Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH – A West Virginia man has been arrested and charged in federal court in Pittsburgh with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The criminal complaint, filed on October 22, charges Durell Anthony Jones, 33, of Fairmont, West Virginia, with drug conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Brady said, "This is the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the history of western Pennsylvania. Through the hard work of our federal, state and local partners, over 122 pounds of methamphetamine and 10 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $2.5 million, have been taken off the street. We have disrupted a major narcotics trafficking organization."

According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 5:30 a.m. on October 21, 2018, Jones was observed by law enforcement officers parking near a tractor trailer with California tags in the back of a gas station in Portersville, Pennsylvania. After opening his trunk and making movements to the rear of his vehicle, he drove a Kia Sedan onto Interstate 79, southbound. A trooper from the Pennsylvania State Police stopped the Kia for a violation of the Pennsylvania motor vehicle laws as it was traveling South on Interstate 79. Jones provided his name and date of birth, and State Police were able to determine that Jones had an active warrant out of Michigan.

According to the complaint, a search of the Kia revealed approximately 55.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 4.58 kilograms of cocaine. The meth and cocaine were located in the trunk of the vehicle in four separate duffle-type bags.

Jones appeared this week in federal court in Pittsburgh. He was ordered detained without bail.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years and not more than life. 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 Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Jeffrey R. Bengel are prosecuting this case.

U.S. Attorney Brady commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the complaint against Jones.

A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant may not be prosecuted unless, within 30 days, a grand jury has found probable cause to believe that he is guilty of an offense.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years’ supervised release, on his conviction of distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Adam D. Cadle, 37. In addition to the imposed terms of imprisonment and supervised release, the court ordered that Cadle pay $1,000 in restitution to each of two minor victims.

According to the information presented to the court at the time of the guilty plea, Cadle had been using a group chat service, known as "Chatstep," to distribute and receive images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were under the age of 12 years. On November 1, 2017, Cadle’s residence was searched by officers of the Pittsburgh Crimes Against Children Task Force, during which numerous images of child pornography were identified on his laptop computer and a SanDisk thumb drive. Forensic analysis undertaken after the search revealed that Cadle was chatting with minors and sharing sexually exploitive material. It was established that on November 17, 2015, Cadle distributed 10 images of child pornography during one such chat session.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cadle.

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.

PITTSBURGH - After a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, nine people were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.  The separate, but related, indictments were returned on October 9, 2018.  The defendants will be detained pending trial.

THE INDICTMENTS

The first indictment, containing two counts, named: Derick Davare, 31, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about August 22, 2018, Davare, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed ammunition, namely two boxes of .9 millimeter Federal American Eagle ammunition and two boxes of 5.7 x .28 caliber FNH ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess ammunition.  Additionally, on or about March 2, 2018, Davare distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 50 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,250,000, or both. 

The second indictment, containing two counts, named: Drake Davare, 28, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about March 12, 2018 and March 18, 2018, Davare distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both. 

The third indictment, containing two counts, named: David Kimmel, 29, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment, on or about August 13, 2018 and August 28, 2018, Kimmel distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both. 

The fourth indictment, containing five counts, named: Dylan Main, 22, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; Taurean Potter, 33, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; and Anthony Washington Jr., 26, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as defendants. According to the indictment, from in around 2017, and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2018, Main, Potter and Washington conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  Additionally, on various dates throughout 2017 and 2018, Main, Potter and Washington each distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of the following for the each of the following defendants: Main - not more than 100 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both; Potter – not more than 60 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $3,000,000, or both; and Washington – not more than 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,000,000, or both. 

The fifth indictment, containing two counts, named: Donavan McFrazier, 30, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.  According to the indictment, on or about July 9, 2018, McFrazier possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and cocaine base and forty  grams or more of fentanyl, all Schedule II controlled substances.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $6,000,000, or both. 

The sixth indictment, containing one count, named: Jeffrey Vitale, 29, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.  According to the indictment, on or about February 16, 2018, Vitale distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. 

The seventh indictment, containing one count, named: Kacie Zito, 32, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.  According to the indictment, from in and around October 2017, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2018, Zito conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, 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 defendants. 

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

A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictments in this case.  The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

An indictment is an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - Two siblings from Cleveland, Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal robbery and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The seven-count indictment, returned on October 16, named the defendants as Rayshawn Patterson, 19, and Reginald Patterson, 21. 

According to the indictment, on December 23, 2017, Rayshawn Patterson and Reginald Patterson conspired to commit and committed a theft of a licensed firearms dealer, DSD Sports, located at 328 B. West Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825, stealing 14 pistols and two assault rifles. On that same date, Rayshawn Patterson and Reginald Patterson are charged with transporting the stolen firearms in interstate commerce. On the previous day, Rayshawn and Reginald Patterson are also charged with conspiring to commit and committing a Hobbs Act Robbery at Fastway Gas, located at 22352 Route 68, Clarion, PA 16214, stealing an amount of United States Currency. In the robbery of Fastway Gas, they are charged with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Finally, from December 23, 2017 to December 29, 2017, they are charged with possession of the stolen guns from the robbery of DSD Sports.

The defendants face a total maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison, a fine of not more than $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 defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Brookville Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Cuyahoga Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a term of imprisonment of three years, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a fentanyl analogue, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence yesterday on Donte Spence, age 21, formerly of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on November 3, 2016, agents from the Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroeville Police Department, became aware of potential heroin trafficking occurring in Rooms 238 and 305 of the Days Inn, located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Surveillance was established and federal search warrants for Rooms 238 and 305 were obtained.

Officers apprehended Donte Spence and another individual in Room 238. When investigators arrived, Spence swiped a large amount of drugs off a desk causing the substances to become airborne. As a result, several members of law enforcement sought medical attention. Fortunately, they did not sustain any injuries. Investigators could plainly see powder heroin on at least two tables, a Magic Bullet blender and blenders full of heroin, and packaged heroin. Also found in the room was United States currency, packaging paraphernalia, and personal items. Another individual was apprehended in Room 305 with bagged and packaged heroin. Between the two rooms, over 200 grams of heroin containing furanyl fentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) were seized.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Spence.

PITTSBURGH – Passavant Memorial Homes, together with its subsidiaries Passavant Development Corporation, PDC Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PDC Pharmacy Philadelphia, and PDC Pharmacy Colorado, have agreed to pay the United States $1,850,000 to settle False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act allegations, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Passavant’s pharmacies serve individuals with intellectual disabilities and other mental health needs through community residential programs, residential treatment facilities, intermediate care facilities, and other facilities. In many cases, Passavant bills federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, for dispensing controlled substances to these individuals.

The settlement resolves allegations that Passavant dispensed controlled substances on Schedules III, IV, and V of the DEA Controlled Substances List to patients for a legitimate medical purpose, but without a valid prescription and with only a physician order. Because Passavant submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for dispensing certain of these drugs without a prescription, the settlement also resolves alleged violations of the False Claims Act. Passavant voluntarily disclosed this information to the United States in 2015, cooperated with the investigation to identify the nature and scope of legal violations, and has implemented a policy change to stop the practice of prescribing with only a physician order.

This matter was investigated by the Diversion Control Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant United States Attorneys Colin J. Callahan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mark J. Sherer and Anthony D. Scicchitano of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Amanda Rocque of the District of Colorado handled this matter on behalf of the United States.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a term of imprisonment of three years and 10 months, to be followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Antonio Reynoso, age 39.  

According to information presented to the court, starting in early 2014, the DEA began an investigation into drug trafficking in the New Kensington area. The investigation led to Title III wiretap interceptions over the phones of several individuals involved in a heroin trafficking conspiracy which spanned the greater Pittsburgh area. The defendant’s phone was tapped as a result of the investigation. Agents determined that the defendant worked with others to obtain heroin in New York City to distribute in the Pittsburgh area. The defendant admitted that he was responsible for conspiring to distribute over one kilogram of heroin from January to May 2015.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of members drawn from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, the Baldwin Borough Police Department, the Duquesne Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Munhall Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Scott Township Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department, along with assistance from the City of New Kensington Police Department and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years and 10 months in prison followed by six years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Robert Fields, Jr. aka Squid, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around November 2015, and continuing thereafter to in and around January 2016, Fields conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin. The court was informed that Fields was a member of the Wavy Boyz gang, which operates out of the Hill District Section of the City of Pittsburgh.

Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Robert Fields, Jr. The OCDETF task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Street Task Force including the Pittsburg Bureau of Police, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided by FBI San Juan, Puerto Rico (St. Thomas Resident Agency, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Numerous other FBI field offices, including Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Atlanta, in addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, also assisted with this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court for assaulting two federal officers, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak sentenced Leonard Rushin-Felder, 22, to one year and one day of imprisonment for each of two counts of assault of a federal officer. The sentences will run concurrently. Rushin-Felder previously pleaded guilty before Judge Hornak on June 14, 2018.

In connection with his guilty plea, Rushin-Felder admitted that on May 2, 2017, he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell in the Joseph F. Weis, Jr., United States Courthouse for a detention hearing related to separate drug trafficking and firearms charges pending against him. At the conclusion of the detention hearing, Judge Mitchell ordered that the defendant be detained pending trial. The defendant further admitted that when two Deputy United States Marshals attempted to escort him from the courtroom, he forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with the Deputy Marshals while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties as federal law enforcement officers. During the ensuing struggle, the defendant made physical contact with the two Deputy Marshals. As part of his guilty plea, the defendant acknowledged that additional law enforcement and court personnel were needed to restrain him and assist with his removal from the courtroom.

Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Rachael L. Dizard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation of Rushin-Felder.

PITTSBURGH, Pa – A resident of Donora, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a narcotics charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Michael Tirpak, age 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine before United States District Judge Mark Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 2017 to December 2017, Brandon Thomas, a mid-level distributor in the Lightfoot/Mendoza DTO, would receive large quantities of cocaine from Jamie Lightfoot, Jr. before redistributing the cocaine to Tirpak and other co-conspirators. Tirpak would travel to and from Thomas’ house in order to purchase the cocaine.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $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 record, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation - The Monongahela Valley Residential Agency, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the South Strabane Police Department, the Elizabeth Borough Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Perryopolis Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.

PITTSBURGH, Pa – A resident of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a narcotics charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Angel Grannison, age 32, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a one count information charging her with maintaining a drug involved premises before United States Chief District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 11, 2018, Allegheny County Police detectives and a Special Agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration in Pittsburgh responded to a Motel 6 in Pittsburgh to a complaint of a strong chemical odor coming from one of the rooms. When they responded, investigators found Grannsion in the room. In the bathroom of the room, Grannsion had set up a fentanyl synthesis lab using commercial chemistry equipment and using chemicals from China. Investigators also recovered numerous packages with Chinese return addresses, a ‘Chemistry for Dummies’ book, and a handwriting journal with notes on fentanyl production.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $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 record, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Allegheny County Police, the Allegheny County Crime Lab, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.

PITTSBURGH – James Bert White, III, 25, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to a charge of possessing with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady today.

According to information presented to the court, on September 21, 2017, narcotics agents and task force officers from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office executed a search warrant at White’s residence located in Farrell, PA. Earlier that month, two confidential informants purchased crack from White at the residence. During the search, investigators recovered a plastic bag containing 23.53 grams of crack; a digital scale; drug-packaging material; and $1,664.00 in U.S. currency.

Judge Donetta W. Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. White, who has a prior felony drug conviction, faces a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, 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.

Pending sentencing, the court continued White’s order of pretrial detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and the Hermitage Police Department conducted the investigation leading to White’s conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Four residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were charged in federal court with conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Travis Moriarty, 37, Tiffhany Covington, 41, Autumn Brown, 31, and Brenda Lowry Horton, 48, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were charged in separate but related criminal Informations with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to the Informations filed in their respective cases, the defendants were employees of one or more of four related entities operating in the home health care industry—Moriarty Consultants, Inc. (MCI), Activity Daily Living Services, Inc. (ADL), Coordination Care, Inc. (CCI), and Everyday People Staffing, Inc. (EPS). MCI, ADL, and CCI were approved under the Pennsylvania Medicaid program to offer certain services to qualifying Medicaid recipients ("consumers"), including personal assistance services (PAS), service coordination, and non-medical transportation, among other services. In general, as alleged, PAS care involved the provision of non-medical assistance by company employees ("attendants") to consumers in their homes, including, for example, meal preparation, bathing, dressing, and light cleaning. Service coordination entailed coordinating and monitoring services on an ongoing basis, including PAS care, to ensure that consumers were receiving their authorized care pursuant to the relevant Medicaid program. Likewise, non-medical transportation benefits covered personnel and mileage costs for drivers to transport consumers, as well as the purchase of transit passes, tickets, or tokens to secure other means of transportation. As alleged, EPS provided back-office and staffing support for MCI, ADL, and CCI. Notwithstanding the formal corporate separation of these entities, the Informations allege that the finances of each were commingled at the direction of the owners of the entities.

According to the Informations, between in and around January 2011 and in and around April 2017, MCI, ADL, and CCI, collectively, received more than $87,000,000 in Medicaid payments based on claims submitted for these services, with PAS payments accounting for more than $80,000,000 of the total amount. During that time, the Informations allege that Moriarty, Covington, Horton, and Brown, along with numerous other individuals, participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program for the purpose of obtaining millions of dollars in illegal Medicaid payments through the submission of fraudulent claims related to PAS, service coordination, and non-medical transportation services that were never provided to the consumers identified on the claims.

Among other things, the Informations allege that various office employees of MCI, ADL, and EPS, including Moriarty, Covington, and Horton, would fabricate timesheets to reflect the provision of in-home PAS care they provided to consumers but that, in fact, never occurred. In addition, at the direction of the owner of MCI, certain in-house employees of MCI, ADL, and EPS, including Moriarty, Covington, and Horton, stopped using their own names as the attendant on timesheets and instead used the names of "ghost employees." As alleged, some of the "ghost employees," including Brown, allowed their names to be used in this manner in exchange for a portion of the resulting salary payments derived from Medicaid disbursements. Other "ghost employees" never received kickbacks and otherwise had no knowledge of the fact of their fraudulent employment.

According to the Informations, other attendants employed by MCI submitted false timesheets for PAS care they never provided during times when they were actually working at other jobs or living out of the area. In some cases, Medicaid claims were submitted for PAS care that purportedly occurred while consumers were hospitalized, incarcerated, or deceased. The Informations further allege that co-conspirators, including Moriarty, Covington, Brown, and Horton, paid kickbacks to consumers in exchange for the consumers’ agreement to participate in the submission of fraudulent timesheets in support of Medicaid claims.

The Informations further allege that the owner of MCI directed employees, including Moriarty and Covington, to use the maximum allowable PAS and service coordination hours for consumers to maximize profits and to ensure that the state did not require MCI, ADL, and CCI to forfeit underutilized consumer hours. Indeed, the Informations allege that many consumers had no knowledge that their personally identifiable information was being used to bill Medicaid for benefits that the consumers had not exhausted.

According to the Informations, as part of the conspiracy, the owner of MCI and others, directed employees, including Moriarty and Covington, to fabricate documentation during the course of state audits of MCI, ADL, and CCI—for example, PAS timesheets, service coordination notes, criminal history checks for attendants, child-abuse clearance forms for attendants, and certain consumer affidavits—as a means to conceal the nature and scope of the fraud and so that it could continue.

The defendants each face a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $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 defendants.

Assistant United States Attorneys Eric G. Olshan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Edward Song are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation of the defendants.

 

PITTSBURGH – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, with violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on October 16, named Gerald Herion Williams, age 33, as the defendant.

According to the indictment, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Williams, a felon, unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on September 12, 2018. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition. The Indictment further charges the defendant with distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl on August 28, 2018, and quantities of methoxyacetyl fentanyl, a controlled substance analogue, on September 8, 2017, and on September 15, 2017.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for the defendant of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $6,250,000, 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 of the defendant.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Wheeler of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Washington City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). On July 12, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions selected the Western District of Pennsylvania as one of ten districts from across the country to implement the program. All cases involving the illegal distribution of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, arising in Washington County, Pennsylvania will be systematically prosecuted in federal court. The surge in federal resources has the twin goals of reducing the number of overdose fatalities and eliminating drug trafficking in synthetic opioids. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local Washington County Police Departments, are leading Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Troy Cole, Jr., age 27, pleaded guilty to two counts before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about January 6, 2017,Cole, Jr. possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and on or about August 23, 2017, Cole possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monroeville Police Department, and Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cole, Jr.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New York, NY, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

William Rosario, age 25, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Rosario conspired with his codefendants, David Francis and Jose Ortega, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, which he transported from New York to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Chief Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, 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.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rosario.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a fentanyl analogue, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Termane Thomass Eleam, age 32, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Eleam conspired with other individuals to possess with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and furanyl fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl.

The Court was further advised that on November 3, 2016, Department of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroeville Police executed a search warrant on Rooms 238 and 305 of the Days Inn, located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. During the search of Room 238, investigators seized suspected heroin, gloves, and distribution paraphernalia, including packaging materials, blenders, and multiple cell phones. Wilfredo Torres and Donte Spence were in Room 238. A cousin of Eleam was in Room 305 bagging the suspected heroin in exchange for payment. The drugs recovered from both rooms tested positive for a total of approximately 200 grams of furanyl fentanyl and heroin.

Eleam had departed the Days Inn just prior to the execution of the search warrant, and returned to the hotel as the search warrant was being executed. When officers searched both his person and vehicle following the execution of the search warrant, a small amount of marijuana and related paraphernalia were recovered.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years in prison, a fine of $20,000,000, 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.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Eleam’s bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Eleam.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Trafford, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of theft of government funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Warren Robb, 58.

According to information presented to the court, Robb applied in 2010 for "total and permanent" disability benefits from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. Robb never notified the Board that his medical condition had improved or that he had performed work for any employer, and certified again in December 2016 that his disability prevented him from working. Robb in fact worked as a short-order cook at a restaurant in Level Green, Pennsylvania from October 2015 to February 2017. Starting in November 2015, Robb intentionally received and converted RRB disability benefits totaling approximately $57,821.68 to which he knew he was not entitled. Robb has a prior federal conviction from 2010 for making false statements to obtain unemployment benefits from the RRB.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hornak stated that the sentence imposed was justified due to the seriousness of the offense conduct and the defendant’s prior criminal convictions.

Assistant United States Attorney Adam N. Hallowell prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Warren Robb.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Darryl Leon Wilson, 61, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Wilson robbed a Key Bank.

The Court was further advised that on February 22, 2018, Wilson entered the Key Bank wearing a purple hat and scarf covering most of the defendant’s face. When the teller requested that the defendant remove the scarf and hat, the defendant stated, "If I don’t get out of here fast, someone will get hurt." The defendant then placed a note on the counter which read, "Someone will get shot if you don’t give the 100’s 50’s 20’s and 10’s, No dye packs, smile and move fast Sorry." The teller gave the defendant lose $20 and $5 bills for a total of $540.

Utilizing surveillance video from surrounding businesses, including the Warner Center, taken before, during and after the bank robbery, officers identified the defendant. When they went to the defendant’s house on March 2, 2018, Wilson answered the door with hands up and stated, "I did it." After officers identified themselves, Wilson stated, "I know why you’re here, I robbed the bank."

Wilson admitted robbing the bank, and admitted giving the teller a note that demanded money. After receiving the money, the defendant walked from the bank and discarded the scarf, knit cap and skirt. The defendant then walked through Downtown Pittsburgh and into the Warner Center before catching a bus. The defendant advised the money was used to pay back borrowed money and to purchase a cellphone. When the defendant was arrested, the defendant was wearing the same tennis shoes worn when the bank was robbed.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $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.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Wilson remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Wilson.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Wexford, Pa. pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Mark R. Foster, 71, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that co-defendant Terry Brown owned and operated Cherry Way, a Suboxone clinic, located in Bridgeville, PA, and Foster was a medical director at Cherry Way. Brown and Foster conspired together to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for Suboxone, Adderall and Percocet, and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances to Brown and others.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $2,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This investigation was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General -Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The indictment named Anthony E. Gray, 22, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on July 10, 2018, Gray possessed with the intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack."

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000 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.

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

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cambria County Drug Task Force and the Johnstown Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gray.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The indictment named Bobby Washington, Jr., 34, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on March 17, 2018, Washington distributed less than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," and on April 24, 2018, he possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack."

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison and a fine of $6,000,000 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 Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Washington.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Clearfield County resident was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of theft of mail matter, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The indictment named Susan B. Koontz, 20, of Morrisdale, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from August 1, 2016, to December 11, 2016, Koontz stole and removed from the Morrisdale Post Office approximately 20 parcel packages and the items contained therein, for a total estimated value of $1,036.00.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $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 Stephanie L. Haines, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Brockway, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of conversion of government funds, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The indictment named Megan M. Pearce, 34, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from July 31, 2015, to March 1, 2016, Pearce did receive and convert falsely to her own use a total of $11,728, which represents approximately 16 separate Social Security Administration benefit payments made to her as representative payee for her sons, to which she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $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 U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to two years and six months in prison, followed by three years supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Duane Manuel, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on September 19, 2017, Manuel falsified firearms purchase forms at Island Firearms during his purchase of two firearms. Manuel also falsified firearms purchase forms on September 10, 2017, at Island Firearms; on September 1, 2017, at Anthony Arms; on July 31, 2017 at Anthony Arms; July 1, 2017 at Justin’s Gun Shop; on June 16, 2017, at Anthony Arms; on June 10, 2017, at Anthony Arms and Island Firearms; and on June 4, 2017, at Anthony Arms. Overall, Manuel purchased 15 firearms, and falsely stated that he was purchasing the firearms for himself. In fact, he purchased the firearms at the direction of other persons, intending to deliver the firearms to those individuals.

Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Manuel. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in a America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Oil City, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Emmett Freshcorn, age 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on December 11, 2017, Freshcorn, who is a convicted felon, went into a gun store with another individual. Freshcorn gave that individual money to purchase a BMG, .50 caliber rifle. Freshcorn then carried the rifle out of the store and took possession of it. Further, on March 7, 2018, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives recovered 10 more firearms and ammunitions from locations connected to Freshcorn in Oil City, PA.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 27, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and prior record of the defendant. Freshcorn will continue to be detained pending sentencing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Oil City Police conducted the investigation leading to the plea in this case.

ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of food stamp fraud, access device fraud and identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The eight-count indictment named John Alan Vanhouwe, 56, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Vanhouwe, who owned and operated a mobile convenience store in Erie, allowed customers to pay credit accounts with food stamps and used a database he created to gain access to customers’ food stamp accounts so he could pay down their credit accounts at his store without their knowledge.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 80 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, 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 Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of willfully failing to pay over payroll taxes, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Amarender Tiparthy, 50, of Coraopolis, pleaded guilty to four felony counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Tiparthy willfully failed to account for and pay over payroll taxes totaling $2,285,807.70, including all relevant conduct, for the sixteen tax quarters in 2010 through 2013.

According to information provided during the guilty plea hearing, Tiparthy was the sole owner of Prodigy Software Group, Inc. ("Prodigy"), a Subchapter S business that provided companies and governmental entities with consulting services regarding information technology projects. The business model of Prodigy included the employment of individuals who then were assigned to various information technology projects pursuant to contracts negotiated and entered into by Tiparthy on behalf of Prodigy. Although Tiparthy collected payroll taxes for the sixteen tax quarters in 2010 through 2013, he failed to truthfully account for and pay over the taxes when due to the Internal Revenue Service.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2019 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 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.

Pending sentence, the court released Tiparthy on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating the federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on October 9, named Christian Burrus, age 36, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on July 23, 2018, Burrus unlawfully possessed a Ruger 9 millimeter pistol and ammunition, after having been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Those convictions include one conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and three convictions for firearms violations. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

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 of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Penn Hills Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – Five residents of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, have been charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh with violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The five-count superseding indictment, returned on October 9, named: Nathan Hampton, age 29; Travis Robertson, age 28; Leslie Jackson, age 54; Sacha Nesbeth, age 26; and her mother, Juliet Nesbeth, age 45, as defendants.

According to the superseding indictment, on or about September 8, 2017, Hampton, Robertson, Jackson and Sacha Nesbeth conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methoxyacetyl fentanyl. The indictment also charges Hampton, Robertson, Jackson, and Sacha Nesbeth with attempting to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methoxyacetyl fentanyl. Sacha and Juliet Nesbeth are charged with using or maintaining a drug involved premises. Hampton is further charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Robertson is further charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

For the drug charges, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. For the charge of maintaining a drug involved premises, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $500,000, or both. For the charge of felon in possession of ammunition, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. For the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of not more than $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 defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is part of a long-term investigation by the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), which targeted a large scale Drug Trafficking Organization operating in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny Counties. The GPSSTF is comprised of dedicated law enforcement

professionals from the Wilkinsburg Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the FBI. The GPSSTF and the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, would like to recognize the significant contributions made to this investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, United Sates Postal Inspection Service, Cranberry Township Police Department and the New Brighton Police Department. The Department of Homeland Security Investigators also assisted in the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.

This investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - Three Florida residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on charges of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, possessing and uttering counterfeit securities, and possession of stolen mail, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The seven-count indictment, returned on October 9, named Calar Braxton aka Vivian Hugo, aka Taylor Crimson, 44, of Orlando, Florida: Brian Omar Campbell aka Vincent Hugo, aka Troy Crimson, 28 of Orlando, Florida; and Cheryl Brown aka Loraine Johnson, 48, of Riverview, Florida.

According to information presented to the court, Braxton, Campbell, and Brown conspired to purchase merchandise from area retailers by using counterfeit bank checks. After checking into a local hotel on October 5, 2017, the defendants stole mail addressed to individuals living in the area and opened it. If the defendants found a check, they recorded its account and routing numbers and used that information to produce counterfeit bank checks. Afterwards, they used the counterfeit checks on October 5-6, 2017, to purchase merchandise from retailers such as Victoria’s Secret, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Macy’s Department Store. The scheme ended when members of the North Fayette Township Police Department obtained a warrant for the hotel and searched it. During the search, the police recovered a laser printer, stolen mail, and blank stock used for printing checks.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000 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 Michael Leo Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the North Fayette Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Clymer, New York has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of theft of mail by postal employee, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment named Rebecca A. Hulett, 63, 225 Cabbage Hill Road, Clymer, New York, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about March 17, 2017, Hulett, who was a postal employee, stole a $20 Federal Reserve Note from the mail.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $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 Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Angelo Everett, age 35, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Angelo Everett was indicted in connection with a DEA wiretap investigation. The intercepted wiretap communications revealed that Everett and others conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 100 grams of heroin between January and September 2016.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,000,000, 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 continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises. United States Attorney Brady commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Everett.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

James Clay Russell, 60, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 20, 2017, Russell distributed an image depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor under the age of 12 years using the website, "Chatstep.com". Chatstep.com detected the distribution activity and reported it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, triggering an investigation of the Chatstep user. Russell was identified as the perpetrator and a search warrant was executed at his apartment, resulting in the seizure of computers and DVDs containing thousands of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $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. Russell remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.

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

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Russell.

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.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of social security fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment named Karen Louise Keiper, 49, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, between on or about February 13, 2013 and August 7, 2015, Keiper fraudulently received approximately $28,948.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefit payments by concealing the fact that she did not live alone, failed to disclose the existence of a bank account and claimed she did not receive any other type of income in order in order to continue to receive these payments.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $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 Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to six months’ probation on her conviction of embezzlement by a bank employee, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Robin Chiappetta, age 63, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from approximately February 2014, until approximately December 2016, Chiappetta, who was employed as an Assistant Branch Manager at First National Bank, embezzled funds belonging to and entrusted to the custody and care of the bank, resulting in a loss of $20,513.80. 

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Duquesne, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy and mail theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Ron Matthew Sharp, 42, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from February through May of 2018, Sharp, along with a co-defendant, entered multiple apartment buildings in the Shadyside and North Oakland areas of Pittsburgh, and opened United States Postal Service packages or other mail items that were not addressed to them, stole packages, and stole items from within packages that had been left at authorized mail depositories. Defendants then provided items they had stolen from the mail, including gift cards, to others, who redeemed the gift cards at various locations, including Giant Eagle and GETGO. Defendants also re-sold, and instructed others to attempt to re-sell, items defendants had stolen from the mail.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 13, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Sharp remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Ron Matthew Sharp.

PITTSBURGH – United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today that seven Russians were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges relating to a criminal hacking campaign that included the theft and public dissemination of private medical records of 250 athletes, including U.S. Olympic athletes. According to the indictment, the Russian hackers targeted the athletes and major anti-doping organizations in retaliation for a ban on Russian athletes due to Russia’s state sponsored doping program. The Russian hacking also targeted western Pennsylvania employees of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, as well as an organization and laboratory investigating Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons.

According to the indictment, the defendants are all members of a Russian military intelligence agency based in Moscow known as the GRU:

Aleksei Sergeyevich Morenets

Evgenii Mikhaylovich Serebriakov

Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov

Artem Andreyevich Malyshev

Dmitriy Sergeyevich Badin

Oleg Mikhaylovich Sotnikov

Alexey Valerevich Minin

All seven defendants are charged with conspiracy to illegally access and cause damage to computers in the United States and elsewhere, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy. All except Sotnikov and and Minin are also charged with aggravated identity theft. Finally, Yermakov is charged with multiple counts of wire fraud for attempting to hack into the personal email accounts of employees of Westinghouse.

The targets of the hacking activity included:

• Westinghouse Electric Corporation based outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

• the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado;

• the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), headquartered in Montreal, Canada;

• the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), headquartered in Ottawa, Canada;

• the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), headquartered in Monaco;

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS/CAS), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland;

• the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland;

• the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an organization headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria and the March 2018 poisoning of a former GRU officer in the United Kingdom with a chemical nerve agent; and

• the Spiez Swiss Chemical Laboratory located in Spiez, Switzerland, an accredited laboratory of the OPCW that analyzed the chemical agent connected to the poisonings of a former GRU officer and others in the United Kingdom.

United States Attorney Scott W. Brady emphasized his office’s focus on bringing justice to the victims of these crimes. "Through the tireless efforts and investigative work by our office and the FBI, we have exposed and charged an expansive criminal conspiracy of targeted cyber-attacks across three continents and seven countries. These cyber-attacks were designed to steal individuals’ and organizations’ most sensitive secrets and data. We want the hundreds of victims of these Russian hackers to know that we will do everything we can to hold these criminals accountable for their crimes. State actors who target US citizens and companies are no different than any other criminal: they will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable for their actions."

"Malicious cyber hackers will not be allowed to undermine, retaliate against or expose sensitive information that damages the reputations of innocent victims," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "This type of behavior is simply unacceptable. These charges show the world the FBI has a robust cyber investigative team and Pittsburgh is an essential part of it. We also want to thank our international partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Dutch Intelligence Service (the MIVD), for their support and coordination to ensure the safety of our people and networks."

The criminal hacking operation was conducted from an identified GRU Unit in Moscow, and by GRU members who traveled around the world to hack into nearby computers through "close access" operations. The indictment describes how the conspirators conducted several "on site" operations: in Rio De Janiero during and prior to the 2016 Olympic games, which compromised the email account of a USADA official; in Lausanne, Switzerland, resulting in the theft of login credentials from a CCES official; and, at The Hague in April 2018, in an attempt to hack into networks at OPCW. These on site operations often involved targeting Wi-Fi networks used by victim organizations or their personnel, including hotel Wi-Fi, in an effort to gain unauthorized access to the victims’ computer networks.

The defendants stole data from WADA, USADA, CCES, TAS/CAS, IAAF and FIFA which contained sensitive, private medical information for 250 athletes from 30 countries. They then released the data publicly, often in misleading ways, masquerading as the "Fancy Bears Hack Team" on the websites fancybear.net, fancybear.org and other social media accounts, as part of a misinformation campaign. The defendants’ intent was to unfairly damage the reputations of competitive athletes and to retaliate against international anti-doping officials who had exposed the Russian state-sponsored doping program. As part of this prosecution, the United States has seized the websites fancybear.net and fancybear.org and is seeking their forfeiture.

Defendants Morenets, Serebriakov, Malyshev and Badin face maximum penalties of 49 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.25 million. Defendants Sotkinov and Minin face maximum penalties of 45 years in prison and a $750,000 fine. Defendant Yermakov, who is the sole defendant charged in five wire fraud counts, faces a maximum sentence of 149 years imprisonment and a fine of $2.5 million. 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.

U.S. Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Divisions, as well as the Cyber Unit at FBI Headquarters and the FBI Legal Attaches around the world, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Government of the Netherlands, including the Dutch Intelligence Service (the MIVD) and the Dutch prosecutor’s office Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General, and the U.K.’s National Security and Intelligence Agencies.

If you believe you are a victim in this case and would like to opt-in to receive notifications or if you have any questions about your rights, please contact the Victim Witness Coordinator at 412- 894-7400 or through our website (https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/vw/us-v-Aleksei- Sergeyevich-Morenets).

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Jamestown, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to four years and nine months imprisonment, 25 months supervised release and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (18 U.S.C. § 3014(a)) on his conviction of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence yesterday on Andrew Michael Dubois, age 32, of Jamestown, NY.

According to information presented to the court, on December 7, 2017, Dubois knowingly traveled in interstate commerce from New York to Pennsylvania for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the North Strabane Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dubois.

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.

WASHINGTON – United States Attorney Scott W. Brady joined the Department of Justice in announcing more than $70 million in grant funding to bolster school security, educate and train students and faculty, and support law enforcement officers and first responders who arrive on the scene of a school violence incident. In western Pennsylvania, $176,244 was awarded to the City of Erie, and two grants totaling $265,465 were awarded to the Erie City School District.

These grants are in addition to the funding for the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), announced by Attorney General Sessions last week, to expand and update their curriculum to better support training programs. These grants will better protect students, teachers, faculty, and first responders across the United States. Additionally, the Department is awarding more than $64 million to state agencies to improve the completeness, quality, and accessibility of the nation’s criminal record systems, which will help law enforcement and increase the effectiveness of background checks.

"President Trump and his administration will ensure the safety of every American school," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. "Earlier this year he signed into law the STOP School Violence Act, which provides grant funding to develop anonymous school threat reporting systems, to implement school building security measures, and to train students, school personnel, and law enforcement on how to prevent school violence. Today I am announcing $70 million in these grants to hundreds of cities and states across America. These grants will go a long way toward giving young people and their families both safety and peace of mind."

"Keeping students safe while at school is the first priority of every local government and school district," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "These funds will increase school safety in Northwest Pennsylvania."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is co-sponsoring a School Safety Forum for school administrators on Thursday, October 18, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Passavant Center on the campus of Thiel College in Greenville, PA. Presenters from the U.S. Secret Service – National Threat Assessment Center will be discussing steps that schools can take to develop violence prevention plans and conduct threat assessments.

The Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) together are making more than 220 awards to jurisdictions across the country to help make schools more secure. The awards, granted through three funding streams, will provide new technology for reporting systems and other threat deterrent measures and create school safety training and education programs for school administrators, staff, students, and first responders. Nationwide, this includes the support for existing crisis intervention teams and the creation of new ones.

• BJA’s STOP School Violence Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program will provide 68 awards valued at more than $19 million. This funding supports training to create and operate threat assessment and crisis intervention teams and to develop technology for local or regional anonymous reporting systems. This technology may be in the form of a mobile phone application, hotline, or website.

• The STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program, also managed by BJA, will provide training and education on preventing violence and effectively responding to related mental health crises. This program will fund 85 awards at nearly $28 million.

• The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) will provide nearly $25 million to 91 jurisdictions for school safety measures including coordination with law enforcement, training for law enforcement to prevent student violence against others and self, target hardening measures, and technology for expedited notification of law enforcement during an emergency.

The grants are authorized by the STOP School Violence Act, which are intended to improve school security by helping students and teachers reduce exposure to risks, prevent acts of violence, and quickly recognize and respond to violent attacks.

The Department also announced that it has awarded more than $64 million to state agencies to improve the completeness, quality, and accessibility of the nation’s criminal record systems. These grants are administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, part of OJP. Approximately $43 million in funding will be administered through the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), and nearly $21 million will be awarded under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program. These grant programs help states automate and upgrade records accessed by the firearms background check system. This year, at the direction of the Attorney General, the Department prioritized funding for projects that improve accessibility of criminal history records, domestic violence convictions, and information on persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms for mental-health related reasons.

The Department is also investing over $1 million in research to better understand the factors behind mass shooting incidents. The grant awards, made by the Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ), part of OJP, support scientific investigations that will examine factors that contribute to mass violence, identify any patterns in mass shootings, analyze psychological and social life histories of mass shooters and community-level predictors of mass violence, and will examine firearm purchasing patterns of known mass shooters in order to create a risk prediction tool.

For addition information on these grant announcements, visit www.bja.gov or www.cops.usdoj.gov.

 

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Pedro Rosario, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Rosario conspired with other individuals to possess with intent to distribute, and possessed with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin.

The Court was further advised that on October 14, 2015, one of Rosario’s co-conspirators made arrangements to sell one hundred bricks of heroin for $14,500, and to advance an additional 50 bricks of heroin. Rosario and another of his co-conspirators, Shawn Robinson, arrived at the Hyatt Place in Robinson Township to deliver the heroin. When they arrived, Robinson was carrying a black plastic shopping bag. Inside of the shopping bag, officers recovered a clear plastic vacuum-sealed bag containing 150 bricks of heroin, weighing 185.92g.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 6, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, 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.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Rosario remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rosario.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A family practice physician has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of unlawfully dispensing controlled substances and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The 54-count indictment, returned on October 2, 2018 and unsealed today, named Milad Shaker, 49, of Greensburg, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to indictment, from 2014 to 2017, Shaker, a licensed physician, unlawfully distributed controlled substances, including Vicodin, Percocet, Tramadol and others, in return for sexual favors provided to him either physically or by electronic communication, such as text messaging. Shaker is also charged with health care fraud for causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Highmark Health Plan and Aetna Health Plan for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed controlled substances.

The law provides for a maximum per count sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both, for counts 1-36 and a maximum per count sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for counts 37-52. Shaker faces an additional maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of $250,000 for the health care fraud charges at counts 53 and 54. 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 Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing.

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 violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment named William Jamar Saunders, age 39, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Saunders distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, on or about August 21, 2018.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, 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 Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Talaya Thompkins, 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from on or about August 27, 2016, and continuing thereafter to on or about August 7, 2017, Talaya Thompkins unlawfully aided and abetted Vincent Eggleton’s possession of firearms. Thompkins purchased the two firearms in August 2016 and February 2017 and made them available to Eggleton. Thompkins was aware that Eggleton had a prior felony conviction, which prohibits Eggleton from possessing any firearm.

On March 1, 2018, Eggleton pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, as well as conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a related drug-trafficking charge. On August 1, 2018, Eggleton was sentenced to a total of 121 months’ imprisonment on those charges.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing of Thompkins for February 13, 2019. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $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.

The court continued Talaya Thompkins on bond pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Adam N. Hallowell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as a federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police.

This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Jefferson County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal law relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned on September 27, 2018 and unsealed today, names Matthew James Kite, age 22, of Reynoldsville, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about October 15, 2017, Kite received videos containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The Indictment further alleges that on October 26, 2017, and on April 18, 2018, Kite possessed images and videos, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not reached the age of 12.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years imprisonment, a maximum term of lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $750,000. 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 Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Department of Homeland Security 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.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Westmoreland County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal wire fraud and identity theft laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on September 27, 2018, and unsealed yesterday, charged Jennifer Lynne Clark, aka Jennifer Gill, age 40, formerly of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania and now residing in Clearwater, Florida, with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, from in and around August 2015 to in and around October 2016, Clark obtained credit card information for company credit cards belonging to her employer. Clark then set up mobile payment accounts with Square, Inc., in the false names of other businesses, and used the credit card information to authorize fraudulent payments into her own personal bank account. The indictment alleges that Clark was responsible for fraudulent transactions totaling approximately $144,129.77. In making the unauthorized transactions, Clark used credit card numbers that were assigned to specific individual employees.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 64 years in prison, a fine of either $2,500,000 or an alternative amount depending on the victims’ losses, 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 Adam N. Hallowell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - One resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Ernest Dewayne Taylor, 50, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 17, 2018, Taylor robbed the Huntington Bank located at 921 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, Pennsylvania. As a result of the robbery, Taylor obtained $600.00 in U.S. currency.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $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 Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Brighton Area Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH -A former resident of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 70 months imprisonment to be followed by six years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Michael Dillon Burrows, 32, formerly of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed a Smith & Wesson 38 special, .38 caliber revolver. Burrows has previously been convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Also on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. Burrows was also found to have violated the terms of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Adams Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Burrows.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months in jail, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his convictions on federal firearms and narcotics charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark Hornak imposed the sentence on Eric Clancy, age 30. Clancy was detained after his initial appearance and will remain detained as he begins to serve his sentence.

According to information presented to the court, on May 13, 2015, Mount Oliver Police stopped Eric Clancy in a Gold Chevy Impala for traffic violations. A search of the car revealed approximately 21 bricks of heroin and one bundle with different stampings. The Allegheny County Forensic Lab confirmed that the bricks were composed of heroin. The Forensic Lab confirmed that the bundle was a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Clancy was also in possession of a large amount of United States currency.

On August 25, 2016, Allegheny County Probation Officers went to Clancy’s registered address, in Pittsburgh, to arrest Clancy on an outstanding warrant for violating conditions of his home detention. When officers arrived they encountered Clancy outside of the house and took him into custody. Officers then went inside the house to retrieve the monitoring software for Clancy’s electronic monitoring while on pretrial release. Officers then observed and recovered a handgun near the couch and a Crown Royal bag full of bricks of heroin. The Forensic Lab confirmed that the substances seized were heroin.

Clancy has a prior federal firearms conviction and is prohibited from possessing a weapon. He also has prior state convictions for possessing a weapon and crack cocaine.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Mount Oliver Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

PITTSBURGH -A Nevada resident has been sentenced in federal court to 71 months’ imprisonment on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Ryan Schanck, age 30, of Las Vegas, NV.

According to information presented to the court, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies conducted a multi-year investigation of the marijuana trafficking conspiracy of Schanck and his co-conspirators. From 2012 through 2017, Schanck and his co-conspirators arranged for marijuana to be supplied from the West Coast and mailed to the Pittsburgh area through the United States Postal Service. Schanck and his co-conspirators would then distribute the marijuana in the Western District of Pennsylvania, primarily on college campuses, such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During the operation of the conspiracy, Schanck conspired to distribute from 700 to 1000 kilograms of marijuana. He also conspired to launder approximately $258,404 in proceeds from marijuana trafficking.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Cercone stated that the sentence was sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Indiana Borough Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Schanck. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.