Eastern District of Virginia

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Three gang members have been charged, in addition to one previously charged defendant, with abduction and murder in York County, Virginia. 

According to the indictment, in the early morning hours of May 6, 2023, Hezekiah Carney, 25, of Norfolk, Jamica Langley, 24, of Richmond, Donnisha Goodman, 26, of Portsmouth, and Acacia Jackson, 19, of New York, allegedly traveled to the victim’s residence on Bethel Street in Richmond, Virginia, to conduct a physical beating of the victim for a gang infraction. All were members of different regional sets of a national street gang, the Almighty Black P. Stone Nation. The group left the apartment after beating the victim. 

Around an hour later, Goodman, Jackson, Carney, and Langley allegedly returned to the victim’s apartment, this time with an additional co-conspirator and fellow gang member, Jayquan Jones, 25, of Richmond. Some of them allegedly were armed and wearing masks. The group allegedly attacked the victim again before taking her from her residence. The group allegedly drove the victim in a Hyundai Sonata approximately an hour east of Richmond to a remote area off Old Williamsburg Road in York County, where they allegedly removed her from the car and executed her. The Medical Examiner found eight gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., deputies with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office allegedly found the victim’s body, along with numerous shell casings with an "S&B” headstamp.  On May 7, 2023, the Norfolk Police Department allegedly located and stopped the Sonata. Jackson, Goodman, and Langley allegedly were in the vehicle at the time.  Investigators allegedly recovered a 9mm cartridge from the vehicle with the same “S&B" headstamp from casings found at the scene of the murder.

On March 5, Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Carney, Goodman, Langley, and Jones are charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death. If convicted of kidnapping resulting in death, they face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Field Office; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Ronald Montgomery, York County Sheriff, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa McKeel and Mack Coleman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein are prosecuting the case with substantial assistance provided by the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-1.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Woodbridge man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2019, Eric Anthony Stokes II, 27, sold fentanyl that later caused the death of the buyer. Stokes and the buyer negotiated the sale via text message before the buyer travelled to Stokes’ residence and purchased two pills for $70. The buyer then returned to his family’s home.

When the buyer didn’t emerge from his bedroom the following morning, his father found him lying on his bed, cold and bleeding from his mouth, nose, eyes, and navel. He had foam around his mouth and nose. The family called 911, and a family member attempted CPR while waiting for first responders to arrive. He was pronounced dead at the scene at only 21 years old. In the victim’s clothing, investigators found a white envelope with a blue powder that lab tests confirmed contained fentanyl. An autopsy showed that the amount of fentanyl found in his system was approximately twice the amount typically considered fatal.

Stokes continued selling fentanyl despite knowing that the buyer had died after taking the pills.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Alito prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-6.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal judge convicted a Stafford man yesterday on a charge of conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least May 2015 through August 2020, Mark Joseph Rodriguez, aka “Slow Poke,” 45, and other conspirators from Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland used a messaging app private group, which they generally referred to as "The DMV Board" or "The Board," as a place where they and their associates could discuss training fighting dogs, exchange videos about dogfighting, and arrange and coordinate dog fights, out of view of law enforcement. Members of the DMV Board also used the app to compare methods of killing dogs that lost fights, as well as to circulate media reports about conspirators who had been caught by law enforcement and discuss methods to minimize the likelihood that they would be caught themselves.

At various times throughout the conspiracy, Rodriguez actively participated in arranging dog fights. Rodriguez officiated dog fights, with one co-conspirator characterizing him as "the most recognized ref on the east coast." Rodriguez also regularly engaged in the DMV Board private group, providing results and narratives of fights, explanations of his refereeing decisions, and articles regarding the prosecutions of other defendants.

Rodriguez’s conviction follows the recent pleas of six of his codefendants to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. Eldridge Jermaine Jackson, aka “Big Head,” “4bhead,” and “4b,” 48, of Temple Hills, Maryland, pleaded guilty on March 18. Larry Alston, aka “Big Goon,” 49, of Windsor Mill, Maryland; Bashawn Allen, aka “Bey,” “425,” and “425 Money Boy$,” 34, of Trenton, New Jersey; and Dandre Patrick Wallace, aka “Abstract,” 47, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty on March 21. Isacc Jermaine Weathersby, aka “Big Fist,” “CROUSA,” “KingCro TC,” and “Team CRO,” pleaded guilty on March 22. Charles Edward Davis Jr aka “Cat Daddy” and “Deep in the Game,” 44, of Woodbridge, Virginia, pleaded guilty on March 28. Jackson, Alston, Allen, Weathersby, and Wallace are scheduled to be sentenced on June 18. Rodriguez and Davis are scheduled to be sentenced on July 2.

On Nov. 29, 2022, Derek Aaron Garcia, aka “Fatal Attraction,” 40, of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture, and Ricardo Glen Thorne, aka “Rip,” 53, of Camp Springs, Maryland, pleaded guilty to advertising an animal for use in an animal fighting venture. On March 7, 2023, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema sentenced Garcia to 10 days in prison and Thorne to one year in prison.

On Nov. 9, 2022, Michael Roy Hilliard, aka “No Dayz Off,” 38, of Fort Washington, Maryland,  pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On March 1, 2023, Judge Brinkema sentenced Hilliard to six months in prison.

On Nov. 4, 2022, Charles Edward Williams III, aka “Never Say Never,” 50, of Capital Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On Feb. 21, 2023, Judge Brinkema sentenced Williams to two years in prison.

On June 16, 2023, Tarry Jeron “TJ”  Wilson, aka “Tejai” and “City Limits,” 39, of Warsaw, Virginia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. On June 20, 2023, Judge Brinkema sentenced Wilson to two years in prison.

On Nov. 10, 2022, Laron Mecco West, aka “Frog” and “Get Sick,” 47, of Capital Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture. West passed away on Feb, 10, 2023, prior to sentencing.

Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on July 2. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after Judge Brinkema announced the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon Kromberg and Vanessa Strobbe prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-176.

RICHMOND, Va. – The final defendant in a bribery conspiracy within the Federal Correctional Complex at Petersburg, Virginia (FCC Petersburg), pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to solicit and accept a bribe by a public official.

According to court documents, Daniel Thomas, 37, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, has been a correctional officer at FCC Petersburg since February 2015, leading a prisoner work detail as a Pipe Fitter Supervisor. William R. Hall, 49, of Lexington, Kentucky, was a prisoner assigned to Thomas’ work detail from June 29, 2022, until he was transferred to FCC Fort Dix, New Jersey, on Nov. 17, 2022.

During the time Hall was assigned to Thomas’ work detail, Hall paid bribes to Thomas through Kayla Cronin, 29, who was Hall’s associate from Lexington. In exchange, Thomas provided contraband, including tobacco products and anabolic steroids, to Hall in prison. Hall then sold contraband to other prisoners. Hall transferred proceeds from those sales to Cronin through an intermediary. Cronin would then send bribes to Thomas by mail through the U.S. Postal Service, keeping some of the money for herself. Hall directed Cronin by coded conversations.

On Oct. 25, 2023, Cronin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9. On April 5, Hall pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on July 18. Each defendant faces up to five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region, made the announcement after Magistrate Judge Summer L. Speight accepted the plea. The cases are assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi Panth and Robert Day are prosecuting these cases.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:24-cr-36, 3:24-cr-18, and 3:23-cr-132.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Spotsylvania man pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography.

According to court documents, in July 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Toronto contacted HSI Richmond regarding a Discord account with username “FairyHunter.” HSI identified Shane Johnston, 46, as the account user. In August 2023, HSI agents obtained a search warrant for five electronic devices belonging to Johnston. The devices contained 7,453 media files constituting child pornography. A review of Johnston’s Discord account revealed a conversation in June 2023 between Johnston and a nine-year-old child during which Johnston induced the child to produce and send to him images of herself engaging in sexual activity.

Johnston is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 13. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Roger L. Harris, Spotsylvania County Sheriff, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea Gibbons is prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-51.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a machine gun.

According to court documents, on March 25, 2023, Sterling Alexander Davis, 21, failed to stop at the intersection of Orcutt Lane and Kimrod Road and Richmond police performed a traffic stop. Davis told officers there were no firearms in the vehicle, but officers recognized the two passengers in the back seat and knew that they had possessed firearms in previous encounters. The officers checked both backseat passengers and found firearms in their pants.

The officers then performed a sweep of the vehicle for additional weapons and located a Glock 45 9mm handgun under the driver seat. The handgun was equipped with a laser guide and an extended magazine. The Glock also had a machinegun conversion device, or “Glock switch,” which rendered it capable of fully automatic fire, meeting the legal definition of a machine gun.

Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Colette Wallace McEachin, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Groover, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-32.

RICHMOND, Va. – Two men were sentenced today after pleading guilty to their participation in a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in and around the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area.

According to court documents, task force agents with the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the organization for over a year. From July 2022 through April 2023, Omar Jermel Dixon, 48, of Fredericksburg, supplied controlled substances, including cocaine, fentanyl, and synthetic cathinone (“Molly”), to other members of the organization.

On June 22, 2023, agents arrested Dixon and seized $11,090 in drug proceeds from his home, and a pistol from his vehicle. On Oct. 13, 2023, Dixon pleaded guilty to distribution of more than 500 grams of cocaine. Dixon was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.

On various dates throughout the investigation, Dixon supplied cocaine to Alphonso Lamont Jones, 44, of Fredericksburg, which Jones distributed and returned payment to Dixon.  On June 22, 2023, agents arrested Jones at his home.  On October 13, 2023, Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.  Today, Jones was sentenced to five years in prison. 

On various dates throughout the investigation, Dixon supplied cocaine to Ricardo Maurice Morton, aka Cardi, 49, of Ruther Glen, Virginia, which Morton distributed and returned payment to Dixon. On June 22, 2023, agents arrested Morton and seized approximately 90 grams of cocaine from his home. On Oct. 6, 2023, Morton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. On March 26, Morton was sentenced to five years in prison.

On April 26, 2023, law enforcement seized one kilogram of Molly from Kelsey Dean Monroe, Jr, aka Lil’ Man, 31, which had been supplied by Dixon. On Oct. 6, 2023, Monroe pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute N,N,-Dimethylpentylone. On March 27, Monroe was sentenced to one year and three months in prison.

Leonard Marcel Smith, aka Leonard Marcel Davis, 46, of Fredericksburg, and Lanier Anthony Jackson, aka Dewey, 54, of Spotsylvania, Virginia, served as drivers and lookouts for Dixon. Jackson also served as a driver and assistant to Morton. On Oct. 17, 2023, Smith and Jackson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On March 25, Smith was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison, and on March 28 Jackson was sentenced to six months in prison.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Washington Division, made the announcement after Dixon’s sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-73.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Rui Jiang, 35, of Falls Church, Virginia, with attempting to obstruct the congregants of the Park Valley Church in Haymarket, Virginia, in the free exercise of their religious beliefs. The indictment charged that his attempted act involved a dangerous weapon and an attempt to kill, and included both a threats count and a firearms violation. 

According to court documents, Jiang began posting online threats against the Park Valley Church on the evening of Sept. 23, 2023. On the morning of Sept. 24, 2023, police began searching for Jiang in response to a concerned citizen’s call about his online posts. Police officers located Jiang at the front entrance to the Park Valley Church while Sunday services were underway. Jiang was armed with a semiautomatic handgun and two full magazines of ammunition. During a search of Jiang’s apartment, police discovered five copies of a letter, each signed, which read in part, “To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do. May your tears not be cried in vain, but to celebrate how your loved ones had lived.” Jiang was arrested and detained by state authorities on Sept. 24, 2023.

If convicted of all counts, Jiang faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of FBI Washington Field Office, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth for Prince William County, Virginia, made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with substantial assistance from the Prince William County, Virginia, and Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Durham and Troy A. Edwards Jr. for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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

A Virginia woman pleaded guilty last week to willfully failing to pay employment taxes to the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Gail Jones, of Dumfries, Virginia, served as Director, Vice President and President of S&G Property Management Inc. (S&G), a parcel delivery service. Between 2013 and 2018, Jones caused income, Social Security and Medicare taxes to be withheld from S&G’s employees. However, Jones did not pay those withholdings to the IRS as she was required to do. Moreover, to thwart potential IRS levies and other collection activities, Jones opened new bank accounts using new Employer Identification Numbers and variations of her business’ name.

In total, Jones caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $950,000.

Additionally, Jones fraudulently applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were part of a COVID-19 relief program intended to provide loans to certain businesses to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. Jones applied for the loans even though S&G was no longer operating. She fraudulently received $20,800 in loans.

Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Marissa Brodney of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on Sept. 3, 2022, Richmond police officers stopped a car for speeding and running a stop sign. An officer observed an open liquor bottle in the backseat and asked the driver to step out of the car. As the driver got out of the car, she told the officer she was sitting on a firearm. The officers asked John Edward Mason III, 36, who was in the passenger seat, to get out of the car. During a protective sweep of the car, the officers found a loaded 9mm handgun under Mason’s seat.

In 2009, Mason was convicted of hit and run resulting in personal injury after driving into a man with his car. In 2011, Mason was convicted of malicious wounding after hitting a man in the face with a brick. As a previously convicted felon, Mason cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Mason’s release from supervised probation was less than six months from the date officers found him in possession of a firearm.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Wright and Peter Duffey prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-78.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to court documents, on Sept. 19, 2023, Richmond Police Narcotics Detectives and the Virginia State Police Tactical Team executed a search warrant at the residence of Errez Tekel Perry, 30. After there was no response when the team knocked and announced, the team breached the door and entered the residence. Perry ran from the front door area toward the rear of the house, ignoring the team’s commands, and was taken into custody.

Investigators recovered two semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, two drum ammunition magazines, approximately 64 grams of cocaine, packages of Suboxone, baggies with numerous pills, several baggies with approximately 200 grams of suspected marijuana, baggies with residue, digital scales, a cash counter, and two cellphones.

Perry had been convicted previously of felony drug trafficking, felony drug possession, possession of a firearm with Schedule I and II controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, Perry could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Hubbard, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-163.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents, on March 22, 2023, Richmond Police Department (RPD) detectives were patrolling an apartment complex in the 3400 block of Walmsley Boulevard following a recent homicide in the area. They observed Brandon Stephon Brown, 31, approach and quickly enter a breezeway. Brown reached into his pants and detectives saw a black handgun fall between Brown’s legs. The detectives detained Brown and recovered the 9mm handgun, which was loaded with a magazine containing 17 rounds, with an additional round in the chamber. The handgun was later determined to have been reported stolen.

At the time, Brown had four previous felony convictions, including robbery involving a firearm in 2012, two convictions in 2016 for possession of controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2017. As a previously convicted felon, Brown cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2023, and convicted at a bench trial by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr, on Nov. 15, 2023.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Judge Gibney.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Hubbard, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-94.

NORFOLK, Va. - A Virginia Beach man pleaded guilty today to attempting to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents, on Jan. 17, Petty Officer First Class Vicente Muniz, Jr, 35, contacted a person he believed was the father of a 10-year-old child through a social media app. Muniz set up a meeting to engage in sex acts with the child. Muniz explained that he was supposed to meet another minor that day, but the minor stopped responding. Later that day, when Muniz attempted to meet with the purported parent and 10-year-old, he was arrested by law enforcement.

Muniz is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Montoya and Anthony Marek are prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-8.

NORFOLK, Va. – Three men from the Hampton Roads area have been indicted and arrested on federal charges accusing them of planning and executing robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers at gunpoint and related financial fraud.

On March 19, Ricky Damion Christopher Jones, Jr., 20, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges:

Charge

Statute

Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

Interference with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2

Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon

18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2

Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office

18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2

Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

18 U.S.C. § 1349

On March 19, Samir As-sad Hurd, 23, of Chesapeake, was arrested on the following charges:

Charge

Statute

Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

Interference with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2

Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon

18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2

Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office

18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2

Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

18 U.S.C. § 1349

Possession of a Stolen Firearm

18 U.S.C. §§ 922(j) and 2

On March 20, Manray Perry, 22, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges:

Charge

Statute

Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)

Interference with Commerce by Robbery

18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2

Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon

18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2

Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office

18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2

According to court documents, beginning at least in April 2023 through at least July 2023, Jones, Hurd, Perry, and other co-conspirators allegedly planned and executed armed robberies of postal carriers in which the co-conspirators approached U.S. Mail Carriers, brandished a firearm, and demanded their U.S. Postal Service-issued “arrow” keys. These alleged offenses occurred in Norfolk, Hampton, and James City County, Virginia.

The following co-conspirators pleaded guilty in the earlier-charged case United States v. O’Sirus Landres Charles Ford (a/k/a Siris), et al., 4:23-cr-51, and are awaiting sentencing:

On Dec. 13, 2023, Da’Twan Watson pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18.

On Dec. 15, 2023, Jayden Stukes pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17.

On Dec. 21, 2023, O'Sirus Ford pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division, made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg-James City County, and Virginia Beach Police Departments also assisted with the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-18.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Mount Vernon, New York, man today on charges of wire and mail fraud.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Derickson Lawrence, 67, was the Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of MarketView Resources, Inc., a company that provided third-party payroll services. MarketView had only one significant client, a Virginia Beach company that owned restaurant franchises in the mid-Atlantic region. The Virginia Beach company regularly transferred payroll money to a bank account controlled by Lawrence to pay the salaries of its employees who elected to receive their wages via debit card.

From March 2017 through October 2019, Lawrence wired approximately $230,000 from the bank account with the employees’ wages to his brokerage account, most of which he lost through risky, speculative options trading. Lawrence also used the restaurant workers’ wages to pay debit cards he gave to himself, his own employee, and family members.

As early as December 2018, on numerous occasions there was not enough money left to cover the transactions of employees who used their debit cards to withdraw their wages. The financial services company that processed those transactions for MarketView covered nearly $90,000 until they terminated their relationship with Lawrence in September 2019. On Sept. 25, 2019, when the paycards were shut off, MarketView’s own records showed an available balance to cardholders of more than $465,000, while the bank account only contained $2,400. 

In addition to defrauding his client, Lawrence defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The PPP program was intended to provide loans backed by the Small Business Administration to certain businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. In April 2020, Lawrence submitted a PPP loan application that falsely stated he had two employees and paid over $10,000 in monthly wages. Lawrence falsely portrayed MarketView’s 2020 payroll by using an altered bank statement that actually reflected activity from February 2016. Lawrence received a PPP loan of $26,250, which he used for options trading.

Lawrence faces 20 years in prison on each of the 11 counts when sentenced on July 19. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr, accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Mozzi and E. Rebecca Gantt are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-89.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced today to 24 years and four months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, from July 28, 2020, to July 15, 2022, Kevin Ronregus Jones, 54, conducted numerous sales of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine to a confidential source working with federal investigators. In at least some of the fentanyl transactions, the defendant agreed to sell heroin, but instead knowingly sold fentanyl. On one occasion, Jones sold fentanyl while accompanied by a 12-year-old boy.

On Oct. 24, 2020, investigators executed a warrant to search Jones’ Portsmouth drug house where he received, stored, packaged, and distributed controlled substances. Investigators recovered approximately 1,683 grams of fentanyl, 420 grams of powder cocaine, 31 grams of cocaine base, four plastic bags containing drug-cutting agents quinine and caffeine, a drug press, and $24,915 in fentanyl proceeds.

Upon completion of his prison term, Jones will be subject to 10 years of supervised release.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-104.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to seven years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on Sept. 23, 2021, Richmond Police officers recognized Lamar Javon Williams, 31, who was in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a black bag across his chest. Williams got out of the car without the bag and entered the store. As Williams was returning to the car, an officer approached Williams and briefly spoke with him before Williams walked away from the scene. The officers then spoke to the driver, who had a handgun in his pants pocket.

Officers recovered Williams’ bag from the passenger side floorboard. Inside the bag were a loaded handgun, a debit card with Williams’ name, and a “corner baggie” with 3.8 grams of heroin and fentanyl.

In 2012, Williams was convicted of malicious wounding in Richmond Circuit Court after he shot a man in the chest with a shotgun in December 2010. In 2014, while on a suspended sentence for the malicious wounding conviction, Williams was convicted of possessing a firearm as a violent felon. As a previously convicted felon, Williams could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

After obtaining a warrant for his arrest, officers located Williams at a gas station on March 25, 2022, and approached his car to arrest him. Williams sped off, almost hitting the police car. Williams was arrested after a brief chase, and was found in possession of a corner baggie of fentanyl and 10 Xanax pills.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Wright and Peter Duffey prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-158.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Bowie, Maryland, man pleaded guilty yesterday to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents, on Aug. 18, 2022, William Phillip McDowell, Jr, aka “Mike,” 44, was driving a rental car through Harrison County, West Virginia, with two passengers when an officer from the Clarksburg Police Department stopped the vehicle for speeding. At the time, McDowell’s driver license was suspended, and McDowell was on probation for a felony murder conviction. During a search of the vehicle, police found a pack containing a brick-size package of 997.7 grams of fentanyl, 43 baggies containing a total of 16.46 grams of fentanyl, a bag containing 8.89 grams of cocaine, and a stolen, loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun. McDowell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl for this case.

On July 7, 2023, detectives with the Prince William County Police Department observed McDowell conducting what appeared to be a drug transaction in a parking lot in Woodbridge, Virginia. When McDowell returned to the passenger seat of his vehicle, the detectives detained and searched the vehicle. In the passenger seat where McDowell had been sitting, the detectives found a backpack containing a .380 caliber handgun, .380 caliber ammunition, 388 fentanyl pills, 22 grams of cocaine, a digital scale with cocaine residue, $617.85 in cash, and a wallet with McDowell’s photo identification card. McDowell pleaded guilty to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

McDowell is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for the drug trafficking charge from the Northern District of West Virginia and a mandatory minimum of five years to be served consecutively with any other prison term and up to life in prison for the firearms charge from the Eastern District of Virginia. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; William J. Ihlenfeld, II, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Peter Newsham, Chief of Prince William County Police; and Mark Kiddy, Clarksburg Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Edwards and Raizza K. Ty are prosecuting the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower prosecuted the Northern District of West Virginia case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) and the District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (NDWV) or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:23-cr-196 and 1:24-cr-59 for EDVA and Case No. 1:23-cr-42 for NDWV.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington woman convicted of illegally prescribing and distributing over a million oxycodone pills was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Kirsten Van Steenberg Ball, 69, was a primary care physician who operated a medical practice out of her home in Arlington.

Ball directed her office manager, Candie Marie Calix, 42, of Front Royal, to recruit other individuals - including several of Calix’s immediate family members - to become pain patients of Dr. Ball’s so that she could prescribe large quantities of oxycodone to them. Calix, in turn, then sold the tens of thousands of oxycodone pills that Ball prescribed to them. Calix was herself a patient of Ball. Ball prescribed Calix approximately 50,000 oxycodone pills over 10 years.

It was common for Ball to prescribe her patients as many as 360 oxycodone 30-mg pills per month, although she would split the prescriptions into two 180-pill prescriptions to try to disguise the amount. Ball continued to prescribe oxycodone to patients showing blatant signs of drug dependence, abuse, diversion, and addiction; to patients that had been arrested and convicted for selling illegal drugs; and to patients who asked for early refills of oxycodone based on unsubstantiated claims of lost or stolen pills.

The government’s investigation identified three of Ball’s former patients who died of drug overdoses. Ball consistently overprescribed oxycodone to these patients and ignored signs of drug abuse, fueling their addictions.

For example, Ball concurrently prescribed a patient from Fauquier County large doses of both oxycodone and benzodiazepines, which when prescribed in combination with opioids significantly increases the risk of overdose. Ball repeatedly documented in the patient’s chart that the patient was overusing or abusing her medication and had even been admitted to the local emergency room for a likely drug overdose, yet Ball continued to prescribe oxycodone to her. On July 22, 2016, Ball prescribed 240 oxycodone 30-mg pills.  A few weeks later, the patient was found dead in her home of an oxycodone overdose.

In 2015, at the same time Ball was under investigation by state regulatory authorities, Ball discharged a patient whom she knew was overusing his medication. Rather than referring the patient to a substance abuse clinic or another medical provider, Ball prescribed a total of 500 oxycodone 30-mg tablets, along with 90 diazepam 10-mg tablets, and 60 methadone 10-mg tablets, for the month of June 2015, even though she knew this was a dangerous combination of drugs. On July 14, 2015, Ball issued a final prescription to the patient for another 160 oxycodone 30-mg pills. In August 2015, the patient died of a drug overdose in his home. The Medical Examiner’s report noted a “toxic level of oxycodone.”

While under investigation by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) in 2014 and 2015, and again in 2021, Ball falsified records that she submitted to DHP to cover up the fact that she was prescribing oxycodone to patients for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Following the first DHP investigation, Ball directed Calix to use a false name in her capacity as office manager to hide the fact that Calix was receiving oxycodone from Ball.

The FBI introduced an undercover law enforcement officer, purporting to be the nephew of an existing patient. In recorded conversations, the undercover told Ball that he was sharing pills with his family members. In response, Ball told the undercover that was “a felony,” that she would simply not write it down in his patient file, and not to tell anybody else. She continued to prescribe escalating quantities of oxycodone to the undercover.

On Dec. 12, 2023, a federal jury convicted Ball on one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, and 19 counts of distribution of oxycodone. On Sept. 28, 2022, Calix was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone.

In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, the Court ordered Ball to forfeit $750,000 and pay an additional $50,000 in community restitution. The community restitution payment, which is the first of its kind in the Eastern District of Virginia, will go to two separate Virginia state entities, including the department tasked with receiving federal funds for substance abuse programs in the state.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Rumbaugh and Heather D. Call prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-80.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to three and a half years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on June 9, 2023, two Richmond Police Officers observed Henry Leon Marrow, Jr, 34, conducting a narcotics transaction in a convenience store parking lot on Richmond Highway. The officers found Marrow in possession of 3.18 grams of cocaine and arrested him. Marrow later informed officers he was in possession of a firearm, and the officers found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun in his pants.

Marrow has previous felony convictions for robbery, abduction, and use of a firearm in commission of a felony in 2010 and shoplifting in 2019. As a previously convicted felon, Marrow cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Marrow pleaded guilty on Nov. 9, 2023.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Hubbard, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Emerson prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-105.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Great Falls man pleaded guilty today to failing to pay over to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, 55, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay to the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

Additionally, between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay the taxes he reported were due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false Form 433-A, Collection Information Statement, which omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a 2006 Bentley, a 2008 Lamborghini, and real property in Great Falls, Virginia. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of that Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. In addition, Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank.

Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

In total, Rahim has caused a loss to the IRS of at least $1,844,489.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. Sentencing is scheduled for June 21.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-173.

RICHMOND, Va. – A New York man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his part in embezzling over $1.3 million from his employer.

According to court documents, beginning in 2019, Luis Lee, 38, was the Senior Financial Analyst for a health services provider headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The company operates counseling and therapy programs, a foster care program, and programs focused on autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lee was promoted to Treasury Manager in October 2022. As Senior Financial Analyst and Treasury Manager, Lee was responsible for monitoring the company’s bank accounts and payment processing, ensuring quality standards with third-party vendors, conducting risk and cash flow forecasting, and working with internal and external auditors, among other responsibilities.

In March 2020, Lee and a co-conspirator, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company, set up a fake vendor called JKemp Consulting LLC, and Lee opened a business checking account for JKemp. The CFO drafted a fraudulent engagement letter purporting to reflect an agreement between JKemp and the company to pay JKemp $100,000 per month in exchange for “various strategic and consulting services.” Beginning on March 26, 2020, the CFO drafted and submitted 12 fraudulent JKemp invoices for a total of $1,140,000, all of which his employees processed for payment in accordance with his instructions. Lee processed payments for some of the invoices, which he knew were fraudulent. Lee and the CFO divided the proceeds between themselves.

Lee and the CFO also bilked the company for $177,962 through a scheme to take advantage of a tuition reimbursement benefit. The company allowed employees to seek reimbursement for certain approved educational expenses for a maximum reimbursement of $5,250 per year. Between November 2020 and December 2022, the CFO drafted false documentation showing Lee’s purported enrollment in Hofstra University’s Master of Business Administration program. Though Lee was never enrolled in the program, Lee and the CFO caused the company to process the maximum reimbursement in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In November 2022, a final fraudulent reimbursement of $162,212 was processed.

Finally, in April 2022, the CFO directed an employee in his department to “pay out [Lee’s] entire vacation balance on the next payroll.” The employee processed the payment as directed, paying Lee approximately $6,000. The company’s policies authorized neither the directive to pay out Lee’s unused vacation hours nor Lee’s receipt of the funds.

In total, the conspirators misappropriated approximately $1,323,962 from the company.

Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Day and Thomas A. Garnett are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3: 24-cr-30.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man with two previous convictions for sexual offenses involving minors was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, on Feb. 12, 2022, a person contacted Newport News Police to report sexually inappropriate messages between a minor and Eric Alan Starling, 45, on Snapchat. On March 8, 2022, an FBI task force officer contacted a probation officer and confirmed Starling’s identity and his status as a registered sex offender. A search of Starling’s Snapchat account confirmed that Starling was engaging in sexually inappropriate chats in which he openly admitted to being a sex offender and discussing with the minor how this could be a problem given their relative ages. Starling also had conversations with an underage individual that included talking about having sex with that individual and sending sexually inappropriate photos of himself.

On June 28, 2023, a federal search warrant was executed on Starling’s residence. Nine electronic devices were seized. After being caught, Starling admitted that he was in possession of “all kinds” of pornography. Forensic analysis of his devices showed images of child sex abuse material.

Starling was convicted on state charges in Virginia in 2006 and 2009. In 2006, Starling was found guilty of using a computer to solicit a minor. In 2009, Starling was found guilty of aggravated sexual battery of a child, taking indecent liberties with children, and sexually explicit material with a minor.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Heath and Lisa McKeel prosecuted the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-52.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Tangier man pleaded guilty today to overharvesting Chesapeake Blue Crabs in Virginia waters and selling them in Maryland in violation of the Lacey Act.

According to court documents, between March 20, 2023, to April 20, 2023, James Warren Eskridge, 45, exceeded the maximum harvest and sale of blue crabs to a seafood buyer on 16 occasions. Chesapeake Blue Crabs are the most valuable fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and, as such, those fishing blue crabs are subject to strict limits by law. At the time of Eskridge’s violations, Virginia permitted licensed commercial crabbers to harvest up to 27 bushels of blue crab per day, regardless of the number of licenses crabbers present on a single vessel. 

Eskridge operated the fishing vessel Rebecca Jean II with two mates out of Tangier Island, Virginia. On April 11, 2023, law enforcement observed Eskridge and his mates offload 60 bushels – more than double the Virginia limit – in Crisfield, Maryland. On April 11, 2023, Eskridge and his mates returned to Crisfield and offloaded 56 bushels. On April 13, 2023, they returned again and offloaded 58 bushels more.

When confronted by investigators, Eskridge originally claimed to have purchased the additional crabs from a “buy boat” to sell on shore. After being challenged, Eskridge admitted that all the crabs were his and that he was over the Virginia harvesting limit for blue crabs. Records from the seafood buyer in Crisfield showed that between March 20, 2023, and April 20, 2023, Eskridge sold in excess of 27 bushels to the seafood buyer on 16 occasions on which Eskridge’s over harvesting ranged from 32 bushels to 58.75 bushels of blue crab.

Eskridge pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly transporting and selling blue crab in interstate commerce between Virginia and Maryland in violation of Virginia law and one count of knowingly making and submitting a false record.

Eskridge is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Edward Grace, Assistant Director for the Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes accepted the plea.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police provided significant assistance in the investigation of this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-141.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Argus Information & Advisory Services, Inc. (Argus) has agreed to pay the United States $37 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), involving allegations that Argus improperly accessed,  used, and retained anonymized credit card data received pursuant to contracts with various federal regulators, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Argus is incorporated in Delaware, with offices in White Plains, New York.  Argus analyzes economic transactions, credit card data, and credit bureau data to provide benchmarking and market analysis products to commercial and government clients.  The United States alleged the following conduct.  Between March 2009 and March 2017, Argus executed contracts with the OCC, the independent bureau of the United States Treasury Department that charters and regulates national banks and federal savings associations; the FRB, the independent federal regulator for certain banks and bank holding companies; the CFPB, an independent regulator of consumer practices at certain depository institutions; and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Under these contracts, Argus was tasked with performing certain validating, aggregating, storage, retrieval, and reporting services for anonymized credit card data that the regulatory agencies directed the banks to provide. The contracts each placed restrictions on Argus’s ability to use, disclose or distribute credit card data collected from banks for purposes other than the performance of the work under the government contracts.

The settlement announced today resolves allegations that, from November 30, 2010, through December 31, 2020, Argus improperly accessed, used and retained anonymized credit card data that it received under the contracts. The United States alleged that Argus improperly accessed, used, and retained this anonymized credit card data to create synthetic/proxy data that it incorporated into certain products and services it sold to certain commercial customers. The United States further alleged that Argus failed to disclose its improper access, use and retention of credit card data to the United States and its reliance on synthetic/proxy data to its commercial clients.

“Those who collect sensitive information for federal regulators should never disregard their contractual obligations to appropriately use and protect that information,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will hold companies accountable when they breach their agreements with regulators and misuse sensitive data for their own commercial gain.”

“Companies that do business with the federal government are expected to abide by the terms of their agreements, including any restrictions on the use or disclosure of government supplied data,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will not permit contractors to profit from the misuse of such data and to put the data at risk.”

“The American public expects integrity in the processes by which its government provides services and contractors who seek unfair advantage undermine this integrity,” said Acting Inspector General Rich Delmar for Treasury. “Treasury OIG is committed to conducting investigations, audits, and other work to detect and prevent these violations of the public trust.”

“Companies that breach their agreements to properly protect and use sensitive financial data must be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge John T. Perez of Headquarters Operations for the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “I commend our agents and their federal law enforcement partners for their hard work, which ultimately led to today’s announcement.”

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; the United States Department of Treasury, Office of the Inspector General; and the Office of the Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Kapoor for the Eastern District of Virginia and Senior Trial Counsels David W. Tyler and Don Williamson from the Commercial Litigation Branch, with investigative support from Senior Special Agent Jacob Heminger from the Department of the Treasury, Office of the Inspector General, and Special Agent Will Burmeister from the Office of the Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to nine years and 11 months in prison for leading a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme that victimized thousands of people and caused at least $1.5 million in loss.

According to court documents, Damier Dorsey, 29, and his co-conspirators purchased account information for identity theft victims from the darknet, including the “BriansClub” website, and re-encoded that information onto cards in their possession. They used the altered cards without authorization from the legitimate account holders, beginning in 2017 when Dorsey purchased cartons of cigarettes that he would resell to a local business.

In 2018, the scheme evolved to purchasing items for resale and purchasing lottery tickets to launder proceeds through the Virginia Lottery. For example, on April 14, 2018, Dorsey and his co-conspirators purchased $2,716.06 of merchandise from Toys “R” Us and attempted to resell the merchandise on Facebook Marketplace. The same day, Dorsey used the same re-encoded card to withdraw $300 from a bank ATM. On June 27, 2018, Dorsey and his coconspirators purchased $200 of lottery tickets with a re-encoded card.

Dorsey and his co-conspirators were aspiring musicians who released music under the moniker, “$wipaG@ng.” Dorsey participated in a music video in which he and his co-conspirators boasted about committing fraud and other criminal activities.

On Aug. 2, 2018, Dorsey and a co-conspirator were stopped while driving by the Virginia State Police. Dorsey was in possession of a credit card embossing machine, numerous credit cards in various states of imprinting, and over $23,000. During a search of Dorsey’s home, law enforcement recovered multiple re-encoded credit cards, magnetic strip cards without labels, a magnetic strip card reader/writer, lists of numbers, lottery tickets, and W-2G tax forms for lottery winnings. The operation was so prolific that a co-conspirator approximated that she and Dorsey spent $10,000 per week on re-encoded and re-embossed credit and debit cards.

On Sept. 11, 2023, Dorsey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

U.S. Attorney Aber thanks the Virginia State Police for their assistance in this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Mack Coleman prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-38.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition and sending threatening messages to a former girlfriend through Facebook.

According to court documents, on May 28, 2019, Robert Edgar English, aka “H.B.,” “Hot Boy,” and “Head Buster,” 40, accompanied another person to a firearms retailer in Chesapeake, Virginia, and provided money for the straw purchase of a semi-automatic firearm. On June 16, 2019, during a traffic stop in Portsmouth, Virginia, law enforcement seized the firearm from the vehicle’s trunk, as well as an attached drum magazine with 26 rounds of ammunition and a 60-round capacity.

In 2005, English was convicted in Kings County, New York, of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. As a previously convicted felon, English cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

On Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, 2021, English threatened his ex-girlfriend through messages from a Facebook account under the name “Howard Barnes.” Among other messages, English threatened that the victim “better be looking for the reaper” and that he would “black out your whole family.”

On Nov. 13, 2023, English pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and interstate threatening communication.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mozzi prosecuted the case. Former Assistant United States Attorney William B. Jackson also provided assistance on this case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-19.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A California man made his initial appearance in Alexandria today to face charges for a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act loans.

According to court documents, Craig David Davis, 50, of Marina Del Rey, allegedly submitted fake tax documents and business records to three banks to obtain two Paycheck Protection Program loans and one Main Street Lending Program loan totaling $10,695,300.

Davis is charged with four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Brian Miller, and Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

The Special Investigator for Pandemic Recovery and IRS-CI are investigating the case, with assistance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, FBI, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Robeson for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney David A. Peters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A California man made his initial appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, today to face charges for a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act loans.

According to court documents, Craig David Davis, 50, of Marina Del Rey, allegedly submitted fake tax documents and business records to three banks to obtain two Paycheck Protection Program loans and one Main Street Lending Program loan totaling $10,695,300.

Davis is charged with four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Brian Miller, and Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

The Special Investigator for Pandemic Recovery and IRS-CI are investigating the case, with assistance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General, FBI, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Trial Attorney David A. Peters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Robeson for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

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

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Mexican national was sentenced today to three years and six months in prison for his role in an elaborate cocaine trafficking scheme.

According to court documents, Gerardo Ignacio Castillo-Lopez, 32, was residing in Tucson, Arizona, in April 2022 when he coordinated the delivery of 22 kilograms of cocaine to his co-conspirator, Dwight Garvey, in Maryland. Castillo-Lopez picked up the cocaine from his sources, packed the drugs into hidden compartments within a 2018 Honda Pilot, and then delivered the Pilot to a vehicle transporter to take the car to Maryland. Once in route, New Mexico State Police stopped the transporter for a traffic infraction and noticed that the Pilot had no license plate. A narcotics canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the Pilot and an inspection revealed the cocaine.

On April 25, 2022, the Homeland Security Investigations Washington D.C. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) group replaced the cocaine with “sham” packages and negotiated a delivery with Garvey. Garvey picked up the Pilot in Manassas, Virginia, and drove it to College Park, Maryland. Agents then watched as Garvey removed several packages of sham cocaine, and subsequently arrested him. Less than 24 hours after Garvey’s arrest, Castillo-Lopez fled to Mexico, where he remained as a fugitive for over a year until his arrest in August 2023 when he attempted to cross back into the United States.

On June 2, 2022, Garvey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and on Sept. 22, 2022, Garvey was sentenced to five years in prison. On Nov. 30, 2023, Castillo-Lopez pleaded guilty to the same offense.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Call and Kristin Starr prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-CR-187.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Woodbridge man was sentenced today to eight years in prison for fentanyl trafficking and firearm offenses.

According to court documents, on March 26, 2023, a Prince William County Police Department officer observed a vehicle matching one described leaving the scene of a shooting at which a victim was struck by a stray bullet in her apartment. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped, and Alhajie Alpha Kamara, 20, and two other individuals abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. During the chase, Kamara dropped a loaded .40-caliber handgun and a jacket. Inside the jacket were 494 fentanyl pills, Kamara’s iPhone, approximately $560 in cash, and a black ski mask.

Kamara was later arrested after being subdued by a bystander. While searching the vehicle from which Kamara had fled, police found two additional firearms, including one that was modified with a “Glock-switch” as a machinegun conversion device. On Dec. 11, 2023, Kamara pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and knowingly carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Virginia State Police; Prince William County Police Department; and Arlington County Police Department assisted in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Bredemeier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Carter prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-149.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Leesburg man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud for his scheme to defraud a federal COVID-19 relief plan.

According to court documents, Russell Laraway, 56, an Army Reserve officer, incorporated two business entities in Virginia that he purported to operate out of his home in Leesburg: Loudoun Innovation LLC (“LI LLC”) and Commonwealth Commerce LLC (“CC LLC”). Beginning in April 2020, Laraway submitted loan applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program that was intended to provide loans backed by the Small Business Administration to certain businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. In his applications, Laraway inflated the numbers of people his business entities employed and falsified payroll expenses and revenues for each company.

Laraway sought loan forgiveness for some of the PPP loans by falsely certifying that the PPP money had been used solely for payroll or other authorized purposes, while he actually intended to use the money to engage in spurious investment ventures and pay off personal debts. Laraway fraudulently received two PPP loans for LI LLC and two PPP loans for CC LLC. The four PPP loans totaled approximately $488,952, some of which Laraway paid to foreign entities in scams of which he was a victim.

Laraway is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge for the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh for the Eastern District of Virginia is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-44.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Virginia Beach man pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing and transferring machineguns and to conspiring to illegally sell firearms, including machineguns, handguns, and rifles.

According to court documents, beginning in April 2023, law enforcement began investigating Eric Floyd, 22, who was engaged in selling firearms and Machinegun Conversion Devices, commonly referred to as “Glock switches,” which are used to convert semiautomatic firearms into machineguns. From May to December of 2023, Floyd and his co-conspirators arranged the sale of approximately nineteen handguns, two rifles, and thirty-five Glock switches – many of which they manufactured – to an individual who, unbeknownst to Floyd, was an undercover federal law enforcement agent.  At one transaction, Floyd told the individual that some of the firearms were “dirty,” that is, involved in criminal activity, because he and his associates were involved in criminal activity and that his selling the dirty firearms to others who were taking them far away helped distance the original perpetrators and firearms from their criminal activity. He also told the individual that he had reinvested the proceeds of the purchases into buying more firearms for the business. He also said, with respect to the individual’s trip, “that’s a trip and it’s a hell of a risk that you doing this s--- for like coming across them state lines, that’s straight fed time.”

Floyd pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to engage in the firearms business without a license and to illegally possess and transfer a machinegun and one count of illegally possessing and transferring a machinegun. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. Floyd faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-75.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three members of a Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, family pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Hadja Franklin, 55, Nabyunissa Bangoura (“Nayunissa”), 34, Tanziludin Bangurah (“Tanziludin”), 52, manufactured counterfeit oxycodone and Xanax in a laboratory in their residence in rural Pennsylvania, which they sold on the darkweb under the moniker “MonPham.”  Tanziludin and Franklin are the married parents of Nabyunissa.

In fall 2021, law enforcement identified “MonPham” as a prolific narcotics distributor operating on several darknet markets. After making numerous controlled purchases from “MonPham” between October 27, 2021, and August 25, 2022, law enforcement traced cryptocurrency transactions to the defendants’ Internet Protocol (IP) address. Law enforcement then observed Bangurah mailing fentanyl packages to customers and later observed one of the defendants with an infant child entering the residence.

While executing a search warrant on August 31, 2022, law enforcement discovered the trio’s drug lab, pills, binding agents, drug ledgers, and numerous electronic devices that contained hundreds of text messages between Nabyunissa and Franklin detailing the day-to-day operation of the conspiracy. Based on the drug ledgers, law enforcement determined the conspirators sold approximately 3,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills and approximately 55,000 counterfeit Xanax pills. In most cases, the counterfeit oxycodone pills contained fentanyl, while the counterfeit Xanax contained benzodiazepines.

Franklin, Nabyunissa, and Tanziludin each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Each faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division; George Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office; and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney for Powhatan County; USPIS – Philadelphia Division; Pennsylvania State Police; FBI Philadelphia Division – Scranton Resident Agency; and Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Alito and Gavin Tisdale are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-121.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for orchestrating successive schemes to defraud a COVID-19 relief program and steal funds through altered checks.

According to court documents, Davon Hunter, 26, used Instagram and word of mouth to recruit potential co-conspirators to provide their personal identifying information so that Hunter could submit fraudulent applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program that was intended to provide loans backed by the Small Business Administration to certain businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. Hunter submitted at least 23 fraudulent PPP loan applications to at least four financial institutions for fictitious businesses purportedly belonging to himself and 16 other co-conspirators. For instance, these applications contained false and fabricated gross income figures and false certifications that the businesses were in operation on February 15, 2020. Hunter and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained over $500,000 in PPP loans. In exchange for preparing the fraudulent loan applications and supplying spurious supporting documents, Hunter demanded 25–50% of each loan obtained by the co-conspirators.

When the PPP loan program ended in 2021, Hunter turned to “card cracking”—a scheme to defraud financial institutions through the deposit of fraudulently altered stolen checks from small businesses. Hunter and his co-conspirators recruited at least 16 accountholders to provide their debit cards and personal identification numbers (PINs). They stole legitimate checks from various small businesses, altered the checks to make them payable to accounts controlled by conspirators, and deposited at least 16 altered checks purportedly worth over $150,000. Immediately after these deposits, they conducted successive transactions to quickly access the credited funds before the banks determined the deposits to be worthless. Despite knowing of the federal investigation, Hunter continued in his card cracking schemes. At the time of his arrest, Hunter possessed two additional altered checks purportedly worth over $27,000, along with several bank cards in the names of other people.

Even though he lacked verifiable, legitimate income throughout these schemes, Hunter flaunted his fraud proceeds and luxurious lifestyle on social media. His Instagram account and bank records reflect postings with thousands of dollars in cash and money orders and expenditures for expensive jewelry, $26,000 purportedly for veneers, gambling, the purchase of luxury goods and clothing from Dior, Saks, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and more, attendance at professional sports events, trips and vacations throughout the country, and the purchase of a Range Rover.

On October 31, 2023, Hunter pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. A separate hearing to determine Hunter’s restitution and forfeiture obligations will take place on May 14.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Ajay D. Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Jordan-Detamore prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-90.

RICHMOND, Va. – A former postal carrier with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in Richmond pleaded guilty yesterday to theft of mail.

According to court documents, Wendy Lawrence, 40, stole mail, removing gift cards, checks, and other items of value for her own use. Law enforcement recovered stolen mail from Lawrence’s residence belonging to over 180 victims.

After stealing checks from the mail, Lawrence used the bank account and routing information on those checks to initiate electronic payments, which she used for such expenses as her tax bill, pest control bill, and rent. On at least one occasion, to prolong and conceal the fraud scheme, Lawrence initiated a fraudulent address change with the USPS on behalf of a victim, rerouting the victim’s mail to Lawrence’s address. Law enforcement also recovered checks from Lawrence’s residence that she forged for her own benefit, including checks in the name of at least 30 other individuals.

Lawrence faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeff Krafels, Special Agent in Charge of the Mid Atlantic Area Field Office for the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; Ajay D. Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Bradford W. Nunnally, Sheriff for Powhatan County, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea. The Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office provided substantial assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-17.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran member of the transnational street gang La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison in connection with the kidnapping and murder of an adolescent boy in 2016.

According to court documents, Edwin Orellana Caballero, who was 16 years old and living in Alexandria at the time, was one of several members and associates of the Park View Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13 who kidnapped and killed a 14-year-old victim, S.A.A.T. On the night of September 26, 2016, the gang lured S.A.A.T. to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Fairfax County and murdered him in a wooded area there with knives, machetes, and a pickaxe. Orellana Caballero struck S.A.A.T. multiple times with the pickaxe. Once S.A.A.T. was dead, the gang buried him in a shallow grave.

Orellana Caballero, who was transferred for prosecution as an adult under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, pleaded guilty to one count of maiming in aid of racketeering activity. In so doing, he admitted to participating in S.A.A.T.’s murder for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in MS-13.

To date, a total of 17 defendants have been charged in this case. Of those, five defendants went to trial and were convicted of all charges. Ten defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Washington Field Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Alexandria Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, Montgomery County (MD) Police Department, and Marin County (CA) Sheriff’s Office provided significant assistance in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Blanchard and Cristina C. Stam prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-153.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Richmond, Virginia, man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Newport News Police Department (NNPD) performed a traffic stop on Ladrale Antonio Putney, 44, shortly after midnight on February 8, 2021, for driving the wrong way down a one-way street without any headlights or taillights illuminated. Putney produced an invalid driver license during the stop. Due to the odor of marijuana and suspected marijuana “shake” – or loose marijuana leaves/particles – visibly scattered throughout the vehicle, NNPD temporarily detained Putney. NNPD discovered approximately 30 grams of cocaine base, three digital scales and narcotics packaging material in Putney’s car. Putney was also in possession of a stolen, loaded handgun, approximately 18 grams of heroin, approximately 10 grams of cocaine base, approximately 2.5 grams of powder cocaine, two small bags of marijuana and approximately $4,308. Forensic laboratory analysis confirmed the controlled substances and detected the presence of fentanyl mixed into the heroin. As a previously convicted federal felon, Putney was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Putney pleaded guilty on October 13, 2023, to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:21-cr-56.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Temple Hills, Maryland man pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting the straw purchase of 33 guns from Virginia firearms dealers.

According to court documents, Melvin Plowden, 34, a convicted felon, arranged for a co-conspirator with no prior felony convictions to purchase firearms on Plowden’s behalf, which Plowden resold. Plowden instructed the co-conspirator on which firearms to purchase and gave him money to pay for the firearms.

Between October 2019 and June 2020, the co-conspirator purchased 33 firearms from federal firearms dealers in Virginia, all on Plowden’s behalf. Of the firearms straw-purchased by the co-conspirator, 17 have been recovered in connection with criminal activity or from individuals prohibited from possessing the firearms, including Plowden. In June 2020, Plowden was arrested following an incident in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and one of the straw-purchased firearms was found in his possession.

Plowden is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina C. Stam and Megan Braun are prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-198.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for smuggling machineguns and firearm silencers into the United States, which he then sold on Facebook Marketplace.

According to court documents, John Patrick Gordon Dane, 36, ordered firearm parts from black-market websites. These parts included Glock switches, also referred to as auto-sears, which are small devices that can be attached to handguns, converting semi-automatic pistols into machine pistols capable of fully automatic fire. Because a switch causes a firearm to expel more than one projectile with a single pull of the trigger, the part is classified as a machinegun under federal law. Dane also purchased firearm silencers from the black-market websites. The firearm parts were shipped to Dane’s residence with manifests that disguised the contents of the packages.

On January 10, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Virginia Beach Police Department executed a search warrant at Dane’s residence. During the search, investigators found Dane in a shed on his property that he used to assemble and modify firearms. Investigators seized 17 firearms from the shed. The recovered firearms included an AR-15 rifle that had been converted to fire as a machinegun. Investigators also located a Glock firearm with a large capacity magazine, pictured below, that had a switch affixed to it in an attempt to allow it to fire fully automatic. Other firearms recovered from the shed included “ghost guns,” or firearms manufactured without serial numbers.

Dane had been previously convicted of a felony offense in 2012 in Virginia.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of the Virginia Beach Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle prosecuted the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-104.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Falls Church man has been charged by criminal complaint with posting threatening messages online against the congregants of a Haymarket church.

According to the complaint affidavit, Rui Jiang, 35, posted various threatening messages on his Instagram account against Park Valley Church and its congregants. These posts allegedly began on September 23, 2023, and extended into the next day. An acquaintance of Jiang saw these posts and alerted law enforcement on September 24, 2023. A Prince William County Police officer, as well as the church’s private security team, located and detained Jiang on church premises. Jiang allegedly was found to be in possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a knife. The defendant had arrived at the church during a popular Sunday service time with a large congregation in attendance.

According to court documents, Fairfax County Police officers obtained a search warrant to enter Jiang’s residence and allegedly found a letter, dated September 24, 2023, that stated, among other things, “To the families of those men about to be slain – I am sorry for what I have done and about to do.”

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Amy Ashworth, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County; and Peter Newsham, Chief of Police for Prince William County, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Durham is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-mj-64.

A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme to defraud Navy Federal Credit Union and for passing counterfeit currency at Wal-Mart stores.

According to court documents, between April and July 2018, Malcolm McKinney, 32, engaged in an identity theft scheme to defraud the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU). McKinney provided stolen identities to a co-conspirator who would use the identities to create accounts at NFCU and apply for wholly fictitious auto loans. Once the loans were approved, other conspirators would collect the loan check, cash it, and distribute the money to members of the conspiracy. In this manner, the conspiracy caused over $300,000 in loss to NFCU.

After pleading guilty to his role in the NFCU conspiracy, and while released on bond awaiting sentencing, McKinney embarked on a counterfeit currency spree in the spring of 2023. McKinney passed approximately $25,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency to at least 10 different Wal-Mart stores located in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. McKinney used counterfeit fifty- and twenty-dollar bills to purchase items such as video game consoles, kitchen mixers, sewing machines, and breast pumps. McKinney was identified by Wal-Mart security camera footage and arrested in the Western District of Virginia.

Four co-conspirators from this case previously pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from 45 to 81 months in prison.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph L. Kosky prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-78.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A McLean man pleaded guilty today to defrauding the Small Business Administration by fraudulently obtaining approximately $455,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds.

According to court documents, Mehdi Pazouki, 65, was the owner and sole employee of Systems Integration Services Inc., an IT consulting company that Pazouki ran from his home in McLean. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Pazouki applied for and received approximately $455,000 in PPP loans and EIDL funds, which he falsely certified would be used for business-related purposes, but which he actually intended to, and did, use to fund his gambling at area casinos, pay down personal debt, and purchase real estate.

Within days of receiving his first EIDL disbursement, Pazouki spent over $27,000 in EIDL money at Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, West Virginia. Pazouki also used the PPP and EIDL money for down payments on two different real estate properties, to pay off his personal credit card debt, and to fund his personal investment account. Pazouki also falsely represented to the SBA in loan forgiveness applications that the PPP money had been used for legitimate business expenses, which resulted in the complete discharge of the loans.

Pazouki is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Duane E. Townsend, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Halper is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-29.

RICHMOND, Va. – A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging four foreign nationals after U.S. naval forces interdicted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was transporting suspected Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry.

Two Navy SEALs lost their lives during the interdiction.

“The Justice Department extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two Navy SEALs who lost their lives on January 11th while conducting an operation in the Arabian Sea,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The charges resulting from that interdiction make clear that the Justice Department will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces, Hamas, and other groups that endanger the security of the United States and our allies.”

“The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce. Alongside our partners around the world, the Justice Department will continue to deploy every available tool to combat this grave threat.”

“The FBI will aggressively investigate and disrupt the Iranian Government’s attempts to provide Houthi rebels with missile components that are intended for use against U.S. military ships, merchant vessels, and Israel,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendants in this case allegedly transported suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weaponry used by the Houthi rebels in recent attacks. The FBI is committed to using its global partnerships to stop the illegal flow of weaponry that endangers U.S. national security.”

“As charged, Mr. Pahlawan attempted to smuggle advanced missile components, including a warhead, to Houthi rebels for use against cargo ships and U.S. vessels sailing across the Horn of Africa,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, together with U.S. agency partners, is working tirelessly to deny malign actors the means to threaten international shipping and imperil the lives of our men and women in uniform.”

“The complaint alleges that the defendants were transporting weapons consistent with those used by Houthi rebel forces and then lied to the U.S. Coast Guard during the boarding of the vessel,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “I want to thank the career prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for ensuring that the defendants now will face justice in an American court.”

“Today’s complaint sends a message that allegedly acting as a proxy for the IRGC in an effort to bring harm to U.S. persons overseas will not be tolerated by the U.S. Government,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Transporting explosive materials intended to be used to threaten and cause harm is yet another example of the IRGC’s disruptive and hostile actions. The FBI and our U.S. Government partners will continue to disrupt efforts by hostile foreign governments seeking to intimidate and cause harm through violence.”

According to court records, on the night of Jan. 11, U.S. Central Command Navy forces operating from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER, including Navy SEALs and members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team East, boarded an unflagged dhow, a small vessel, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia. As alleged, the U.S. boarding team encountered 14 individual mariners on the vessel.

During a search of the dhow, the U.S. boarding team allegedly located and seized what is believed to be Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. According to court records, preliminary analysis of the advanced conventional weaponry indicates that it includes critical components for medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), to include a warhead and propulsion and guidance components. The type of weaponry found aboard the dhow is allegedly consistent with the weaponry used by the Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks on merchant ships and U.S. military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

According to court records, the Navy brought the fourteen mariners aboard the USS LEWIS B. PULLER after determining the dhow was unsafe and unseaworthy. On Feb. 11, the United States obtained arrest warrants for four of the mariners who were aboard the dhow – specifically, defendants Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad. Pakistani identification cards allegedly were found on the dhow for each of the four defendants. The United States also obtained ten material witness warrants for the remaining individuals aboard the vessel.

The defendants and material witnesses were transferred from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER to the Eastern District of Virginia. The four defendants and eight of the ten material witnesses made their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Richmond today.

Defendant Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with: (1) intentionally and unlawfully transporting on board the dhow a warhead, knowing the warhead would be used by the Houthi rebel forces against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters; and (2) providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel’s crew and cargo. Co-defendants Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad were also charged with providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel’s crew and/or cargo.

Pahlawan faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted of unlawfully transporting a warhead, and all four defendants face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted of the false statements offense. A federal district court judge will determine sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Affidavit in support of criminal complaint

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case, with significant assistance provided by the Department of Defense, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Navy, Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy A. Edwards Jr., John T. Gibbs, and Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Lesley Woods of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents for the four charged defendants are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:24-mj-16, 17, 18, and 19.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging four foreign nationals after U.S. naval forces interdicted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was transporting suspected Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry.

Two Navy SEALs lost their lives during the interdiction.

“The Justice Department extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two Navy SEALs who lost their lives on January 11th while conducting an operation in the Arabian Sea,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The charges resulting from that interdiction make clear that the Justice Department will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces, Hamas, and other groups that endanger the security of the United States and our allies.”

“The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce. Alongside our partners around the world, the Justice Department will continue to deploy every available tool to combat this grave threat.”

“The FBI will aggressively investigate and disrupt the Iranian Government’s attempts to provide Houthi rebels with missile components that are intended for use against U.S. military ships, merchant vessels, and Israel,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendants in this case allegedly transported suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weaponry used by the Houthi rebels in recent attacks. The FBI is committed to using its global partnerships to stop the illegal flow of weaponry that endangers U.S. national security.”

“As charged, Mr. Pahlawan attempted to smuggle advanced missile components, including a warhead, to Houthi rebels for use against cargo ships and U.S. vessels sailing across the Horn of Africa,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, together with U.S. agency partners, is working tirelessly to deny malign actors the means to threaten international shipping and imperil the lives of our men and women in uniform.”

“The complaint alleges that the defendants were transporting weapons consistent with those used by Houthi rebel forces and then lied to the U.S. Coast Guard during the boarding of the vessel,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “I want to thank the career prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for ensuring that the defendants now will face justice in an American court.” 

“Today’s complaint sends a message that acting as a proxy for the IRGC in an effort to bring harm to U.S. persons overseas will not be tolerated by the U.S. Government,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Transporting explosive materials intended to be used to threaten and cause harm is yet another example of the IRGC’s disruptive and hostile actions. The FBI and our U.S. Government partners will continue to disrupt efforts by hostile foreign governments seeking to intimidate and cause harm through violence.”

According to court records, on the night of Jan. 11, U.S. Central Command Navy forces operating from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER, including Navy SEALs and members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team East, boarded an unflagged dhow, a small vessel, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia. The U.S. boarding team encountered 14 individual mariners on the vessel.

During a search of the dhow, the U.S. boarding team allegedly located and seized what is believed to be Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. According to court records, preliminary analysis of the advanced conventional weaponry indicates that it includes critical components for medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), to include a warhead and propulsion and guidance components. The type of weaponry found aboard the dhow is allegedly consistent with the weaponry used by the Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks on merchant ships and U.S. military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

According to court records, the Navy brought the fourteen mariners aboard the USS LEWIS B. PULLER after determining the dhow was unsafe and unseaworthy. On Feb. 11, the United States obtained arrest warrants for four of the mariners who were aboard the dhow — specifically, defendants Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad. Pakistani identification cards allegedly were found on the dhow for each of the four defendants. The United States also obtained ten material witness warrants for the remaining individuals aboard the vessel.

The defendants and material witnesses were transferred from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER to the Eastern District of Virginia. The four defendants and eight of the 10 material witnesses made their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Richmond today.

Defendant Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with: (1) intentionally and unlawfully transporting on board the dhow a warhead, knowing the warhead would be used by the Houthi rebel forces against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters; and (2) providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel’s crew and cargo. Co-defendants Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad were also charged with providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel’s crew and/or cargo.

Pahlawan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted of unlawfully transporting a warhead, and all four defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted of the false statements offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case, with significant assistance provided by the Department of Defense, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Navy, Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy A. Edwards Jr., John T. Gibbs, and Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Lesley Woods of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Pahlawan complaint

RICHMOND, Va. – A Weems man pleaded guilty yesterday to designing and executing a scheme to defraud his employer, a local financial institution, by issuing fraudulent loans to other individuals, and thereafter using the loan proceeds for his own purposes.

According to court documents, James Stevens, 46, was employed at Primis Bank (formerly known as Sonabank, Eastern VA Bank, and Southside Bank) from 2000 to June 2023 as a Commercial Lender, Branch Manager, and Assistant Branch Manager. In his capacity as a Commercial Lender for Primis, Stevens had the authority to issue loans to borrowers on behalf of the bank, and he also had the ability to access customer accounts, open customer accounts, and transfer funds in and out of bank customers’ accounts.

Beginning in 2008, and continuing through June 2023, Stevens exploited his position of trust at Primis Bank to issue numerous fraudulent loans—on behalf of his unwitting bank employer—in the names and using the identities of numerous other individuals. Stevens would often create fraudulent documentation to support these loan applications, using the personal identifying information of multiple Primis Bank customers in the process. Stevens would then use proceeds of these fraudulently issued loans to make payments on other (previously issued) fraudulent loans, to pay himself, or to pay others he associated with. Through this loan scheme, Stevens caused a loss to Primis Bank of more than $2.3 million.

Stevens also exploited his personal relationship with one Primis Bank customer to access the customer’s personal savings and checking accounts and to withdraw funds from the customer’s accounts. Stevens used his access to the customer’s accounts to change the mailing address on the accounts so that the bank customer remained unaware of the thefts, which eventually totaled more than $97,000. Altogether, the frauds and thefts perpetrated by Stevens resulted in a total loss to Primis Bank of $2,477,643.

Stevens is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark R. Colombell accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Robert Day are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-10.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Durham, North Carolina man was sentenced yesterday to 123 months in prison for his role in the attempted delivery of 59 kilograms of cocaine that was transported across the U.S.-Mexico border en route to Providence Forge, Virginia.

According to court documents, on July 26, 2023, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations intercepted a load of cocaine as it crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Agents then replaced the cocaine with an imitation substance and took the load to a truck stop in Providence Forge to make a controlled delivery to the intended recipient, Jose Daniel Arellano Rodriguez, 36.

Arellano Rodriguez arrived at the truck stop with $90,000 in cash to take delivery of the cocaine. He was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt prosecuted the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-61.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A foreign national formerly of Henrico was sentenced today to two years in prison after engaging in a $3.1 million insider trading scheme.

According to court documents, Nan Huang, 45, conspired with his then-coworker to commit insider trading. From 2008 to 2015, Huang worked as a senior data analyst for a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation. As a senior data analyst, Huang had access to a Capital One database that collected transaction data from Capital One credit card and debit card customers. In violation of his fiduciary duties to Capital One, Huang searched this database thousands of times and compiled on his work computer material, non-public information about publicly traded companies.

Because this information was highly correlated with the not-yet-public actual revenue of these companies, Huang was able to predict whether these companies would meet their revenue expectations. Huang then executed hundreds of trades using this non-public information and reaped extraordinary profits. Huang personally made over $1.4 million in profits, while the overall conspiracy made more than $3.1 million.

Capital One fired Huang in 2015 after it discovered his activity. Days later, Huang fled the country to China, where he remained until his arrest at San Francisco International Airport on April 23, 2023.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Hood and Zachary Ray prosecuted the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Burke provided significant assistance on the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-319.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to five years in prison for possessing multiple firearms and a machinegun conversion device as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on June 9, 2022, after a lengthy investigation into several individuals suspected of being involved in the distribution of narcotics, law enforcement officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Portsmouth residence of Michael Jerrod Scott, 40. During the search, officers recovered three firearms, multiple firearm magazines and ammunition, approximately six ounces of marijuana and related edible products, items associated with the manufacturing and distribution of drugs, and $2,920 in cash.

One of the firearms had a machinegun conversion device installed at the rear of the slide, which made it a “machinegun” as defined by federal law. Scott had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, to include robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of robbery, statutory burglary of a dwelling while armed, use of a firearm in the commission of armed burglary, and possession of a schedule I or II drug.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police; and Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Comstock and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc West prosecuted the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-74.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging two Maryland residents with the burglary of a federal firearms licensee (FFL), conspiracy to steal firearms from FFLs, and interstate transportation of stolen firearms and stolen vehicles.

According to allegations in the indictment, Cedric Minger, 21, and Victor Jones, 22, stole more than 50 firearms—including pistols, rifles, short-barreled rifles, and silencers—from Dominion Defense, an FFL in Springfield, Virginia, on April 29, 2023. According to the indictment, Minger, Jones, and two co-conspirators traveled from Washington, D.C. to Dominion Defense in a stolen Acura ILX. After breaking the business’s exterior glass door, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly struggled to gain entry through the interior door, with Minger at one point resorting to shooting at the door with a firearm. Ultimately, Minger allegedly shimmied his way through an opening at the top of the interior door. Once inside, Minger allegedly grabbed more than 50 firearms, passing them along to his co-conspirators, including Jones, who then loaded them into the stolen Acura, which they used to flee back to Washington, D.C.

According to the indictment, as part of the conspiracy to steal firearms from FFLs, Minger and Jones attempted to burglarize Engage Armament in Rockville, Maryland, on April 30, 2023, and Minger and at least two co-conspirators attempted to burglarize Top Gun Firearms in Fallston, Maryland, on May 10, 2023.

The indictment also charges Minger and Jones with multiple counts relating to the possession and interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, including the above-mentioned Acura and a Nissan Sentra used to travel to and from the attempted burglary of Top Gun Firearms.

If convicted, Minger and Jones face a maximum of five years in prison for the conspiracy to steal firearms from FFLs, and up to 10 years in prison for each additional count charged in the indictment. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Steve T. Descano, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County; Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement.

Significant assistance on this investigation was provided by the City of Fairfax Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, Alexandria Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County Police Department, Howard County Police Department, and Prince William County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Edwards and Cristina C. Stam are prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-39.

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