Middle District of Pennsylvania

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on October 25, 2017, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Louis Bracey, age 41, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to 151 months’ imprisonment for his role in a drug conspiracy.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brander, Bracey pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania between February and April of 2016. 

 

Bracey was indicted by a grand jury on October 25, 2016, and pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on January 10, 2017.

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Police Departments conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Evan Gotlob and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dickson Gutierrez, age 41, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 24, 2017, by a federal grand jury for cocaine trafficking offenses.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Gutierrez with two counts of distributing cocaine on August 18 and 25, 2017, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine on August 31, 2017.

 

The government is also seeking forfeiture of approximately $10,275 in cash.

 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara 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 is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael J. Costello, age 42, of Archbald, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 25, 2017, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 12 years in prison for receiving and distributing child pornography in 2014.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Costello previously admitted to using a computer to obtain and trade images of child pornography during January through August 2014. Costello’s computer contained more than 1,100 images and more than 300 videos of child pornography.

 

Judge Mannion also ordered Costello to serve 10 years on supervised release following his prison sentence, and to pay restitution of $1,100. Costello must also undergo sex offender treatment and comply with sex offender notification and registration requirements.

 

The charge against Costello resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Evan J. Gotlob prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Faizal Bhimani, age 41, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, and Om Sri Sai, Inc., doing business as a hotel operator in Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, were indicted on October 24, 2017, by a federal grand jury on sex and drug trafficking charges.  The case was unsealed yesterday following the arrest of Bhimani.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that from June 2014 to present, Bhimani, the manager of a hotel in Bartonsville, along with Om Sri Sai, Inc., facilitated and profited from drug trafficking and commercial sex induced by force, fraud, and coercion. 

 

The government is also seeking forfeiture of all assets including real property, and the liquor license of the hotel.

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Stroud Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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 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.

 

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Senior Judge Sylvia H. Rambo sentenced Michael Charles Clarke, 44, of York, Pennsylvania, to 600 months’ imprisonment for production, possession and transportation of child pornography, followed by 25 years of supervised release.

 

According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, this sentencing followed Clarke’s November 15, 2016, guilty plea to each of those charges, which stemmed from his sexual assault of a minor child from 2010 to 2015 on multiple occasions and included recording the abuse.  Clarke was arrested by the Southwestern Regional Police Department on September 26, 2015, and charged with rape of a child and associated offenses.  When Clarke’s home was searched, multiple computers, hard drives, thumb drives and cds were seized.  The FBI forensically examined this evidence and discovered that Clarke had downloaded and saved child pornography images on a number of the devices.  Further investigation revealed that in 2010, Clarke made recordings of another minor girl by using hidden cameras and then transported images of that child pornography across state lines, from Iowa to Pennsylvania.

 

At today’s sentencing proceeding, one of the victims, her mother and her brother presented heartfelt and moving statements to the Court conveying the extensive damage Clarke has caused in their lives.  Members from the South Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) organization also attended the hearing to support the victim.

 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southwestern Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

           

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that three previously deported aliens were indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Jesus Prado-Gomez, age 41, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States in June 2014.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2014, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. In May 2009, he was convicted in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania of forgery, an offense which subjects him to enhanced penalties in the current case.

 

Because of Prado-Gomez’s previous conviction, under federal law he faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

 

Rogelio Chavez-Jimenez, age 40, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in June 2011.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2011, and was found in the United States in Perry County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Jose Contreras-Chavez, age 25, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in July 2012.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after July 2012, and was found in the United States in Perry County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Under federal law, Chavez-Jimenez and Contreras-Chavez both face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine          These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell is prosecuting the cases.

 

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.

 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the leader of a gang that has operated for a decade or more in the City of York was sentenced to life in prison for racketeering and drug distribution conspiracies.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane imposed a sentence of life in prison on Marc Hernandez, a/k/a “Marky D,” age 32, who was identified as a leader of the “Southside” street gang as well as a member of the Bloods.  When imposing sentence, Judge Kane noted Hernandez’s leadership in the gang that ravaged the community in York for over a decade, causing numerous deaths and many other victims. Judge Kane indicated that Hernandez “was the leader of an organization that destroyed a community,” a group that committed countless drive-by shootings and killings of many individuals including innocent bystanders. Judge Kane also noted that “even from jail, he continued as a leader” in the same group doing the same activities.

 

At the sentencing, the government presented evidence that Hernandez’s gang related activities continued from his jail cell while he awaited sentencing. Including smuggling drugs and phones into prison and attempting to order the murder of individuals outside of prison. There was also evidence introduced at sentencing that Hernandez had risen to national leadership within his set of the Bloods gang. The government asked for a life sentence and pointed to the evidence that Hernandez continued to sell drugs and participate in violent retaliation while in prison. The government argued to court that it should have no confidence that Hernandez will ever stop his violent, drug trafficking ways, as demonstrated by his ongoing criminal conduct.  Judge Kane noted that Hernandez was comparable to his co-defendant, Rolando Cruz, Jr. who was sentenced to life in prison on October 3, 2017.

 

In November 2015, a jury convicted Hernandez of racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracies after a seven-week trial.  It included over 100 witnesses called by the government, including York City Police officers and detectives, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI and gang members who had previously pleaded guilty and featured the presentation of over 500 exhibits.  Among the exhibits were videos of violent incidents involving the Southside Gang, drugs, cash and property seized by police and ATF agents as part of the investigation. 

 

The jury convicted the other 11 men who went to trial with Hernandez.

 

The gang, labeled by the government as a criminal enterprise, is known as Southside.  It operated in southern York, centered in the area of Maple and Duke Streets.  There was no formal structure but the participants included senior leaders, drug traffickers engaged in distribution and sales of narcotics, particularly crack cocaine, and “shooters,” individuals who committed acts of violence, including use of firearms on behalf of the gang and to protect its members from other gangs in York.  Order was maintained through intimidation and threats and, in some cases, murder.  The Southside Gang includes a group of violent drug traffickers, originally affiliated with the “Bloods,” primarily a New York-based national violent street gang. 

 

Violence against a rival York gang, called “Parkway,” allegedly resulted in death or shootings of members of both gangs and innocent bystanders.

 

ATF, together with the York City Police Department and the York County District Attorney’s Office, began an intensive two-year investigation of Southside in 2012.  It culminated in a September 2014 grand jury indictment of 21 individuals.

 

Eight of the indicted persons, including James Abney, a senior Southside leader, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy charge prior to the trial, as did seven other individuals included in the September 2014 indictment.  

 

Many individual Southside gang members were investigated and previously prosecuted by York County law enforcement agencies on state charges.  The federal prosecution aimed at dismantling the organization by exposing and attacking its continuity and leadership.  The federal investigation of gang violence and drug dealing in York is continuing in full cooperation with local police and the York County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Overall, the jury found seven of the 12 men on trial guilty of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute drugs, mainly cocaine base (crack) and cocaine, but including heroin in some instances.  Two others were found not guilty of the racketeering charge but were found guilty of the drug distribution conspiracy count of the indictment.  Three of the defendants were found not guilty of either of the conspiracy counts.  The jury found all 12 defendants guilty of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute.  Two defendants were also charged and found guilty of, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

 

The principal defendants, specifically the most violent and those in leading roles, were found guilty of the racketeering conspiracy charges.

 

The individual defendants and the charges on which they were awaiting sentencing or were sentenced:

 

Rolando Cruz, Jr., “Mico,” age 32; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, drug possession with intent to deliver and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts) was sentenced on October 3, 2017, to life in prison.

 

Douglas Kelly, a/k/a “Killer,” age 39; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Roscoe Villega, a/k/a “P Shawn,” age 43; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Tyree Eatmon, a/k/a “Ree,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Maurice Atkinson, a/k/a “Mo,” age 30; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Anthony Sistrunk, a/k/a “Kanye,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Eugene Rice, a/k/a “B Mor,” age 29; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Angel Schueg, a/k/a “Pocko,” age 28; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Jalik Frederick, a/k/a “Murder Cat,” age 22; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 33 months in prison on June 5, 2017,

 

Brandon Orr, a/k/a “B Or,” age 23; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 34 months in prison on November 10, 2016,

 

Jabree Williams, a/k/a “Minute,” age 24; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 60 months in prison on May 15, 2017. 

 

Southside gang members who pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy prior to the trial are and who are awaiting sentencing are:

 

James Abney, a/k/a “Doocs,” age 31.

 

Malik Sturdivant, a/k/a “Base,” age 25.

 

Jahkeem Abney, a/k/a “Foo,” age 27.

 

Ronald Payton, a/k/a “Ron Ron,” age 25.

 

Cordaress Rogers, a/k/a “Tank,” age 31.

 

Marquis Williams, a/k/a “Quis,” age 29.

 

Jerrod Brown, a/k/a “Boogie,” age 28.

 

Quintez Hall, a/k/a “Q,” age 25.

 

Richard Nolden, a/k/a “Rich,” age 27.

 

The case included the participation and assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, West York Borough Police Department, Spring Garden Township Police Department, the York County Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio, William Houser, and Joseph Terz prosecuted the case. 

 

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on October 23, 2017, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Richard Chalmers, age 41, of Pittston, Pennsylvania to 96 months’ imprisonment for his role in a drug conspiracy. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brander, Chalmers conspired to distribute approximately 60 grams of heroin throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania between February and April of 2016.  This amount of drugs equates to approximately 2,400 personal doses of heroin.

 

Chalmers was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 25, 2016, and pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on January 24, 2017.

 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Victor Santiago-Rivera, age 42, of Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, was convicted on October 19, 2017, of being a felon in possession of a firearm after a three-day jury trial held before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy Mannion.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, beginning in December 2016, Santiago-Rivera, who has multiple felony convictions in his criminal history, repeatedly requested that an individual obtain a gun for him to use in a robbery of a local jewelry store.  That individual was a confidential informant and contacted law enforcement.  On January 6, 2017, law enforcement agents monitored the controlled exchange of the firearm to Santiago-Rivera.  The jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict on one count of attempted robbery.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kingston Borough Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Phillip Caraballo prosecuted the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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

 

Santiago-Rivera is facing a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum possible penalty of 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.

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nicolaus Harman, age 21, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 24, 2017, by a federal grand jury on robbery, drug trafficking, and firearm charges.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on April 16, 2017, in Monroe County, Harman, along with others, conspired to rob a heroin dealer for his cash and heroin.  During the course of that robbery, Harman allegedly committed and threatened physical violence towards the victim.  At the time of the robbery, Harman had previously been convicted of a felony and was not legally permitted to possess a firearm (a Ruger P-85 9mm handgun).

 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stroud Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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

 

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. 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 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.

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Laurey and Amy Casey, both age 38, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, were indicted on October 17, 2017, by a federal grand jury for renting space at their residence in Wilkes-Barre for the purpose of producing methamphetamine. The indictment was unsealed yesterday following the arrest of the defendants.

           

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, between June 21, 2016 and June 29, 2017, Laurey and Casey rented rooms within their residence to two individuals who were operating a methamphetamine lab.  The defendants allegedly allowed the drug manufacturers to live rent free in exchange for methamphetamine being produced within the home.   

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Kingston Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob 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 defendants are facing a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 maximum fine, and term of supervised release.   Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on October 19, 2017, U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Christopher Mark Heath, age 38, a former deputy sheriff of the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, California, to 120 months’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana, conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and an additional drug trafficking count.  After a two-day trial, the jury convicted Heath of these offenses in Harrisburg before Judge Kane on May 11, 2017. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Heath engaged in a conspiracy that trafficked hundreds of pounds of marijuana between Northern California, Florida and York County, Pennsylvania.  Heath and his co-defendants, who previously pleaded guilty, participated in a conspiracy that began in approximately September 2014 and continued to January 7, 2016.  During this time, Heath was a deputy sheriff in Yuba County, California, assigned as a narcotics investigator but has since resigned.  Heath and his co-defendants grew marijuana on property in Oroville, CA, and shipped it through the United States Postal Service to several locations, including post office boxes in York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as to the Hanover area. 

 

In December 2015, Heath and his co-conspirators traveled from California to York County in two vehicles, transporting 89.5 kilograms of marijuana worth just under half a million dollars.  Heath’s truck contained the entire quantity of marijuana as well as a loaded Glock firearm and his deputy sheriff’s badge.  When Heath and his co-conspirators arrived to deliver the marijuana in York County, they were arrested by the York County Drug Task Force and Penn Township Police Department. 

 

Heath has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since the entry of the jury verdict.  Heath recently pleaded guilty to additional firearms charges in Butte County, California. 

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the York County Drug Task Force, Penn Township Police Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Department (California), the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith A. Taylor and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz prosecuted the case.

 

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Hollis Lee Ball, age 44, of Virginia, was indicted on October 18, 2017, by a federal grand jury for sexual exploitation of children and enticement of children. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that between March 5 and 11, 2017, Ball contacted two children in Pennsylvania through an Ipad application known as “Musical.ly.”  

 

This matter was investigated by the Lower Paxton Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Schinnour is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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

 

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that six previously deported aliens were indicted separately on October 18, 2017, by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Gustavo Reyes-Bejarano, age 33, of Honduras, is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2011, and was found in the United States in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Lorenzo Sanchez-Ramos, age 28, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States in September 2013.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after September 2013, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Carlos Pena-Pena, age 39, of Honduras, was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in August 2007.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after August 2007, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Jorge Vazquez-Guzman, age 28, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in July 2013.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after July 2013, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Rodolfo Rueda-Varedo, age 46, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2014.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after April 2014, and was found in the United States in Columbia County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Heriberto Moreno-Vasquez, age 31, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2016.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after April 2016, and was found in the United States in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell is prosecuting the cases.

 

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

 

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WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Tyrone Greene, age 43, formerly of New York City, was convicted on October 17, 2017, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition after a two-day jury trial held before U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on November 20, 2014, police officers in Hanover Township initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Greene was a passenger.  The vehicle was traveling at night without lights.  The officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and located a bag of marijuana in Greene’s pocket.  A subsequent search of Greene, a convicted felon, revealed that he was carrying a fully loaded Beretta pistol.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Hanover Township Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara and Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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.

 

Tyrone Greene is facing a maximum possible penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment under federal law, 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.

 

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

 

 

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on October 17, 2017, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner sentenced David K. Shaqfeh, age 49, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, to two years’ probation, five months’ home confinement, and a $55,000 fine for witness tampering. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Shaqfeh solicited and encouraged an unidentified witness to give a false statement about supplemental rent payments Shaqfeh received during 2014 and 2015, for a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized rental property in Levittown, Pennsylvania, to investigators from the HUD Office of Inspector General.

 

Shaqfeh also agreed to pay $171,831 to settle a False Claims Act violation.  In the agreement, the United States alleged that Shaqfeh participated as a landlord in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) and solicited and received unauthorized side payments from a HCVP participant over and above the authorized rent.  HCVP is a program whereby the HUD provides rental subsidies for eligible low-income tenants who locate acceptable rental units on the private market.   

 

The settlement agreement resolved allegations that Shaqfeh submitted a request for tenancy approval to HUD for a HCVP tenant, which was not approved because the rent exceeded the maximum initial rent burden under HUD guidelines.  Thereafter, Shaqfeh submitted another request for tenancy approval to HUD for the same HCVP participant with a lower rent amount, which was approved by HUD.  However, Shaqfeh continued to collect additional side payments from the HCVP participant to make up for the lower lease amount.  HUD’s payments to Shaqfeh were contingent upon his certification that he would only charge the amount of rent approved by HUD and not receive additional rent payments from the HCVP participant.  Additionally, HUD would not have paid Shaqfeh on two other HUD contracts had it known he was charging an HCVP participant additional rent on another HUD contract. Shaqfeh has paid $171,831 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act.

 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kim Douglas Daniel and Melissa Swauger prosecuted the case.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that United States District Court Judge William W. Caldwell  sentenced John Alexander Driscoll, age 61, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to 210 months’ imprisonment, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release for receiving and distributing images depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Driscoll received and distributed thousands of images depicting the sexual exploitation of children as young as eight-years-old.  These images included the sadistic and masochistic abuse of children.

 

In 1988, Driscoll was convicted of receiving child pornography through the mail.  As such, Driscoll was subject to enhanced penalties. 

 

Judge Caldwell also ordered Driscoll to pay $25,314 in restitution, and to register as a sex offender. 

 

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorney Daryl Bloom prosecuted the case. 

 

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

 

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Patrick Henry Stewart, age 53, of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, was charged on October 16, 2017, in a criminal information with making interstate wire transfers to defraud his former employer, Nittany Valley Paper Mills in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, of approximately $218,098. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information charges that, between June 2014 and March 2016, while employed as the vice president for operations, Stewart fraudulently charged personal goods and services on Nittany Paper Mills credit card accounts and transferred company funds to pay his personal credit card bills.  The information alleges that Stewart also fraudulently transferred funds from the Nittany Paper Mills checking account to 529 education accounts for his children, and he arranged off-the books sales of inventory resulting in the direct deposit of funds into his personal accounts.  The information also alleges that Stewart made fraudulent adjusting entries in the Nittany Paper Mills internal accounting system to conceal the wire fraud scheme.

             

Under the terms of a plea agreement filed with the information, Stewart has agreed to plead guilty to the wire fraud offense and pay restitution in an amount to be determined by the sentencing judge.

 

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Prosecution of this matter has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

 

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’ imprisonment, a term 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.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Keith Robinson, 31, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner on October 12, 2017, to serve 18 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 224.11 grams of heroin, which is the equivalent of 8,964 individual doses of heroin, with a retail value of $89,644 at $10 per bag. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on September 10, 2015, a federal grand jury in Williamsport previously returned a two-count indictment charging Robinson and two other residents of Westmoreland County, Cesare Biagio Palumbi, and Natawsha Durand with conspiracy to distribute 224.11 grams of heroin.  During the traffic stop of a rental vehicle on State Route 487 near Interstate 80, Scott Township Police department officers recovered the heroin, along with a digital scale and empty bags used to package heroin for sale. 

 

Palumbi, Durand, and another co-conspirator, Erica O’Neal, who was charged separately pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge.  Palumbi received a 60-month prison term imposed by Chief Judge Conner on November 2, 2016, and O’Neal is serving a 30-month prison term imposed by U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion on March 20, 2017.  Natawsha Durand’s sentencing proceedings are pending.

 

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.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Scott Township Police Department, South Centre Township Police, the Columbia County Drug Task Force, and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel has been assigned to the prosecution of this matter.

 

# # #

            SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Cleveland Linder, Jr, 33, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on October 13, 2017 before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, to conspiring to distribute heroin in Luzerne County during February through November 2014.

 

            According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Linder admitted to conspiring with Shaliek Stroman and others to distribute between 60 and 80 grams of heroin (which is approximately between 2400 and 3200 retail bags of heroin). Linder is one of 11 people charged in the investigation.

 

            Desmond Mercer, the leader of the drug conspiracy, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Shaliek Stroman and Shaquan Murphy, two key associates of Mercer, were each sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy. Another member of the drug ring, Antuan Jamison, was sentenced to five years in prison.

 

            Judge Munley ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed, and scheduled Linder’s sentencing for January 23, 2018.

 

            The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and Kingston Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

            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 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.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Hakim Handy, age 34, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania was indicted on October 12, 2017, by a federal grand jury for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, the distribution of heroin, and the unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Handy sold heroin on January 9 and 15, 2015, and possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin on January 16, 2017, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The indictment also alleges that Handy unlawfully possessed 24 rounds of .44 caliber Remington ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Williamsport Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

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

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 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 today that Briani Gomez, age 21, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty on October 12, 2017, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy that stretched from Stroudsburg to New York to the state of Maine.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Gomez admitted to transporting more than 100 grams of heroin (which is equivalent to more than 4,000 retail bags of heroin) to co-conspirators in Maine during 2012 through June 2014.

 

Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing for Gomez will be scheduled at a later date.

  

Gomez was indicted along with three other people by a federal grand jury in October 2016, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Maine State Police, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and local police in Monroe County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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

 

# # #

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Joshua Mike, Sr., age 25, an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg (USP Lewisburg) was indicted on October 12, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possession of a weapon in prison.  

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Mike possessed a homemade sharpened piece of plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank,” on June 16, 2017.  

 

The case was investigated by correctional staff at USP Lewisburg and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet 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 defendant is facing a maximum of five years of incarceration 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.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kenge Lewis, III, age 24, of York, Pennsylvania, the first of the nine individuals indicted as a result of a joint ATF-York County Drug Task Force operation in York, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on October 11, 2017, before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

 

Lewis was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 29, 2017, and charged with possessing a .22 caliber I.J.A. & C.WKS revolver loaded with eight Winchester .22 caliber Super X cartridges.  United States Magistrate Court Judge Susan E. Schwab arraigned Lewis on April 18, 2017, and determined he should be detained pending trial. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Lewis sold a .22 caliber I.J.A. & C.WKS revolver that was loaded with eight Winchester .22 caliber Super X cartridges on January 23, 2017, in York.  Lewis has previously been convicted of a felony offense and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

 

A sentencing date is not yet scheduled. 

 

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the York County Drug Task Force, the York City Police Department, York County Adult Probation Department, and the York County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

 

The case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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 is 10 years of imprisonment, and includes 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 today that on October 11, 2017, United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Gregorio Marmolejo, age 44, of Mexico, to 13 months’ imprisonment for illegal re-entry into the United States. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Marmolejo pleaded guilty to unlawfully returning to the United States after having been deported to Mexico in 2008.  Marmolejo was removed from the country after a 1992 conviction in New York for an attempted sale of cocaine.

 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.

 

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian Reyes, age 29, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiring to defraud the government with respect to tax claims.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Reyes owned and operated Reyes Services LLC, a Scranton, Pennsylvania-based check cashing business.  From January 2011 to June 2015, Reyes and his co-conspirators used stolen identities to prepare and file false federal income tax returns, unbeknownst to their victims.  Reyes’s co-conspirators obtained the income tax refund checks from those fraudulent returns and provided them to Reyes, who cashed the fraudulently obtained checks at his business.  Reyes kept a portion of each check cashed as compensation.  The scheme netted at least $3,547,642 in false claims paid by the U.S. Treasury.

 

The government seized $48,933 during the course of the investigation.  The government also filed a plea agreement with Reyes to the charges.  Reyes was charged on August 9, 2016, and pleaded guilty on October 18, 2016, but the matter remained under seal until today. Reyes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2017. 

 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorneys William Houser and Phillip J. Caraballo are 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 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.

 

# # #

Pennsylvania announced that Adrian Smith, age 22, of New York City, was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy, for his role in the attempted sex trafficking of a minor.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Smith previously pleaded guilty to assisting others in maintaining and providing security for two minor females who were attempting to engage in commercial sex activities during August 2016, at a hotel in Scranton.

 

Smith was charged in a criminal information filed in October 2016.  

 

Judge Conaboy also ordered Smith to serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Smith must also register as a sex offender and comply with sex offender notification and registration requirements.  

 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scranton Police. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

# # #

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Derek Mountz, age 33, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine in Schuylkill and Berks Counties.  

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Mountz admitted to conspiring with others to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin (which is equivalent to more than 4,000 retail bags of heroin) and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine during April through October of 2016.

 

Mountz was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2017, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police in Schuylkill County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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 40 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment for the offense. 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 Robert Romasiewicz, age 25, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information on October 6, 2017, with unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Romasiewicz was in possession of a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun in July-August 2017, in Luzerne County, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.  

 

The charge stems from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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 is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

# # #

 

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that seven previously deported aliens were indicted separately on October 4, 2017, by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Jose Alvarez-Lemus, age 37, of Honduras, was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in June 2008.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2008, and was found in the United States in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Placido Hernandez-Hernandez, age 47, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in September 1997.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after September 1997, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Sulpicio Bello-Guerrero, age 64, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in December 2008.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after December 2008, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Calixto Roblero-Ortiz, age 34, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2009 and May 2010.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after May 2010, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Sigifredo Sandoval-Arteaga, age 43, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in August 2013.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after August 2013, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Wilmar Renoj-Chan, age 40, of Guatemala, was previously deported from the United States to Guatemala in April 2011.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after April 2011, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Under federal law, Alvarez-Lemus, Hernandez-Hernandez, Bello-Guerrero, Roblero-Ortiz, Sandoval-Arteaga, and Renoj-Chan face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  

 

Luis Saldana-Figueroa, age 33, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on three occasions, March 2011, September 2013, and January 2014.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after January 2014, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. In January 2013, he was convicted in the Middle District of Pennsylvania of illegal reentry by a previously deported alien, an offense which subjects him to enhanced penalties in the current case.

 

Because of Saldana-Figueroa’s previous conviction, under federal law he faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

 

These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell is prosecuting the cases.

 

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.

 

# # #

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ignacio Beato, age 46, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge James M. Munley to 51 months’ imprisonment, followed by three months supervised release for conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions through a financial institution, with funds that were the proceeds of wire fraud.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Beato, who was a licensed realtor, falsely represented to potential purchasers that he was authorized to sell vacant conventional and Federal Housing Administration insured mortgaged properties in Hazleton, when in fact, he did not have such authority. Between December 2013 and March 2015, Beato accepted $751,082 from individuals who believed they were purchasing properties.  Beato then fraudulently converted that money to his own personal use.

 

Judge Munley ordered Beato to pay restitution in the amount of $65,000. The reduced restitution amount was due to a number of factors including the fact that some victims were not able to be located and others have filed civil lawsuits attempting to regain their funds. The Internal Revenue Service also previously forfeited $35,000 from Beato’s bank accounts. 

 

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

 

           

# # #

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Mattson, age 40, of Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with receipt and distribution of child pornography.

 

            According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Mattson allegedly shared visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct using his computer between January 2016 and April 2017.

 

            The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations – Philadelphia Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.

 

            The Criminal Information was filed pursuant to a plea agreement with the defendant.  The plea agreement, which is subject to approval by the court, includes sexual offender registration requirements.

 

            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.

 

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

# # #

HARRISBURG – Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced several Department of Justice actions to reduce the rising tide of violent crime in America. Foremost of those actions is the reinvigoration of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” 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.

 

In announcing this recommitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Attorney General issued a memo directing United States Attorneys to implement an enhanced violent crime reduction program that incorporates the lessons learned since Project Safe Neighborhoods launched in 2001.

In a statement on the program, the Attorney General said:

"According to the FBI, the violent crime rate has risen by nearly seven percent over the past two years, and the homicide rate has risen by more than 20 percent. We cannot be complacent or hope that this is just an anomaly: we have a duty to take action.

“Fortunately, we have a President who understands that and has directed his administration to reduce crime. The Department of Justice today announces the foundation of our plan to reduce crime: prioritizing Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been proven to work.

“Let me be clear – Project Safe Neighborhoods is not just one policy idea among many. This is the centerpiece of our crime reduction strategy.

“Taking what we have learned since the program began in 2001, we have updated it and enhanced it, emphasizing the role of our U.S. Attorneys, the promise of new technologies, and above all, partnership with local communities. With these changes, I believe that this program will be more effective than ever and help us fulfill our mission to make America safer."

“The Middle District of Pennsylvania fully supports the reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program which has proven to help reduce violence in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “Our district’s Anti-Violence Crime Strategy, issued in March 2016, draws upon the Project Safe Neighborhoods model, emphasizes strong partnerships with our state and local counterparts and has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of federal prosecutions against the most violent individuals in our district.  Just this week, Rolando Cruz, a leader of the violent York based gang known as “Southside” was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment for his activities that ravaged the York area for over a decade.”

The Attorney General also announced the following Department of Justice initiatives to help reduce violent crime:

• Additional Assistant United States Attorney Positions to Focus on Violent Crime – The Department is allocating 40 prosecutors to approximately 20 United States Attorney’s Offices to focus on violent crime reduction.
• More Cops on the Streets (COPS Hiring Grants) – As part of our continuing commitment to crime prevention efforts, increased community policing, and the preservation of vital law enforcement jobs, the Department will be awarding approximately $98 million in FY 2017 COPS Hiring Grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
• Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) National Gang Strategic Initiative –The National Gang Strategic Initiative promotes  creative enforcement strategies and best practices that will assist in developing investigations of violent criminal groups and gangs into enterprise-level OCDETF prosecutions.  Under this initiative, OCDETF provides “seed money” to locally-focused gang investigations, giving state, local, and tribal investigators and prosecutors the resources and tools needed to identify connections between lower-level gangs and national-level drug trafficking organizations.
• Critical Training and Technical Assistance to State and Local Partners –The Department has a vast array of training and technical assistance resources available to state, local and tribal law enforcement, victims groups, and others.  To ensure that agencies in need of assistance are able to find the training and materials they need, OJP will make available a Violence Reduction Response Center to serve as a “hot line” to connect people to these resources. 
• Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC) – The Department has provided grant funding to support a comprehensive approach to identifying the most violent offenders in a jurisdiction, using new technologies such as gunshot detection systems combined with gun crime intelligence from NIBIN, eTrace, and investigative efforts.  These FY 2017 grants were awarded to Phoenix, AZ, and Kansas City, MO. 
• Expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program – The Department will expand ATF’s NIBIN Urgent Trace Program nationwide by the end of the year.  Through this program, any firearm submitted for tracing that is associated with a NIBIN “hit” (which means it can be linked to a shooting incident) will be designated an “urgent” trace and the requestor will get information back about the firearm’s first retail purchaser within 24 hours, instead of 5 to 6 business days.

 

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas A. Long, age 30, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to willful failure to pay federal taxes.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Long pleaded guilty to an information charging him with the willful failure to pay federal payroll taxes owed by his business, Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, LLC during 2013.

 

An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigation revealed that Long, through his solely owned commercial drywall business, Harrisburg Commercial Interior, LLC (HCI), willfully did not pay $216,304 in employment taxes during 2013 and 2014. The IRS investigation began when several HCI employees contacted the IRS because they did not receive their 2013 income tax refunds.

 

As the owner of HCI, Long exercised primary control over the financial affairs of the business, was solely responsible for issuance of all paychecks, and had sole signature authority on HCI's business bank account. Although he issued payroll checks totaling $730,788 in gross wages during 2013 and 2014, Long did not file the requisite Employer's Quarterly and Annual Federal Tax Returns, Forms and 940, with the IRS, nor pay over the $160,399 he withheld from his employees pay checks to the government.

 

Under the terms of a plea agreement Long agreed to make full restitution in the amount of $216,304.  No date was set by Judge Rambo for sentencing pending completion of a presentence report.

 

The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the IRS Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel.

 

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 $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.

 

# # #

 

 

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that the leader of a gang that has operated for a decade or more in the City of York was sentenced to life in prison for racketeering and drug distribution conspiracies.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane imposed a sentence of life in prison on Rolando Cruz, Jr., a/k/a “Mico,” age 32, who was identified as a leader of the “Southside” street gang as well as a member of the Bloods.  When imposing sentence, Judge Kane noted Cruz’s leadership in the gang that ravaged the community in York for over a decade, causing numerous deaths and many other victims.

 

At the sentencing, the government presented evidence that Cruz’s gang related activities continued from his jail cell while he awaited sentencing. The government asked for a life sentence and pointed to the evidence that Cruz continued to sell drugs and participate in violent retaliation while in prison. The government argued to court that it should have no confidence that Cruz will ever stop his violent, drug trafficking ways, as demonstrated by his ongoing criminal conduct.  Judge Kane noted that there was mitigating evidence but, on balance, agreed that life in prison was the appropriate sentence.   

 

In November 2015, a jury convicted Cruz of racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracies after a seven-week trial.  It included over 100 witnesses called by the government, including York City Police officers and detectives, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI and gang members who had previously pleaded guilty and featured the presentation of over 500 exhibits.  Among the exhibits were videos of violent incidents involving the Southside Gang, drugs, cash and property seized by police and ATF agents as part of the investigation. 

 

The jury convicted the other 11 men who went to trial with Cruz.

 

The gang, labeled by the government as a criminal enterprise, is known as Southside.  It operated in southern York, centered in the area of Maple and Duke Streets.  There was no formal structure but the participants included senior leaders, drug traffickers engaged in distribution and sales of narcotics, particularly crack cocaine, and “shooters,” individuals who committed acts of violence, including use of firearms on behalf of the gang and to protect its members from other gangs in York.  Order was maintained through intimidation and threats and, in some cases, murder.  The Southside Gang includes a group of violent drug traffickers, originally affiliated with the “Bloods,” primarily a New York-based national violent street gang. 

 

Violence against a rival York gang, called “Parkway,” allegedly resulted in death or shootings of members of both gangs and innocent bystanders.

 

ATF, together with the York City Police Department and the York County District Attorney’s Office, began an intensive two-year investigation of Southside in 2012.  It culminated in a September 2014 grand jury indictment of 21 individuals.

 

Eight of the indicted persons, including James Abney, a senior Southside leader, pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy charge prior to the trial, as did seven other individuals included in the September 2014 indictment.        

 

Many individual Southside gang members were investigated and previously prosecuted by York County law enforcement agencies on state charges.  The federal prosecution aimed at dismantling the organization by exposing and attacking its continuity and leadership.  The federal investigation of gang violence and drug dealing in York is continuing in full cooperation with local police and the York County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Overall, the jury found seven of the 12 men on trial guilty of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute drugs, mainly cocaine base (crack) and cocaine, but including heroin in some instances.  Two others were found not guilty of the racketeering charge but were found guilty of the drug distribution conspiracy count of the indictment.  Three of the defendants were found not guilty of either of the conspiracy counts.  The jury found all 12 defendants guilty of possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute.  Two defendants were also charged and found guilty of, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

 

The principal defendants, specifically the most violent and those in leading roles, were found guilty of the racketeering conspiracy charges.

 

The individual defendants and the charges on which they were awaiting sentencing or were sentenced:

 

Marc Hernandez, a/k/a “Marky D,” age 32; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, drug possession with intent to deliver and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts) is scheduled to be sentenced on October 25, 2017,

 

Douglas Kelly, a/k/a “Killer,” age 39; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Roscoe Villega, a/k/a “P Shawn,” age 43; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Tyree Eatmon, a/k/a “Ree,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Maurice Atkinson, a/k/a “Mo,” age 30; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Anthony Sistrunk, a/k/a “Kanye,” age 29; racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Eugene Rice, a/k/a “B Mor,” age 29; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Angel Schueg, a/k/a “Pocko,” age 28; drug trafficking conspiracy, and drug possession with intent to deliver is awaiting sentencing,

 

Jalik Frederick, a/k/a “Murder Cat,” age 22; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 33 months in prison on June 5, 2017,

 

Brandon Orr, a/k/a “B Or,” age 23; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 34 months in prison on November 10, 2016,

 

Jabree Williams, a/k/a “Minute,” age 24; drug possession with intent to deliver was sentenced to 60 months in prison on May 15, 2017. 

 

James Abney, a/k/a “Doocs,” age 31.

 

Malik Sturdivant, a/k/a “Base,” age 25.

 

Jahkeem Abney, a/k/a “Foo,” age 27.

 

Ronald Payton, a/k/a “Ron Ron,” age 25.

 

Cordaress Rogers, a/k/a “Tank,” age 31.

 

Marquis Williams, a/k/a “Quis,” age 29.

 

Jerrod Brown, a/k/a “Boogie,” age 28.

 

Quintez Hall, a/k/a “Q,” age 25.

 

Richard Nolden, a/k/a “Rich,” age 27.

 

The case included the participation and assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, West York Borough Police Department, Spring Garden Township Police Department, the York County Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio, William Houser, and Joseph Terz prosecuted the case. 

 

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nathan Crowder, age 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was indicted on September 28, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy. 

           

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Crowder was found to possess heroin while traveling to Williamsport from Philadelphia on January 31, 2017, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

 

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $2,000,000 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.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Markeese Askew, age 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was indicted on September 28, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. 

           

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Askew was found to possess heroin and methamphetamine on August 14, 2017, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

 

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

 

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

 

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’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $2,000,000 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 today that on September 28, 2017, Robert Benussi, III, age 26, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 107 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for his participation in a conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, commonly known as “bath salts.”

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Benussi previously pleaded guilty to agreeing with others to distribute the drug to customers in the Luzerne County area during 2014 and 2015. The members of the conspiracy obtained the alpha-pvp from suppliers in China.

 

In imposing the sentence, Judge Munley noted that Benussi’s role in the conspiracy included distributing the highly addictive bath salts, and using force, threats, and intimidation in furtherance of the conspiracy.

 

Benussi was one of seven people charged by a grand jury in August 2016. That indictment was the fourth wave of arrests connected to alpha-pvp distribution in Luzerne County. In all, 18 people have been charged in the case since July 2013, including a Texas-based supplier of the bath salts.

 

Judge Munley also ordered Benussi to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

 

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Luzerne County. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

 

           

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ramona Long, age 57, a former U.S. Postal Service employee in Northern California, was sentenced on September 28, 2017, by United States District Court Judge Yvette Kane to 72 months’ imprisonment.  Long previously entered pleas of guilty before Judge Kane to conspiring to manufacture and distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.  Heath engaged in a conspiracy that trafficked hundreds of pounds of marijuana between Northern California, Florida and York County, Pennsylvania.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Long and her co-defendants, including her son Tyler Long, age 33, son-in-law Christopher Mark Heath, age 39, and Ryan Jay Falsone, age 28, participated in a conspiracy that began in approximately September 2014, and continued to January 7, 2016.  During this time, Heath was a deputy sheriff in Yuba County, California, assigned as a narcotics investigator.  Long and her co-defendants grew marijuana on Long’s 20 acre property in Oroville, CA, and shipped it through the United States Postal Service to several locations, including post office boxes in York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  When law enforcement officers searched Ramona Long’s California property, they discovered a shop devoted exclusively to the harvesting and processing of marijuana.  Inside the shop there was a trimmer, drying racks, 74 raised planter beds and grow lights.  In Long’s residence, officers seized five firearms, various ammunition and multiple plastic bins containing marijuana that Long tried to conceal from them as they entered the home.

 

In December 2015, Ramona Long assisted her co-conspirators with packaging marijuana they had grown and packed it to sell on the East Coast.  Heath, Falsone and Tyler Long traveled from California to York County in two vehicles, transporting 89.5 kilograms of this marijuana worth just under half a million dollars.  Heath’s truck contained the entire quantity of marijuana as well as a loaded Glock firearm and his deputy sheriff’s badge.  When Heath, Falsone and Tyler Long arrived to deliver the marijuana in York County, they were arrested by the York County Drug Task Force and Penn Township Police Department. 

 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the York County Drug Task Force, Penn Township Police Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Department (California), the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith A. Taylor and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz are prosecuting the case.

 

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute 100 kilograms and more of marijuana is 40 years’ imprisonment and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.  The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years’ 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 indicate of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

 

# # #    

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former Harrisburg Police official pleaded guilty in federal court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to charges of conversion of government property and theft from programs receiving government funds, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Sean D. Cornick, 45, of Harrisburg, Pa., pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge John E. Jones, III.

In connection with the guilty plea, the United States presented information to the Court that on October 23, 2016, Cornick took $400 in government funds that he was not authorized to receive. Additional information described that Cornick stole government funds totaling $22,346.93 between October 15, 2015 and October 27, 2016. The Court was advised that at the time of the offenses, Cornick served as the Corporal and supervisor of the Organized Crime and Vice Unit of the Harrisburg Police Department.

Judge Jones scheduled a Presentence Conference for January 29, 2018, at 10:45 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 11 years in prison, a fine of $350,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Harrisburg Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cornick.

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Atef Hussein, age 48, of Hagerstown, Maryland, former owner/operator of the Fairground Diner in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information with income tax evasion. 

        

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Hussein understated income and taxes due, resulting in false income tax returns for tax years 2012 through 2015.  The information also alleges that the tax loss for that period totaled $122,003.

 

The government also filed a plea agreement, including payment of taxes and penalties with the defendant which is subject to approval by the court.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.  Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy 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 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.

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jose Mejia, age 24, an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (USP Lewisburg) was indicted on September 28, 2017, by a federal grand jury for assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of contraband.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Mejia attacked another inmate with a sharpened weapon commonly known as a “shank.” 

 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Lewisburg.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet prosecuted the case.

 

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

 

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

 

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of three years supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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 on September 27, 2017, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Jeffrey Guzman, age 26, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to 96 months’ imprisonment for being the head of a heroin and cocaine trafficking organization that operated from late 2015 until April 2016. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Guzman pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute in excess of 100 grams of heroin, 40 grams of crack cocaine, as well as additional amounts of fentanyl, cocaine base and marijuana.  This amount of controlled substances equates to more than 30,000 individual doses. Additionally, Guzman possessed two loaded firearms, a .380 semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm handgun, in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity. 

 

Guzman was indicted by a grand jury on April 12, 2016, and a superseding indictment was filed on October 25, 2016. Guzman pleaded guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement on May 26, 2017.

 

The federal investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Police Departments, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Gotlob and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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.

 

# # #

WILLIAMSPORT– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on September 27, 2017, United States District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann sentenced Loretta Galloway, age 56, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to six months’ home-confinement and to pay full restitution of $83,874 for unlawfully collecting thousands of dollars in Social Security Benefits that she was not entitled to.   

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, from June 2010 through February 2015, Galloway collected $83,874 of her deceased husband’s Social Security benefits to pay her bills and other expenses.  Galloway was not entitled to these benefits. 

 

Galloway was indicted on January 31, 2017, and pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement on June 8, 2017.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Evan Gotlob prosecuted the case.

 

 

# # #

Scranton - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann sentenced Damontray Taylor, age 31, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to 70 months’ imprisonment for heroin trafficking and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Taylor pleaded guilty on June 6, 2017, to possessing 32 retail bags of heroin in February 2016, with the intent to distribute the drugs in the Williamsport area, as well as three firearms in furtherance of his drug activities.  Judge Brann sentenced Taylor to 10 months in prison for the drug trafficking charge, and imposed a statutory, mandatory minimum five-year term of imprisonment for the firearms charge.  Judge Brann further imposed a $400 fine and three years of supervised release after Taylor’s prison term is complete. 

 

Taylor entered his guilty plea under a plea agreement with the United States.  Under the agreement, the government dismissed a third count charging possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

 

The investigation was conducted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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.

 

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

 

# # #

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that four previously deported aliens were indicted separately by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien. 

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Jose Coronado-Garcia, age 36, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on four prior occasions, March 16, 2009, March 20, 2009, May 30, 2011 and December 25, 2015.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after December 2015, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Jesus Vergara-Ponce, age 35, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in January 2000.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after January 2000, and was found in the United States in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Alix Masias-Serrano, age 43, of Honduras, was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in August 2008 and February 2009.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after February 2009 and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

 

Under federal law, Coronado-Garcia, Vergara-Ponce, and Masias-Serrano face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  

 

Antonio Mendez-Garcia, age 52, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on five occasions, April 2003, March 2006, December 2006, June 2007, and August 2010.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after August 2010, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. In August 2010, he was convicted in the Middle District of Pennsylvania of illegal reentry by a previously deported alien, an offense which subjects him to enhanced penalties in the current case.

 

Because of Mendez-Garcia’s previous conviction, under federal law he faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

 

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Prosecution has been assigned to Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

 

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.

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Damari Roulhac, age 26, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted on September 26, 2017, of charges arising from the hit and run of a United States Park Ranger.  The two-day trial was held before United States District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the jury returned the guilty verdict after approximately three hours of deliberation. Roulhac was charged with and convicted of one count of assaulting a law enforcement official, and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement official.

 

The evidence presented during the trial showed that on the evening of July 1, 2016, United States Park Rangers patrolling the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, encountered Roulhac and ordered him to stop his vehicle.  Roulhac refused to obey the Rangers’ instructions and accelerated his vehicle towards one of the Rangers, causing him to jump out of the way.  When the Ranger then attempted to detain Roulhac, he accelerated again, striking the Ranger with the vehicle while fleeing the scene of the incident.

 

Roulhac was able to evade apprehension on July 1, 2016.  However, Rangers tracked him down days later, at the Pike County Courthouse, when Roulhac was sentenced for an unrelated DUI conviction.

 

The case was investigated by Rangers from the National Park Service.  Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip Caraballo and Evan Gotlob prosecuted 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 combined maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years of imprisonment. There is also a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and up to $250,000 in fines. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ryan Warnick, age 37, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 19, 2017, to 57 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge William J. Caldwell for his part in the armed robbery of PNC Bank.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Warnick assisted his accomplice, Derek Bowman, age, 33, of York, in the armed robbery of PNC Bank, East Market Street, York, on January 9, 2016. Warnick drove Bowman to the PNC Bank where Bowman entered the bank with a sawed-off shotgun, pointed the shotgun at a bank employee, and  demanded money from her drawer.  Bowman stole approximately $3,000, and fled the scene in Warnick’s vehicle. Bowman was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police the next day and was found to be in possession of money and heroin. The shotgun was later recovered by Springettsbury Township Police in Warnick’s possession. 

 

Judge Caldwell sentenced Bowman to 141 months’ imprisonment on February 15, 2017.

 

This matter was investigated by the Springettsbury Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Schinnour prosecuted the case.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that on September 19, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted a Washington, D.C., woman for providing contraband to an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan (USP Canaan), Waymart, Pennsylvania, and that the inmate has been charged with possession of contraband in prison.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the charges in the indictment stem from an incident on July 1, 2017, in which Tianna Thompson, age 25, of Washington, D.C., allegedly provided several small packages of marijuana to inmate Charles Elegalam, age 30, formerly of Washington D.C., during a social visit at USP Canaan. The marijuana packages were subsequently seized from Elegalam by prison staff members.

 

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

 

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 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.

 

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 20, 2017, United States District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy sentenced LeShawn Burgman, age 35, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, to five years’ imprisonment for possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

           

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Burgman was arrested in October 2016 after he sold MDMA, or “Molly,” and marijuana to confidential informants.  Burgman pleaded guilty to a criminal information on June 20, 2017, charging him with possessing three firearms, a Hi-Point semi-automatic, .380 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer semi-automatic .45 caliber pistol, and a Colt .38 caliber revolver, in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.  All three firearms were recovered during the execution of a search warrant in Burgman’s residence and vehicle. 

 

The case was investigated by the Kingston Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni.

 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

 

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