Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Karin Breitlauch, age 58, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Linda Breitlauch, age 64, of Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, were each sentenced on May 20, 2022, to 12 months’ plus one day imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for failure to remit payroll taxes from their veterinary business. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Karin Breitlauch is a veterinarian who owns and operates Creature Comforts Veterinary Service in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Linda Breitlauch, her sister,  is the comptroller for the business.  Between 2013 and 2016, the Breitlauchs withheld federal income taxes from their employees’ paychecks but failed to remit the withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service for tax quarters 2013 through 2016 and failed to pay the employer portion of the payroll taxes.  This money included Social Security payments that would benefit their employees. When some employees went to collect their Social Security benefits their earnings while employed at the veterinary clinic were not recorded with the Social Security Administration.  

The Breitlauchs were ordered to pay $2,486,495.99 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following their incarceration.  Judge Mannion ordered the Breitlauchs to surrender themselves to the Bureau of Prisons on July 29, 2022, to commence their sentence.  

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Amy B. Leister, age 55, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, was charged on May 18, 2022, by criminal Information with knowingly possessing and making a fake COVID-19 vaccine card. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information charges Leister with knowingly possessing and making an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccine card, specifically a fake COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, purportedly issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control to record medical information about vaccines purportedly received, and bearing the insignia of the Center for Disease Control.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel 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.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 6 months’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 19, 2022, Donna L. Summerlin, age 63, of Fortville, Indiana, was sentenced to 48 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Summerlin was convicted in June 2021, of accepting over $1.2 million from victims of cross-border advance-fee schemes following a seven-day jury trial.  Many of the identified victims were either elderly, deaf, or both.  In these schemes, victims were contacted through Facebook and told that they were winners of a “deaf lottery” or that they had been selected for special and exclusive government grants or other programs.  Summerlin herself is deaf, and the trial and other court proceedings were conducted with a team of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. 

In order to claim their supposed prize, grant, or other financial reward, victims were directed to prepay expenses such as taxes and customs fees.  Victims were persuaded to do so with the false promise of a much larger payoff.  After making an initial payment, victims were directed to make additional larger payments.  In some cases, fraudsters were successful at getting multiple payments from victims, who never received any financial reward. 

Fraudsters contacting potential victims through Facebook, email, and text messages used fake names and photographs to disguise themselves.  These fraudsters also took over the accounts of victims so that they could lure their friends into sending money and to reassure them of the scheme’s legitimacy when victims had doubts about participating.  Victims were instructed to send these payments to Summerlin, who worked as a “money mule” or intermediary for these fraudsters for approximately four years, from 2012 to 2016. 

At trial, the Government showed that Summerlin received over $1.2 million from over 100 people across the country and, in some cases, other countries such as Canada and Australia.  Victims mailed Summerlin checks, cash, and money orders.  They also wired her funds through bank-t-bank electronic wire transfers and sent her money through Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers.  The victims included a deaf elderly couple that resided in this District during the time period of the conspiracy.  The Government showed that this couple sent Summerlin around $500,000, depleting their life savings.

After receiving these funds, Summerlin rapidly withdrew them from the more than 40 bank accounts she used for these activities.  Typically, she wired a portion of the funds to coconspirators in Nigeria and Great Britain.  She also made large cash withdrawals, which were used to send funds to coconspirators and for personal use.  Finally, she sent a large number of Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers to many of the same recipients in Nigeria and Great Britain. 

Evidence at trial showed that Summerlin retained funds received from fraud victims for personal use as well.

In addition to the prison term, Summerlin was ordered to serve a term of supervised release of two years following her release from prison and to pay $723,436.57 in restitution to victims of the fraud scheme.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ravi Romel Sharma and Carlo D. Marchioli represented the United States at trial.  The case was previously handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea Schinnour and Kim Douglas Daniel. 

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Riley, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a United States Postal Service employee, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on mail theft charges.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Riley stole approximately 28 items of mail, in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, between August 23 and December 15, 2021.

Those who believe that they may have been affected during this period may make a report on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website at https://www.uspsoig.gov/hotline.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating 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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Rodriguez-Pagan, age 28, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Rodriguez-Pagan purchased eight handguns falsely claiming that they were for himself when in fact they were not.  The purchases occurred in Lebanon and Dauphin Counties between July 2021 and December 2021. The indictment also alleges that Rodriguez Pagan was engaged in the unlicensed business of dealing in firearms.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Fireworks and Explosives  (ATF) and the Lebanon County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating 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 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.

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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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gontaryk stole over $1,000 worth of construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2021.  The following day, he sold copper and brass construction materials that he had stolen at a metal scrapyard located in Pottsville, PA.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for theft of government money, property, or records is 10 years’ imprisonment. This charge may also carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Duwayne Brown, age 41, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to 33 months’ imprisonment, and Andrew Henry, age 48, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, to 18 months’ imprisonment, for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Brown and Henry previously pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine, cocaine base, or “crack,” and heroin.  The two men worked to obtain and sell drugs in Luzerne County with Michael Rinaldi, who was previously sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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 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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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Charles R. Ehrenberg, age 34, owner of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 6 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 months’ home confinement with electronic monitoring and a 2-year term of supervised release, for failing to collect and pay over several years’ worth of required federal payroll taxes.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, for a four-year period from 2017 to 2020, Ehrenberg willfully failed to collect and pay over to the IRS required federal payroll taxes in the total amount of $185,681.90.  By paying his labor force, which was comprised mostly of undocumented immigrants, an all-cash wage, and by failing to properly account for and pay over any required payroll taxes, Ehrenberg deprived the government of substantial tax revenue.  At sentencing, Ehrenberg was also ordered to make restitution to the IRS in the amount of $185,681.90.       

The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case. 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathan Lee Debus, age 42, of Dover, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with possession and receipt of child pornography.        

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Debus with receipt and possession of child pornography involving a minor under 12 years of age, between October 1, 2021 and May 12, 2022, in York County. The indictment alleges that the conduct occurred subsequent to Debus’ Pennsylvania state conviction in the York County Court of Common Pleas for unlawful contact with minors and statutory sexual assault. 

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford 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 for these offenses is up to 60 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.       A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Abrams, age 39, of Easley, South Carolina, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on wire and mail fraud, identity theft, money laundering, unlawful monetary transactions, obstruction of justice, and false statement offenses.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Abrams, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of EthosGen LLC, provided forged documents and false information to induce several investors to invest $1,100,000 in his company.  Abrams allegedly provided the potential investors with forged tax returns, false financial records, forged contracts with purported customers of EthosGen LLC, and a forged intellectual property license.  The forged documents and false information inflated EthosGen LLC’s revenues, business activity, and profitability, thereby making it a more attractive investment.  In addition to 19 charges of wire fraud and mail fraud, Abrams also faces five charges of aggravated identity theft, for forging signatures and using other individuals’ personal information on forged documents, without their authorization.

The indictment also alleges that Abrams concealed his scheme by providing forged bank account statements and false information to EthosGen LLC’s Chief Financial Officers and accounting professionals.  Abrams is accused of using over $792,000 of the investors’ money to purchase a personal residence in South Carolina.  To conceal his financial activities, Abrams alleged laundered $700,000 of the funds through a series of bank accounts under his control, before purchasing the residence.  Abrams faces 13 charges of money laundering and unlawful financial transactions for his illicit financial activities.

Abrams also is accused of lying to his investors and former Chief Financial Officer that he had used the funds to purchase company inventory for EthosGen LLC.  He allegedly provided investors with falsified company reports and accounting records to corroborate his misrepresentations about the use of the investment funds.

The indictment further alleges that, upon becoming aware of the Internal Revenue Service’s criminal investigation of Abrams, he took several steps to obstruct the investigation.  Namely, he is accused of creating false documents and accounting records that purported to classify his embezzlement of investor funds as a shareholder loan, and faces four counts of obstruction of justice.  He further was charged with seven counts of providing false statements to federal investigators, by lying about purchasing inventory for EthosGen LLC, claiming that EthosGen LLC owed him $800,000, stating that he provided his investors with truthful information when they evaluated his company during a due diligence process, and claiming ignorance about the origin of multiple forged contracts that he sent to investors.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of the funds Abrams secured from investors during the scheme, and of the residence he purchased with them in South Carolina.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses are 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  The aggravated identity theft charges carry mandatory, consecutive two-year minimum sentences of imprisonment.  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 Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Nazim Hassam, age 70, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 2022 to 60 months in prison and a $150,000 fine for drug trafficking offenses. 

Judge Mannion also sentenced Om Sri Sai, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, to five years of Probation for sex and drug trafficking violations and ordered the company to forfeit $2 million to the government. Judge Mannion also sentenced the Pocono Plaza Inn, formerly known as the Quality Inn, located in Stroudsburg, to five years of Probation and a $50,000 fine for maintaining a drug-related premises.

Hassam and the two hotel companies, along with co-defendant Faizal Bhimani, were convicted of sex trafficking and drug trafficking charges after a two-week jury trial in Scranton, Pennsylvania in October 2020.

According to United States John C. Gurganus, Om Sri Sai, Inc., a company that owned and operated a Howard Johnson hotel located at 1779 N. 9th St., Bartonsville, and Faizal Bhimani, the general manager of that hotel, were both convicted of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion and Aiding and Abetting the same, and Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, as well as Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Managing a Drug-Related Premises.  The jury also found the Pocono Plaza Inn guilty of Managing a Drug-Related Premises, and Nazim Hassam, part-owner and Vice President of Om Sri Sai and managing shareholder of both hotels, guilty of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and two counts of Managing a Drug-Related Premises.

The jury further found that all property owned by Om Sri Sai, Inc. was property that facilitated the company’s sex trafficking and drug trafficking crimes and was therefore subject to criminal forfeiture. The company reached an agreement with the government to pay over a cash forfeiture in the amount of $2 million as a substitute asset in lieu of the company’s property.

Bhimani was previously sentenced to 180 months in prison. Judge Mannion also ordered Om Sri Sai, Inc. to pay restitution totaling $277,630 to two sex trafficking victims.  Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, restitution to victims is mandatory. The restitution in this case represents the value to the defendant and coconspirators of commercial sex services rendered, costs of future trauma counseling, medical expenses, and other costs incurred as a result of the trafficking.

These convictions marked the culmination of a six-year, joint investigation into sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and violent crime in Monroe County by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  This case began in 2014 with an FBI investigation into the Black P Stone gang, a set of the Bloods that was responsible for gun violence and drug trafficking in Monroe County at the time.  Local agencies, including the Stroud Area Regional Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, joined the effort early on, and eventually expanded beyond the P Stones to uncover more widespread sex and drug trafficking in Monroe County. 

The evidence at trial, presented through more than 35 witnesses and over 150 exhibits, established that the Howard Johnson Hotel in Bartonsville was a safe haven for criminal activity between 2011 and 2019.  Bhimani, as manager of the Howard Johnson, made rooms available for sex traffickers and drug dealers, and at times took payment for the hotel directly from the proceeds of criminal activity.  Hassam, Bhimani, and others placed criminal actors in the rear, first-floor hallway of the Howard Johnson to shield their activities from view from the street and from non-criminal guests.  Evidence showed that Hassam accepted direct payment at times from drug traffickers and at times did not enter those individuals into the hotel’s computer records. Testimony established that Hassam was notified by employees of criminal activity, but instructed them not to call police. Police officers testified that Hassam’s hotels were considered high-crime areas and that they responded to at least six overdoses at the two hotels, at least one of which resulted in death.

Bhimani also traded discounted and free rooms for sex, which sex traffickers would direct their victims to provide.  Dozens of women were compelled by multiple traffickers, sometimes called pimps, to engage in commercial sex in the hotel either by physical force, threats, false promises, or coercion, including through blackmail and drug addiction.  Women who were addicted to heroin, crack, or other controlled substances were provided with just enough drugs to keep them working, and pimps used their addictions and the threat of withdrawal to control them.  Several admitted sex traffickers testified at the trial, explaining how they used these various methods to compel women to sell sex and turn over all of the proceeds.  Multiple survivors also testified that they were required to follow the traffickers’ rules, were forced to rely entirely on the traffickers for food, clothing, even hygiene products, and they were often punished for violations with violence, including sexual assault.

Bhimani was closely associated with several of these traffickers, the evidence showed, and knew of the methods used to compel the victims to have sex for money.  Other employees at the hotel knew as well, and the evidence showed that at least two other employees engaged in sex with victims, including Hassam.  Bhimani also warned sex traffickers and drug dealers when law enforcement were present at the hotel, including during the manhunt for Eric Frein in 2014.  Several admitted sex traffickers and drug dealers testified to successfully evading detection by police thanks to warnings from Bhimani.  The hotel allowed known criminals to check in under assumed names or even street names, and Bhimani and Hassam both took steps to obstruct police efforts to locate suspects.

The Court found that Hassam knew about the criminal activity at his hotels, directed employees not to turn drug dealers and drug users away, and actively allowed criminal actors to rent rooms at the hotels so he could make money.  The Court also concluded that Hassam testified falsely at trial and enhanced his sentencing guidelines accordingly for Obstruction of Justice.

In all, forty defendants have been convicted federally as a result of this investigation, many of whom trafficked women and drugs in the Bartonsville Howard Johnson and the Pocono Plaza Inn.  Other defendants have been charged and convicted in state courts.  The investigation has resulted in the dismantlement of the P Stones as well as a second gang, the Brick City Brims, and the disruption of two more, the Blood Stone Villains and the Bloodhound Brims.  Investigators have seized multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine, as well as quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), methamphetamine, marijuana, and MDMA (“molly”), and took at least 10 illegal firearms off the streets. 

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  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 case was investigated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean A. Camoni and Jenny Roberts.

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

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaime Ryan Chorba, age 46, of Archbald, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography before United States District Court Judge Malachy Mannion on May 12, 2022.  No date has been set for sentencing.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on February 22, 2022, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Chorba alleging that on April 1, 2016, Chorba produced child pornography and used the internet to entice a minor to participate in its production.  The superseding indictment also alleged that between June 3, 2016, and November 16, 2020, Chorba received images of child pornography and he also allegedly possessed images of prepubescent minors under the age of twelve, including images depicting himself with the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Philadelphia Division and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny 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."

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 for this offense is 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of 15 years.  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.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Caraballo, age 37, an inmate at USP Canaan, formerly of Vermont, was sentenced yesterday, by U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, to serve an additional sixty-three months’ imprisonment for assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Caraballo previously pleaded guilty to assaulting another inmate at USP Canaan with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.”  Caraballo also previously admitted to possessing the metal “shank,” which is contraband in a federal prison.  The incident occurred in February 2017.   

Judge Mariani ordered that the sentence run consecutive, or in addition to, a drug trafficking sentence Caraballo is presently serving from the District of Vermont.

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

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Justin William Davis, age 39, of Berwick, PA, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to Aggravated Identity Theft, as part of a so-called mail “fishing” scheme.  Individuals involved in the scheme used improvised devices to pull mail from United States Post Office collection boxes in the hope of stealing checks and other valuable instruments which are then either cashed or deposited into the bank accounts of co-conspirators for later withdrawal.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal Information to which Davis pleaded guilty alleges that Davis unlawfully used the personal identification information, including the name and bank account number of another person, in the course of committing a bank fraud, by attempting to deposit into the account of the other person a high value check that he had “fished” from a collection box.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.

Davis faces a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $250,000, as a result of his guilty plea to the offense.  

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Devro Hebron, age 38, of the District of Columbia, yesterday to 24 months’ imprisonment for the offense of Attempted Provision of Contraband to an Inmate.  The 24-month sentence must run consecutively to the federal prison sentence that Hebron was already serving at the time of the offense.   

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on January 19, 2019, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, located in Waymart, PA, and with the assistance of a prison visitor, Hebron attempted to smuggle Suboxone, an opiate and narcotic drug, into the prison, as part of a plan to sell the Suboxone strips for profit to other inmates.  Hebron was discovered in the act after being observed by prison staff to place an unknown object into his mouth while meeting with his visitor in the prison visiting area.  Hebron’s visitor, Sierra Lynn Holland, was separately prosecuted and convicted for her role in providing Hebron with the contraband.       

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

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Adrian Hernandez-Gutierrez, age 36, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, yesterday to 24 months’ imprisonment and a one year term of supervised release, for the crimes of Aggravated Identity Theft, Social Security Account Number Fraud and Illegal Reentry of a Removed Alien.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on March 4, 2021, Hernandez-Gutierrez, a previously deported alien, was arrested in Hazleton, PA.  Further investigation revealed that Hernandez-Gutierrez fraudulently used the identity of a United States citizen, including a counterfeit social security card, to obtain a Pennsylvania Driver’s License.  Hernandez-Gutierrez then went on to use the stolen identity and the fraudulently obtained ID card to cash thousands of dollars in checks, thereby assisting his employer, the owner of a Hazleton, PA-based roofing company, in maintaining an all cash payroll that, in turn, allowed his employer to avoid employment tax responsibilities.  The employer, Charles Ehrenberg of Ehrenberg Roofing and Construction, Inc., was separately prosecuted and has pleaded guilty to criminal tax violations.      

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS-Criminal Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rauon Gordon, age 28, an inmate at FCI Allenwood, was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawful possession of prohibited objects by a federal prison inmate. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Gordon knowingly possessed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, a Schedule III controlled substance and narcotic.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel are assigned to prosecute the case.

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

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 for this offense is 20 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.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Thomas Burton, age 46, an inmate at the United States Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband in prison.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Burton was found in possession of marijuana on February 25, 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 case.

Burton 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.

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 today that George May, age 23, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that May was found in possession of a sharpened piece of metal, commonly referred to as a “shank” on March 30, 2022. 

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

If convicted, May 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.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Clayvon Givens, age 33, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing contraband in prison. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Givens was found in possession of metal razor on March 15, 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 case.

The defendant 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.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tremec Jeffries, age 46, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill in Minersville, PA, was charged by a criminal information with unlawfully possessing a cell phone in federal prison. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that on April 27, 2022, Jeffries possessed a cell phone.  Federal law makes the possession of a cell phone by a prison inmate illegal out of security concerns that arise from unmonitored calls.

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 1 year of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced David Sandoval, age 21, of Anaheim, California, yesterday to 60 months’ imprisonment and a 5-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 John C. Gurganus, on January 28, 2019, while in route to a drug exchange in Pottsville, PA, Sandoval was arrested and found to be in possession of two large duffle bags containing approximately 3 kilograms of Heroin.  Further investigation revealed that Sandoval, a courier for the drug trafficking organization, had made numerous prior trips from California to major East Coast cities like New York and Boston, each time transporting a significant quantity of controlled substances, which he would then pass on to co-conspirators in those cities for local distribution.      

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

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.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nari T. Lam, age 29, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged in a criminal Information on May 10, 2022, with failing to remit employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the Information alleges that from 2016 through 2020, Lam, the owner of Pennsylvania-based temporary staffing company, Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS.

One other individual, Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, was previously charged in this investigation.  Holmes pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of a Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two temporary staffing companies, one of which was Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees.  The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer.

Holmes also pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS for a separate temporary staffing company, Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, that he owned and operated with other coconspirators.  From March 2018 through December 2020, Holmes and his coconspirators allegedly failed to pay approximately $135,000 in employment taxes owed by Encore Staffing Solutions LLC to the IRS.  Holmes awaits sentencing.

The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

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

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 Quran Geddy, age 26, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann, for his role in distributing fentanyl in Lycoming County.

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Geddy was a founder and leader of the Williamsport “400 Gang” a/k/a “WAM Gang,” that distributed fentanyl in Lycoming County.  At the hearing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted Geddy’s multiple prior drug-related convictions and continual criminal conduct despite periods of incarceration and court supervision.

Co-defendant, Darnell Cotton, 26, of Williamsport previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for his role in distributing fentanyl in Lycoming County.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  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.

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

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 4, 2022, Itcace Abramovici, age 72, of Montreal, Quebec, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner following his conviction for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Judge Conner also ordered Abramovici to make restitution to victims in the amount of $461,886.49, and to serve one year of supervised release following his release from prison.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Abramovici played a leadership role in a Montreal-based telemarketing and money laundering organization that targeted elderly victims in the United States, including those living in central Pennsylvania.  Abramovici and his co-conspirators informed prospective victims that they had won a substantial amount of money in a lottery or sweepstakes and then directed those victims to send money in order to obtain their winnings.  The victims’ payments were falsely characterized as taxes, customs fees, processing fees, and legal and insurance fees. None of the victims received any money, and many of their losses were substantial, with more than $460,000 in victim losses being attributed to Abramovici’s role in the fraud, and with losses to victims of the broader fraud at more than $1.3 million.  As part of his guilty plea, Abramovici admitted to playing a leadership role in the scheme.  The investigation that led to Abramovici’s prosecution identified at least 17 individual victims.

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

# # #  

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 5, 2022, federal inmate John Alexander Townsend, age 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle, for possessing a cellphone in prison. Following the guilty plea, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arbuckle sentenced Townsend to one month imprisonment, to run consecutive to Townsend’s 186-month prison term for a series of armed robberies in Philadelphia.  Townsend also lost 54 days of good time and spent 30 days in disciplinary segregation for possessing the cellphone.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on May 10, 2021, a corrections officer’s metal detector alerted on Townsend at the Low Security Correctional Institution, Allenwood.  Staff then searched Townsend and found a Samsung cellphone and charger hidden in a pocket stitched on the inside of Townsend’s prison uniform.  Federal law prohibits inmates from possessing cellphones due to the institutional security risks posed by their use.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Darryl Corradini, age 63, was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 18 months’ imprisonment for a bank fraud and money laundering scheme that included nearly $300,000 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 John C. Gurganus, Corradini pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy involving his codefendant, Vicki Hackenberg, age 57, and others.  Corradini created a shell corporation, CGM Realty LLC, and opened bank accounts and a Bitcoin trading account in the corporation’s name, by using false and forged documents.  The conspirators used the accounts to receive over $135,000 in fraudulently obtained funds, and over $296,000 from a PPP loan that was obtained with false and forged documentation.  That documentation included false information and certifications about CGM Realty LLC’s employee payroll obligations, and intention to use the funds for approved purposes, when in fact CGM Realty LLC had no employees or legitimate business operations.  Forged IRS documentation also was included with the PPP application, containing false information about CGM Realty LLC’s nonexistent payroll obligations.

Over $350,000 of the fraudulent proceeds was used to purchase Bitcoins, a type of cryptocurrency.  Although Corradini and Hackenberg were to each receive $40,000 for their participation in the offense, they ultimately received less than $10,000 of the fraudulent proceeds.

During sentencing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted Corradini’s lies to law enforcement officials and concealment of a separate bank account used to receive fraudulent proceeds.  In addition to the Corradini’s sentence of imprisonment, Chief Judge Brann also ordered him to perform 20 hours of community service, and to pay $431,289 to the victims of his crimes.  That restitution obligation is shared by Hackenberg, who previously was sentenced by Chief Judge Brann to serve 12 months’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by agents with the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division.  The matter 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.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jason Michael Herman, age 39, of Pine Grove, PA, was sentenced on May 5, 2022, to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, during the Fall of 2020, Herman uploaded 9 videos (or approximately 675 images) of child pornographic content onto an internet-based social media application, including images showing the abuse of minors under the age of 12, and sent the videos to other users.  At the time of this offense, Herman had a prior 2007 New Jersey conviction for possessing child pornography, the existence of which resulted in an enhancement of his federal sentence to a mandatory term of imprisonment of 120 months.  At sentencing, Judge Mariani also ordered that Herman comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John 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 justice.gov/psc.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cory O’Connor, age 33, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 4 years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, O’Connor previously pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.  During an October 2020 execution of a search warrant at O’Connor’s residence, approximately 112 grams of methamphetamine was seized. O’Connor also admitted that he had earlier possessed a firearm in connection with this case.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, and the Scranton Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Gallagher 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Luis Mercado, age 44, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 10 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for fraudulently claiming pandemic unemployment assistance funds. Mercado was also ordered to pay $37,555 in restitution.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Mercado began claiming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in August 2020 despite being employed with the United States Department of Agriculture as a poultry inspector. Mercado falsely claimed that he was unemployed due to the pandemic or a major disaster, and he received benefits based on this false claim. Mercado reaffirmed his unemployment status on a weekly basis and ultimately received $37,555 in fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits. Mercado pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud based on his course of conduct.

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 case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

# # #

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eric Banks, age 42, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 270 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for drug-trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, following a four-day trial in October 2021, a jury found Banks guilty of conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearms as a previously convicted felon.  The trial evidence showed that Banks distributed significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine in the York area in 2017 and 2018.  In January 2018, during the execution of a search warrant at Banks’ York residence, law enforcement recovered drugs, drug-packaging materials, and three loaded handguns.  Two of the handguns had been reported stolen. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the York County Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli and Christian T. Haugsby 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 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Sam Duong, age 48, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with failing to withhold and pay employment taxes. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that between March 2015 and June 2018, Duong failed to pay approximately $784,475 in employment taxes for his company ETS, Inc.  The company was located in Harrisburg and provided temporary staffing.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, 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 and Criminal 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 today that United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Kearon Brinson, age 42, formerly of West Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, to 41 months of imprisonment, and Lamont Hubbard, age 51, formerly of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to a time served sentence of approximately 26 months of imprisonment.  Both men were incarcerated on the offenses while pending their sentencings.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Brinson and Hubbard previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic between 40 grams and 160 grams of fentanyl between January 2019 and February 2020.  That quantity of fentanyl is the equivalent of approximately 20,000 to 80,000 potentially lethal individual doses of fentanyl.  The defendants also forfeited assorted ammunition and over $3,500 seized by law enforcement during the investigation.

In addition to Brinson and Hubbard, five other Luzerne County men have been charged and convicted in the broader investigation, for various fentanyl, cocaine, and tramadol trafficking offenses, including fentanyl trafficking that resulted in death:

1. James Tindol, Jr., age 38, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl that resulted in death;
2. James Garris, Jr., age 52, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl that resulted in death;
3. Emilio Tejeda, age 33, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl;
4. Edwin Tejeda, age 31, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, which resulted in death, and awaits sentencing; and
5. Jose Raymer Tejeda, age 37, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, which resulted in death, and awaits sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Luzerne Country Drug Task Force, and the Kingston Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

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.

This case also 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty yesterday of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking after a three-week trial before United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.  The jurors deliberated for approximately three hours before rendering a guilty verdict on all counts.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the charges against Coles 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 one 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 trial established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with Coles and had been previously assisting him with his drug distribution operation.  Coles learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Intermediaries 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. 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. All were murdered to prevent them from cooperating and from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at that time. The killers never found any money on the property.

The evidence also established that Coles was involved in trafficking significant amounts of heroin and crack cocaine in Chambersburg, PA, Hagerstown, MD and elsewhere. The jury found that two individuals to whom Coles distributed heroin suffered serious bodily injury when they overdosed on the heroin Coles supplied and had to be resuscitated by the administration of Narcan. Finally, the jury found Coles guilty of using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking activities.

“This is one of the most disturbing and violent cases in this Division’s history.  The fact that all three victims were shot in the head with their hands restrained and then set on fire shows how utterly deplorable these murders were,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “Coles was the one who contracted for these murders to occur due to Chaney’s cooperation with the DEA.  Let me be clear; anyone who attempts to intimidate, harm, or murder a witness will feel the full wrath and weight of a federal criminal prosecution.” 

“We would like to thank all of the personnel within the department and our local, state and federal partners who worked tirelessly on this case,” said Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H Captain Mark Magyar. “The total team effort is a testament to what is needed to successfully investigate and prosecute a case of this magnitude.”

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

• 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; and
• Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire 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.

Two other individuals, Torey White, age 30, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and Jerell Adgebesan, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland, are charged in connection with the investigation and are awaiting trial. 

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 penalty under federal law for several of these offenses is mandatory 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG, PA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that KCF Technologies, Inc., located in State College, PA, has agreed to pay the United States $1,226,436.14 to resolve civil liability for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

According to United States Attorney, John C. Gurganus, the investigation arose from KCF’s conduct with respect to various Department of Defense contracts.  It is alleged that KCF billed labor time spent on commercial contracts improperly to contracts it had both with the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Army between 2016 and 2019.

"Investigating procurement fraud allegations is a top priority for the DoD Office of the Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)," stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. "This settlement reflects our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to ensure contractors who misuse taxpayer funds are held accountable."

“NCIS and our federal law enforcement partners remain committed to ensuring the good stewardship of taxpayer dollars by rooting out procurement fraud at its source,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office.

In addition to DCIS and NCIS, the case was also investigated by the Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Scott Moreland.

KCF cooperated with the investigation.  This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by KCF, nor is it a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tamara Haken, and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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SCRANTON —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nathaniel Speaks, age 46, formerly of Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 28, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 210 months’ imprisonment for drug distribution resulting in death.  Speaks was also ordered to serve 4 years of supervised release upon release from custody.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Speaks previously pleaded guilty to drug distribution resulting in death.  Speaks admitted that on March 22, 2020, he sold fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, to a 50-year old female in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania, causing her death. 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Scranton, and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski 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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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Cox, age 35, an inmate at the United States Federal Penitentiary, Lewisburg (USP Lewisburg), was indicted on April 28, 2022, by a federal grand jury for possessing marijuana in prison.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Cox was found in possession of marijuana on November 15, 2021, during a search. 

The charges stem from an investigation by USP Lewisburg and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

The defendant faces a maximum penalty 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.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Steven Seibert, age 42, and Dennis Banegas, age 46, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were indicted on April 28, 2022, by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Seibert and Banegas with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine between October 2018 and January 2019, and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 7, 2019, in Dauphin County.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Seibert and Banegas face a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of up to life.  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.

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.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on April 27, 2022, Michael Muse, age 44, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to the charge of armed bank robbery.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Muse committed armed robbery of the ESSA Bank, located in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on September 16, 2021.  During the robbery Muse pointed what appeared to be a firearm (later discovered to be an air pistol) at the bank tellers. Muse stole approximately $9,031. 

Judge Mannion ordered that a presentence investigation take place.  Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI Safe Streets 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.

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

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Marchese, age 30, of Swoyersville, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on April 28, 2022, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than fifty grams of methamphetamine. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Marchese admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Luzerne County area in 2020. The charges stem from an investigation in May 2020 in which police obtained a search warrant for a residence where Marchese was residing in Swoyersville and seized crystal methamphetamine, a scale, drug packing materials, and $2245 in U.S. Currency.

The investigation was conducted by the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Kingston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  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 charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of forty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Derek T. Smith, age 54, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and previously of Maryland, was indicted on April 27, 2022, by a federal grand jury on escape charges.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on April 21, 2022, Smith escaped from custody of the Capital Pavilion Residential Reentry Center in Dauphin County, where he was confined following his conviction for Bank Robbery.  Following the escape, he was apprehended on April 23, 2022. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer 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 today that Gilbert Concepcion, age 44, formerly of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 26, 2022, to 70 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani.  Concepcion previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic crystal methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Concepcion admitted to distributing approximately 2.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with his coconspirators, between December 2014 and August 2015.  The crystal methamphetamine was determined by laboratory analysis to qualify as high purity “Ice,” or actual methamphetamine.

In addition to Concepcion, Donald Fritz, Jr., formerly of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, was previously convicted of crystal methamphetamine trafficking and firearms offenses during the course of this investigation.  Fritz was sentenced to 100 months of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo 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.

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Felix Enrique Carrion, age 49, of Dingman’s Ferry, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 94 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.  

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Carrion previously admitted that he conspired to distribute and distributed cocaine and other controlled substances, including valium and oxycodone.  Carrion was arrested by authorities after service of a search warrant at his residence resulted in the seizure of cocaine and drug packaging materials. 

Walter Valdivia, Jr. was also arrested at the time of the search at Carrion’s residence. Valdivia was convicted of being a felon in possession of a shotgun which he was reaching for at the time police secured entrance. Valdivia was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment in June 2021.

The case was investigated by the ATF and the Pike County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley 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 today that Kelvin Vazquez-Pagan, age 24, of Passaic, New Jersey, and Carlos Perez-Rivera, age 37, of West New York, New Jersey, were indicted on April 26, 2022, by a federal grand jury for cocaine trafficking. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Vazquez-Pagan and Perez-Rivera with possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine on March 23, 2022, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. 

The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian J. Gallagher are 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 charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum penalty under federal law is up to 40 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments 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 Jorice Williams Dennard, age 25, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty today before United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to mail fraud and identity theft offenses in connection with a scheme to unlawfully obtain Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the criminal Information to which Dennard pleaded guilty alleges that Dennard submitted a false application with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for PUA funds utilizing the personal identification information, including name, birth date, and social security number of another person.  The PUA program is administered by the various states, including Pennsylvania, but its benefits are funded in part by the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (or “CARES Act”).  The Information further alleges that Dennard also falsely provided a residential address in Jim Thorpe, PA on the same fraudulent application and then, on January 28, 2021, traveled to this address and to the Jim Thorpe Post Office in an effort to obtain a package addressed to his identity theft victim that contained a debit card in the victim’s name with a balance of over $14,000 in PUA funds.

This case stems from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.

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 maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 22 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  There is also a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of 2 years that attaches.  A sentence following a finding of guilt will be imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes.

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HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hannah Lapham, age 23, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 22, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to one year of probation for conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of firearms.  The term of probation includes three months of home confinement. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lapham previously admitted that she purchased a firearm in February 2021, for another individual who was prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm.  While making that purchase, Lapham falsely represented to the seller that she was the actual purchaser of the firearm.  Lapham also admitted that she later attempted to purchase two additional firearms for that same individual.

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.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the York County Drug Task Force, and the York City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.

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WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ira Sims, age 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy based in Williamsport. 

According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, Sims previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl from August 2019 to August 2020 in Williamsport. 

At the sentencing, Chief Judge Brann highlighted the way that fentanyl has ravaged this community and the country, along with the fact that Sims was being supervised for a prior drug-trafficking conviction when he engaged in the criminal conduct that led to his federal charges.

Six other co-defendants were previously sentenced and received the following:

• Braheem Lewis, age 24, was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment;
• Kevin Bryant, age 23, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment;
• Ethan Bailey, age 23, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment;
• Basil Arties, 27, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment;
• Damion Bethea, 26, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment; and
• Kenyon Bonaparte, 21, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment.

Co-defendants Angellitto Lawton and Jordan Watkins are awaiting trial.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  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.

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

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gilroy Stewart, age 52, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Stewart admitted to possessing twenty kilograms of cocaine for further distribution.  The charge stems from an incident on August 28, 2018, in which members of the Pennsylvania State Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle on Interstate Route 80 in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.  Stewart was the sole occupant of the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of twenty kilograms of cocaine found in a hidden compartment inside the vehicle.

The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  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 charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison.  The maximum penalty under federal law is up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following

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

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez, age 35, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 22, 2022, to 70 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Jimenez-Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine.   On February 23, 2020, Jimenez-Rodriguez was intercepted while driving a tractor trailer in Conyngham, Pennsylvania.  Investigators searched the cab of the truck and found a duffel bag containing what laboratory analysis later revealed to be approximately seven kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of fentanyl.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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 Tyevhon King, age 35, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, was charged by a criminal information on April 22, 2022, for unlawfully possessing a cell phone.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the information alleges that on July 16, 2021, King possessed a cellphone.  Federal law makes the possession of cell phones by an inmate in prison illegal out of security concerns that arise from unmonitored calls.

The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Federal Bureau of Investigations. United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is one year of imprisonment.    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.

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

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