Middle District of Pennsylvania

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Carbon County man was sentenced today, in federal court in Scranton by Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to serve 30 months in prison on the charge of distributing cocaine.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Joseph Revell, age 21, of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, previously pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine in the Carbon County area between January 2011 and December 2012.

     In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Kosik also ordered that Revell be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his release from prison.

     Revell was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 30, 2012, after an  investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Nesquehoning and Lansford Police Departments in Carbon County.

     Previously, Alexander “Butch”  Sommers, age 48, of Summit Hill, Carbon County, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for participating in the same cocaine trafficking ring.

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the sentencing yesterday of Andrew Brosnac, age 48, of Mansfield, Texas.  Brosnac, a real estate agent and investment consultant, plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud in connection with the sale and leaseback of businesses in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, South Dakota, California, Oregon, and Wyoming. 

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, between 2006 and 2008 Brosnac and co-conspirator Samuel Pearson, age 47, Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania, admitted using a group of companies to buy Jiffy Lube stores, automotive service businesses, convenience store/gas stations and other commercial properties, then selling them to investors in Pennsylvania and California.  The investment properties included a Jiffy Lube store in Sayre, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

     Judge Yvette Kane sentenced Brosnac to five years in prison, followed by a period of three years’ supervised release, and a special assessment of $100, and ordered Brosnac to pay to victim investors and lenders restitution totaling $2,409,924.04 representing the commissions and consulting fees that he received as a result of the offense.  Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines the advisory imprisonment range was 60 months, which is also the maximum statutory term of imprisonment.

     The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

     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 Scranton charging Luzerne County Court employee, Stacey McGlone, age 37, of McAdoo, Pennsylvania, with stealing in excess of $5,000 from the Luzerne County Probation/Parole office, under the supervision of the County Court of Common Pleas, during the course of her employment with that office. 

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, McGlone was responsible for the collection of funds from individuals receiving services associated with the Probation/Parole Office, as well as debts owed by those individuals, including fines, costs and restitution debts incurred in connection with court proceedings.  McGlone allegedly failed to make proper disposition of funds that came into her possession by reason of her employment.  The Information charges that between January 2009 and March 2014, McGlone stole in excess of $5,000 in cash from payments she collected.

     Federal jurisdiction to prosecute the case is based on the fact that Luzerne County and the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas each received more than $10,000 in federal funds annually.

     The government also filed a plea agreement with McGlone which must be approved by the U.S. District Court.

     McGlone faces up to 10 years in prison and fines in the amount of $250,000. McGlone’s employment with Luzerne County and the Court of Common Pleas has been terminated.

     The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. 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 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 Steven Sheely, Sr., 59, Camp Hill, PA, Staci Sheely, 52, Camp Hill, PA, Steven Sheely, Jr., 39, Mechanicsburg, PA, John McDonald, 37, New Cumberland, PA, James Fox, 46, Harrisburg, PA, Bret Hager, 42, Carlisle, PA, Brian Fertenbaugh, 43, Mechanicsburg, PA, Ralph Domene, 47, Camp Hill, PA, and Roger Charles Vaneslow, II, 44, New Cumberland, PA, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charging them with four counts of running an illegal gambling operation, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury found probable cause to believe that all were involved in running a sports betting operation. It is a federal crime if five or more individuals are involved in running such an operation, and it operated continuously for more than 30 days or had gross receipts of at least $2,000 in any given day. The indictment alleges that it was in operation over the last six months. All nine were also charged with money laundering and conspiracy. Additionally, the indictment contained a forfeiture allegation, which means that if any or all of the defendants are convicted of the charges, they may be required to forfeit to the United States all illegal gambling proceeds.

     Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count if convicted of the money laundering or money laundering conspiracy charges and fines of up to $500,000 on each of those counts. The charge of operating an illegal gambling business and criminal conspiracy are each punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 on each of those counts.

     The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Harrisburg Resident Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. This case is being prosecution of by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.

     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.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a correction today in a press release issued on April 23, 2014 concerning an indictment presented by the grand jury in December 2012.

     The indictment was sealed until the filing of a criminal information on April 23, 2014 against Hetran Inc., an engineering and manufacturing plant in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania and its Chief Executive, Helmut Oertmann, relating to the same charges.

     When the indictment was unsealed the press release incorrectly stated that Suniel Malhotra, an Indian citizen, was one of the defendants.  In fact, the charges against Mr. Malhorta were dismissed in 2013 at the request of the government.

     Three Iranian citizens and two Iranian firms are defendant in the indictment.  The charges involve the shipment of industrial equipment to Iran in 2012 in violation of U.S. export license requirements.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 38-year-old Mountaintop resident, who was indicted in January 2014 by a federal grand jury in Scranton for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, was arrested yesterday by federal agents.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Joseph White unlawful possessed a Hi Point .45 caliber firearm in June 2013 in Kingston, Pennsylvania. The indictment alleges that, at the time he possessed the firearm, White was a convicted felon.   

     White appeared before Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Blewitt for his initial appearance.  Magistrate Judge Blewitt ordered White detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for next week.

     The charge stems from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Kingston Police. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Deputy United States Marshals assisted in the apprehension of White.

     If the defendant is convicted of the charge he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

     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 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 an Edwardsville woman pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to aiding and abetting another person in transporting a female from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to engage in prostitution.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the defendant, Kyoni Humphrey a/k/a “Kyoni Nieves,” age 24, admitted that she helped a co-defendant commit the crime by renting and driving a vehicle used to transport the female to motels in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to engage in prostitution, renting motel rooms, and posting “escort” advertisements and photographs on the backpage.com website during May and June of 2013.

     Humphrey was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2014, as a result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

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

     Humphrey faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Judge Mariani ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed and scheduled sentencing for the week of August 11, 2014.

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

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dante Kaleek Darby, 32, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charging him with four counts of distribution of a controlled substance, cocaine, between September 2012 and October 2013 in Franklin County.

     If convicted, Darby faces a statutory maximum of 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

     This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura J. Kerstetter, of the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

     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 these particular cases, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years imprisonment and 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 today that Walter J. Pietralczyk, Jr., age 40, Jermyn, Pennsylvania was sentenced yesterday in federal court for his role in a tax fraud while also involved his wife, Lackawanna County Attorney, Danielle Ross.  U.S. Magistrate Judge, Thomas M. Blewitt, sentenced Pietralczyk to a two year term of probation and ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $63,124.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, a criminal information was filed on November 5, 2013 which charged Pietralczyk with one count of preparing and filing a fraudulent joint tax return on behalf of himself and his wife, Danielle Ross.  The information charges that Pietralczyk knew that the tax return, Form 1040, was fraudulent and false as to a material matter in that the income reflected was substantially less than the couple’s actual joint income for the calendar year 2009. The restitution ordered reflects the tax loss for the calendar years 2008 through 2010.

     The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion has sentenced Kevin Lawrence Johnson, age 35, formerly of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, to nine years’ imprisonment for distributing heroin on numerous occasions between 2010 and May 2013 in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Johnson routinely obtained heroin in Philadelphia and transported it to Lackawanna County for distribution with the assistance of street level dealers working for him.  On September 4, 2013, Johnson appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to heroin distribution.  In doing so, he admitted to distributing more than 400 grams of heroin during the scheme.  In addition to the nine-year term of imprisonment, Judge Mannion ordered that Johnson 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 Scranton Police Department, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), announced today that charges in three unrelated cases have been brought against the following persons by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg:

     Santiago Ortiz-Ortiz, age 49, a native and citizen of Mexico in the United States illegally, was charged in a one-count indictment alleging that Ortiz-Ortiz, an alien previously arrested and deported, knowingly and unlawfully reentered the United States. He was located by federal immigration agents in York County, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Ortiz-Ortiz faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     Claudio Villa-Vera, age 26, a native and citizen of Ecuador in the United States illegally, was charged in a one-count indictment alleging that Villa-Vera, an alien previously been arrested and deported knowingly and unlawfully reentered the United States and was apprehended in York, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Villa-Vera faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     Jose Gonzalez-Sanchez, age 25, a native and citizen of Mexico, in the United States illegally, was charged in a one-count alleging that Gonzalez-Sanchez, an alien previously been arrested and deported knowingly and unlawfully reenter the United States and was apprehended in Franklin, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Gonzalez-Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     The investigations were conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia and are being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Harrisburg today indicted Colonel Robert J. Rice, 56, of Carlisle, for possession and distribution of child pornography over the internet. Rice is a Colonel in the U.S. Army stationed at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the charges stem from an investigation by the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  

     The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, conducted the initial investigation and is cooperating with federal authorities in this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy.

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

     If convicted of both offenses, Rice faces up to 30 years in prison and fines of $500,000.  The possession offense carries a maximum jail sentence of ten years and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The distribution offense carries a mandatory minimum five-year jail sentence and a maximum jail sentence of twenty years along with a maximum fine of $250,000.

     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 United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Yolanda Holman, age 35, Wilkes-Barre, was sentenced today in federal court in Scranton for tampering with a consumer product.  Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy sentenced Holman to 26 months incarceration followed by 2 years of supervised release.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, a Criminal Information filed on December 19, 2013 charged that Holman knowingly and intentionally tainted a bottle of Children’s Advil on August 23, 2013 with prescription pills and other medication.  Holman waived indictment and entered a guilty plea on February 4, 2014.

     All of the tainted containers were recovered and are in the possession of law enforcement officers or otherwise destroyed. The tainted containers presented no danger to the public.  The retail store where the Advil was purchased cooperated with federal authorities.

     The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Scranton Resident Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a West Pittston resident pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to participating in a drug conspiracy that distributed heroin to others during a 13-month time period.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Robert Romasiewicz, age 20, admitted to regularly obtaining heroin in New Jersey and distributing it to others on multiple occasions in Luzerne County during January 2013 through February 24, 2014.

     The charge against Romasiewicz resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

     Romasiewicz faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing was scheduled for August 26, 2014.

     Romasiewicz also agreed to forfeit two firearms seized by agents during the investigation.

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

     The United States Attorney’s Office for Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Criminal Complaint signed by an agent of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was filed United States District Court in Harrisburg on May 9, 2014 against Zackary Adam Knight, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, alleging possession of child pornography and abusive sexual contact with a child under the age of 12.

     Knight was taken into custody and today, May 12, appeared before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson.  After a brief hearing Chief Magistrate Judge Carlson ordered that Knight, age 19, be detained in custody temporarily based on the seriousness of the offenses and the resolution of questions regarding a future fixed address for the defendant.  At the time of the arrest, Knight was a resident of housing facilities at the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks.

     No date was set for future court hearings.

     The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Postal Inspection Service.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the filing of a Criminal Information in U.S. District Court on May 9, 2014, charging Tiffany Look, age 39, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with mail fraud.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, over a period between 2007 and 2013, Look was a branch manager at two area financial institutions, Mid Penn Bank and Members First Federal Credit Union.  Look allegedly devised and carried out a scheme to obtain money from four customers of the institutions by taking out fraudulent loans in the customers’ names.  The total loss was allegedly approximately $140,000.

     The government also filed a plea agreement with Look in the case which is subject to approval by the Court.

     The financial institutions both cooperated with the investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspectors and the Swatara Township and Hampden Township Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz.

     If convicted, Look faces a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years and fines up to $250,000.

     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 twenty 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 today it filed a Criminal Information in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg charging a Carlisle woman with theft of more than $500,000 in Social Security Administration benefits paid to Stock’s mother over the past 30 years.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Susan Stock, 71, of Carlisle, PA signed a plea agreement with the United States that was also filed today. Stock agreed to plead guilty to the one-count Information that charges her with theft of government funds. Stock faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Stock has also agreed to make restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the amount of $523,683.20.

     According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in 2013 investigators for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General discovered the fraud when trying to arrange an interview with Stock’s mother, who had been receiving SSA benefits since at least April 1983. The SSA checks were deposited over that 30 year period into an account which Susan Stock controlled. It was discovered that Stock’s mother died in 1983 but that Stock never notified SSA of her mother’s death and continued to receive and spend her deceased mother’s SSA benefits.

     The case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Court Judge William C. Caldwell. The plea agreement is subject to the Court’s approval.  The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Prosecution of the case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.

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

     In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is imprisonment for 10 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 Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that five Monroe County residents and two California men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in the Monroe County area in 2013 and 2014.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment, returned by the grand jury in April of this year and made public today, charges a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy whereby the defendants obtained high-quality methamphetamine from sources in California which they then distributed for profit in the Monroe County area over a two year period.  Charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine are the following individuals:

Reginald Braddy, age 31, San Bernardino, California; Fontaine Horton, age 35, San Bernardino, California; Scott Borushak, age 51, Sciota, Pennsylvania; Emmanuel Tucker, age 38, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; Fred Baumgartner, age 33, Kresgeville, Pennsylvania; Anthony Ianuale, age 42, Effort, Pennsylvania; and
Jeanine Altemose, age 53, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

     In addition to the conspiracy charge the indictment also charges Horton, Borushak, Tucker and Ianuale with distributing methamphetamine.  Altemose is also charged with the offense of maintaining drug-involved premises, for allowing methamphetamine to be stored and distributed from her residence.  Six of the defendants are now in custody.  One of them, Altemose, is out on bail.

     The investigation was conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and the Stroud Regional Police Department.

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O'Hara.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations.  All person 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 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that the final member of the “Felony Lane Gang” conspiracy was sentenced to 63 months in prison.

     According to the United States Attorney, on Monday, May 5, 2014, Judge William Caldwell sentenced Sylvester Joseph for his role in a car break-in and bank fraud crew that stole over a million dollars in the five years it was in operation. Testimony presented at previous sentencing proceedings showed that the crew stole millions of dollars from banks using stolen checks and identification. Although they were only caught in the fall of 2012, the crew was implicated in committing this scheme over five years and victimizing over 250 people in the course of his fraud scheme, dubbed the “Felony Lane Gang”.

      The “Felony Lane Gang” is a group of thieves based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that travels across the United States stealing identities and checkbooks from unattended cars (“smash and grabs”).  With the stolen checkbooks and driver’s licenses, the gang cashes checks using the drive through lane of banks.  The farthest lane from video cameras and tellers have been dubbed the “felony lane” because of the ease with which false identities can be used to cash checks.

     In December 2012, a grand jury returned a four count indictment charging 10 people with conspiracy to commit fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. All of those who were charged entered guilty pleas and the majority of them have been sentenced. The following is a summary:

• Travis J. Russ, age 32, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida – identified as the leader and sentenced to 188 months in prison;
• Jarrett Hobbs, age 31, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida – identified as a leader and sentenced to 132 momths in prison;
• Sylvester Joseph, age 26, of Derrfield, Florida – identified as a leader and sentenced to 63 months in prison;
• Khiante Thompson, age 20, Florida – sentenced to 15 months;
• Phillip Etienne, age 31, of Margate, Florida – 46 months in prison;
• Willie L. Ogiste, age 35, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida –sentenced to 41 months;
• Teresa L. Brimhall, age 45, of Oakland Park, Florida – 18 months in prison;
• April Ainsworth, age 26, of Richmond, Texas – 36 months in prison;
• Colleen Shelly, age 49, of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida – 11 months in prison; and
• Wendy Snyder-Lucas, age 31, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida – 11 months in prison.

     The 10 persons charged in this indictment struck Pennsylvania from August to October 2012. During that time, they broke into and/or stole the identities of over 100 people. In addition, the group targeted state parks where victims left purses, wallets, and checkbooks in their cars while using the recreation facilities. The “smash and grabs” occurred at approximately 25 different state parks and recreation centers in and around Central Pennsylvania.

     This group used stolen checks and identification to obtain funds from banks and credit unions. According to the indictment, a conspirator, disguised as the account holder, used the drive-through lane at the account holder’s bank, submitted to the teller a forged check with the stolen identification of the victim, on numerous occasions, and received the funds. Through this process, these conspirators successfully compromised numerous accounts and stole tens of thousands of dollars in funds from the victims.

     This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other state and local investigative agencies. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Consiglio.

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Senior United States District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik yesterday sentenced Leroy Trudgen, age 58, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, to 97 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine between 2007 and April 2012.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Trudgen’s role in the conspiracy included obtaining cocaine in New York City and bringing it to Pittston, Pennsylvania, where he and his coconspirators distributed it at his business known as “Roy’s Used Tires” and at various bars in Luzerne County.  A federal grand jury sitting in Scranton, Pennsylvania, indicted Trudgen and nine others on the conspiracy charge in May 2012.  On November 13, 2013, Trudgen pleaded guilty to the Indictment.  In addition to the 97-month term of imprisonment, Judge Kosik ordered that Trudgen be placed on supervised release 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 State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a New Jersey resident pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute it in January 2014.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, George Wormley, age 37, of Montclair, New Jersey, admitted that he possessed approximately 300 bags of heroin and intended to sell it to others on January 3, 2014, in Kingston, Pennsylvania.

     Wormley was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 25, 2014, as a result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Kingston Police, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

     Wormley faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence report to be completed. No date was set for sentencing.

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

     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.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced yesterday that Senior United States District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy sentenced Daviandra Gwendolyn Green, age 28, formerly of Port Jervis, New York, to 90 months’ imprisonment for her participation in the robberies of six convenience stores between April and October 2011.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Green previously pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Scranton to acting as a getaway driver when a confederate robbed (1) the Hilltop Sunoco/Extra Mart located at 238 State Route 6, Milford, Pennsylvania on April 6, 2011; (2) the Turkey Hill Minit Market, 912 Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras, Pennsylvania, on April 11, 2011; (3) the Hilltop Sunoco/Extra Mart located at 238 State Route 6, Milford, Pennsylvania on April 17, 2011; (4) the Citgo Mart, 220 Dolson Road, Middletown, New York on May 1, 2011; and (5) the Turkey Hill Minit Market, 912 Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 2011.  Green’s confederate brandished a weapon during the robberies.

     Green and Jeremiah Anderson also entered the Hilltop Sunoco/Extra Mart, in Milford, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2011, and attempted to rob it without success.  Anderson, age 29, also of Port Jervis, recently pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted robbery of that store and will be sentenced later this year. 

     Green’s two other confederates in the string of robberies were also convicted in federal court for their involvement in the scheme.  Daniel Ortiz, age 28, of Watertown, New York, was sentenced to 80 months’ imprisonment.  Simon Shomo, age 28, of Port Jervis, New York received a 70 months’ imprisonment term.

     Judge Conaboy ordered that Green be placed on supervised release for three years following the service of her 90-month prison sentence.  

     The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a third woman from Carbon County was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik to serve 21 months in prison on the charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Ceres Lozada, age 27, of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, previously admitted to participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and powder cocaine in the Carbon County area between January 2010 and December 2012.

     In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Kosik also ordered that Lozada be supervised by a probation officer for three years following her prison sentence.

     Previously, Bonnie Vosburgh, age 22, of Nesquehoning, Carbon County, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by Senior Judge Kosik, while Victoria Argott, age 34, of Lansford, Carbon County, was sentenced to 40 months in prison.  Vosburgh and Argott entered guilty pleas and admitted to participating in the same cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

     The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Nesquehoning and Lansford Police Departments in Carbon County.

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.    

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Mericle was sentenced to one year in prison by Senior District Judge Edwin M. Kosik.  Judge Kosik also ordered Mericle to pay a $250,000 fine and to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on May 14, 2014.

     Mericle was charged with misprison of a felony in August 2009 as part of a then-ongoing investigation of judicial corruption in Luzerne County.  Mericle later entered into a plea agreement with the government which was amended prior to today’s sentencing.

     Mericle testified as a principal government witness in the trial of former Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Ciavarella in February 2011.

     The government, as part of the plea agreement, recommended a downward departure from the Sentencing Guidelines based on Mericle’s cooperation during the long investigation.  The defense argued for a greater downward departure.  The Court today ruled in favor of the government in regard to the downward departure.

     At today’s hearing Judge Kosik considered the extent to which the Court should vary from the Guidelines based on factors listed under the governing federal statute in sentencing Mericle.  Major factors in this case were the nature and circumstances of the offense and Mericle’s role in the offense.  The Court stated that, based on those factors, it was varying upward and sentenced Mericle to the one year prison term.

     The government’s seven year investigation of judicial corruption in Luzerne County was led by the trial team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon A. Zubrod, Michael A. Consiglio and William S. Houser and agents of the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation offices in Scranton.

     United States Attorney Peter Smith stated that the sentence was appropriate in view of the factors considered by the Court and that Judge Kosik was in the best position to make the appropriate determination having heard the evidence of the seriousness of the offense during the Ciavarella trial and having the benefit of the sentencing memoranda submitted to him by the government and the defense and Mericle’s own statement to the Court.

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that an Old Forge pharmacist pleaded guilty in Scranton today to Health Care Fraud charges before the U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, a criminal information was filed in January 2014 charging Peter Capitano with engaging in a scheme and artifice to defraud Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Medicaid for the period beginning January 2007 through August 2013.

     The charges stem from an investigation initiated in February of 2011 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.  Capitano pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement with the government.

     The information filed against Capitano alleges that he engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Medicare by submitting claims or causing claims to be submitted to those health benefit providers for drugs allegedly prescribed when the prescriptions did not exist and for drugs not actually dispensed.  Capitano will be required to pay restitution for the loss amount.

     In this particular 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a criminal Information was filed today charging a West Pittston resident with participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin during 2013 and early 2014.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that Michael Romasiewicz, age 21, conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin in Luzerne County and elsewhere during January 2013 through February 24, 2014.

     The charge stems from an investigation by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

     Romasiewicz faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if he is convicted of the charge. The Information also seeks the forfeiture to the United States of two firearms seized during the investigation.

     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 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 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.

     On April 22, 2014, in federal court in Williamsport, Juan Bartolome Mora, age 34, a Mexican citizen arrested in Montour County in January 2014 and charged with illegal re-entry into the United States in February 2014 and held in custody for 102 days, was sentenced to time-served by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann.

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Simmers.

     On April 21, 2014, in federal court in Williamsport, Chief U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner sentenced Frank C. Lowe, age 57, a Williamsport resident, to 26 months in prison.  Lowe pled guilty in April 2013 to conspiracy and tax evasion.  Lowe’s co-conspirator, Christopher Haupt, pled guilty last week to a conspiracy charge.

     Lowe was ordered to report to prison on May 28.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson.  The investigation was conducted by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IRS-Criminal Investigations.

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a felony information has been filed against Ketsy Devis, age 24, of Brooklyn, New York.  The information charges Devis with conspiracy to pass counterfeit federal reserve notes at various locations throughout the Middle District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

     Devis could be imprisoned for a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years and fines in the amount of $250,000.

     The case was jointly investigated by Special Agent Jason Wolfson of the United States Secret Service and the Dickson City Police Department.

     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 is 5 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, today announced that a Criminal Information has been filed against a Schuylkill County firm and its Chief Officer, charging them with conspiracy to evade export reporting requirements and with attempting to smuggle to Iran a lathe machine in violation of U.S. export regulations.

     Charged in the Criminal Information were Hetran, Inc., an engineering and manufacturing plant in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania and its Chief Executive Officer, Helmut Oertmann.  At the same time, an indictment was unsealed that had previously been voted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg in December 2012 against three Iranians and two Iranian firms connected with the criminal scheme:

Mujahid Ali
Khosrow Kasraei
Reza Ghoreishi
FIMCO FZE
Crescent International Trade and Services FZE

Also charged was Suniel Malhotra, an Indian national, an overseas sales representative for Hetran, Inc.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Hetran allegedly manufactured a horizontal lathe, also described as a bar peeling machine (“peeler”), valued at more than $800,000 and weighing in excess of 50,000 pounds.  A horizontal lathe, or peeling machine, is used in the production of high grade steel or "bright steel", a product used, among other things, in the manufacture of automobile and aircraft parts.

     On or about June 2009, Hetran was allegedly contacted by representatives of FIMCO, an Iranian company with offices in Iran and the United Arab Emirates, and Crescent International, an affiliated company based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.  FIMCO allegedly wanted to purchase the peeler.  During negotiations, it became apparent that the peeler was intended for shipment to Iran.  American companies are forbidden to ship “dual use” items (such as the peeler) to Iran without first obtaining a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Aware that it was unlikely that such a license would be granted, Hetran, Helmut Oertmann and other co-conspirators agreed to falsely state on the shipping documents that the end-user of the peeler was Crescent International in Dubai.

     On June 17, 2012, Hetranallegedlycaused the peeling machine to be shipped to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, fraudulently listing Crescent International in Dubai as the end-user, knowing that the shipment was ultimately being sent to Iran in violation of federal law.

     Hetran is charged with conspiring to violate the export laws of the United States, and is subject to a sentence of up to $1,000,000.  Helmut Oertmann, charged with attempting to smuggle goods from the United States to Iran, faces a potential penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years supervised release.  The Iranian and Indian defendants are charged with conspiring to violate and with attempting to violate the export laws of the United States, each carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years supervised release for the individual defendants and a $1,000,000 fine for each corporate defendant.

     The case was investigated by the Office of Export Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The prosecution is being coordinated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Fawcett and Senior Litigation Counsel Gordon Zubrod and is being overseen by the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

     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 Michael Hughes, age 32, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of marijuana, a controlled substance, with intent to distribute yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosik in Scranton. The offense occurred in April 2013 when Kingston Police officers, with the assistance of ATF agents initiated a traffic stop on Hughes based on an outstanding warrant.  During the search of the vehicle, investigators located a quantity of marijuana.  Hughes was charged in a criminal information filed on April 4, 2014.

     This case was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Kingston Police Department. 

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amy C. Phillips.

     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 $1,000,000 fine, and a 3 year term of supervised release following imprisonment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)  and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging three individuals, including Ahmad Feras Diri, age 39, of London, United Kingdom, Harold Rinko, age 72, of Hallstead, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and Moawea Deri, age 36, a Syrian citizen, and a firm with which Ahmad Feras Diri and Moawea Deri were associated, for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to illegally export laboratory equipment, including items used to detect chemical warfare agents, from the United States to Syria, in violation of federal law.

     The indictment alleges that federal legislation and export controls seek to shut down the supply chain used by the Syrian state to support terrorism and to develop and proliferate weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons.  Pursuant to regulations of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration, a license is required to export goods and services from the United States to Syria, other than limited and certain categories of humanitarian food and medicine.  

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment, returned by a Scranton grand jury on November 20, 2012, and sealed until today, charges the three individuals and the company with criminal conspiracy, wire fraud, illegal export of goods, money laundering, and false statements. 

     According to Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge (SAC) John Kelleghan, Commerce Department Office of Export Enforcement New York Field Office SAC Sidney Simon, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Ahmad Feras Diri was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on March 14, 2013, and is facing extradition to the United States in connection with the charges in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  Harold Rinko, of Hallstead, Pennsylvania, previously waived arraignment on the sealed indictment. The government has also filed a plea agreement with Rinko which is subject to the approval of the Court.  Rinko, the owner-operator of Global Parts Supply, was allegedly engaged in the export business.  Ahmad Feras Diri and Moawea Deri are brothers in the business of purchasing and transferring goods from the United States to Syria through a firm known as d-Deri Contracting & Trading.  Moawea Deri, remains at large, and is considered a fugitive.     

     The indictment alleges that, from 2003 until the date of the indictment, the three men conspired to export items from the United States through third party countries to customers in Syria, without the required U.S. Commerce Department licenses. 

     According to the indictment, the conspirators prepared false invoices which undervalued and mislabeled the goods being purchased and listed false information as to the identity and geographic location of the purchasers of the goods.  The indictment alleges that the items were to be shipped from the United States to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, and thereafter transshipped to Syria. 

     According to the indictment the items allegedly included: a portable gas scanner used for detection of chemical warfare agents by civil defense, military, police and border control agencies; a handheld instrument for field detection and classification of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals; a laboratory source for detection of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals in research, public safety and industrial environments, a rubber mask for civil defense against chemicals and gases; a meter used to measure chemicals and their composition; flowmeters for measuring gas streams; a stirrer for mixing and testing liquid chemical compounds; industrial engines for use in oil and gas field operations; and a device used to accurately locate buried pipelines.  

     The case was investigated by HSI in partnership with the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement.  “HSI will use all resources at its disposal to prevent sensitive and restricted technology from being exported to Syria though the black market,” said SAC Kelleghan.  “No good comes of illegal exports to Syria during this time of gross misgovernment and civil strife, and HSI will do all in its power as the principal enforcer of export controls to ensure that sensitive technology doesn’t fall into the wrong hands in Syria.  I applaud our colleagues at the Department of Commerce, along with our law enforcement counterparts in the United Kingdom, who helped us make this complex investigation a success.”

     Special Agent In-Charge Simon cited the close cooperation of Federal law enforcement agencies throughout the case.  “I commend our colleagues from HSI and the United Kingdom, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their outstanding work with the Commerce Department on this case.  Our special agents work tirelessly every day to pursue those who flout our export control laws and attempt to supply anyone with technology that threatens our national security.  OEE will seek and arrest violators wherever located, worldwide, and we will continue to leverage our unique authorities as the only federal law enforcement agency exclusively dedicated to enforcing dual-use export violations,” he said.

     The case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley and Mariclaire Rourke, Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice, National Security Division, Counterespionage Section. 

     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 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.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Harrisburg man was sentenced today, in federal court in Scranton by Senior United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, to serve 235 months in prison on the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, a jury found Carlos C. Hill, age 42, of Harrisburg, guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in March 2013.

     The charges were the result of an on-going partnership between the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced in August 2012 to respond to a surge of violent crime within the city.  The charges against Hill arose from an incident in which, after Hill brandished a stolen firearm at a female victim in the 1600 Block of Park Street in Harrisburg, the firearm was subsequently recovered by the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

     In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Rambo also ordered that Hill supervised by a probation officer for five years following his release from prison.

     Hill was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 26, 2012, after an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Harrisburg Police Bureau.

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

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Paul Biko, age 61 and Maura Mia Whetsel, age 31, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania were arrested today on federal tax fraud charges involving failure to pay to the IRS or account for approximately $200,000 withheld from wages of employees.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, beginning in or about April 2006 through in or about January 2010, Biko and Whetsel, Biko’s daughter, allegedly conspired to impede and obstruct the IRS in the assessment, computation and collection of federal employment taxes.  The alleged objectives of the tax conspiracy were to not fully pay over to the IRS the employment taxes Biko withheld from employees and then convert these funds for other business and personal uses.  Biko was the Chief Officer of Clearview of Harrisburg, Clearview Landscaping and Clearview Builders.  Whetsel was the firms’ Director of Finance and bookkeeper.

     The Superceding Indictment also charges Biko and Whetsel with 8 counts of failing to truthfully account for and pay over to the IRS the employment taxes Biko withheld from his employees. 

     Biko and Whetsel were charged earlier this month in initial and superceding indictments that were sealed until the defendants were taken into custody today.  Their initial appearance was held today before Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab. The case has been assigned to Chief District Judge Christopher C. Conner.  Both defendants were released under pretrial supervision.

     The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.  Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz.

     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 5 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine for Count 1 and 5 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $10,000 fine for each count of Count 2 through 8. 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 Abdel Jaber Obaid, age 31, of Harrisburg, was indicted yesterday and charged with Manufacturing Counterfeit Obligations of the United States.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, in at least as early as April 2012, Obaid began manufacturing counterfeit $50 and $20 bills, which were then passed at businesses throughout Dauphin County.  If convicted, Obaid faces 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

     This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the Lower Paxton and Swatara Police Departments and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

     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 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 and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) announced today that a 29-year-old native and citizen of Mexico has been charged with illegal reentry into the United States.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Santos Aguilar-De Leon, age 29, a native and citizen of Mexico, in the United States illegally was charged in a one-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg today.

     The indictment alleges that Aguilar-De Leon, an alien who has previously been arrested and deported from the United States in February 2010, did knowingly and unlawfully reenter the United States and was apprehended in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

     If convicted, Aguilar-De Leon faces a maximum sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

     In a separate case a 30- year-old native and citizen of Mexico was charged with Improper Entry by Alien into the United States.

     Jose Hernandez-Barrientos, a native and citizen of Mexico, in the United States illegally was charged in a one-count information filed with the Court in Harrisburg on April 14, 2014.

     The information alleges that Hernandez-Barrientos, an illegal alien, did enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

     If convicted, Hernandez-Barrientos faces a maximum sentence of up to 6 months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

     In both cases, investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). The cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

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

     A sentence following a finding of 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 two 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 former Lackawanna County Attorney Danielle Ross Pietralczyk, age 37, of Jermyn, Pennsylvania was sentenced today to one year imprisonment for federal income tax fraud by Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo in federal court in Wilkes-Barre.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Ross failed to report any amounts of income she received from private paying clients while acting as the sole guardian ad litem for the Lackawanna County Family Court on her personal federal income tax returns for calendar year 2008, 2009 and 2010.

     Ross pled guilty to filing a false return for 2009 in December 2013.  Her husband, Walter Pietralczyk, pled guilty to a tax misdemeanor charge in connection with the joint personal tax return of the couple in December 2013.  No sentencing date has been set.

     As the sole guardian ad litem for the Lackawanna County Family Court, Ross was paid an annual compensation of $38,000.  Pursuant to a contract between Ross and Lackawanna County, Ross was permitted to bill private paying parties above her County compensation at a rate of $50 per hour. The only income Ross reported for 2009 and 2010 was her County compensation reported on 1099 Forms which she received as an independent contractor hired by Lackawanna County.  The government alleged that Ross managed and exercised complete control over her private billings and income.  That income was known only to Ross and not Lackawanna County, nor was Lackawanna County required to approve Ross’s private billings. 

     The guardian ad litem serves as the representative of the interest of children in family court.  Ross was dismissed as Lackawanna County guardian ad litem in February 2013 after her indictment on the federal tax charges.  Her license to practice law was suspended in December 2013.

     The prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

     In addition to the one year prison sentence, Ross was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $63,124 plus interest and penalties.  Ross is scheduled to report to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons on May 12, 2014.

     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 Robert Vargeson, age 46 of Galeton, Pennsylvania with falsification of financial records.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Vargeson was responsible for the financial records of Communications Workers of America, Local Union 88329, and  during 2012 – 2013, he falsified those records to conceal the fact that he had embezzled approximately $6,373 from the funds of the union. 

     If convicted, Vargeson faces a maximum penalty of one year incarceration and a $100,000 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 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 one year 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 investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Labor and prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lorna Graham.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that it filed the Government's Sentencing Memorandum in United States v. Mericle. 

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Carbon County man was sentenced today, in federal court in Scranton by Senior United States District Judge Edwin M. Kosik, to serve 37 months in prison on the charge of aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Alexander “Butch” Sommers, age 48, of Summit Hill, Carbon County, previously pleaded guilty to assisting others in distributing crack cocaine and powder cocaine in the Carbon County area between January 2011 and December 2012.

     In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Kosik also ordered that Sommers be supervised by a probation officer for four years following his release from prison.

     Sommers was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 30, 2012, after an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Nesquehoning and Lansford Police Departments in Carbon County.

     Previously, Victoria Argott, age 34, of Lansford, Carbon County, the former girlfriend of Sommers, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for participating in the same cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

     The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 32-year-old former Lehighton resident was sentenced today to serve 188 months in prison for receiving and distributing child pornography by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Stephen Puza III, previously pleaded guilty to using a computer to download and share numerous images of child pornography during July 2011 through September 2011.  Puza was living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at the time of his arrest.

     Puza was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2013, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and Lehighton Borough Police.

     Judge Kosik also ordered Puza to be placed on supervised release for 10 years after serving his prison sentence. Puza was ordered to undergo sex offender treatment and will be subject to sex offender registration requirements and restrictions upon his release from prison.

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

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

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that criminal proceedings have been initiated against Reynoso Matos, a/k/a Julio Eliezer Minyettis, age 35, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic.

     A Grand Jury in Scranton today returned an Indictment charging Matos with illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously deported and after having been convicted of an aggravated felony involving the trafficking of controlled substances.

     If convicted, Matos faces imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine in the amount of $250,000.

     The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforecment and Removal Operations (ERO).

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

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General announced today that a criminal information was filed April 4, 2014 in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg charging 38 year-old Julie Smith of York with Social Security Fraud.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Smith allegedly concealed and failed to disclose income earned from May 2009 through June 2011 from employers and failed to disclose that full custody of her children was granted to the children’s father in August 2003.  This resulted in Smith allegedly receiving benefit payments of approximately $69,243 to which she knew she was not entitled.

     The government also filed a plea agreement in the case which is subject to approval by the Court.

     If convicted, Smith faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $250,000.

     This investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

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

     A sentence following a finding of 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 five 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 today the filing of a criminal information against Amy Rogen, age 39, of Wilkes-Barre, charging her with conspiring to distribute cocaine base (crack), cocaine hydrochloride, and heroin. 

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith stated the Criminal Information filed today in U.S. District Court in Scranton alleges that the defendant and unnamed coconspirators obtained the controlled substances in New York City for distribution in rooms rented at motels in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties between 2011 and 2013.

     The government also filed a plea agreement which is subject to approval by the Court.   

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States 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.

     In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is twenty 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 a criminal information has been filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging that an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, Pennsylvania, with allegedly assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon with the intent to commit murder on November 7, 2013.  Eddie Joe Sutton, age 59, formerly of Texas, was charged with the offense.  According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the alleged victim was another inmate who survived the attack but suffered stab wounds which required treatment at a local hospital. 

     The Government also filed a plea agreement which is subject to approval by the Court.

     The case was investigated by the FBI and the Special Investigation Section at USP-Canaan.

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States 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.

     In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is twenty 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 rights of crime victims will be commemorated during the week of April 6-12 by the U.S. Department of Justice and in communities throughout the country.

     According to the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), in 1984, Congress passed the bipartisan Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) which created a national fund to compensate victims for financial and other losses suffered as a result of crimes committed against them.  In addition, VOCA money provides money to states in order to fund victim services.

     The fund is not financed by taxpayers but through fines and penalties paid by offenders.  The fund supports services such as rape crisis treatment, domestic violence programs and victim compensation for expenses, including counseling and lost wages.  Every state now has victims’ rights laws and compensation programs and over 10,000 victim service agencies now help people throughout the country.

     Middle District U.S. Attorney Peter Smith noted that, central Pennsylvania has one of the most active federal victim rights programs in the nation.  It has provided direct services to 7552 victims of fraud schemes, child exploitation and violent crimes prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the past four years. In addition, 196,310 persons received notices of the status of cases in which they were victims.  The Victim/Witness programs contact person in the United States Attorney’s Office is the Specialist Laurie Reiley.  The Office’s Victim’s Rights and Asset Recovery Unit is headed by Assistant United States Attorney James Clancy.

     More information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week can be obtained from the OVC website www.ovc.gov.  Information concerning the Middle District of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Victim Rights program is available at the office’s website and by contacting the Victim/Witness Specialist at 717-221-4482.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew Brown, 34, of Scotland, Pennsylvania was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg charging him with one count of Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, crack cocaine.

     If convicted, Brown faces a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

     This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura J. Kerstetter, who is an Assistant District Attorney in the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

     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 particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of $1 million. 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, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Harrisburg returned an Indictment against three individuals and two corporations, charging them with smuggling technology out of the United States for use by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.  The Indictment was unsealed on March 31, 2014, after it was determined that none of the individuals were in the United States.  The Indictment was returned by the grand jury in January of this year.

     United States Attorney Peter Smith stated that the Indictment alleged that Shafqat Rana, formerly of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with Abdul Qadeer Rana and Shahzad Rana, both of Lahore, Pakistan, used two corporations, Optima Plus International, a Pennsylvania corporation, and Afro Asian International, a Pakistani corporation, to export goods from the United States to Pakistan.  The goods were allegedly shipped through a common carrier in Dauphin County.

     Shafqat Rana allegedly took orders for “dual use” items, that is, items with both a commercial and military or nuclear application, from Afro Asian and acquired the items in the United States.  After the items were shipped to Pakistan, they were resold to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, an arm of the Pakistani Army, in violation of United States law.

     The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), has the authority to regulate the export of “dual-use” items from the United States to foreign countries, as necessary, to protect, among other things, the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  These regulations include the requirement of obtaining a license from DOC, under certain circumstances, before export from the United States. 

     The Indictment charges that the defendants shipped and exported goods from the United States to restricted end-users in Pakistan while providing false and fraudulent invoices to the freight forwarders, thereby causing the freight forwarders to fail to file the required export declarations.  The defendants also allegedly created false and misleading invoices given to freight forwarders that undervalued and mislabeled the goods and listed false purchasers and end-users of the goods.  

     According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Shafqat Rana has left the United States and returned to Pakistan.

     The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Commerce criminal investigators and the Harrisburg office of the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Zubrod coordinated the grand jury investigation and has been assigned to prosecute the case.

     On March 31, 2014, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania filed its response to a motion filed previously on behalf of the Defendant in United States v. Musto.  Both filings relate to the trial Court’s prior Amended Order of January 7, 2014 committing the Defendant to the custody of the Attorney General for mental health evaluation.

     The Government’s response contains the report of the staff psychiatrist at the Federal Medical Facility at Butner, N.C.  In light of that report the Government concurred in the defense motion seeking release of the Defendant from Butner temporarily for examination, medical analysis and treatment by his local physicians.

     The Government further requested that the defense be directed to provide (1) the Court and the Government with an update report in one month including all appropriate medical diagnoses and decisions regarding his medical treatment;(2) if appropriate, a renewed defense motion for indefinite continuance.  In the absence of such a motion, the Government requested that the Court hold a hearing to schedule the next appropriate step in the case.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today the filing of a Criminal Information in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging Jeremiah Anderson, age 29, of Port Jervis, New York, with the attempted robbery of a convenience store in Milford, Pennsylvania.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Anderson and Daviandra Green entered the Hilltop Sunoco / Extra Mart, in Milford, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2011, and attempted to rob it without success.  Green was also charged with the offense and pleaded guilty on January 8, 2014.  She is awaiting sentencing.     

     The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department; and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.

     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 particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute 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.