Security Correctional Institution, Allenwood, possessed an LG cellphone on December 15, 2021.

Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones to ensure institutional security.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel are prosecuting the cases.

If convicted, Edwards and Anchondo face a maximum of one year of incarceration 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 indictments and informations 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 Martin Perez-Amaro, age 33, of Mexico, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury and charged with illegal reentry into the United States.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Perez-Amaro had been deported in September 2018, and is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States sometime after that date.  He was located in Lackawanna County on May 8, 2022. 

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 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 on June 7, 2022, Richard Anthony Trent, age 43, a federal prison inmate, was indicted by a federal grand jury for assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on May 17, 2022, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan (USP Canaan), in Wayne County, PA, Trent assaulted another inmate with a 7-inch grey metal weapon sharpened to a point and commonly referred to as a “shank”.  

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is 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.

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 on June 6, 2022, Edward Hart, age 32, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following his conviction for bank fraud.  Judge Conner also ordered Hart to pay victims restitution in the amount of $82,969.06 and to serve two years of supervised release following his release from prison.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Hart was a member of a conspiracy in which he and others stole mail from postal boxes, rifled that mail to find checks that had been made payable to third parties, and then altered the checks and deposited them in other bank accounts.  The conspiracy formed in the New York City area and extended into central Pennsylvania. The conspiracy also involved the participation of a former Harrisburg area U.S. Postal Service employee, Kazaria Blair, who provided the conspirators access to a postal key that enabled them to open blue postal collection boxes to steal the mail. The investigation identified at least 40 stolen checks, of which 19 had been cashed, resulting in financial losses to victims.

Blair pleaded guilty on May 23, 2022, to stealing keys adopted by the post office, and is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service – Harrisburg Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.

# # #  

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kshawn Carter, age 25, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 180 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher Conner for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Carter pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen handgun discovered during the execution of a search warrant at his Harrisburg residence on September 23, 2019. Because Carter had three prior felony drug convictions, under federal law, his possession of the firearm mandated the 15-year sentence.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is prosecuting the case.

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

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Aida Rosado, age 62, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 1, 2022, to two years of probation with the first four months on home detention by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, for assisting her son in smuggling cellular telephones into the Dauphin County Prison.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Rosado’s son, Danny Cruz, was an inmate in Dauphin County Prison when she, on her son’s behalf, agreed to help him smuggle cellphones into the prison. On multiple occasions between October 2015 and January 2016, she gave money and cellular telephones to Correctional Officer Kyle Bower, who then smuggled phones into the prison for her son. Correctional Officer Bower was paid hundreds of dollars for each phone. 

All other participants in the conspiracy have entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to smuggle phones into the prison: 

• Former Correctional Officer Bower was sentenced to two months in federal prison and two months of home detention after his release from federal prison;
• Alice Martinez was sentenced to twelve months in prison; and
• Danny Cruz and Lizarrah Matthews pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Julian J. Levons, age 64, of Henryville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday to perpetrating a wire fraud and money laundering scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.  The plea was entered after Levons commenced trial on May 31, 2022.

The EIDL program is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, EIDL funds are offered in low-interest rate loans, designated for specific business expenses, such as fixed debts, payroll, and business obligation.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Levons was charged with obtaining two EIDL loans for a combined approximate $300,000, and attempting unsuccessfully to obtain a third EIDL loan for approximately $150,000.  In applying for the loans, Levons falsified revenue and expense figures for two supposed small businesses that he and his wife owned.  The money was allegedly used to pay down a high interest rate line of credit for Levons’s personal expenses, and to pay off a high interest rate mortgage on a rental property, despite prohibitions on the use of EIDL funds to refinance pre-existing debt.  Investigators seized over $210,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds from bank accounts under his control.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and James Buchanan are prosecuting 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 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 maximum penalty under federal law are 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Terron, age 38, formerly of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 1, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to nine years’ imprisonment for his role in a methamphetamine and heroin trafficking conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Terron previously pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute between 1.5 and 5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 1 to 3 kilograms of heroin in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Schuylkill Counties in 2018.  Terron was one of five individuals indicted by a grand jury in December 2018 for methamphetamine trafficking in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The following defendants were previously sentenced for their roles in this same drug trafficking conspiracy:

• Amanda Boyle, age 37, of Sweet Valley, PA, was sentenced to nine years in prison;

• Rudolph Ford, age 33, of Olyphant, PA, was sentenced to seven years in prison;

• Francheska Quinones, age 28, of Nanticoke, PA, was sentenced to 63 months in prison; and

• Adam Holcomb, age 37, of Shickshinny, PA, was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.

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

# # #

HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rodney L. Yentzer, of Cumberland County, has agreed to pay the United States $900,000 to resolve civil liability for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

According to United States Attorney, John C. Gurganus, between 2017 and 2019,  Yentzer, through a group of pain clinics he controlled known as Pain Medicine of York (PMY), caused the submission of false claims for payment to Medicare.  Those claims were for presumptive and definitive Urine Drug Tests (UDTs) that were not medically reasonable or necessary and were not used to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Additionally, Yentzer agreed to be excluded from all Federal health care programs for 22 years.  Yentzer’s exclusion means that no Federal health care program payment may be made, either directly or indirectly, for any items or services furnished by Yentzer or at the direction or on the prescription of Yentzer.

“Civil enforcement is an important tool to recover funds when providers cause improper claims to the Medicare program,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund.”

In March of 2022, in a related matter, Yentzer pleaded guilty to Health Care Fraud, Money Laundering, and Theft of Public Money for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services between 2016 and 2020. Yentzer is awaiting sentencing.  The news release can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/cumberland-county-man-pleads-guilty-health-care-fraud-money-laundering-and-theft-public

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.  The civil investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Tamara Haken, and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

# # #

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Serrano-Munoz, age 43, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 25 years’ imprisonment for producing child pornography.  The sentence also included a 10-year term of supervised release, which will follow the term of imprisonment.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Serrano-Munoz previously admitted to coercing a minor living in York County, Pennsylvania, to take sexually explicit photos of herself and to send those images to him over the internet in 2017. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli 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 For more information about internet safety education, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Drew Lynn Jennings, age 35, of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 31, 2022, by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Jennings attempted to distribute child pornography on June 5, June 22 and June 23, 2021, in Wayne County.    

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts 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 For more information about internet safety education, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

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.

Indictments 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 a former securities broker based in Memphis, Tennessee, John Sherman Jumper, age 56, of Eads, Tennessee, was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years on supervised release by Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for embezzling $5.7 million from the pension benefit plan for employees of Snowshoe Refractories, a fire brick manufacturer located in Clarence, Centre County, Pennsylvania.  Chief Judge Brann also ordered Jumper to pay restitution to the pension plan in the amount of $2,426,550, reflecting partial financial recoveries obtained by Snowshoe Refractories on behalf of the plan.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on April 9, 2021, Jumper forged signatures on fraudulent documents that purportedly authorized him to transfer funds from the pension plan on three separate occasions between March 2015 through April 2016.  Jumper used the embezzled funds to make unauthorized loans and investments for the purchase of a tubing plant in Arkansas and three other business, to pay off $1.2 million of his personal loans, and to cover his personal legal fees. In addition, Jumper received a personal interest in the businesses purchased with the embezzled pension funds, and his securities company, Alluvion Securities in Memphis, received over $1 million in fees from the sale of the Arkansas tubing plant.

The indictment stated that the Snow Shoe Refractories Employee Pension Plan for Hourly Employees included about 129 active and retired employees.  At the time the alleged $5.7 million embezzlement began, the pension plan assets were worth approximately $9.8 million. 

As a result of his fraudulent misappropriation of pension funds, Jumper has been the subject of civil and regulatory sanctions obtained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization for member brokerage firms and exchange markets.  On November 1, 2018, a federal district judge in the Western District of Tennessee granted the SEC’s motion for default judgment against Jumper, and the court there entered a final judgment as to Jumper and his companies and businesses. The final judgment permanently enjoined Jumper from violating securities laws and ordered that he disgorge $5,700,000, representing profits gained as a result of the fraudulent conduct, together with prejudgment interest in the amount of $726,758.79.  On February 3, 2017, FINRA permanently barred him, with his consent, based on allegations that he misappropriated funds from the Snowshoe pension plan for his personal use and to infuse capital into his member firm, Alluvion Securities.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Employee Benefits Services Administration of the United States Department of Labor, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jared B. Heisey, age 32, of Etters, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment to be followed by five months of home confinement by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for assaulting a employee at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Judge Conner also ordered Heisey to undergo counseling and have no contact with the victim.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Heisey, a former Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supervisor, assaulted an employee during work hours on August 9, 2019, at the NSA. Heisey directed the victim to accompany him to conduct an inventory count in a remote building at the NSA and when they entered the building, Heisey pinned the victim up against the wall by grabbing her neck with his hand while making sexual comments about what he would like to do to her. Heisey is no longer employed by DLA.

The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating prosecuted the case. 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Roberto Magobet, age 44, of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 31, 2022, by a federal grand jury and charged with drug trafficking. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Magobet possessed with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl on August 31, 2021, in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. 

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jim Thorpe Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

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

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 Javier Guzman, age 50, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was indicted on May 17, 2022, by a federal grand jury for methamphetamine trafficking. The indictment was unsealed following Guzman’s arrest.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Guzman with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute high-quality crystal methamphetamine on March 2 and 10, 2022, in Schuylkill County. 

The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

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

The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum sentence under federal law is up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release 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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HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jimmy Tran, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for the unauthorized use, acquisition, and possession of benefits of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Tran previously admitted that while owning and operating Asia Market in Harrisburg, he unlawfully provided cash in exchange for SNAP benefits.  The scheme ran between January 2017 and August 2020.  Tran redeemed $1,843,534 in improper benefits, and he was ordered to pay restitution in that amount.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Yasin Abdul-Mattin, age 50, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for firearms and drug trafficking offenses.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on January 20, 2022, in Lackawanna County, Abdul-Mattin possessed a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition and also possessed methamphetamine for further distribution.  It is also alleged that Abdul-Mattin is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.

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

Under federal law, for the firearms charge, Abdul-Mattin faces a maximum sentence of ten years, a term of supervised release and a fine.  For the drug charges, Abdul-Mattin faces a maximum sentence of twenty years, a term of supervised release 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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HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gambrill, age 46, of Windsor, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 3 years of probation by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for concealing assets during a bankruptcy proceeding.  Gambrill was also ordered to pay a $7,200 fine.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gambrill previously admitted that in 2016 and 2017, while he was a petitioner in a bankruptcy proceeding, he fraudulently concealed a $125,000 inheritance from the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. Gambrill’s bankruptcy petition was ultimately dismissed, and none of his debts were discharged. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Torres, age 33, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 26, 2022, to 164 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for trafficking in fentanyl.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on December 13, 2019, Torres possessed with intent to distribute 45 grams of fentanyl, which corresponds to approximately 1,800 doses of the potentially lethal substance.  A search warrant executed at Torres’ home also uncovered an unlawfully possessed firearm.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.

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

This case was also 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.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Angela Castillo, age 38, of Freeland, PA, was charged yesterday in a criminal Information with wire fraud. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the Information alleges that between June 2020 and September 2020, on behalf of other individuals and in exchange for payment, Castillo submitted to the United States Small Business Association (SBA) no fewer than forty Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications, all of which contained 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 EIDL loan program.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting 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.

If convicted, 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.

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 Nazim Hassam, age 70, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 18 months in prison for money laundering stemming from an illegal transaction conducted with funds obtained through a fraudulent pandemic assistance loan application. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, in April and June of 2020, Hassam applied for and received two loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) while making false statements on the applications.  In 2019, Hassam was indicted along with two businesses he co-owns, the Pocono Plaza Inn and Om Sri Sai, Inc., on felony charges related to sex trafficking and drug trafficking.  But when asked on the loan applications whether he or the companies applying for the loans were under indictment, Hassam falsely answered, “No.”  Hassam fraudulently obtained one loan for each of the two corporate entities, together totaling $89,308.  Hassam then conducted unlawful monetary transactions with the bulk of those funds. Specifically related to the count to which Hassam pleaded guilty, Hassam obtained $61,000 as a PPP loan for Om Sri Sai, Inc., a company that owns and operates a hotel in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, and then transferred the funds from the corporation’s bank account to pay down a personal line of credit he held in his own name.  As part of the plea agreement with the Government, Hassam admitted that, in addition to the money laundering charge to which he pleaded guilty, he also committed the underlying fraud offenses. Hassam paid both loans back to the issuing banks, with interest, after he learned of the investigation but before sentencing.

Hassam’s sentence was enhanced because he committed this crime while on pretrial release in the drug and sex trafficking case. Hassam was previously convicted in that case after a trial and sentenced to 60 months in prison, along with a $150,000 fine. Judge Mannion ordered that 12 months out of the 18-month sentence in this case will run concurrently with the earlier sentence, and 6 months will run consecutively, as required by statute.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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.

This prosecution is also 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.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 25, 2022, Dale Richard Estep II, age 35, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to two years of probation, four of those months on home confinement, for passing counterfeit U.S. currency. 

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Estep passed counterfeit currency at the Sheetz, Sunoco, and Rutters gas stations along the I-81 and US 15 corridors in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties between May 12-14, 2019. 

Judge Rambo ordered Estep to pay restitution in the amount of $3,300 as follows:

• $2,650 to Sheetz, Claysburg, PA;
• $500 to Sunoco A+, Dillsburg, PA; and
• $150 to Rutters, Dillsburg, PA.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Harrisburg Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dana Aldinger, age 55, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year probation and a $525 fine by United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson for theft in connection with health care.  Aldinger also permanently surrendered her nursing license. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Aldinger, a former Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Administrator for a personal care home for senior citizens in York, stole and diverted controlled medications for personal use from nursing patients under her care. Aldinger diverted Oxycodone pills prescribed to a Medicare hospice patient on or about August 10, 2019. Aldinger also falsified medical records to conceal her diversion of the medications.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations (BNI) of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke prosecuted the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Javier Correa, age 40, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Correa admitted to possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and a firearm in April 2021, during a search of his Scranton residence by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case was investigated by DEA, the Scranton Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Parole officers.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.

The defendant faces a maximum of term of life 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.

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

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