Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for cocaine trafficking within 1,000 feet of a public housing location, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Cleo Johnson, 33, also ordering Johnson to serve six years of supervised release following his prison term. Johnson previously pleaded guilty in this case to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base within 1,000 feet of public housing on October 29, 2021.

According to information presented to the Court, Johnson engaged in cocaine and fentanyl trafficking for months during 2021, including while near public housing and children. Johnson had several prior convictions, and sentences of incarceration, for drug trafficking, gun, and assault crimes throughout the 12 years preceding his 2021 trafficking.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnson.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 30, 2024, to a charge of escape, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Jamiel Green, 27, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Green was serving the final portion of his sentence for violating federal firearm laws at a residential reentry center designed to transition inmates back into society when he was given permission to leave the facility temporarily and was due to return on November 2, 2023. Green did not return as directed and absconded until, several months later, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Green.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Verona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Christy Myers, 64, pleaded guilty on October 31, 2024, to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Myers was an employee of an entity involved in installing and monitoring security systems that was purchased by another entity involved in the same business. Myers became an employee of the successor entity, where she had access to accounting records and the authority to issue checks. Through a variety of means and over the course of several years, Myers used that authority to embezzle funds from the successor entity.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Myers.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 30, 2024, to charges of possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Lafon Ellis, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Ellis, while a federal inmate housed at the Allegheny County Jail, possessed various controlled substances on May 3, 2023, and again on December 10, 2023.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Allegheny County Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ellis.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 31, 2024, to 33 months in prison for violating federal firearm laws and conditions of his federal supervised release, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Jared Abraham Ogrosky, 26, also ordering Ogrosky to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Ogrosky previously pleaded guilty in this case to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon on March 12, 2024. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Additionally, Ogrosky admitted to violating several conditions of his supervised release following his earlier convictions for trafficking in heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Allegheny County District Attorney Narcotics Enforcement Team; and U.S. Marshals Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ogrosky.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal sex offense laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Kevin Myers, 48, pleaded guilty to Counts Two and Three of the Indictment before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on November 1, 2024.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around December 2020 to in and around December 2021, Myers transported and possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The images were produced using materials that were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Myers.

This case was brought as a 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.justice.gov/psc.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Walter Holt III, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about March 12 and May 27, 2021, Holt prepared and submitted falsified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief loan applications for Charleroi, Pennsylvania, borrowers, for which he took a fee.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for January 31, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Holt.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Keyshawn Savory, 24, pleaded guilty to six counts before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about April 11, May 28, July 15, and August 1, 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Savory acted as a straw purchaser when purchasing firearms from several federally licensed firearms dealers by stating that the firearms were being purchased for himself, when he actually was purchasing the firearms on behalf of another person.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Savory.

This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Youngstown, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to committing firearm and drug trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Antoine Tate, 43, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime on October 31, 2020.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Union Township Police Department, New Castle Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tate.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 months and one day in prison, to be followed by three months of home detention and 12 months of supervised release, on his conviction of securities fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The defendant also was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 and restitution in the amount of $823,367 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Frank T. Poerio Jr., 63.

According to information presented to the Court, Poerio used sensitive, material non-public information (MNPI) obtained from a Dick’s Sporting Goods (Dick’s) employee to engage in 160 trades of the company’s securities on the New York Stock Exchange. These transactions included the purchase of individual shares and call option contracts and occurred between August 2019 and May 2021, when the insider worked in a data analytics role at the company’s corporate offices in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The trades netted approximately $823,000 in profits for Poerio, who often spoke with the employee about finances and investing. Several of the trading incidents occurred in the days immediately preceding Dick’s release of periodic earnings statements—so called “blackout” periods, when Dick’s employees were prohibited from trading in the company’s securities.

Poerio pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2024 (read the plea news release here).

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Poerio.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, has been sentenced in federal court to 178 months in prison for committing drug trafficking and firearm crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone imposed the sentence on Justin Nichols, 30, also ordering Nichols to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

According to information presented to the Court, for several months in 2023, Nichols engaged in high-volume, interstate fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine trafficking in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and in Cleveland, also possessing a firearm. At the time, he was on parole in Ohio following several prior convictions and prison sentences for violent gun and drug crimes. Nichols previously pleaded guilty in this case to committing the following crimes on July 3, 2023: (1) possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and a quantity of cocaine at an address in Sharon, Pennsylvania; (2) possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and a quantity of cocaine at a second address in Sharon; and (3) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Mercer County Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Nichols.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Derik Carothers, 29, pleaded guilty to Count Four of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about October 20, 2019, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Carothers possessed numerous firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Carothers was previously convicted on November 7, 2013, in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license, and, on March 20, 2017, of carrying a firearm without a license. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carothers.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Residents of Coraopolis and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been charged by criminal complaint in Pittsburgh with damaging religious property and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The two-count complaint named Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis, and Talya A. Lubit, 24, of Pittsburgh.

The complaint charges that, from in and around July 2024 through on or about July 29, 2024, Hamad and Lubit conspired with each other to commit an offense against the United States—specifically, a civil rights violation involving damage to religious real property. Hamad and Lubit are further charged with defacing the religious real property of Chabad of Squirrel Hill (Chabad), which occupies a synagogue building, because of the racial and ethnic characteristics of the Jewish individuals associated with Chabad, in violation of federal law.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, which was unsealed today following Hamad’s and Lubit’s arrests, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated a criminal investigation on July 29, 2024, after receiving reports from Chabad and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (the Jewish Federation) of overnight vandalism at their respective properties. Chabad, a center for Jewish educational programming, which occupies a building for Jewish religious services in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, reported that an exterior wall at the front of the property had been defaced with graffiti. Specifically, the words “Jews 4 Palestine” with an inverted triangle were spray-painted onto the exterior of the building with red paint. The inverted triangle, according to the affidavit, first appeared in videos posted online by Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, of the current fighting in Gaza where it was used to mark an Israeli target about to be attacked by Hamas fighters. The investigation also revealed, according to the affidavit, that shortly after the vandalism occurred at the Chabad building, another message was spray-painted on an exterior sign for the Jewish Federation, a non-profit organization that serves as the central fundraising and community relations arm of the Jewish community in Pittsburgh.

“Defacing religious property is not protected speech—it is a crime,” U.S. Attorney Olshan said. “Members of our communities should be able to practice their faith without fear of being targeted for their religious affiliation, including, as alleged here, with a symbol associated with a terrorist organization. Protecting the civil rights of the people of Western Pennsylvania is of paramount importance to this office and our partners in law enforcement, and we are dedicated to pursuing justice on behalf of the victims of these crimes.”

In connection with the investigation, search warrants were executed in August and September 2024 at both defendants’ residences. Hamad’s and Lubit’s cell phones were seized, and a review of the contents revealed, among other things, messages during the month of July 2024 between Hamad and Lubit during which they planned their vandalism activities and specifically discussed selecting Jewish targets. Review of Hamad’s phone also revealed that in the weeks leading up to the vandalism on July 29, Hamad referred to himself as a “Hamas operative,” sent a picture of himself wearing a headband with the Hamas logo to another associate, and exchanged messages with another individual regarding building an explosive device, including a video of a test detonation in early July 2024.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two years in prison, a fine of $200,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are conducting the investigation that led to the charges against Hamad and Lubit.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Oakdale, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The four-count Indictment named Stephanie L. Bonincontro, 43, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Bonincontro impermissibly used a $500,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) received by her company, Sidelines Tree Service, in 2020 for her personal expenses and credit card debt. EIDLs are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help businesses recover from the economic impacts of disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indictment alleges that Bonincontro transferred approximately $250,000 of the EIDL money into a personal investment account that she used to launder the funds. The Indictment also charges her with impermissibly using $225,000 of the EIDL funds for another company she owned called Chartiers Valley Enterprises, where some of those funds were used to pay debts on a personal credit card.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Richard L. Edwards Jr., 49, as the sole defendant. Edwards was arrested on August 9, 2024, by the City of McKeesport Police Department related to this charge.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 9, 2024, Edwards, who was previously convicted of a felony, was found to be in possession of a Ruger Security-9 semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson SD40 VE semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, and one Winchester 1300 20-gauge shotgun, as well as 20-gauge ammunition, .357 Magnum ammunition, 38 Special ammunition, and 40 caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Westmoreland County Adult Probation, the City of McKeesport Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to committing firearm and drug trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Tylon Cousin, 38, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine on February 3, 2023, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.

Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cousin.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of narcotics trafficking related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Douglas Hillegass, 62, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Hillegass was a methamphetamine distributor who obtained approximately six ounces of methamphetamine from Jason Lynn, a large-scale narcotics distributor. Hillegass then redistributed the methamphetamine to other individuals.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for Hillegass for February 26, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Brooklyn, New York, and a resident of Queens, New York, have pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of narcotics trafficking related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Miguel Arce, 40, of Brooklyn, and Timothy Paz, 32, of Queens, each pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that Arce and Paz were both couriers who transported narcotics from the New York City area to Altoona, Pennsylvania, on behalf of Juan Duran, a large-scale narcotics supplier. In total, Arce transported over 10 pounds of methamphetamine and Paz transported approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine. Both Arce and Paz also transported large amounts of money from Jason Lynn, the Altoona-based narcotics distributor, to Duran, which represented payment for the methamphetamine.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for Paz for January 9, 2025, and for Arce for February 11, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for Paz, and not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both for Arce. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that both Paz and Arce remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The 18-count Indictment named Jamal Martel Brooks, 33, as the sole defendant. Brooks was previously prosecuted and convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 17 months of incarceration.

According to the Indictment, from January 3, 2023, to January 2, 2024, Brooks committed numerous violent crimes, including robberies of multiple businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area and two carjackings. Brooks is alleged to have brandished and possessed a firearm in connection with each of these crimes.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and the sentence on each such count must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. Due to the number of robberies alleged to have been committed by Brooks, he is facing a maximum total sentence of not less than 63 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Brooks also is currently facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in relation to his alleged shooting of a Monroeville Police Sergeant on January 3, 2024.

Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and DeMarr W. Moulton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Monroeville Police Department, and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Jeffrey R. Bengel and Nicole A. Stockey will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Bengel and Stockey have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and, in that capacity, are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Olshan said: “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

United States Attorney Olshan stated: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs Bengel and Stockey will be on duty in this District while the polls are open and can be reached by the public by calling (412) 644-3500.”

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (412) 432-4000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

United States Attorney Olshan said: “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Dontae Blackshear, 26, also ordering Blackshear to serve six years of supervised release following his prison term. Blackshear previously pleaded guilty in this case to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between May 2021 and October 2022.

According to information presented to the Court, Blackshear was responsible for trafficking 20 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of cocaine in 2022. He was on state parole at that time following a 2021 heroin trafficking conviction and prison sentence. The 2021 conviction was preceded by several convictions in separate state prosecutions since 2016, including for assault, two violent burglaries, fleeing/eluding, and conspiracy to commit theft.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Mercer County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Sharon Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Blackshear.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two Romanian nationals have each been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment on their convictions of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentences on Laurentiu Stroie, 35, who was residing in New York City, and Cosmin Laurentiu Burlacu, 29, who was living in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the time of the offenses. Both are originally from Brăila, Romania.

According to information presented to the Court, on June 8, 2023, the Ross Township Police Department arrested Burlacu and Stroie after employees of a drug store reported the defendants loitering around an automated teller machine (ATM) located in the store. Employees recognized Burlacu and Stroie from a previous encounter involving a victim who had several unauthorized charges on their credit card at the store and who had reported the fraud to law enforcement.

When first approached by law enforcement, Burlacu presented a New York State driver’s license in his own name, and Stroie presented a Quebec driver’s identification card in another name. A search incident to arrest was conducted on each suspect, with officers finding a hotel card key and numerous gift cards on both defendants. Written on the gift cards were abbreviations associated with financial institutions plus a four-digit number consistent with a personal identification number (PIN).

Officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel room the suspects were sharing and discovered numerous items related to ATM skimming fraud, such as gift cards/prepaid cards, a ledger containing hundreds of bank identification numbers with corresponding bank names, fraudulent identification cards, ATM skimmers, tools for making skimming devices, fabricated ATM panels with pinhole cameras, a log appearing to show addresses and dates of installation of skimming devices, and $6,180 in cash. Almost all of the gift cards found in the hotel room had stickers on them with four-digit numbers, suspected to be PINs.

The United States Secret Service obtained search warrants for the more than 200 gift cards as well as the electronic storage of various devices, including SD cards, found during the search. On the gift cards, the agents discovered Track Data from various federally insured financial institutions. The SD cards revealed video footage of Burlacu installing a pinhole camera on an ATM, as well as of various individuals entering their PIN numbers at ATMs. The SD cards also contained Track Data for approximately 78 ATM cards.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Secret Service, Ross Township Police, and Cranberry Township Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Burlacu and Stroie.

ATM skimming is a fraud scheme involving the placement of electronic devices, referred to as skimmers, on ATMs to capture and electronically store the information from the magnetic strip of an ATM card, known as Track Data, without the knowledge of the customer or the financial institutions. The scheme also typically employs a small camera, often referred to as a pinhole camera, to capture the PINs of customers making the transactions. The Track Data from the ATM skimmers is then often transferred to the magnetic strips of counterfeit ATM or gift cards, which perpetrators use, along with the PINs obtained through the pinhole cameras, to make withdrawals from ATMs or point-of-sale purchases.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 106 months of imprisonment on his convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Durrell Fortson, 45.

According to information presented to the Court, on November 16, 2022, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Fortson. During the stop, a drug K-9 conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted an officer to the presence of controlled substances. Law enforcement then applied for and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The subsequent search resulted in the seizure of two gallon-sized bags of cocaine, two kilogram wrappers with cocaine residue, a digital scale, and a .40 caliber handgun loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement searched the serial number located on the loaded handgun and determined that the firearm had been reported stolen.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Fortson.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Rochester, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

James Gilmore, 35, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on June 9, 2021, law enforcement identified Gilmore operating a vehicle in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Gilmore due to an active arrest warrant related to a parole violation. Gilmore fled from the traffic stop, throwing a loaded firearm from the vehicle he was driving. Gilmore subsequently abandoned the vehicle, and officers observed him flee on foot. Officers recovered a gray sweatshirt from a yard where Gilmore ran, with forensic testing of both the sweatshirt and firearm revealing Gilmore’s DNA.

At the time Gilmore possessed the firearm and ammunition, he had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a firearm and drug trafficking crime in the Court of Common Pleas in Beaver County. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court remanded Gilmore to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The New Brighton Area Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gilmore.

WASHINGTON – An indictment was unsealed today charging a Pennsylvania man with threatening to kill a representative of a state political party who was recruiting official poll watchers.

According to the indictment, on Sept. 6, John Pollard, 62, of Philadelphia, sent threatening text messages to Victim 1. Victim 1 had previously posted online, in Victim 1’s capacity as an employee of a state political party, that Victim 1 was recruiting volunteers to “help[] observe at the polls on Election Day” and included Victim 1’s phone number. Pollard allegedly texted Victim 1 that he was “interested in being a poll watcher” and included Victim 1’s first name. Pollard then allegedly texted three threats to Victim 1: •    “I will KILL YOU IF YOU DON’T ANSWER ME!”
•    “Your days are numbered, B****!”
•    “GONNA F***ING FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR F***ING TOILET PAPER, YOU F***ING KKK**T!”

Pollard is charged with one count of transmitting interstate threats. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, made the announcement.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A citizen of the Dominican Republic has been sentenced in federal court to 41 months of imprisonment, to be followed by two years of federal supervised release, on his conviction for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Adelin Hernandez Amparo, 31.

According to information presented to the Court, federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County conducted a joint investigation into the Kijana Lowe drug trafficking organization. On November 8, 2021, law enforcement conducted a surveillance operation at the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Pittsburgh, and observed Hernandez Amparo and another individual exit the bus station with two suitcases and get into a vehicle driven by a third co-defendant. Mobile surveillance followed the vehicle to a motel in Coraopolis.

Surveillance observed Lowe enter the motel room occupied by Hernandez Amparo and the two co-defendants, and then, back outside, accept one of the suitcases transported from the bus station. Law enforcement detained the individuals and executed search warrants on the suitcase, the motel room, and Lowe’s vehicle. The suitcase contained nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, while Lowe’s vehicle contained over $280,000 that was to be used to purchase the seized cocaine. A search of cell phones revealed text messages from Lowe in which Lowe complained about having to pay three people for the drug re-supply, referring to Hernandez Amparo and his associates.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hernandez Amparo.

Also before Judge Stickman today, Hernandez Amparo’s co-defendant Lowe pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Lowe’s sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Kijana Stephaun Lowe, 27, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County conducted a joint investigation into a local drug trafficking organization in which Lowe was a participant. Law enforcement determined that Lowe frequently communicated with a co-defendant who was an inmate at State Correctional Institution Phoenix. Prison call recordings between Lowe and the inmate revealed that Lowe would order kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl from the prisoner, who would then direct a co-defendant to deliver the controlled substances to Lowe. Lowe supplied the drugs to another co-defendant, who would subsequently sell them to end users.

In November 2021, investigators learned that an in-person delivery of kilogram quantities of cocaine was planned to Lowe in the Western District of Pennsylvania. On November 8, 2021, law enforcement conducted a surveillance operation at the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Pittsburgh, where they observed two co-defendants exit the bus station with suitcases and enter a vehicle driven by third co-defendant. Mobile surveillance followed the vehicle to a motel in Coraopolis.

A separate surveillance detail followed Lowe from his residence to the same motel, where they observed Lowe enter the motel room occupied by the three co-defendants, and then, back outside, accept one of the suitcases transported from the bus station. Law enforcement detained the individuals and executed search warrants on the suitcase, the motel room, and Lowe’s vehicle. The suitcase contained nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, while Lowe’s vehicle contained over $280,000 that was to be used to purchase the seized cocaine. In conjunction with the interdiction, law enforcement obtained search warrants for cell phones found in the possession of Lowe and one of the co-defendants. Digital extractions revealed numerous communications and photographs between the conspirators regarding their drug trafficking activity.

Judge Stickman scheduled Lowe’s sentencing for March 12, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the Court remanded Lowe to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lowe.

One of Lowe’s co-defendants, Adelin Hernandez Amparo of the Dominican Republic, today was sentenced, also by Judge Stickman, to 41 months of imprisonment, to be followed by two years of federal supervised release, for his role in the conspiracy.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – After deliberating for approximately three hours, a federal jury found Qureem Overton guilty of conspiring to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl and quantities of heroin and cocaine, as well as of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute those substances, between January 2017 and June 2020, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Overton, 43, who previously resided in Butler and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted on October 11, 2024, at the conclusion of a five-day jury trial. United States District Judge Robert J. Colville presided over the trial, and scheduled Overton’s sentencing for February 25, 2025.

According to evidence established during trial, Overton was the leader of a Philadelphia-to-Butler pipeline for fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. He has prior Pennsylvania state convictions in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas for drug trafficking, robbery, and aggravated assault that resulted in state prison sentences.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jacqueline C. Brown and Craig W. Haller are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Butler County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force led the investigation that resulted in the prosecution of Overton.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Gregg Edward Siddons, 64, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from in and around January 2021 to in and around March 2024, Siddons stole approximately $33,417 in Supplemental Security Income to which he was not entitled because of unreported income Siddons obtained through operating an unauthorized taxi service.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) of Western Pennsylvania recognized more than three dozen area law enforcement officers and prosecutors during its 26th Annual LEAD Awards Ceremony, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. Comprising the Western Pennsylvania heads of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, LEAD bestows awards annually as a way of recognizing outstanding performance from law enforcement agents and officers, as well as prosecutors.

Notable among the LEAD Awards presented were:

• The Lifetime Service Award was presented to (Retired) Supervisory Special Agent Louis “Lou” Weiers for his outstanding service with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Weiers began his career with the ATF in January 1991 as a Special Agent with the Pittsburgh field office’s Arson/Explosives group, also serving as a member of the National Response Team from 1998 until 2005. Weiers was promoted to Resident Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Firearms Trafficking and Violent Crime group in March 2005, and was among the longest tenured supervisory investigators within the ATF upon his September 2024 retirement. Among the many investigations on which he worked during his career, Weiers served as the first-line supervisor at the 2018 Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, where his group led the ATF response and firearms investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); represented ATF at the September 11, 2001, Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and was involved in the 2014 48-day manhunt for Eric Frein, who killed a Pennsylvania State Trooper and critically injured another during an attack at a State Police barracks. Weiers also served in several acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge details within the Philadelphia Field Division throughout the decades.

• The Courage Under Hostile Fire Award was presented to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Officer Craig Claflin, who, as the first officer on the scene of a domestic dispute call at a Kincaid Street residence in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood in July 2024, was immediately fired upon by the assailant. Officer Claflin quickly neutralized, disarmed, and detained the assailant, saving lives and preventing injuries to neighboring civilians and fellow law enforcement officers.

• An individual LEAD award was presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. AUSA Jordan’s work has consistently involved the handling of both complex, long-term investigations and prosecutions of violent individuals and drug traffickers. During the past year, her cases included multiple long-term drug trafficking investigations conducted by FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force—one of which was a Title-III wiretap investigation—as well as a long-term Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization, the latter of which included the execution of multiple search warrants in late-June 2024 that ultimately resulted in the seizure of nearly 120 kilograms of cocaine, over $1.2 million in cash, and eight firearms, in addition to the charging of numerous individuals. In September 2024, shortly after the takedown of her FBI Title-III investigation, AUSA Jordan secured a guilty verdict in the jury trial of local large-scale drug trafficker Leon Ford Sr., whom Jordan and her team of investigators had indicted and successfully convicted of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

• Several individuals from the ATF, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, received a team award for outstanding performance for their seven-month investigation and prosecution of a complex illegal firearms manufacturing and distribution network out of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The criminal conspiracy involved the manufacture and sale of untraceable ghost guns, AR-15 style rifles, and “hit kits” containing a Polymer 80 privately made firearm with no serial number, a threaded barrel to attach an included silencer, subsonic ammunition, and latex gloves.

• Members of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI received a team award for their investigation of a series of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

• Corporals and troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Troops B and D Forensic Services Units were honored with a team award for their processing of a particularly complex Pittsburgh crime scene.

• Two U.S. Postal Inspection Service officials received individual LEAD awards for their roles in helping to uncover and disrupt criminal operations in separate investigations involving, in one case, a California-to-Western Pennsylvania drug trafficking network, and, in the other, a games of chance theft ring. Officers and agents from organizations including the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and Pennsylvania State Police also received individual awards for their performance in a variety of incidents and investigations involving firearms, narcotics, sexual exploitation of minors, tax evasion, and public safety.

LEAD is composed of the following law enforcement agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Department of Defense - Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services; United States Secret Service; U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Air Marshal Service; U.S. Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Administration - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Federal Protective Service; U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole; Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Police Department; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office; Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association; Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Department; Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department; Washington County District Attorney’s Office; Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office; Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Mt. Lebanon Police Department; Carnegie Mellon University Police Department, and University of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months of probation, including 90 days of home confinement, a $1,375 forfeiture, and a $1,500 fine on his conviction for bribery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Walter Eiseman, 59.

According to information provided to the Court, Eiseman was a building inspector for the City of Pittsburgh, where he was responsible for performing inspections of properties that were the subject of applications for certificates of occupancy. In 2018, a developer was working on a project to redevelop a commercial building in downtown Pittsburgh as luxury apartments and hotel rooms. As part of the financing for the project, the developer sought a historical tax credit, which would only be granted after the developer obtained a temporary certificate of occupancy for one of the project’s floors by the end of December 2018. As part of his guilty plea, Eiseman admitted performing inspections on two floors of the project during the month of December, which resulted in a temporary certificate of occupancy being issued. In return for such official action, Eiseman accepted home appliances from the developer, which were delivered in early January 2019. Eiseman also admitted that he solicited a set of kitchen cabinets from the developer, which were ordered but ultimately not delivered to Eiseman’s residence.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Eiseman.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 8, 2024, to a charge of mail fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Michael Dominick, 44, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Dominick, a former manager at the Ambridge Water Authority (AWA), defrauded AWA of money and property totaling approximately $1,073,185 during the period of January 2020 through August 2022. As manager of AWA, Dominick was responsible for overseeing all daily business and financial activity and thus had access to AWA’s bank accounts and cash and check payments made to AWA for water and related services. Dominick admitted that he secretly diverted AWA’s money into his own personal bank accounts by writing checks to himself, depositing cash and checks issued to AWA into his personal bank accounts, using an AWA debit card to make purchases of personal items, and adjusting or failing to report the true location of AWA’s funds on critical financial records.

“Michael Dominick’s theft of more than a million dollars from the Ambridge Water Authority is an alarming violation of the public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Those who hold positions of authority at any level of government—and particularly those who are responsible for managing and safeguarding public finances—owe a special duty to act in the best interest of their employer and the community. Our office and our partners in law enforcement will continue to root out and hold accountable public officials who violate federal law and undermine public confidence in government.”

“This plea marks a significant step toward justice,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “This fraud not only affects critical public resources, but also represents a betrayal of public trust. The AWA exists to provide an essential resource to our community. Stealing money in this manner has the potential to directly impact the well-being of tens of thousands of people.”

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Beaver County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dominick.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Ross Township, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The six-count Indictment named Ralph Talerico, 44, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from June through July 2023, Talerico produced and attempted to produce material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. Talerico is also charged with possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of prepubescent minors and minors under 12 years of age on June 6, 2024.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

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 (CEOS), 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.justice.gov/psc.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of bank robbery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Mark Laughner, 38, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about May 16, 2024, Laughner entered a Reserve Township bank and, by force, violence, and intimidation, took approximately $1,370 in United States currency from the teller.

The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Allegheny County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Davin Gower, 30.

According to information presented to the Court, from December 2019 to April 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Gower conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Gower was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of methamphetamine that he distributed to others.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Gower. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal laws regarding the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The 11-count Indictment named Justin A. Darby, 36, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Darby received and attempted to receive material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor on five separate occasions during September and October of 2021, as well as on one occasion in February 2024. Darby is also alleged to have distributed such material on one occasion in September 2021. The Indictment further alleges that, from September 20, 2021, through October 29, 2021, Darby accessed with intent to view material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, and that, on February 6, 2024, Darby induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Additionally, Darby is charged with altering, destroying, concealing, or covering up records and documents associated with a messaging application on his cellular telephone on two separate dates.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Darby was ordered to be detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

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.justice.gov/psc.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Blaine, Minnesota, has been sentenced in federal court to six months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release that includes in-home incarceration for the first 180 days, on his conviction of embezzlement and theft of union assets, and falsification of financial records required to be kept by labor unions, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Donald W. Byers, 50, formerly of Tyrone, Pennsylvania, on October 1, 2024.

According to information presented to the Court, Byers was the treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 287. From June 2017 through December 2020, Byers used his position to embezzle over $44,000 of union money by issuing more than 50 unauthorized checks to himself. Byers also falsified a financial report filed with the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards and forged the signature of a union officer on many of the checks.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Colville stated that Byers’s crime was serious and that incarceration was warranted because of Byers’s criminal history, among other factors.

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Cessar and Jacqueline Brown prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Byers.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of escape and bank robbery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The two-count Indictment named John J. Flick, 58, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on September 2, 2024, Flick left a halfway house in Pittsburgh, where he was serving out a previous sentence for a 2021 bank robbery. The Indictment further alleges that, on the following day, Flick robbed a bank in Dormont.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Harford, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment in the amount of $5,200 on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Noah Oliver Fisch-Lewis, 32.

According to information presented to the Court, from September 23, 2022, until October 8, 2022, Fisch-Lewis communicated with an undercover agent posing as the mother of a 10-year-old girl. During this period, Fisch-Lewis repeatedly expressed, in very graphic terms, his desire to engage in sexual activity with the minor. On October 8, 2022, Fisch-Lewis drove from upstate New York to Erie, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the purported 10-year-old and was taken into custody upon his arrival at the agreed meeting place.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police, Erie Police Department, Millcreek Police Department, and Erie County Detectives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Fisch-Lewis.

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 (CEOS), 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.justice.gov/psc.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of the Western District of Pennsylvania has been sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by ten years of supervised release on his federal felony conviction pertaining to his receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Shawn Michael Hoffman, age 41, following his guilty plea to this violation of federal law. In imposing the sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the extremely serious nature of this federal offense and the harm the defendant caused to the minor victim.

The one-count Information named Shawn Michael Hoffman, age 41, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the information presented to the court, in September 2019, Hoffman initiated online communications and solicited sexually explicit visual depictions of the minor. Hoffman also received visual depictions of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct using the internet and cellular phone.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A federal grand jury in Johnstown has returned a Superseding Indictment that charges two residents of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy, federal program fraud, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The 10-count Superseding Indictment named John “Herm” Suplizio, 64, and Roberta Shaffer, 59, both of DuBois, as the defendants. The pair was initially indicted and arrested in November 2023 on conspiracy and federal program fraud charges (read the earlier news release here). The Superseding Indictment expands the time frame of the federal program theft conspiracy in the original indictment, with allegations of an additional approximately $700,000 in theft, and also adds money laundering charges.

According to the Superseding Indictment, from in and around May 2008 to in and around March 2022, Suplizio, the City Manager for DuBois, and Shaffer, the Secretary to the City of DuBois, knowingly conspired to embezzle, steal, convert, and misapply over $1.5 million owned by the city. To accomplish this theft, Suplizio and Shaffer opened bank accounts without the knowledge of the DuBois City Council or auditors, and then funneled fees intended for the city from a waste management company and two oil and gas companies into those secret accounts. Suplizio and Shaffer used the stolen money to, among other things, make large cash withdrawals, write checks to themselves and others, obtain cashier’s checks with themselves listed as payees, and make payments to Suplizio’s personal credit card. The purchases on Suplizio’s credit card included Suplizio’s vacation expenses, utility expenses for Suplizio’s residence, department store purchases, jewelry store purchases, political dinners, and other personal expenses. The Superseding Indictment alleges that many of the transactions in which Suplizio and Shaffer engaged with the proceeds of their theft were over $10,000, which constitutes money laundering under federal law.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to either five or 10 years in prison, a fine of up to either $250,000 or $500,000, or both, on each count. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer F. Carroll are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment.

A Superseding Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - On September 23, 2024, a federal jury found Leon C. Ford guilty on two counts of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Ford, 58, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab in Pittsburgh.

According to evidence presented at trial, Ford, who has a prior federal conviction for drug trafficking, conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl between March 2021 and September 2021. Ford also possessed with the intent to distribute a kilogram of fentanyl on September 16, 2021. Ford was the subject of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which included, among other evidence, the seizure of a kilogram of fentanyl from a co-defendant’s residence that Ford was using as a stash house. The markings on the seized fentanyl were consistent with coded references Ford used in conversations intercepted pursuant to Title III wiretaps. Investigators also seized approximately $240,000 in drug proceeds from Ford’s own residence and vehicle.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for January 29, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court remanded Ford to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Jonathan D. Lusty are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, McKeesport Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Fort Worth Police Department, and Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ford.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 110 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Donald Jeter, 34. Judge Schwab also ordered Jeter to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Jeter previously pleaded guilty in this case to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between May 2021 and October 2022, and to possessing a firearm on August 10, 2022, after a felony conviction. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Mercer County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Sharon Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jeter.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, use of an unauthorized access device, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Cheron Tucker, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Tucker participated in a scheme in which, through the dark web, he obtained the names, credit card numbers, and other identification information of numerous individuals that he then used to rent vehicles from a car rental company with the assistance of a co-conspirator who managed the company’s Monroeville office. Once Tucker obtained the vehicles, he rented them to other individuals. Tucker agreed that he caused more than $550,000 of losses to the car rental company through the scheme.

While investigating one of the vehicles fraudulently obtained from the company, the Brentwood Police Department conducted a search of a home associated with Tucker. The search revealed numerous documents and other evidence associated with the identity theft scheme, as well as two loaded firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number. Tucker has prior felony convictions, including a previous federal conviction for use of unauthorized access devices for which Tucker was on federal supervised release when he committed these new offenses. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than two years in prison and up to 32 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, or both. He also faces up to three additional years of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Monroeville Police Department and Brentwood Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tucker.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of willfully filing a false tax return, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

James E. Frey Jr., 54, of Uniontown pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Frey deposited checks from his businesses’ customers into his personal bank accounts instead of his businesses’ accounts, and kept for himself the proceeds of checks made payable from his companies to other individuals that were never actually sent. Frey’s personal income tax returns for years including 2019 were false in that, as Frey knew, they failed to report the income from those checks.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney William B. Guappone is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frey.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Allport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 204 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Alexis Brolin Jr., 55, on September 20, 2024.

According to information presented to the Court, from in and around July 2019 to in and around April 2020 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Brolin conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Brolin, who directed the drug trafficking organization’s activity in Clearfield and surrounding areas, was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining kilogram quantities of methamphetamine that he distributed to others, and was arrested in possession of more than 650 grams of methamphetamine destined for Clearfield during an April 2020 interdiction stop.

Executing a search warrant at Brolin’s residence on the day of his arrest, law enforcement agents seized additional quantities of methamphetamine, as well as 11 firearms and ammunition, including five shotguns, two rifles, an AK-style rifle, and three pistols, with numerous of the firearms not having serial numbers. Under federal law, Brolin was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition based on his earlier felony conviction for robbery. Brolin also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime.

Additionally, from in and around July 2019 to June 2020, Brolin conspired to commit money laundering by having various distributors pre-pay him for the drugs he was to provide them through money wires to and from various locations within Western Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Brolin. Additional agencies participating in this investigation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.

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

ERIE, Pa. - An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation has led to charges against a total of 26 defendants across nine separate but related Indictments for violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The Indictments charge a network of overlapping regional drug dealers based out of Erie, Pennsylvania, with trafficking multi-kilogram quantities of fentanyl powder and pills, substantial quantities of methamphetamine, and cocaine. During this long-term wiretap investigation, several firearms were seized from drug distributors who were prohibited from possessing firearms or possessed the firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking. Investigators also seized multiple Glock conversion devices—commonly referred to as “Glock switches”—which are designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock pistol into an automatic machinegun.

The Indictments, all unsealed September 18, 2024, include: - an 11-count Indictment returned on September 10, 2024, charging 14 defendants with obtaining and redistributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around Erie County and other areas of the Western District of Pennsylvania; - a two-count Indictment returned on September 10, 2024, charging four defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute varying quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine; - a one-count Indictment returned on September 10, 2024, charging two defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine, and
- six additional one-defendant Indictments charging one to three offenses involving drugs, firearms, or both. These Indictments were returned between July 30, 2024, and September 10, 2024.

A list of the defendants, charges, and maximum penalties is included at the bottom of this release. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

“The combination of guns and illicit drugs—like fentanyl and methamphetamine—leads to tragic consequences for communities in the Erie area and across our district,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Today’s charges against 26 defendants reinforce a core message: if you peddle deadly drugs in the Western District of Pennsylvania, you should expect a visit from law enforcement. Our office and our law enforcement partners will not sit idly by and allow drug traffickers and those who carry devices capable of turning semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons to operate with impunity. Simply put, we are unrelenting in our resolve to keep ordinary citizens safe and secure in their own homes and neighborhoods.”

“The message to those who think they can continue trafficking cartel poison in our communities at will is the FBI and our partners with the EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force will not stop until we break the cycle of drug violence,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “Your operations will be dismantled, your drug-fueled profits will be seized, and you will be brought to justice. This marks the third large-scale operation in the Erie area in the last three years. The FBI’s resolve, and that of our partners, in combatting drugs on our streets will not change.”

“Operation Hot Block is the epitome of a joint investigation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Sara Bay. “Working hand in hand, HSI and FBI, along with multiple federal agencies, state, county, and city police, all contributed to the significant enforcement action today. Through these collective efforts, a dangerous criminal organization that dealt in violent crime and supplied deadly drugs like fentanyl to victims in northwestern Pennsylvania has been dismantled. Residents of northwestern Pennsylvania are safer due to the efforts of all law enforcement professionals that helped bring this investigation to fruition.”

“The Erie Police Department is proud to participate on the FBI EAGLE Task Force,” said Erie Police Department Chief Daniel Spizarny. “Working together with other law enforcement agencies in the region, we strive to prevent these deadly drugs from reaching our city. The damage these drugs do to our community, our friends, our neighbors, and our families must be stopped. A safer city for all is our goal.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Molly Anglin and Paul Sellers are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Erie Resident Agency Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Safe Streets Task Force—which is comprised of investigators from the FBI, United States Customs and Border Protection, Erie Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Millcreek Police Department, Oil City Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and Erie School District Police Department—conducted the investigation leading to the indictments, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations; the Internal Revenue Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police Vice and Drug Law Units; Erie County Detectives; and Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation was also conducted in association with the Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative, which was formed following Erie County’s designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in 2021. The HIDTA program was created by Congress in 1988 to coordinate and assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in addressing regional drug threats with the purpose of reducing drug trafficking and drug production in the United States. The Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative coordinates personnel and resources between multiple agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Erie Police Department, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County Detectives, United States Postal Inspection Service, EAGLE Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and other participating agencies.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

List of Defendants

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a federal drug trafficking charge, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Dirk Barfield Jr., 38, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, in September 2022, Barfield was the subject of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police. The investigation revealed that Barfield would travel from a Pittsburgh residence in his Maserati to distribute cocaine. On September 13, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants upon Barfield and the Pittsburgh residence. When law enforcement announced their presence from outside the residence, Barfield threw bags of suspected controlled substances from a second floor window onto the yard. Law enforcement recovered the bags and made entry into the residence, where, following a waiver of his rights, Barfield admitted to throwing about two ounces of cocaine and one ounce of crack from the window. At the time Barfield committed this crime, he was serving a term of federal supervised release related to his last drug trafficking conviction in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $2 million, or both on the drug charge, and a term of imprisonment of up to five years on the federal supervised release violation. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Judge Colville ordered Barfield remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Barfield.
 

Actors Unsuccessfully Sought to Prevent FBI’s Disruption of Botnet

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet consisting of more than 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet devices were infected by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers working for Integrity Technology Group, a company based in Beijing, China, and known to the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.”

The botnet malware infected numerous types of consumer devices, including small-office/home-office (SOHO) routers, internet protocol (IP) cameras, digital video recorders (DVRs), and network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The malware connected these thousands of infected devices into a botnet, controlled by Integrity Technology Group, which was used to conduct malicious cyber activity disguised as routine internet traffic from the infected consumer devices. The court-authorized operation took control of the hackers’ computer infrastructure and, among other steps, sent disabling commands through that infrastructure to the malware on the infected devices. During the course of the operation, there was an attempt to interfere with the FBI’s remediation efforts through a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack targeting the operational infrastructure that the FBI was utilizing to effectuate the court’s orders. That attack was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the FBI’s disruption of the botnet.

“The Justice Department is zeroing in on the Chinese government backed hacking groups that target the devices of innocent Americans and pose a serious threat to our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As we did earlier this year, the Justice Department has again destroyed a botnet used by PRC- backed hackers to infiltrate consumer devices here in the United States and around the world. We will continue to aggressively counter the threat that China’s state- sponsored hacking groups pose to the American people.”

“The targeted hacking of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims in the United States and around the world shows the breadth and aggressiveness of PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said Eric G. Olshan, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This court-authorized operation disrupted a sophisticated botnet designed to steal sensitive information and launch disruptive cyber attacks. We will continue to work with our partners inside and outside government, using every tool at our disposal, to defend and maintain global cybersecurity.”

“This dynamic operation demonstrates, once again, the Justice Department’s resolve in countering the threats posed by PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division. “For the second time this year, we have disrupted a botnet used by PRC proxies to conceal their efforts to hack into networks in the U.S. and around the world to steal information and hold our infrastructure at risk. Our message to these hackers is clear: if you build it, we will bust it.”

“The disruption of this worldwide botnet is part of the FBI’s commitment to using technical operations to help protect victims, expose publicly the scope of these criminal hacking campaigns, and to use the adversary’s tools against them to remove malicious infrastructure from the virtual battlefield,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “The FBI’s unique legal authorities allowed it to lead an international operation with partners that collectively disconnected this botnet from its China-based hackers at Integrity Technology Group.'

According to the court documents, the botnet was developed and controlled by Integrity Technology Group, a publicly traded company headquartered in Beijing, China. The company built an online application allowing its customers to log in and control specified infected victim devices, including with a menu of malicious cyber commands using a tool called “vulnerability-arsenal.” The online application was prominently labelled “KRLab,” one of the main public brands used by Integrity Technology Group.

The FBI assesses that Integrity Technology Group, in addition to developing and controlling the botnet, is responsible for computer intrusion activities attributed to China-based hackers known by the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.” Microsoft Threat Intelligence described Flax Typhoon as nation-state actors based out of China, active since 2021, who have targeted government agencies and education, critical manufacturing, and information technology organizations in Taiwan, and elsewhere. The FBI’s investigation has corroborated Microsoft’s conclusions, finding that Flax Typhoon has successfully attacked multiple U.S. and foreign corporations, universities, government agencies, telecommunications providers, and media organizations.

A cybersecurity advisory describing Integrity Technology Group tactics, techniques and procedures was also published today by the FBI, the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, and partner agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. JCSA: People’s Republic of China-Linked Actors Compromise Routers and IoT Devices for Botnet Operations

The government’s malware disabling commands, which interacted with the malware’s native functionality, were extensively tested prior to the operation. As expected, the operation did not affect the legitimate functions of, or collect content information from, the infected devices. The FBI is providing notice to U.S. owners of devices that were affected by this court-authorized operation. The FBI is contacting those victims through their internet service provider, who will provide notice to their customers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, FBI’s San Diego Office and Cyber Division, and the National Security Cyber Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division led the domestic disruption effort. Assistance was also provided by the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. These efforts would not have been successful without the collaboration of partners, including French authorities, and Lumen Technologies’ threat intelligence group, Black Lotus Labs, which first identified and described this botnet, which it named Raptor Train, in July 2023.

If you believe you have a compromised computer or device, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or report online to CISA. You may also contact your local FBI field office directly.

The FBI continues to investigate Integrity Technology Group’s and Flax Typhoon’s computer intrusion activities.

Note: View the affidavit here.

The Justice Department today announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet consisting of more than 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet devices were infected by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers working for Integrity Technology Group, a company based in Beijing, and known to the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.”

The botnet malware infected numerous types of consumer devices, including small-office/home-office (SOHO) routers, internet protocol (IP) cameras, digital video recorders (DVRs), and network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The malware connected these thousands of infected devices into a botnet, controlled by Integrity Technology Group, which was used to conduct malicious cyber activity disguised as routine internet traffic from the infected consumer devices. The court-authorized operation took control of the hackers’ computer infrastructure and, among other steps, sent disabling commands through that infrastructure to the malware on the infected devices. During the course of the operation, there was an attempt to interfere with the FBI’s remediation efforts through a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack targeting the operational infrastructure that the FBI was utilizing to effectuate the court’s orders. That attack was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the FBI’s disruption of the botnet.

“The Justice Department is zeroing in on the Chinese government backed hacking groups that target the devices of innocent Americans and pose a serious threat to our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As we did earlier this year, the Justice Department has again destroyed a botnet used by PRC-backed hackers to infiltrate consumer devices here in the United States and around the world. We will continue to aggressively counter the threat that China’s state- sponsored hacking groups pose to the American people.”

“Our takedown of this state-sponsored botnet reflects the Department’s all-tools approach to disrupting cyber criminals. This network, managed by a PRC government contractor, hijacked hundreds of thousands of private routers, cameras, and other consumer devices to create a malicious system for the PRC to exploit,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today should serve as a warning to cybercriminals preying on Americans – if you continue to come for us, we will come for you.”

“This dynamic operation demonstrates, once again, the Justice Department’s resolve in countering the threats posed by PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division. “For the second time this year, we have disrupted a botnet used by PRC proxies to conceal their efforts to hack into networks in the U.S. and around the world to steal information and hold our infrastructure at risk. Our message to these hackers is clear: if you build it, we will bust it.”

“The disruption of this worldwide botnet is part of the FBI’s commitment to using technical operations to help protect victims, expose publicly the scope of these criminal hacking campaigns, and to use the adversary’s tools against them to remove malicious infrastructure from the virtual battlefield,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “The FBI’s unique legal authorities allowed it to lead an international operation with partners that collectively disconnected this botnet from its China-based hackers at Integrity Technology Group.”

“The targeted hacking of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims in the United States and around the world shows the breadth and aggressiveness of PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This court-authorized operation disrupted a sophisticated botnet designed to steal sensitive information and launch disruptive cyber attacks. We will continue to work with our partners inside and outside government, using every tool at our disposal, to defend and maintain global cybersecurity.”

“The FBI’s investigation revealed that a publicly-traded, China-based company is openly selling its customers the ability to hack into and control thousands of consumer devices worldwide. This operation sends a clear message to the PRC that the United States will not tolerate this shameless criminal conduct,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI San Diego Field Office.

According to the court documents, the botnet was developed and controlled by Integrity Technology Group, a publicly-traded company headquartered in Beijing. The company built an online application allowing its customers to log in and control specified infected victim devices, including with a menu of malicious cyber commands using a tool called “vulnerability-arsenal.” The online application was prominently labelled “KRLab,” one of the main public brands used by Integrity Technology Group.

The FBI assesses that Integrity Technology Group, in addition to developing and controlling the botnet, is responsible for computer intrusion activities attributed to China-based hackers known by the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.” Microsoft Threat Intelligence described Flax Typhoon as nation-state actors based out of China, active since 2021, who have targeted government agencies and education, critical manufacturing, and information technology organizations in Taiwan, and elsewhere. The FBI’s investigation has corroborated Microsoft’s conclusions, finding that Flax Typhoon has successfully attacked multiple U.S. and foreign corporations, universities, government agencies, telecommunications providers, and media organizations.

A cybersecurity advisory describing Integrity Technology Group tactics, techniques and procedures was also published today by the FBI, the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, and partner agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 

The government’s malware disabling commands, which interacted with the malware’s native functionality, were extensively tested prior to the operation. As expected, the operation did not affect the legitimate functions of, or collect content information from, the infected devices. The FBI is providing notice to U.S. owners of devices that were affected by this court-authorized operation. The FBI is contacting those victims through their internet service provider, who will provide notice to their customers.

The FBI’s San Diego Field Office and Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the National Security Cyber Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division led the domestic disruption effort. Assistance was also provided by the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. These efforts would not have been successful without the collaboration of partners, including French authorities, and Lumen Technologies’ threat intelligence group, Black Lotus Labs, which first identified and described this botnet, which it named Raptor Train, in July 2023.

If you believe you have a compromised computer or device, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or report online to CISA. You may also contact your local FBI field office directly.

The FBI continues to investigate Integrity Technology Group’s and Flax Typhoon’s computer intrusion activities.