Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 29, 2021, Dimitriy Maltsev, age 41, of Milford, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, federal authorities conducted two controlled multi-gram purchases of cocaine before securing a federal search warrant for Maltsev’s residence in Milford.  Upon executing the search warrant, authorities seized 390 grams of cocaine, 10 pounds of marijuana, hashish, liquid THC, psilocybin mushrooms, $30,000 in cash, drug packaging materials, and a .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver.  Maltsev is a Ukrainian citizen residing in the United States as a Permanent Resident.

The case was investigated by the DEA in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pike County (Pennsylvania) Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Grier Woodall, age 43, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 29, 2021, to 27 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 6-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for fentanyl and cocaine trafficking.  Because Woodall engaged in this new criminal conduct while serving a term of federal supervised release, Judge Mannion also sentenced Woodall to a consecutive 41 month term of imprisonment on the supervised release violation, resulting in a total aggregate sentence of 68 months.     

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, from approximately January 2019 to September 2019, Woodall possessed with the intent to distribute both fentanyl and cocaine.  Woodall engaged in this conduct while he was serving a term of federal supervised released that had been imposed in connection with a prior 2005 140-month sentence for his conviction of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St. John prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 28, 2021, James J. Peperno, Jr., age 57, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury with various bribery, money laundering, and perjury offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Peperno solicited cash payments and debt forgiveness from a local business owner, to provide to Robert Semenza, Jr., the former President of the Old Forge Borough Council.  Peperno allegedly provided and promised cash and future employment to Semenza, in exchange for Semenza performing and promising to perform official acts, between November 2018 and October 2020.  In particular, the official acts were in connection with a civil litigation filed by Old Forge Borough against the local business owner, in a dispute over Old Forge zoning ordinances.

Semenza allegedly agreed, in exchange for cash payments, to vote on the local business owner’s behalf in matters before the Old Forge Borough Council, to advocate on behalf of the local business owner with the Old Forge Borough Council, the Old Forge Borough Solicitor, and Old Forge zoning officials, and to propose a favorable resolution for the civil litigation to the Old Forge Borough Council and Solicitor, among other things.

Peperno allegedly kept a portion of the cash payments paid by the local business owner, depositing them in a bank account in his parents’ name.  Peperno was charged with a bribery conspiracy, with two counts of federal program bribery, two counts of honest services wire fraud, violating the Travel Act, and two counts of money laundering.

Peperno also was charged with false statements and perjury, in connection with an outstanding restitution obligation owed from a prior federal conviction.  Peperno allegedly claimed, in a written filing and when testifying under oath, that he did not have any income or access to any bank accounts, despite receiving approximately $6,000 from the local business owner, some of which he deposited in his parents’ bank account.

Peperno is the second individual charged in this investigation.  Robert Semenza, Jr., pleaded guilty in June 2021 to federal program bribery, and awaits sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.

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 the most serious 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.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Raymond Kraynak, age 64, of Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on September 23, 2021, before Chief United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to 12 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. The guilty plea occurred after 13 days of trial testimony in the Williamsport federal courthouse and after the government rested its case-in-chief.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Kraynak pled guilty to 12 counts of unlawful distribution and dispensing of a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose.  Kraynak also admitted that the Schedule II narcotic opioid drugs that he prescribed resulted in the deaths of five of his patients. Under the terms of his plea agreement, and if accepted by the Court, Kraynak will be sentenced to a 15 year term of imprisonment on each of the twelve counts he pleaded guilty to and the sentences will run concurrently. Kraynak also faces a fine of $1 million, and a maximum term of supervised release for up to life.

Kraynak was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 20, 2017, in a 19-count indictment charging unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, causing the death of five patients by the unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, and maintaining two drug-involved premises, one in Mt. Carmel and the other Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Kraynak stopped seeing patients and surrendered his license in December 2017 when he was arraigned in federal court on the indictment.

Kraynak operated two offices, one in Mt. Carmel and the other in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, both known as Keystone Family Medicine Associates, and prescribed approximately 9.5 million units of oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxycontin and fentanyl to patients between January 2014 and July 31, 2017. The prosecution evidence included testimony from DEA analysts that Kraynak was the top prescriber of opioids in Pennsylvania in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and during those years prescribed more opioids than both the Veterans Medical Center in Pittsburgh and the Veterans Hospital in Philadelphia.

The prosecution’s evidence at trial also included testimony by a medical expert that Kraynak continued to prescribe high doses of opioids despite knowing that patients had previously been treated for drug overdoses, respiratory problems and other medical conditions increasing the risks of overdose and death.

The prosecution’s evidence also established that Kraynak, in prescribing these opioids to multiple patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, and did so without conducting a proper medical examination, inadequately verifying the patient’s medical complaint, and failing to assess the risk of abuse by individual patients. 

“When this case was indicted in 2017 former Attorney General Jeff Sessions described Kraynack’s behavior as ‘unconscionable’,” stated Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. Former AG Sessions further stated that “we will take this fight to street dealers, corrupt doctors, and the companies that helped fuel this devastating crisis.” The Department of Justice continues this fight under the leadership of Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Middle District of Pennsylvania is proud to be a part of it.”

“Dr. Kraynak’s criminal acts are especially reprehensible as his unlawful distribution of powerful painkillers resulted in the death of five people,” said Thomas Hodnett, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “His total and utter disregard of his professional and ethical obligations as a doctor and care of his patients was sickening.”   

"Dr. Kraynak recklessly funneled millions of units of opioids into Shamokin neighborhoods, continuing to fuel an epidemic that takes the lives of 14 Pennsylvanians every day," said Attorney General Shapiro. "We're working closely with our federal partners to combat this crisis that continues to destroy Pennsylvania families and communities."

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Mt. Carmel Borough Police Department, Shamokin Police Department, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health, Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office, the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office, and Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William Behe and George Rocktashel prosecuted the case. 

# # #

HARISBURG –Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler announced that the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded $600,000 to “Centre Safe” to help combat domestic violence and support survivors. “Centre Safe” is a private, not-for-profit agency located in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

OVW’s grant to Centre Safe’s Civil Legal Representation Project (CLRP) will provide legal services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, in civil litigation including divorce, custody, support, housing, and Title IX matters.   The grant will support the CLRP’s work to reduce vulnerability and mitigate the lifelong effects of domestic violence and sexual assault. These expert legal services help survivors move toward family stability and economic independence. Additionally, these funds will allow for travel throughout Centre County to assure that those in more rural areas have increased access to legal services.

“This substantial grant will improve the lives of many victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Brandler. “I am very pleased to join with OVW and Centre Safe in empowering survivors and stabilizing families.”

“We are so pleased to receive this grant from OVW,” said Anne Ard, Executive Director of Centre Safe.  “Legal services are critical for survivors of domestic and sexual violence as they work to build new lives for themselves and their children and this grant will allow the CLRP to enhance and expand its assistance to those survivors.”

“The awards we are making this year will touch the lives of millions of survivors of violence and help our nation end these devastating crimes,” said Allison Randall, OVW Acting Director. “OVW is proud to be the leading federal voice in the country’s fight against sexual and domestic violence.” 

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

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 21, 2021, Walter Pruitt, age 34, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Michael Cox, age 38, of Brooklyn, New York were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on August 5, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Pruitt and Cox conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.      

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scranton Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.

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.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christina Covey, age 34, formerly of Drums, Pennsylvania, and Fredy Mendoza, age 33, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with fraudulently obtaining pandemic unemployment benefits between July and October 2020.

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

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Covey and Mendoza conspired to file false PUA applications on behalf of Mendoza and another inmate, seeking unemployment benefits for both of them by claiming that they were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and available to work, despite their incarceration on underlying federal drug trafficking charges.  The conspirators subsequently filed false weekly certifications required to continue receiving PUA benefits, ultimately securing tens of thousands of dollars, which were mailed in debit cards to Covey, prior to her own incarceration in the underlying federal drug trafficking case.  Covey also is charged with lying to federal agents about filing PUA applications for Mendoza and another inmate.

“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to unemployment insurance programs,” stated Syreeta Scott, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

The case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and by the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo 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.

Criminal 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 the most serious offenses 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.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that three men have been charged with federal drug trafficking crimes.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Scranton indicted Erwin Montes Deoca, age 27, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on charges alleging that he distributed cocaine and fentanyl in March and April 2021.   Additionally, federal criminal complaints were filed today alleging that Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca, age 27, and Jonathan Fontanez, age 36, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania  possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.  Law enforcement officers arrested the three individuals today and they appeared before United States Magistrate Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for their initial hearings on the charges. 

The arrests, in part, are the result of federal search warrants executed this morning at residences in Wilkes-Barre which resulted the following seizures:

• 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; over 3,000 pills of fentanyl; two handguns; tens of thousands of dollars;
• 10 Minden Place, Wilkes-Barre – approximately 100 grams of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; approximately 1,000 pills of fentanyl;
• 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre – approximately five kilograms of cocaine; tens of thousands of dollars; thousands of fentanyl pills.

Law enforcement agents arrested (1) Alan Kevin Robles Montes Deoca at 125 Waller Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; (2) Jonathan Orlando Fontanez at 10 Minden Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and (3) Erwin Montes Deoca at 39 Regent Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in connection with the service of the federal search warrants. 

"The allegations against these defendants, and the substantial amount of illegal drugs, cash, and guns that were recovered from the search warrants this morning, are indicative of the threat that drug-traffickers pose to our communities," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Hodnett of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  "I want to thank our partners at the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for our collaboration on this case.  Working partnerships like these are what lead to successful investigations." 

“The investigation is the result of the cooperative effort of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working within the Wilkes-Barre City and Luzerne County targeting drug trafficking and violent crime,” stated Chief Joseph Coffay, Wilkes-Barre City Police Department. “I personally appreciate the cooperation and effort from all of the investigators involved.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce crime.

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

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David DaSilva, age 33, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was indicted on September 14, 2021, by a federal grand jury for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that from July 2020 through September 1, 2021, in Pike County, DaSilva possessed two .22 caliber rifles and several rounds of ammunition while knowing he was illegally and unlawfully in the United States.

The case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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 these offenses 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 defendnt'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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charged Anthony Rodriguez-Ortiz, age 33, yesterday with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien, felon in possession of a firearm, illegal alien in possession of a firearm, possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of controlled substances. 

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Rodriguez-Ortiz was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in December 2013.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after December 2013 and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. When encountered, he, as an illegal alien and convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm, and fentanyl. He also had sold fentanyl on two previous occasions.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson.

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.

Rodriguez-Ortiz faces a maximum penalty of 40 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 14, 2021, Colton Oppel, 30, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on firearms charges.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in January 2020, Oppel, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions, possessed 25 firearms including handguns, rifles and shotguns, including a firearm with an obliterated serial number and a sawed-off shotgun.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Briar Creek Police Department and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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.

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 each count is 10 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.

###

HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg indicted James Lampley, 29, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on firearms charges.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in July 2021, Lampley, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior conviction, possessed a shotgun and a handgun with an obliterated serial number.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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.

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 each count is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

###

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Aaron Walter Gray, age 36, of Frackville, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Gray with possessing with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, and possessing a pistol with an obliterated serial number in furtherance of trafficking heroin.   The indictment further charges Gray with possessing two additional firearms and a quantity of ammunition while knowing that he had previously been convicted of a felony.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, the Snyder County District Attorney’s Office, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, and the Frackville Borough Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan 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.

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.

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 these offenses is life 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charged Joel Luis-Aguilar, age 53, with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Luis-Aguilar was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2014.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after April 2014 and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

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

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.

Luis-Aguilar faces a maximum penalty of 2 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today a federal grand jury in Harrisburg indicted Cody Drumheller, 28, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, on firearms charges.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that in July 2021, Drumheller, who is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions, possessed a handgun and two sawed-off shotguns.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur 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.

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 each count is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

###

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jean Quinones, age 26, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 9, 2021, to 24 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for cocaine trafficking.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Quinones previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion for attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.  Customs and Border Patrol Agents intercepted a package which had been mailed from the Virgin Islands to Scranton, Pennsylvania that contained a kilogram of cocaine.  Homeland Security Agents and U.S. Postal Inspectors arrested Quinones shortly after he picked up the package at a post office in Scranton.

The matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Customs and Border Patrol and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.

          * * *

HARRISBURG – Protecting our communities from violent crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a renewed comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy, which is built around four principles:

• Build trust and earn legitimacy in our communities;
• Invest in community-based prevention and intervention programs;
• Target enforcement efforts and priorities by identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of gun violence and other violent crime;
• Measuring the results of these efforts through a decrease in violent crime – not merely by arrests and convictions.

The core of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts continues to be Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  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.

“Violent crime is a problem in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and throughout the nation,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler.  “For many years our office has worked together with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime and we continuously update and revise our PSN strategy to improve our results.  I am pleased to update the public on our efforts and remain committed to making sure all citizens can live safely in our community.”

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has in place a multi-faceted program to reduce violent crime within the district.  Gun violence, driven mostly by drug trafficking or by neighborhood rivalries and gangs, is identified as the main problem in many of the larger more populated counties within the district. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office endeavors to disrupt violent crime by pursuing appropriate prison sentences and seeking forfeitures of crime-derived assets to deter dangerous individuals from continuing to disrupt our communities.  Through enforcement actions, prosecutions, and community partnerships, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works to lower violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.

Enforcement Strategy 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has long partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to collaboratively address violent crime in the district. These efforts include regular meetings with these agencies to exchange information about areas of mutual concern, including deconflicting pending investigations, as well as identifying violent offenders, local crime trends, and notable criminal events.

Criminal Division supervisors regularly meet with with District Attorneys from Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, state prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office, and supervisors from area Pennsylvania State Police barracks to strengthen ongoing partnerships to combat violent crime, including violence that is often associated with drug trafficking. The Criminal Division supervisors have also discussed with these state and local officials, strategies to combat violent crimes against children, including sex trafficking, child pornography offenses, and internet enticement crimes.

Violent crime and firearm investigations are supported by use of ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is a national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. This proven investigative and intelligence tool allows law enforcement to link firearms from multiple crime scenes and to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. Federal, state, and local law enforcement in the Middle District of Pennsylvania have used NIBIN to help solve violent crimes and prosecute gun offenders.

Prosecution Activity

The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains active in the fight against violent crime through various enforcement actions, prosecutions, and sentencings, as demonstrated by the recent examples below:

Firearms Prosecutions

• On April 2, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the York County District Attorney’s Office, and the York City Police Department announced a joint initiative (Operation Scarecrow) that targets individuals who illegally purchase and possess firearms in York County.  Operation Scarecrow’s focus is on individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction who use third parties (“straw parties”) to purchase firearms on their behalf. The Operation that began on January 20, 2021, has thus far resulted in 26 firearms being recovered in relation to straw purchasing violations. 

 

To date, seven individuals have been federally indicted with making false statements during the purchase of a firearm:

• Donte Christian, of Baltimore, MD, indicted on February 3, 2021;
• Jahzaire Jahzaire Gilliam, of York, indicted March 24, 2021;
• Hannah Lapham, of York, indicted March 24, 2021;
• Nijee Baskins, of York, indicted on March 31, 2021;
• Olivia Marie Johnson, of York, indicted on July 28, 2021;
• Alicia Lauren Butler-Sanchez, of Philadelphia, indicted on July 28, 2021;
• Deontrae Marquis Jackson, of Philadelphia, indicted on July 28, 2021.
   

• Bruce Redmond, of Dallas, was sentenced on September 1, 2021, to 46 months’ imprisonment for illegal possession of 58 firearms, 6,664 rounds of ammunition and methamphetamine trafficking.
   
• Akee Ly, of Lemoyne, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, to 262 months’ imprisonment for previously being convicted of a felony and using a third party to purchase multiple firearms on his behalf. 

• Sierra Benninger, age 26, of Mountaintop, was sentenced on June 29, 2021, to time served of 8 ½ months for providing false statements to purchase a Taurus 9mm handgun, which she was prohibited from possessing as a person who used and was addicted to a controlled substance.
   
• Walter Valdivia, Jr., of Matamoras, was sentenced on June 21, 2021, to 33 months’ imprisonment for possession of a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches.

Drug Prosecutions

• Omar Tollinchi-Torres, of Harrisburg, was charged on September 1, 2021, for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possessing a Glock model 23 .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol during and in relation to the attempted drug trafficking offense.
   
• On August 27, 2021, Tysheen Gott, of Wilkes-Barre, was found guilty following a jury trial of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol.  Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted.  All other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

• Michael Rinaldi, of Wilkes-Barre, was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment following a jury trial conviction in August 2021, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 6 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of cocaine base, 15 grams of heroin, and 48 pounds of marijuana.  Two additional co-defendants, Duwayne Brown and Andrew Henry, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
   
• On July 27, 2021, Modest Moreno, of Wilkes-Barre, was indicted for allegedly distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. The indictment also alleged that Modesto, a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Ruger handgun.

• The head of a drug trafficking organization, Charles Gibson, Jr., of Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on June 23, 2021, for conspiring to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl.  Members of the drug trafficking organization possessed firearms and engaged in acts of violence. Gibson was charged in June 2017 with 14 other individuals, who all pled guilty and received sentences ranging from 84 months’ imprisonment to probation.
   
• James R. Bell, of Newark, New Jersey was sentenced on June 21, 2021, to 240 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin which resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Monroe County man.
   
• Two Philadelphia men, Naim Taylor and Antwan Dozier, were indicted on June 10, 2021, for conspiring to distribute heroin to a network of drug sellers and users.
   

Robbery Prosecutions

• On March 5, 2021, Jimmy Carter, of Erie, was sentenced to 216 months’ imprisonment for robbing a Unimart convenience store and during the course of this robbery, Carter fired a handgun at the proprietor of the store.
   
• Gerard Gaffney of Mount Ranier, Maryland, was sentenced on April 26, 2021, to 84 months’ imprisonment for his role as the driver in an armed robbery of a Rite Aid pharmacy. A stolen firearm was recovered from codefendant, David Marable, who was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on July 21, 2020.

Community Partnerships

• Court Assisted Re-Entry (CARE) Program.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office actively participates in the CARE Program-- a four-phase program designed to aid the rehabilitation and re-integration of federal inmates recently released into the community under federal supervised release and who face a moderate to high-risk of recidivism.

 

The Middle District of Pennsylvania CARE Program operates in the Harrisburg, Scranton and Williamsport Courts, and has existed since 2009 as one of the first federal court reentry programs in the country.  The early efforts to support court-assisted reentry helped inspire the changes that took place in courts and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.

The CARE Program relies upon support from groundbreaking partnerships between public institutions and agencies as well as volunteer private entities and individuals to provide financial, educational, and health benefits to recently releases inmates. The U.S. Probation Office, the Federal Public Defenders and the U.S. Attorney’s Office participate in the program. The CARE Program offers an alternative program of supervision and a blend of treatment and support to effectively address offender behavior and rehabilitation. Most CARE participants have served multi-year prison sentences and face barriers to reintegration to the community.

• Group Violence Initiative (GVI).  In 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined community and law enforcement partners in York as part of the York Group Violence Initiative (GVI). GVI is designed to reduce street group–involved homicide and gun violence. GVI was pioneered by the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College. As the National Network’s website notes, GVI has repeatedly demonstrated that violence can be dramatically reduced when a partnership of community members, law enforcement, and social service providers directly engages with the small and active number of people involved in street groups and clearly communicates a credible moral message against violence, prior notice about the consequences of further violence, and a genuine offer of help for those who want it. A central method of communication is the call-in, a face-to-face meeting between group members and the strategy’s partners. The aim of the GVI strategy is to reduce peer dynamics in the group that promote violence by creating collective accountability, to foster internal social pressure that deters violence, to establish clear community standards against violence, to offer group members an “honorable exit” from committing acts of violence, and to provide a supported path for those who want to change. The focus at the beginning of 2020 was developing the Community Moral Voice of the GVI strategy. Though interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic, individuals are still being identified who will be “credible messengers” working in the neighborhoods on a daily basis to bring the “we want you safe, alive, and out of prison” message to group members. A partnership was formed working with WellSpan Health System to develop a Hospital Based Violence Intervention program to actively engage gun violence victims and their families. Most often these victims are also part of the groups that are involved in most of the violence in the city. The Hospital based strategy engages them at a vulnerable point where they are more receptive to engage the help that is offered. Also, as part of the effort to reduce the initial shootings, the York City Police Department developed a strong relationship with the York City 2020 Annual Report School Police to be proactive in addressing youth before they become involved in “street” activity. Statistically, there was a 34% reduction in group member involved incidents over 2019 and a 50% reduction year to date in criminal homicide incidents by firearm.
   
• Neighborhood Social Events. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has increased involvement in neighborhood social events conducive to law enforcement participation, including community walks and National Night Out.  Although the pandemic has temporarily slowed our efforts in this area, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will resume our hard work as the pandemic subsides.
   
• Project Safe Childhood.  In May 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the York County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation presented a Project Safe Childhood presentation of Keeping Children Safe & Secure Online to York County Southwestern School District parents and teachers. A variety of topics were covered including: Social Media/Apps, Gaming, Cyberbullying, Sexting, Sextortion, Internet Predators, and Being Safe & Secure Online.
   
  Our office has since been invited to present the Keeping Children Safe & Secure Online presentation as a “featured session” at the PA State Superintendents' Association (PASA) annual conference with the PA School Boards' Association (PSBA) on October 6, 2021.

           

# # #

 

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jimmy Tran, age 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with the unauthorized use, acquisition, and possession of benefits of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).           

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Tran, who owned and operated Asia Market in Harrisburg, unlawfully provided cash in exchange for SNAP benefits between January 2017 and August 2020.  The information further alleges that the value of the SNAP benefits exceeded $1.8 million. 

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

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.

# # #

Scranton - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 2, 2021, Danielle Moorer, age 36, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for her involvement in a conspiracy that distributed more than a 1,000 grams of heroin and other drugs throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties.  

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Moorer previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin (which is equivalent to more than 50,000 retail bags) between 2015 and 2018.  Moorer also admitted that she possessed firearms in connection with her drug trafficking activities.

Moorer’s conviction and sentence resulted from a federal investigation involving Moorer and her husband, Hakim Wilburn, as drug traffickers operating throughout Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties.  Wilburn previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and was sentenced to a term of 198 months’ imprisonment.

Federal agents also seized approximately $100,000 in cash from Moorer and Wilburn, which was forfeited as a resulted of their prosecution, along with multiple Rolex watches, vehicles, and four firearms. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and members of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce 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 that four previously deported aliens were indicted separately on September 1, 2021, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. These matters arose in counties throughout the District including Dauphin, Franklin, and Lackawanna.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Luis Mizhirumbay-Taquiri, age 42, was previously deported from the United States to Ecuador in June 2019.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2019 and was found in the United States in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Edwin Jeovany Sanchez-Ordonez, age 37, of Honduras, was charged by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.  Sanchez-Ordonez was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in June 2014.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2014 and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Hector Bienvenido Amador-Medina, age 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.  Amador-Medina was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in June 2018.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after June 2018 and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Mizhirumbay-Taquiri, Sanchez-Ordonez and Amador-Medina face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Rodrigo Cabrera-Tolentino, age 22, of Mexico, was charged by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.  Cabrera-Tolentino was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in November 2017.  He is alleged to have illegally reentered the United States again sometime after November 2017 and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Cabrera-Tolentino faces a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  

These matters were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson is prosecuting the case.

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.

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.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Stanley Bobula, age 63, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of child pornography. 

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Bobula was in possession of images containing sexual exploitation of children on January 23, 2021, in York County. The indictment further alleges that Bobula possessed the child pornography images using a computer or cell phone. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Probation Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. 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.

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 the offense charged in the indictment is 20 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the defendant if convicted. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Gershkoff, age 64, of North Providence, Rhode Island was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for conspiring to commit wire fraud, and for aggravated identity theft offenses. Judge Mannion also ordered Gershkoff to pay restitution of $385,352.19 to the victim of his crime.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Gershkoff was convicted of preparing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs at multiple automobile repair shops located in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, and for forging policy owners’ signatures.  The invoices were sent to and paid by an automobile warranty company in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  Gershkoff pleaded guilty on May 18, 2020, to causing between $250,000 and $550,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company. 

Three of Gershkoff’s coconspirators were convicted in this investigation:

1. Brian Larry, age 59, of Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania, was convicted on May 10, 2021, following a jury trial, of mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false statement offenses.  Larry was convicted of defrauding his former employer, the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, from approximately January 2014 through October 2018.  Larry also was convicted of stealing the personal information of warranty policy owners and providing it to his coconspirators, who created false invoices for nonexistent automobile repair work supposedly performed at various garages in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, including by forging the policy owners’ signatures on the paperwork.  The false and forged documentation was then sent to the warranty company, where Larry approved payment of the invoices.  During the course of the scheme, Larry and his coconspirators obtained approximately $400,000 paid out by the warranty company pursuant to the false invoices, including thousands of dollars in repair work for Larry’s personal vehicle that he charged to other policy owners.  The evidence at trial showed that Larry then falsified internal warranty company documents in an attempt to conceal his crimes.
2. Herman Cabral, age 62, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, and was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  Cabral was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, A Plus Auto Services.  Cabral pleaded guilty on July 23, 2019, to causing between $150,000 and $250,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and was ordered to pay over $211,644.03 in restitution.          
3. Jason Pannone, age 40, of North Providence, Rhode Island pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, and to aggravated identity theft, and was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release.  Pannone was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, Platinum Auto Services, and through Ultra Auto Services, where he was employed.  Pannone pleaded guilty on March 23, 2021, to causing between $95,000 and $150,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and was ordered to pay restitution of $128,667.16 to the victim of his crime

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Jeffrey Christopher Cerrato, age 21, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on January 14, 2021, in York County, Pennsylvania, Cerrato possessed with the intent to distribute approximately one pound of methamphetamine. 

The matter was investigated by the York City Police Department, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

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 for the distribution of a controlled substance offense is life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of incarceration, a term of at least 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $10,000,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

###

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Bruce Redmond, age 32, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 1, 2021, to 46 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for illegal possession of firearms and methamphetamine trafficking.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Redmond previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion and admitted to being an illegal user of controlled substances in possession of firearms and to the possession of methamphetamine for further distribution. The charges stem from an incident in which law enforcement authorities served search warrants at Redmond’s residence in Dallas and business office in Kingston and seized approximately 58 firearms, 6,664 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of methamphetamine.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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 on September 1, 2021, Omar Tollinchi-Torres, age 42, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on March 30, 2021, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Tollinchi-Torres attempted to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.  The indictment further alleges that Tollinchi-Torres was in possession of a Glock model 23 .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol during and in relation to the attempted drug trafficking offense. 

The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, along with United States Postal Inspectors.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

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 for the attempted distribution possession with the intent to distribute of a controlled substance offense as charged in the indictment is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $5,000,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime is life imprisonment, a term of 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

###

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Hayes D. Horner, Jr., age 67, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with perpetrating a wire fraud scheme to obtain and attempt to obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

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

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the Information alleges that Horner aided his coconspirators in obtaining and attempting to obtain over $400,000 in EIDL funds by opening two bank accounts that received EIDL funds obtained pursuant to fraudulent loan applications made in the names of other, unknowing individuals.  Horner allegedly withdrew over $58,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds, and attempted unsuccessfully to wire approximately $165,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds to other accounts under his coconspirators’ control.  Investigators seized over $100,000 in fraudulently obtained EIDL funds from a bank account under Horner’s control.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S.Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo 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.

Criminal Informations 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.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB”, age 45, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol, after a seven-day trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the jury found Gott guilty for having conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 400 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy.  The jury also found Gott guilty on eight additional counts of unlawfully distributing fentanyl and/or crack between the time period beginning April 10, 2019 through March 5, 2020. 

The Government presented testimony from five of Gott’s co-conspirators, as well as testimony from ten of Gott’s former drug customers, which spanned the conspiracy beginning in 2013 until the time of Gott’s arrest in June 2020.  Federal law enforcement agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police officers from the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Police Departments also testified.

Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020.  All other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

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

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses is life in prison, 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Akee Ly, age 32, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, to 262 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Ly had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms and used a third party to purchase firearms on his behalf.  During a search warrant of Ly’s home in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, officers found: an SCCY Industries pistol, a Taurus pistol, a Taurus revolver, a Springfield Armory pistol, firearm magazines, assorted ammunition, 75 grams of cocaine, $12,265, three bottles of promethazine, multiple Xanax bars, marijuana, eight Ecstasy pills, 200 THC vape bottles, and narcotics packaging material.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford 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 today that Raymond Lofthouse, age 59, of Florida, pled guilty to one count of filing false claims against the U.S. Government.        

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Lofthouse was awarded a contract for $60,000 to repair three electric motors for the U.S. Navy.  Lofthouse billed the Navy for the contract, knowing the work was not complete and then never completed the work.       

The matter was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.   

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 for this offense is up to five years in prison, 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.

# # #

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Julio Feliciano, age 27, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to eight years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Feliciano previously admitted to possessing over ten grams of fentanyl at a residence in Harrisburg in September 2018.  Law enforcement also recovered from the residence drug-packaging materials, an Iver Johnson Arms revolver, and ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.

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

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

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Casey Seesholtz, age 31, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with conspiring to manufacture and distribute anabolic steroids.  Seesholtz was charged on August 27, 2020 and pleaded guilty on September 3, 2020, but the information remained under seal until recently.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the Information alleges that between October 2017 and October 2019, Seesholtz conspired to distribute and manufacture the anabolic steroids methylstenbolone (known as M-Sten) and dimethazine (known as DMZ).  Seesholtz pleaded guilty to manufacturing between 40,000 and 60,000 pills of the anabolic steroids at a warehouse in Berwick, Pennsylvania.  He also admitted to selling some of the anabolic steroids through a storefront in Kingston, Pennsylvania, while others were sold online by his coconspirators.  Federal agents seized pill presses and encapsulating machines during the course of the investigation.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

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

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

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 19, 2021, Randell Bruton-Scott, age 34, of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani, for crack cocaine trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Bruton-Scott previously pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute between 28 and 112 grams of crack cocaine in May and June 2019.  Bruton-Scott also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition that were recovered during a search warrant executed at his West Hazleton residence on June 20, 2019.  Due to his significant criminal history, Bruton-Scott was deemed a career offender subject to enhanced potential penalties.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the West Hazleton Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

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

# # #

WILKES-BARRE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 18, 2021, Jose Martinez, age 54, and David Montserrate Torres, age 33, both inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, were sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. to one month imprisonment following their separate convictions for possession of contraband in prison.   Both sentences are to be served consecutive to the inmates’ current sentences.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, both Martinez and Montserrate Torres were inmates within the satellite camp at FCI-Schuylkill when they were found to be in possession of prohibited objects including a cellphone, charging cable, charging adapter, and a pair of earbuds on July 18, 2021.

The case was investigated by Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey St. John and James M. Buchanan prosecuted the cases.

# # #  

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Townsend, age 40, and Geraldo Rodriguez Diaz, age 27, inmates at the United States Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCC Allenwood), White Deer, Pennsylvania, were charged in a criminal information on August 10, 2021, for possessing contraband in prison.  

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the criminal information alleges that Townsend and Rodriguez Diaz were each found in possession of cellular telephones on May 10, 2021. 

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

Criminal informations 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 defendants face a maximum of one year of incarceration and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Duus, age 35, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 11, 2021, to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for using the internet to attempt to entice a 12-year-old minor female to engage in prohibited sex acts.  

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on September 24, 2020, during an on-line communication with a law enforcement officer posing as the mother of a minor female, Duus agreed to pay money to the mother in exchange for sexual intercourse with the minor and then traveled to a location in Tannersville, PA for the purpose of meeting the mother and minor and paying for sex.  Duus was arrested on scene.

At sentencing, Judge Mannion also ordered Duus to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County, Pennsylvania.  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 www.usdoj.gov/psc.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Takiyah Gordon Austin, age 46, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was charged in a 29-count Indictment on July 20, 2021, which conducting a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 emergency relief funds.  The case was unsealed on August 12, 2021, following Austin's initial appearance. 

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits, including individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility to receive weekly PUA benefits was predicated on the applicant’s unemployment for reasons related to the pandemic; however, the applicant must also have been able to work each day and, if offered a job, the applicant must have been able to accept it. Once the applicant was approved to receive benefits, the applicant was required to submit weekly certifications that indicated that he or she: was ready, willing and able to work each day; was seeking full time employment; did not refuse any job offers or referrals; and, had reported any employment during the week and the gross pay or other payments received.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Austin with 21 counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identify theft, and four counts of theft of government funds.  The Indictment alleges that from in or about May 2020 to in or about May 2021, Austin, a claims specialist with the Social Security Administration, filed PUA claims for ineligible recipients.  As part of the scheme, Austin filed PUA claims for ineligible individuals in exchange for payment from the individuals.  Additionally, Austin filed claims after accessing SSA databases to obtain the personal identifying information from unsuspecting individuals and then diverted the unemployment funds to addresses she controlled in order to use the funds for her own personal expenses. Through the scheme, Austin is alleged to have defrauded the government of over $288,000.

“Fighting pandemic fraud is a high priority for our office and the Department of Justice,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “When public officials are engaged in the fraud it is particularly disappointing because public officials know all too well how much these diverted funds are needed by those truly affected by the pandemic. I want to thank all the law enforcement agents and prosecutors who investigated this matter for their diligence and hard work in bringing this fraud to light.”

“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud related to Unemployment Insurance Programs,” stated Syreeta Scott, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of programs intended for unemployed American workers.”

“The public trusts Social Security employees to handle their sensitive information and records appropriately.  Mrs. Gordon violated that trust to perpetrate a fraud scheme to take advantage of COVID-related assistance at a time when so many others have a legitimate need for those funds,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General of the Social Security Administration.  “I am grateful for our partnerships with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued efforts to prosecute those who violate public trust and commit fraud.”

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Megan Curran and Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin are prosecuting 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 wire fraud is 20 years’ imprisonment. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to sentences imposed for other offenses. Theft of government funds has a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. All three charges may also carry a fine and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. 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.

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.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 4, 2021, Jeremy Fallbeck, age 31, of York, Pennsylvania, was charged with producing, receiving, and coercing child pornography and enticing a child to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Fallbeck with producing and attempting to produce child pornography, receiving child pornography, possessing child pornography, and coercing or enticing a child to engage in unlawful sexual activity from on or about January 9, 2019 until on or about August 25, 2019, in York County.

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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby is prosecuting 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 these offenses is up to life imprisonment, a term of up to lifetime 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.

###

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 5, 2021, Anthony Redd, age 65, of Fullerton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to 58 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for mail fraud and money laundering offenses.  Judge Rambo also ordered Redd to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $240,133.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Redd participated in a criminal conspiracy to obtain money from victims through fraudulent misrepresentations and then have the proceeds transferred to multiple co-conspirators located in Jamaica, Costa Rica, and throughout the United States.  Redd recruited other individuals to participate in the scheme.  The investigation in this case identified at least 29 victims of the conspiracy.

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

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jason Pannone, age 40, of North Providence, Rhode Island was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for conspiring to commit wire and mail fraud, and for aggravated identity theft offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Pannone was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, Platinum Auto Services, and through Ultra Auto Services, where he was employed.  The invoices were sent to and paid by an automobile warranty company in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  Pannone pleaded guilty on March 23, 2021, to causing between $150,000 and $250,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company.  Judge Mannion ordered Pannone to pay restitution of $128,667.16 to the victim of his crime.

Three of Pannone’s coconspirators were convicted in this investigation:

1. Brian Larry, age 59, of Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania, was convicted on May 10, 2021, following a jury trial, of mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false statement offenses.  Larry was convicted of defrauding his former employer, the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, from approximately January 2014 through October 2018.  Larry also was convicted of stealing the personal information of warranty policy owners and providing it to his coconspirators, who created false invoices for nonexistent automobile repair work supposedly performed at various garages in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, including by forging the policy owners’ signatures on the paperwork.  The false and forged documentation was then sent to the warranty company, where Larry approved payment of the invoices.  During the course of the scheme, Larry and his coconspirators obtained approximately $400,000 paid out by the warranty company pursuant to the false invoices, including thousands of dollars in repair work for Larry’s personal vehicle that he charged to other policy owners.  The evidence at trial showed that Larry then falsified internal warranty company documents in an attempt to conceal his crimes.
2. Matthew Gershkoff, age 64, of North Providence, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, and to aggravated identity theft, and is awaiting sentencing.  Gershkoff was convicted of preparing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs at multiple automobile repair shops located in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, and for forging policy owners’ signatures.  Gershkoff pleaded guilty on May 18, 2020, to causing between $250,000 and $550,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and has agreed to repay restitution.
3. Herman Cabral, age 62, of Cranston, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, and was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  Cabral was convicted of processing false invoices for nonexistent automobile repairs through his Providence, Rhode Island automobile detailing shop, A Plus Auto Services.  Cabral pleaded guilty on July 23, 2019, to causing between $150,000 and $250,000 of fraudulent loss to the Wilkes-Barre based automobile warranty company, and was ordered to pay over $211,644.03 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 3, 2021, Joseph Rinker, age 51, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information with one-count of filing false tax returns.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Rinker, a co-owner of Harvest Moon restaurant, convenience store, and gas station in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. failed to report income in years 2014 through 2017 after embezzling over $300,000 in funds from the Harvest Moon. The total estimated tax loss is $64,250. 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

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

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Martinez, age 54, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), Minersville, Pennsylvania, was charged on August 4, 2021, by criminal information for unlawfully possessing a prohibited object.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Bandler, the information alleges that on July 18, 2021, Martinez was found to be in possession of prohibited objects including a Samsung cellphone, charging cable, charging adapter, and a pair of Sony earbuds.

The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.

Informations 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 one year imprisonment.    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.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 2, 2021, Benjamin Butler, age 33, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to one day of imprisonment followed by two- years of supervised release, including four-months of home confinement, for wire fraud. Butler was also ordered to pay $18,850 in restitution.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Butler engaged in a kiting scheme in September and October of 2015, whereby he used multiple credit accounts to fraudulently pay off $18,850 of credit card charges by using the temporary credit on one card to pay off another account even though he did not have the funds to ultimately cover such a payment. 

The charges stem from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jessica Stover, age 27, of Millheim, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 3, 2021, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann to one year of probation for theft of mail.  Stover was also ordered to pay $350 in restitution and a $300 fine.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Stover entered a guilty plea in March 2021 to theft of mail matter by a Postal Employee where she admitted to opening greeting cards and other mail at a U.S. Post Office sorting facility for mail destined for students at Pennsylvania State University.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Assistant U.S. Attorneys will join law enforcement, community leaders and residents on Tuesday, August 3rd at various event locations to celebrate the 37th Annual National Night Out.

The events Assistant U.S. Attorneys plan to attend are: 

• Harrisburg Bureau of Police at Camp Curtain Academy Football Field in Harrisburg from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.;
• Lebanon City Police Department at the Salvation Army building on Guilford Street in Lebanon from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
• Derry Township Police Department on West Caracas Avenue in Hershey from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and
• York City Police Department at numerous locations throughout the city from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   

National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood festivals, block parties, and cookouts, which provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

“National Night Out signifies the essential role the community plays in effective law enforcement” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler. “We are pleased to join with our local law enforcement partners and the communities we serve to promote this important program.”

“Keeping our communities safe is a top Justice Department priority, as it is for state, local and Tribal police departments across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Law enforcement is most effective when it has the trust and support of the communities it serves. That is why events like National Night Out are so important and effective; they help to bridge the gap between neighbors and their police departments in a positive and informal setting.”

National Night Out events will be held in several communities throughout the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  For more information about National Night Out, visit their website www.natw.org

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 30, 2021, Pablo Ramirez-Hernandez, age 35, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment followed by one-year of supervised release, by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Ramirez-Hernandez previously pleaded guilty to having illegally reentered the United States sometime after his last removal in August 2009 after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Laury, age 42, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for methamphetamine and false statement offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Laury was convicted at trial of one count of managing a drug premises, one count of conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.  The evidence presented at trial showed that in May and June 2017, Laury assisted two drug dealers in running a methamphetamine laboratory in the basement of Laury’s Wilkes-Barre residence.  The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police shuttered the laboratory in June 2017, when executing a search warrant.  Following the search, Laury made false statements to the FBI about his knowledge of and involvement with the laboratory.

At sentencing, Laury was held accountable for between 50 grams and 200 grams of methamphetamine.  In pronouncing sentence, Judge Mannion highlighted Laury’s extensive criminal history, and his efforts to bribe two witnesses into giving false testimony at trial, and to threaten a third witness against testifying.  Laury also was held accountable for creating a substantial risk of harm to children that lived in the same residence as the methamphetamine laboratory.

Laury has remained in custody since his October 2017 arrest.  He was charged with three coconspirators, all of whom pleaded guilty and have been sentenced:

1. Mark Heath, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine conspiracy and was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment;
2. Shawn Melleski, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine conspiracy and was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment; and
3. Amy Casey, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug premises and received a time served sentence of approximately 9 months.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.

This case was 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.”

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 29, 2021, Courtney Murray, age 23, of Slingerlands, New York, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani, for conspiring to pass counterfeit currency.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Murray pleaded guilty to conspiring with her codefendant, Rashaun Ferguson, to passing and attempting to pass approximately $14,000 of counterfeit currency between September 2019 and April 2020.  The conduct occurred at multiple retail locations throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.  The conspirators also were found with fake identification, fraudulent credit card equipment, and marijuana.

Ferguson also pleaded guilty to conspiring to pass counterfeit currency, and is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and various state and local police departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.

# # #

SCRANTON -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 27, 2021, Modest Moreno, age 31, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Moreno distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl between June 2021 and July 13, 2021, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  The indictment also alleges that Modesto, a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Ruger handgun.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

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

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

###

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Rinaldi, age 44, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 23, 2021, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 235 months’ imprisonment to be followed by six years of supervised release for drug trafficking offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Rinaldi was convicted in August 2020 after a jury trial of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics between November 2017 and August 2018, and with a specific delivery of cocaine to a government informant.  In imposing the sentence, the Court found that Rinaldi was responsible for 6 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of cocaine base, or “crack,” 15 grams of heroin, and 48 pounds of marijuana.  This was Rinaldi’s ninth adult criminal conviction, and he was most recently released in October 2017 from a 19-year term of imprisonment imposed after a 1998 arrest for drug trafficking and firearms violations. 

Two additional co-defendants, Duwayne Brown and Andrew Henry, have pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni 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.

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.

# # #

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on July 21, 2021, Christopher B. Tolley, age 35, of Hinton, West Virginia, was charged in a criminal information with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that on May 22, 2019, Tolley represented to a task force officer with the FBI that he was unaware of a bank account held in his name at Sun Trust Bank.  That statement allegedly was false, because Tolley had personally opened the bank account and deposited a stolen check for $95,154.54 into the account.

The case was investigated by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

Criminal Informations 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 five 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.

# # #