Middle District of Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a felony Information was filed yesterday charging a Waynesboro man with six bank robberies.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, John Raymond Smith, age 38, allegedly robbed two banks each in Greencastle and Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and in West Virginia in 2014.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, the Greencastle and Washington Township Police Departments and the West Virginia State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 120 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,500,000 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.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hamilton Health Center, Inc., a federally qualified health center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $270,000 to settle False Claims Act allegations. The settlement results from a self-disclosure by Hamilton to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) through the OIG’s Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol.

Federal law prohibits Medicare and Medicaid from paying for any item or service rendered by an individual excluded from participation in those programs. According to the self-disclosure and the investigation that followed, from 2006 to 2013, Hamilton allegedly employed an individual who had been previously excluded from participation in Medicare and Medicaid.  The United States alleged that it had civil claims against Hamilton resulting from Medicare and Medicaid payments it received during that period of time that reimbursed the company for the excluded individual’s services. Hamilton has since taken corrective action and voluntarily disclosed the matter. This settlement resolves the matter without the filing of litigation.

HHS OIG has the authority to “exclude” persons or businesses that engage in certain misconduct from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs.  The effect of exclusion is that no federal program payment may be made for items or services provided by the excluded person/business, or provided because the excluded person prescribed or directed the item or service.  The prohibited items or services goes beyond direct patient care and include such things as administrative and management services.  If a person or business knows or should know that a claim may be submitted to one of the federal healthcare programs that covers one of these prohibited items or services, it exposes itself to liability.

The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony D. Scicchitano for the United States Attorney’s Office.

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HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Court Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner sentenced Adam N. Riegel, age 25, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania today to three years’ probation with eight months’ home confinement for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of the controlled substance analogue, 5-flouro-PB-22, and money laundering of proceeds from the distribution of that substance. Riegel was also ordered to forfeit $25,000 cash.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Riegel conspired with other persons between September 2013 through February 20, 2014, to distribute 5-flouro-PB-22. Riegel deposited $52,000 in proceeds of that offense on February 20, 2014, at the Service 1st Credit Union in Danville, Pennsylvania. Riegel was charged in August 2014 and pled guilty in January  2015 pursuant to a plea agreement filed on December 23, 2014.

The case was investigated by the Danville Borough Police Department, the Mahoning Township Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Philadelphia Division.  Prosecution of this matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Monroe County man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Scranton, before Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to the charge of theft of mail.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Jacob Tanner, age 29, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, admitted to stealing mail in the Stroudsburg area in 2014.  The thefts were discovered after a number of Stroudsburg residents complained about missing, torn or discarded mail.  Tanner was observed on surveillance video removing mail from a mailbox outside a residence in Stroudsburg.  Postal Authorities later apprehended Tanner in possession of stolen mail in December 2014.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Postal Inspection Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim or have further information should contact Postal Inspector David Heinke, United States Postal Service, at 877-876-2455

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 5 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.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Harrisburg returned an Indictment charging David Auman, age 37, of Liverpool, with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Auman was also charged with trading the stolen handgun for heroin and being a user of illegal drugs while in possession of a firearm.

The matter was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Harrisburg Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe has been assigned to prosecute the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $ 750,000 fine. 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 a Lebanon man was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested today for distribution of synthetic marijuana, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of body armor.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that Angel M. Pagan, age 41, distributed XLR11, a Schedule I controlled substance (synthetic marijuana) out of his residence in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  A search of the residence located synthetic marijuana, body armor and a stolen AK-47 rifle.

This case was investigated by the Lebanon County Drug Task Force, the Lebanon City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl Bloom is prosecuting the case. 

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law 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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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Lebanon County couple have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg and  arrested for possession of cocaine and criminal conspiracy.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment charges that Ray Leonard, age 40, of Jonestown and Saleam Moeun, age 30, of Lebanon City, distributed and conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine in Lebanon County, between January and April 2015.

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Smulktis.

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 for Leonard and Moeun is 80 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $ 50 million 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 that Senior United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo sentenced Matthew B. Puterbaugh, age 47, of Dover, Pennsylvania today to 180 months imprisonment for production of child pornography.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Puterbaugh was a music teacher and band director at Dover Intermediate School in York County. Between 2010 and 2014, he secretly recorded images of female students at the school that constitute child pornography.  In February 2014, school officials reported a complaint to the Northern York County Regional Police Department.  Police conducted searches and allegedly found thousands of images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on computers in Puterbaugh's home.

Puterbaugh was initially charged in August 2013. He pled guilty on January 21, 2015 pursuant to a plea agreement filed December 11, 2014.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.      

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Northern York County Regional Police Department in cooperation with the York County District Attorney’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that an indictment was returned yesterday afternoon by a federal grand jury in Scranton charging a New York man with armed bank robbery.

Jemel Laquan King, a/k/a “Melo,” age 37, a resident of New York, is charged with conspiring with others to commit the November 26, 2014 armed robbery of the NBT Bank on Keyser Avenue in Scranton.  Approximately $91,000 was taken during the robbery.  King is also charged with the use of a firearm during the commission of the crime.

Those previously charged with conspiring with King to commit the robbery include Jule Futrell, age 42, Endicott, New York, and Dorian Whitehead, age 29, Binghamton, New York.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Scranton and Binghamton offices. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

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 penalties in this case include 25 years’ incarceration, plus an additional minimum of 7 years’ incarceration for the use of the firearm during the commission of a violent crime.  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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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 45-year-old Tobyhanna man pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick in Scranton, to producing child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Robert Ferraro, admitted to using and persuading a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images of such conduct. Ferraro admitted to committing the crime between August 2013 and January 2015.

Ferraro was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2015, as a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy will impose sentence in the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa 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 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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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Criminal Information was filed today in U.S. District Court in Scranton, charging Mirela Desouza, age 45, of Bangor, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, with conspiring to violate federal currency transaction requirements for the purpose of sending the proceeds of illegal activities out of the United States.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Desouza allegedly conspired with others from January 2008 through December 2011 to use a Stroudsburg-based money transmitter service operated under the name of Tropic Express, Inc., to send money electronically to the Dominican Republic in varying amounts and using names of “nominee” senders and receivers of the funds, to fraudulently evade federal record keeping and reporting requirements.

The government charges include a claim of forfeiture of property involved in the offense including a bank account at M&T Bank in the name of Tropical Express, Inc. and a $25,000 money judgment.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.

The government also filed a plea agreement with Desouza, which is subject to the approval of the court.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the alleged crime of structuring consists of conducting transactions in currency for the purpose of evading federal reporting requirements.  Banking institutions are required to file currency transaction reports (CTRs) with the Internal Revenue Service for each deposit, withdraw and/or exchange of currency, or a payment that involves currency of over specified amounts, in this case $3,000.  The law also prohibits evading or attempting to evade record keeping requirements.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

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 5 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.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Court Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Kulwinder Singh Grewal, age 42, of Myerstown, today to 1 ½ years’ imprisonment for selling bath salts and synthetic marijuana.

Grewal pled guilty in February 2014 to the sale of misbranded drugs under names such as Eight Ballz, Fusion Herbal Potpourri, Joy, Crunky Monkey and Purple Haze.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Grewal operated a mini-mart and sold these items from his store and other stores he helped to supply. The substances were determined to be either controlled substances or analogues of controlled substances. The substances were packaged for retail sale and contain warning labels that they were not for human consumption.

Grewal admitted that he was aware that these products were being ingested by customers to get high.  During a search of Grewal’s home in April 2012, agents recovered a white plastic bag in a tool box in the garage that contained packages marked “Eight Balls.”  The DEA lab determined that the substances were α-PVP, Pentylone, 4-MEC, and α-PBP, all cathinones and analogues of Methcathinone, a controlled substance.

A substance is an analogue if it is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a schedule I or II substance which has a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system similar to or greater than that of the schedule I or II controlled substance. These substances (bath salts and synthetic marijuana) mimicked marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance or methcathinone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Proceeds from the sales of these products were deposited by co-defendant, Amerjit Singh Grewal, into business accounts. Funds from these accounts were withdrawn and used to purchase synthetic marijuana and bath salts products from vendors such as DZE, located in Houston, Texas. Grewal was ordered to forfeit the funds seized from these accounts which totaled almost $500,000. Co-defendant Amerjit Singh Grewal was previously sentenced by Judge Kane to 33 months imprisonment.  

“The public is put at risk by the sale and distribution of potentially dangerous drugs that are disguised as innocuous consumer products,” said Special Agent in Charge Antoinette V. Henry of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro-Washington Field Office. "We will continue to work to prevent such drugs from reaching the market and to bring to justice those who endanger the public health by circumventing FDA’s regulatory process."

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Attorney=s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Dauphin and Cumberland County Drug Task Forces, Homeland Securities Investigations, the Lancaster and Lebanon County Drug Task Forces, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Lewistown Police Department and Drug Task Force, Coal Township, Elizabethtown and Ephrata Police Departments.

Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a grand jury sitting in Scranton, Pennsylvania has returned an indictment charging Roberto Sanchez, age 37, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin and more than 500 grams of cocaine.  The grand jury also charged Sanchez with counts relating to the possession with the intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, and an additional count charging that he possessed with the intent to distribute an unspecified quantity of cocaine. The indictment further seeks forfeiture of $54,283.00 in US Currency.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the charges in the indictment stem from Robert Sanchez’s arrest by United States Marshals on a warrant issued by New York authorities.  In the process of the arrest, the Marshals determined that there were drugs on the premises and contacted agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration to assist.  Ultimately, Sanchez was found to have in his possession within the residence more than 300 grams of heroin, more than 100 grams of cocaine, and $54,283.00 in United States currency.

The maximum penalty under the federal statute for conspiracy to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin is life imprisonment. Sanchez also faces a term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine, if convicted.  Sanchez is presently in custody at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Prosecution of the case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.

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 guilty 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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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a criminal information was filed today in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging Jacob Tanner, age 28, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, with theft of mail.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the alleged theft was discovered after a number of Stroudsburg residents complained about missing, torn or discarded mail.  Tanner was allegedly observed on surveillance video removing mail from a mailbox outside a residence in Stroudsburg.  Postal Authorities later apprehended Tanner in possession of stolen mail in December 2014.

The government also filed a plea agreement in the case, which must be approved by the court.

The case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Postal Inspection Services, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim or have further information should contact Postal Inspector David Heinke, United States Postal Service, at 877-876-2455.

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 5 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.

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WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a criminal drug distribution charge has been filed against Lindalee Middleton of Blain, Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Middleton, age 56, is charged with attempting to distribute heroin to an inmate at USP Allenwood during a visit on March 15, 2014.  The government also filed a plea agreement in the case, which must be approved by the court.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Special Investigative Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Samuelson 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 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Scranton men were indicted on April 28, 2015, by a federal grand jury for sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minor and related charges.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Jimmy Cantelmo, age 26, and Mark Matis a/k/a “Koolaid,” age 26, conspired with each other and others to persuade a female minor to engage in prostitution and illegal sexual activity during February through August 2014. The indictment alleges that the defendants and/or their co-conspirators used a cell phone to post advertisements for “escort services” involving the minor female on a website, rented motel rooms in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to facilitate the prostitution activities, purchased condoms for the minor to use when engaging in commercial sex acts, and acted as “bodyguards” for the minor during prostitution activities.

James Cantelmo and Matis are formally charged with Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Sex Trafficking of a Minor as aiders and abettors. Cantelmo is also charged with attempting to commit sex trafficking of a minor on August 26, 2014, and using a means and facility of interstate commerce to attempt to persuade and induce a minor to engage in prostitution on August 26, 2014.

Cantelmo was arrested last week and Matis will be arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick.

The charges stem from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigators and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Each charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

This case was brought as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office 2015 Human Trafficking Initiative and Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.

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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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that an indictment was returned on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, by a grand jury in Scranton charging an Exeter man with distribution of crack cocaine.

According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the indictment charges that Sekou Lashley, age 36, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, distributed cocaine base (crack) in Plains Township, Pennsylvania, on March 19, 2015.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Peter Hobart is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for distributing cocaine is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 fine.

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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WILKES-BARRE- The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Senior United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo sentenced Shawn Morse, age 43, of Wilkes-Barre, yesterday to 80 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the distribution of cocaine between 2010 and April 2013.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Morse was involved in the distribution of cocaine in the Wilkes-Barre area.  On April 3, 2013, FBI Agents arrested Morse at his Wilkes-Barre home.  On November 17, 2014, Morse appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to a criminal information which charged him with cocaine distribution.

In addition to the 80-month term of imprisonment, Judge Caputo ordered that Morse be placed under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for a period of three years following the service of his prison sentence.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a second Monroe County man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Scranton, before Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Emmanuel Tucker, age 39, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Monroe County area in 2013 and 2014.

Tucker was one of seven individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2014, after a several month investigation conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and the Stroud Regional Police Department regarding methamphetamine trafficking in Monroe County.

Previously, Scott Borushak, age 51, of Stroudsburg, pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in the same methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. In addition, Jeannine Altemose, age 53, of Stroudsburg, previously entered a guilty plea and admitted to allowing methamphetamine to be stored and distributed from her residence.  The charges against the remaining defendants are currently pending.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 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.

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HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Pittston man was indicted on April 28, 2015, by a federal grand jury for receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Steven Wolfe, age 25, used a computer and other electronic devices to download and distribute images of child pornography during November 2013 through February 4, 2015. Wolfe is currently in Luzerne County Prison and will be appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick on Friday, May 8, 2015.

The charge stems from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and Pittston Police.

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."

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

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 28-year-old Scranton resident was sentenced today to 151 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton, for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy involving a minor.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Sean Cantelmo, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to have a 17-year-old female engage in prostitution and illegal sexual activity during February through May 2014. Cantelmo admitted that he and others used a cell phone to post advertisements for “escort services” involving the minor female on a website, rented motel rooms in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to facilitate the prostitution activities, and purchased condoms for the minor to use when engaging in commercial sex acts.

Cantelmo was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Lackawanna District Attorney’s Office.

Judge Munley also ordered Cantelmo to serve 10 years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Cantelmo must also undergo sex offender treatment and must comply with the registration and notification requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

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."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a grand jury in Scranton returned an Indictment today charging a Bradford County man with defrauding a 92 year old victim of approximately $400,000.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that between April 2011 and December 2013, Alan J. Fassett, age 66, of Athens, Pennsylvania, engaged in a scheme to defraud an elderly woman, who, during 2012 and 2013 was a resident in a nursing home in Athens.  The nineteen-count Indictment alleges that Fassett used the purported authority of a Power of Attorney to steal more than $400,000 from the victim, including unlawfully transferring securities and other assets of the victim into Fassett’s personal bank accounts and used them for his personal benefit.  The Indictment charges counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Athens Police Department.  Prosecution is assigned to United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes against the elderly as a matter of high priority.

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 the federal statute for wire fraud is 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.  The maximum penalty under the federal statute for money laundering is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.  The maximum penalty under the federal statute for aggravated identity theft is 2 years imprisonment consecutive to the predicate crime, 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 an Archbald man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Scranton on charges of receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Michael J. Costello, age 41, used a computer to download and distribute images of child pornography during January through November 2014.

Costello is charged in separate counts with receiving and distributing child pornography, attempted receipt of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.  He is also charged with one count of possession of child pornography.

The Indictment stems from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.

If convicted, Costello faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison for the receipt and distribution charges, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each charge.

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."

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.

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 U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Tashan Lantiqua Layton, age 24, of Harrisburg, yesterday to 84 months in prison for bank robbery.

During the sentencing hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Terz stated that on March 30, 2013, Layton entered the Sovereign Bank branch at 519 South 29th Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pointed a gun at a bank manager, and demanded money.  Layton admitted to the Court that the gun he pointed at the bank employee was loaded.  Customers were present in the bank at the time of the incident.

The 84-month sentence Layton received represents the high end of the guidelines range he faced.  The Court rejected defense counsel's request for a downward variance.

The investigation was conducted by the Harrisburg Police Department and the FBI.

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

# # #

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a citizen of the Dominican Republic illegally residing in Hazleton has been charged with attempting to obtain a U.S. passport by false statements and with illegally possessing a firearm.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Jhonny Melenciano Marte, age 34, of Hazleton, was charged in a Criminal Information filed today in the United States District Court in Scranton.  The Criminal Information was filed pursuant to a Plea Agreement which is subject to the approval of the court.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Hinkley.

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

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that three Shippensburg residents were indicted today by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg on charges of unlawful distribution of at least 100 grams of heroin.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Jonathan Santana, 33, Dorothy Washington, 28, and Angelo Joy Harrison, 38, all of Shippensburg, Franklin County were charged in a two count indictment with unlawfully distributing at least 100 grams of heroin and conspiring with each other to distribute heroin, from November 2014 to March 2015.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Harrisburg Resident Office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe has been assigned to prosecute 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 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $5 million 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.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a New Jersey man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg on multiple drug trafficking charges.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Ladon Huntley, 38, Newark, NJ, was charged by the grand jury with possessing approximately 32,000 bags (approximately two pounds) of heroin. The drugs were allegedly recovered after a search of Huntley’s car during a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Lower Paxton Township on March 31, 2015.  The grand jury also charged Huntley with conspiring with unknown individuals to distribute the heroin and with traveling interstate to facilitate heroin trafficking.

The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s Harrisburg Resident Office. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe has been assigned to prosecute 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 45 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $2,250,000 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 a 36-year-old Reading man was sentenced to 75 months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton, for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that operated in Monroe and Berks Counties.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Donald Patnelli, Jr., previously pleaded guilty to participating in the drug conspiracy responsible for distributing over one kilogram of heroin, more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, and other drugs from 2010 to 2013.

Patnelli was indicted by a grand jury in June 2013, as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.

Judge Mariani also ordered that Patnelli serve five years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.      

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Luzerne County residents pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton, to participating in a two-year conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, commonly known as “bath salts,” in Luzerne County.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Maura Kathio, age 26, of Yatesville, and Marguerita Ann Davis, age 59, of Kingston, admitted to obtaining alpha-pvp from suppliers in West Pittston and distributing the drug to others in the Luzerne County area between December 2011 and August 2013.

The two women were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2014, as a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and West Pittston Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the cases.

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

The maximum penalty for both defendants under federal law is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1 million 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.

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

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 29-year-old Dingmans Ferry man was sentenced to five years in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion in Scranton, for receiving and distributing child pornography.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Daniel Decker, was charged and pled guilty earlier this year after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Judge Mannion also ordered that Decker serve 15 years on supervised release following his prison sentence. Decker must also register as a sex offender, undergo sex offender treatment, and comply with all of the rules of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

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."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

         # # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Banks, age 39, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones III in Harrisburg to 21 months imprisonment for bank fraud.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith, Banks used a stolen identity to open an account at the bank and fraudulently obtained a debit card to access a bank customer’s account to withdrawal money.  Banks was initially charged in September 2013. He pled guilty on December 17, 2014.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

# # #

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ronald Lee Goss, age 40, Harrisburg, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones III in Harrisburg to 156 months imprisonment for distribution of crack cocaine.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Goss distributed crack cocaine in the Harrisburg area during 2011.  Gross was initially charged in January 2015. He pled guilty on September 30, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Capital City Safe Streets Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Howe, age 27, of Elmira, New York, was sentenced April 22 by U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a drug related offense.

Judge Kosik sentenced Howe to 21 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Alpha-PVP, commonly known as “bath salts.”

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Howe was initially charged in a Criminal Indictment on December 10, 2013. Howe pled guilty on July 24, 2014.

The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Athens Borough Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Vanny Son, age 33, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones III to 37 months imprisonment to be followed by three years supervised release, and restitution to the IRS in the amount of $682,897, for a conspiracy to defraud the IRS of approximately $1 million in employment taxes between 2006 and 2012.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Son operated five employee leasing companies which supplied day laborers to several businesses in the Harrisburg area.

The employee leasing companies were known as V&S Services, Industrial Labor Services, Advance Labor Services, HD Staffing Services and TD Staffing.  Between 2006 and 2012, these five businesses paid cash wages of more than $7 million to their employees without withholding any employment taxes, such as social security and Medicare taxes.  As a result, approximately $1 million in employment taxes were not collected and paid to the IRS, as required by federal law.

Son was indicted by a grand jury on July 10, 2014 along with Son Thach and Hung Danh, also of Harrisburg.  Thach and Danh helped Son operate the employee leasing companies.  Thach was previously sentenced to serve one month imprisonment with two years supervised release and pay $682,897 in restitution.  Danh remains a fugitive.

Son was ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons on May 22, 2015 to commence serving his sentence.

The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Brandler prosecuted the case.

# # #

2015 is the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to the goals of the ADA and its enforcement. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is urging everyone to be especially mindful of children protected and helped by the ADA.  For that reason, we are marking the ADA’s anniversary by issuing a letter with ADA information to children’s summer camps in counties within the Middle District.

The information is contained in a brochure which briefly describes the ADA’s requirements, lists helpful tips for summer camps and provides resources for further information.

Under the ADA, summer camps, both private and those run by municipalities, must make reasonable modifications to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in all camp programs and activities.  This means that children with disabilities are entitled to attend any camp or activity that non-disabled children attend, that camps must evaluate each child on an individual basis, and that camps must train their staff in the requirements of the ADA.  Camps are also obligated to pay for the cost of any reasonable modifications necessary for disabled children to participate in camp activities, and parents should not be charged any additional fee beyond standard camp enrollment costs.

Additional information about the ADA is available at www.ada.gov, or through contacting the ADA information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Monroe County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and for aiding in the distribution of heroin.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Sal DiPalma, Jr., age 45, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, is charged with allegedly participating in the criminal activity in Monroe, Wayne and Lackawanna Counties between January and October of 2013.

The investigation was conducted by the Lackawanna County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is imprisonment for twenty years, 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.

# # #

The Department of Justice will honor a federal team with the Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award for identifying 60,000 financial fraud victims and more than $100 million in financial losses, during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Service Awards ceremony Tuesday, April 21, in Washington, D.C.

From 2004 to 2009, the company MoneyGram International (MGI) processed a myriad of transactions associated with international marketing schemes, on behalf of scammers who conned victims out of thousands of dollars.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Money Laundering Section and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Harrisburg worked together to investigate and prosecute MGI on behalf of the victims of these mass marketing fraud schemes.

MGI executives ignored victim complaints when first confronted by internal fraud investigators and federal law enforcement. By collaborating with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and the media, who informed victims of their right to file claims to recover financial losses, this team returned $62.2 million to 22,377 victims or their families as of March 2015. Cross-border fraud investigations continue, resulting in the indictment, arrest and prosecution of more than 25 MGI agents and associates.

At the April 21 ceremony the Justice Department will also recognize 11 other individuals and programs for their outstanding efforts on behalf of crime victims.  Descriptions of the honorees are available at the Office for Victims of Crime’s Gallery: https://ovcncvrw.ncjrs.gov/Awards/AwardGallery/gallerysearch.html.

The Department’s Office for Victims of Crime leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and hosts an award ceremony each year to bring greater awareness and sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims.  President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, calling for greater sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25, with the theme Engaging Communities.  Empowering Victims. 

About the Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

# # #

The Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Middle District of Pennsylvania honored today are Kim Daniel and Christy Fawcett, who have prosecuted cases against international marketing fraud schemes that use financial services network for the past 10 years.  As a result of these efforts approximately 35 individuals have been successfully prosecuted; including extraditions to the United States from foreign countries; other defendants have been corrupt agents of financial services businesses.  In 2013 MoneyGram International, a major provider of financial services in the U.S. and around the world, entered into a settlement agreement that resulted in a $100 million being set up to make restitution to victims.  (see the link to a 2014 MoneyGram settlement announcement).

The investigation of such schemes by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Juan Valencia-Diaz, age 41, a citizen of Mexico, and Jaime Geovany Bustos-Heras, age 36, Ecuador, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg on illegal re-entry charges.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Valencia-Diaz was allegedly deported from the United States on September 5, 2008 and again on October 7, 2008 after he was convicted of driving under the influence.  He allegedly re-entered the United States illegally sometime prior to September 2, 2014, when he was arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at York County Prison, where he is incarcerated following his third conviction for driving under the influence.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

Bustos-Heras was allegedly deported from the United States on November 1, 2007 after he was convicted of simple assault.  He allegedly re-entered the United States illegally sometime prior to March 2, 2015, when he was arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his Harrisburg residence.

Bustos-Heras is currently incarcerated at the York County Prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute 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.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Townsley, age 43, of Luzerne County, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by United States District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy to 151 months’ imprisonment for bank robbery.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Townsley engaged in an 18-day crime spree beginning on December 24, 2013 and ending on January 10, 2014.  The crime spree included two robberies of the First National Community Bank (branches in Kingston and Hanover Township), and seven robberies of various local businesses.  Townsley previously entered guilty pleas to all charges filed in a criminal information on June 18, 2014.

For each robbery, Townsley used a black pellet gun that mirrored the look of a 9mm handgun as a threat of force and to instill fear in his victims. Townsley was arrested on January 13, 2014 and has remained in custody in the Lackawanna County Prison.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of many local police departments including Kingston, Kingston Township, Larksville, Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre, Plains, Ashley, and Luzerne County District Attorney Detectives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Daleo G. Powell, 32, of Harrisburg, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg.  The indictment charges Powell with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charges are a result of an initial investigation by Harrisburg Police in December 2014 that allegedly resulted in Powell being found in possession of a loaded firearm and nine bundles of heroin on 15th Street in Harrisburg, PA, after having previously been convicted of several felony offenses.  At the time of Powell’s arrest, he allegedly had an active warrant for his arrest, was driving with a suspended license, and had previous felony convictions.  

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harrisburg Police Bureau.  As part of an ongoing cooperative effort by federal and local law enforcement, the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

The maximum penalty under federal law is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that criminal charges were filed late yesterday in U.S. District Court in Scranton against a former official of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1338, for stealing almost $9,000 in union funds over a two-and-a-half year period.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that on multiple occasions between May 2011 and December 2013, David Deitrick, aged 50, of Ranshaw, Pennsylvania, abused his position as the union’s secretary/treasurer in order to steal a total of $8,993.38 of the labor organization’s money.        

The investigation was conducted by investigators from the United States Department of Labor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Hobart.

The maximum penalty under federal law for Embezzlement and Theft of Labor Union Assets is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. 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.

# # #

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a criminal information was filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, charging Cheryl Floyd, 52, Harrisburg, owner of Floyd Nutrition LLC, with introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and money laundering.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Floyd, aka Cheryl Floyd Brown, is owner and operator of an internet-based business known as Floyd Nutrition LLC, based at her Harrisburg residence and warehouse facilities in the Harrisburg area.

The items offered for sale between 2010 and 2014 were allegedly purported all-natural dietary supplements sold as weight loss products.  They allegedly contain the drugs sibutramine and phenolphphthalein which are not listed as ingredients in the product labels.

According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sibutramine was the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Meridia, a prescription weight loss drug removed from the market in 2010 following studies that showed increased heart attack and stroke in the studied population.  Phenolphphthalein was an over-the-county drug until 1999 when FDA reclassified it as not generally safe because it posed a carcinogenic risk.

The FDA has detained shipments of the products coming from China intended for Floyd’s business.  In July 2014, search warrants executed at locations used by Floyd’s business resulted in seizure of a large quantity of the products.  The products were sold over the internet under the names such as Slim Trim U, ZXT Slim Bee Pollen, Magic Slim, ZXT Bee Pollen, ZXT Gold Infinity, Lean Body Extreme, Bnew Beauty and Body and Natural Body Solutions.

“When individuals knowingly sell misbranded drugs to the general public and generate significant profits from these sales, IRS Criminal Investigation will diligently work with our fellow law enforcement partners to dismantle the operation and trace the proceeds of the criminal activity, which in this particular matter where seven properties valued at over $2 million,” said Special Agent in Charge Akeia Conner of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

“The manufacturing and selling of products marketed as all natural dietary supplements that actually contain dangerous pharmaceutical ingredients places consumers at risk of serious injury or death,” said Special Agent in Charge Antoinette V. Henry of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ (FDA OCI) Metro-Washington Field Office.  “FDA OCI will continue working with the Department of Justice to protect consumers from public health risks and fraud and commends the USAO MDPA and our law enforcement partners for the resolve and commitment they demonstrated in investigating and prosecuting this case.”

The criminal information also charges Floyd with money laundering of the proceeds of the sales of the misbranded products and the government is seeking forfeitures of properties in Harrisburg owned by the defendant, a truck and nine bank accounts.

The government filed a plea agreement with the defendant that included an agreement to forfeit the properties listed in the criminal Information.  The agreement is subject to the approval of the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

This case was investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force.  It is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy H. Fawcett of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Introduction of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine and a one-year term of supervised release.  The maximum penalty for conducting financial transactions with criminally-derived property in excess of $10,000 is ten years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a three-year term of supervised release.

An Indictment and criminal Information 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.

Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:  Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm - download the form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a criminal Information was filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg charging Cheryl Floyd, age 52, Harrisburg, owner of Floyd Nutrition LLC, with introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and money laundering.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Floyd, also known as Cheryl Floyd Brown, is owner and operator of an internet-based business known as Floyd Nutrition LLC, based at her Harrisburg residence and warehouse facilities in the Harrisburg area.

The items offered for sale between 2010 and 2014 were allegedly purported all-natural dietary supplements sold as weight loss products.  They allegedly contain the drugs sibutramine and phenolphphthalein which are not listed as ingredients in the product labels.

According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sibutramine was the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Meridia, a prescription weight loss drug removed from the market in 2010 following studies that showed increased heart attack and stroke in the studied population.  Phenolphphthalein was an over-the-county drug until 1999 when FDA reclassified it as not generally safe because it posed a carcinogenic risk.

The FDA has detained shipments of the products coming from China intended for Floyd’s business.  In July 2014, search warrants executed at locations used by Floyd’s business resulted in seizure of a large quantity of the products.  The products were sold over the internet under the names such as Slim Trim U, ZXT Slim Bee Pollen, Magic Slim, ZXT Bee Pollen, ZXT Gold Infinity, Lean Body Extreme, Bnew Beauty and Body and Natural Body Solutions.

Akeia Conner, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge, said “When individuals knowingly sell misbranded drugs to the general public and generate significant profits from these sales, IRS Criminal Investigation will diligently work with our fellow law enforcement partners to dismantle the operation and trace the proceeds of the criminal activity, which in this particular matter where seven properties valued at over $2,000,000.”

"The manufacturing and selling of products marketed as all natural dietary supplements that actually contain dangerous pharmaceutical ingredients places consumers at risk of serious injury or death," said Antoinette V. Henry, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations' Metro-Washington Field Office. "FDA OCI will continue working with the Department of Justice to protect consumers from public health risks and fraud and commends the USAO MDPA and our law enforcement partners for the resolve and commitment they demonstrated in investigating and prosecuting this case."

Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:  Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm - download the form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

The criminal Information also charges Floyd with money laundering of the proceeds of the sales of the misbranded products and the government is seeking forfeitures of properties in Harrisburg owned by the defendant, a truck, and nine bank accounts.

The government filed a plea agreement with the defendant that included an agreement to forfeit the properties listed in the criminal Information.  The agreement is subject to the approval of the U.S. District Court.

This case was investigated by the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force.  It is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy H. Fawcett.

Introduction of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, and a one-year term of supervised release.  The maximum penalty for conducting financial transactions with criminally-derived property in excess of $10,000 is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a three-year term of supervised release.

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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Monroe County man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Scranton, before Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Scott Borushak, age 51, of Sciota, Monroe County, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Monroe County area in 2013 and 2014.

Borushak was one of seven individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2014, after an investigation conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and the Stroud Regional Police Department.

Previously, Jeannine Altemose, age 53, of Stroudsburg, pleaded guilty and admitted to allowing methamphetamine to be stored and distributed from her residence. The charges against the remaining defendants are currently pending.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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

In this case, the maximum penalty for all charges under the federal statutes is imprisonment for 20 years, 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Monroe County man pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Scranton, before Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Scott Borushak, age 51, of Sciota, Monroe County, admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Monroe County area in 2013 and 2014.

Borushak was one of seven individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2014, after an investigation conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and the Stroud Regional Police Department.

Previously, Jeannine Altemose, age 53, of Stroudsburg, pleaded guilty and admitted to allowing methamphetamine to be stored and distributed from her residence.  The charges against the remaining defendants are currently pending.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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

In this case, the maximum penalty for all charges under the federal statutes is imprisonment for 20 years, 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Kevin Brophy, age 60, Florida, Dr. Fernando Motta, age 44, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Christopher Korte, age 43, Pueblo, Colorado, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab in Harrisburg. Dr. Renee Nodine, age 52, Annville, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the four defendants were each charged in separate criminal Informations on March 26, 2015, for their involvement in illegally treating thoroughbred race horses on race day at Penn National Race Track in Grantville, Pennsylvania.

Each defendant is charged with allegedly administering drugs to horses within 24 hours of when the horse was entered to race. This conduct was in violation of the state law prohibiting the rigging of publicly exhibited contests and regulations prohibiting the administration of drugs to horses within 24 hours of when they are entered to race. Additionally, because the administering of the drugs was in violation of the state criminal laws, rules and regulations governing thoroughbred racing, they were not dispensed in the course of the defendants’ professional practice.

At the guilty plea proceedings before Magistrate Judge Schwab, Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe explained that the drugs were not administered to treat the horses but to enhance the horses’ performance in the race or to give it an edge over other horses. According to Behe this constituted misbranding of the prescription animal drugs in violation of federal law. The alleged activity took place at various times beginning as early as 1986 and continuing up to August 2014.

The Informations also allege that the defendants conspired with horse trainers, whose identities are “known to the United States”, to administer the drugs in violation of the laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of thoroughbred racing.

The guilty pleas this week were pursuant to plea agreements in which the defendants agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the United States in the continuing investigation. At the guilty plea proceedings Behe informed the court that cooperation by the defendants was an essential part of the plea agreement and that the defendants had already identified for the United States the many trainers with whom the defendants conspired with to illegally administer drugs to the horses. Behe identified for the court the drugs that were administered to include, among others, Kentucky Red, Carolina Gold, Bute, Dexamethasone, Banamine, Stop2, Estrogen, L-Arginine, and ACTH

According to the charges, trainers allegedly placed orders for drugs and the defendants, after administering the drugs, backdated the billing records to avoid detection. The defendants allegedly submitted false veterinarian treatment reports to the State Horse Racing Commission, omitting from those reports any reference to the drugs administered to horses at the track on race day. The filing of these reports and the backdating of billing records were, allegedly, to further the conspiracy by concealing the illegal activity. These acts had the potential to defraud other owners and trainers whose horses were entered in the same race and defrauded the betting public as well.

The matter is being investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe is prosecuting the cases for the United States.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty in these cases under the federal statute is 2 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $200,000 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.

Sentencing for the four defendants is scheduled for July 21, 2015 before Magistrate Judge Schwab.

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton filed a superseding indictment charging Leo Glodzik, age 44, of Wilkes-Barre with additional counts of bank fraud and false statements. In a separate indictment, Glodzik is charged with unlawful possession of three firearms in August 2014.

According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the new fraud charges are part of a continuing investigation involving the Wilkes-Barre City Employees Federal Credit Union. Glodzik allegedly aided in the making of a false statement by using a fraudulent check drawn on a closed bank account as collateral for a $3,500 loan from the credit union to a co-defendant in July 2013.

In a separate indictment, the grand jury charged Glodzik with unlawful possession of three firearms in August 2014, specifically, a shotgun and two rifles. According to the indictment, Gladzik was allegedly a convicted felon at the time, as a result of a previous conviction on a state charge of theft.

No additional charges were brought against other co-defendants in the pending credit union bank fraud conspiracy case which is now part of the superseding indictment. Yesterday the government filed a plea agreement with one of the co-defendants, Tino Ninotti, which is subject to the approval of the court.

The indictments are part of a continuing investigation by the Scranton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute for the firearm charge is 10 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the bank fraud charge is 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1 million 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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The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ralph Howell, age 48, and Eddie Rodgriguez-Melendez, age 35, both of Harrisburg, were sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner in Harrisburg, for drug related offenses.

Judge Conner sentenced Howell to 46 months imprisonment for use of a telephone to commit a drug trafficking crime. Rodriguez-Melendez was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Howell and Rodriguez-Melendez were initially charged in a Criminal Indictment on April 11, 2014 and later charged in a Superseding Indictment filed by the United States Attorney on July 18, 2012. Howell pled guilty on June 13, 2014. Rodriguez-Melendez pled guilty on December 4, 2014.

The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Dauphin County Drug Task Force, Harrisburg City Police, and Lebanon Country Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 32-year-old Wilkes-Barre man was sentenced to 360 months in prison today by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton, for charges involving trafficking in excess of 100 grams of heroin and related firearm offenses.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Terrell Stevenson, a/k/a “Inf”, was found guilty following a 5-day trial before Judge Robert D. Mariani.

Stevenson and his co-defendants were first charged in a criminal complaint filed in 2012 and were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton. The others charged include: William Nelson, age 42, and Merisol Merry, age 42, both of Brooklyn, New York; Lamar Thomas, age 40, Gregory Bush, age 52, both from Scranton; Michael Blondell, age 35, of Blakely; Christopher Taylor, age 26, of Binghamton, New York; and Sean Martinelli, 29, of Philadelphia. All co-defendants previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency Scranton office, the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office – Detective Division, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

# # #

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 32-year-old Effort resident pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to participating in a drug conspiracy that was responsible for distributing large quantities of heroin, cocaine and other drugs during a four-year time period in Monroe, Montgomery, and Berks Counties.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Ramon Baez, admitted to regularly obtaining drugs from suppliers in Reading and New York, and distributing those drugs to other dealers in Reading and the Monroe County area.

The charge against Baez resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Berks County Detectives and Montgomery County Detectives.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1 million 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.

Judge Mariani ordered a pre-sentence report to be completed. Sentencing is scheduled to take place in July 2015.

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