Eastern District of Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man who was convicted by a federal jury in March was sentenced yesterday to 12 years in prison for distributing fentanyl in the Mosby Court neighborhood.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, Quotez Tyveck Pair, 33, was a drug trafficker with a reputation for violence in and around Mosby Court. Pair formerly associated with the “II Bloods” gang.

In October and November 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, with the aid of an inside cooperator, completed two controlled drug purchases from Pair. The cooperator, at the direction and under the supervision of law enforcement, purchased from Pair one ounce of heroin on October 30, 2019 and two ounces of heroin on November 12, 2019. Upon analysis, both substances purchased from Pair were found to be fentanyl.

Pair was subsequently arrested on January 21, 2020 in Henrico County and convicted on March 10, 2021 following a jury trial. At sentencing, the Court found that in addition to fentanyl, Pair also distributed over a half-kilogram of cocaine.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Robert E. Payne.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman 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. 3:20-cr-3.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Leonardtown, Maryland man pleaded guilty today to mail fraud in connection with an online dating site romance scam.

“Through his use of fictitious personas, the defendant’s fraudulent scheme preyed on members of our community who thought they were helping a servicemember with significant financial needs,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As this case demonstrates, we will continue to hold accountable those who use online forums to defraud victims.”

According to court documents, beginning in December 2014 and continuing through at least January 2018, Eugene Johnson Jr., 39, used online dating sites to establish romantic connections with various women. In these communications, Johnson used aliases and made other false claims about his identity, frequently describing himself as a U.S. Marine with a son whose mother had died. When purporting to establish a romantic relationship with his victims, Johnson claimed that he wanted to marry each victim, buy a house with her, and raise his son and any children they might have together.

Shortly thereafter, Johnson would ask the victims to send him money for various pressing financial needs. Although his claims varied, they generally involved some form of car, financial, legal, or health problems about which Johnson claimed to be very emotional. To bolster these claims, Johnson sent the victims text messages from different phone numbers in which he posed as individuals who could corroborate his prior claims. Johnson also falsely promised to repay the victims from income sources that he did not actually possess.

When victims agreed to send him money, Johnson directed them to do so via interstate wire transfers and bulk cash shipments. Thereafter, Johnson continued to ask the same victims for more money to meet other claimed needs until the victims exhausted their own resources, refused, or questioned the truth of his claims. In total, Johnson obtained at least $276,361 from at least eight women residing in three different states. Contrary to his claims and promises, Johnson used the victims’ money to pay personal debts and expenses and never repaid any of the victims.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17. 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting 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 Heather H. Mansfield and Kaitlin G. Cooke 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. 3:21-cr-45.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Norfolk man today on charges of participating in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, acetyl-fentanyl, and heroin in the Hampton Roads region. He was convicted of all five counts related to the drug conspiracy, including distribution of fentanyl resulting in a young woman’s death.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, between early 2017 and May 2020, Daniel Carrington (a.k.a. “Eastside” and “E”), 27, traveled to Baltimore, Maryland and purchased heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl-fentanyl to resell in Chesapeake and throughout the Hampton Roads region. The drugs distributed by Carrington resulted in the December 27, 2019 overdose death of a Chesapeake woman, identified in court documents as D.J. Although Carrington was aware of D.J.’s death, he continued to sell fentanyl until his arrest in May 2020.

Evidence introduced at trial included a video of the defendant laughing at his “tester” while he was falling out of consciousness because of a fentanyl dose, and proudly declaring how strong his fentanyl was. Other videos introduced to the jury included large quantities of cash, a firearm, and illegal narcotics. Text messages introduced at trial showed the defendant knew that he was distributing pure fentanyl and that he was aware of its lethal effects. A medical examiner testified that the levels of fentanyl in the victim’s body were five times the minimum level considered to be lethal by forensic pathologists.

Carrington faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on October 29. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Kelvin L. Wright, Chief of the Chesapeake Police Department, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Butler and Joseph E. DePadilla 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. 2:20-cr-106.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to two years in prison for bank fraud by submitting a fraudulent application for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, and then using the loan proceeds for his own personal benefit.

“The defendant used fraud and deception to exploit a critical COVID-19 relief program for his own personal gain,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program wastes taxpayer dollars and keeps vital assistance from reaching those who are in genuine need of these funds. EDVA will continue bringing to justice those who seek to illegally profit from the pandemic.”

According to court documents, in June 2020, Scott Suber, 39, submitted to Celtic Bank a fraudulent application for a loan under the PPP, a program designed to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pay salary or wages to their employees. In the application, it was falsely represented that Suber’s business, Debris or Not Debris Property Preservation, Inc., had eight employees and an average monthly payroll of $140,000. In support of the fraudulent application, Suber submitted a false quarterly tax return claiming that the business had quarterly wages of $420,000 and federal tax withholdings of $36,620. In addition, Suber submitted a bank statement with an altered date in support of the application.

Celtic Bank approved and funded a PPP loan for the business in the amount of $350,000 and transferred the funds to an account Suber maintained in the name of his company. The loan application stated that Suber’s company would use the loan proceeds for business-related purposes, such as the costs of payroll, lease, and utilities. Instead, Suber used the proceeds for his own personal benefit, including making large cash withdrawals, traveling to Las Vegas, and making non-business-related payments to several individuals.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region; and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Salsbury 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-110.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a New York City man and woman with wire and mail fraud as part of a social media scheme that defrauded elderly victims out of over $660,000.

“The defendants allegedly impersonated military servicemembers, diplomats, and others to deprive elderly victims of their retirement savings,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Working with our law enforcement partners, EDVA will aggressively pursue the perpetrators of scams that prey on vulnerable members of our communities.”

According to the indictment, from at least September 2019 through April 2021, Linda Mbimadong, 29, and Richard Broni, 31, along with other unnamed co-conspirators, targeted elderly victims on social media and email by impersonating romantic love interests, diplomats, military personnel, and more. The pair, and other co-conspirators, tricked victims into mailing them cashier’s checks, wiring funds, and sending Apple computer products and other items of value.

According to the indictment, Victim #1 was a 78-year-old man who lost $580,000 to the scheme. He had set up an iFlirt account, an online dating application, on his cell phone for the purpose of communicating with women. A member of the conspiracy began communicating with him on the app as part of the scheme to defraud, transitioning the conversations to Google Hangouts and text messages around September 2019. Victim #2 was a 74-year-old woman who lost approximately $80,000 to the scheme from her retirement savings. A member of the conspiracy contacted Victim #2 on Facebook and transitioned the conversation with her to email and text messages around March 2021.

Posing as a young widow who had inherited gold bars, or as a diplomat assisting people in dire straits overseas, Mbimadong, Broni, and other co-conspirators allegedly tricked elderly victims into sending the conspirators large sums of money. Victims were also allegedly directed to purchase brand new Apple MacBooks and mail them to a conspirator. Mbimadong and Broni allegedly received cashier’s checks and wires directly from victims, which they allegedly deposited and shared among the co-conspirators.

Mbimadong and Broni are charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Additionally, Mbimadong is charged with making false statements to law enforcement during the investigation. If convicted of the conspiracy or fraud charges, they both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. If convicted of the false statement charge, Mbimadong 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia Medina 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. 1:21-cr-98.

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

NORFOLK, Va. – A former Chesapeake doctor was sentenced today to 59 years in prison after a jury convicted him on 52 counts of health care fraud and other charges arising from his performance of irreversible hysterectomies, improper sterilizations, and other medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures on his patients over a decade.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial and at sentencing, Javaid Perwaiz, approximately 71 years old, an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) who practiced in Hampton Roads since the 1980s, executed a scheme to defraud health insurance programs between at least 2010 and 2019. During that period, Perwaiz caused approximately $20.8 million dollars in losses to private and government health care insurers for irreversible hysterectomies and other surgeries and procedures that were not medically necessary for his patients. In many instances, Perwaiz would falsely tell his patients that they needed the surgeries because they had cancer, or to avoid cancer, in order to induce them to agree to the surgeries. Many of the surgeries occurred within days of the false diagnoses.

“Motivated by his insatiable and reprehensible greed, Perwaiz used an arsenal of horrifying tactics to manipulate and deceive patients into undergoing invasive, unnecessary, and devastating medical procedures,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “These fraudulent and destructive surgeries caused irreversible damage to the victims. In many instances, the defendant shattered their ability to have children by using fear to remove organs from their bodies that he had no right to take. Despite having to endure immeasurable physical and emotional pain, the victims showed resilience, strength, and courage by speaking out and sharing their stories to hold the defendant accountable for his heinous crimes. While no prosecution can undo the lifelong trauma that Perwaiz cruelly inflicted on his patients, today’s sentence ensures that the victims and their families have the last word.”

“This individual not only defrauded our healthcare system out of millions of dollars, he did so by performing unnecessary surgeries on women and putting their health and safety at risk,” said Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia. “Doctors should never take advantage of the trust that their patients put in them, and those who do should be held accountable. I want to thank my team for their hard work on this case and I also want to thank our local, state, and federal partners for their ongoing collaboration and partnership on this and other important cases.”

“Today’s sentence is a significant step toward justice for the women Perwaiz preyed upon and harmed through his deception, betrayal, and greed,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “The FBI is committed to stopping predators like Perwaiz who abuse their position of trust, but this outcome was ultimately made possible by the brave victims and nurses who deserve our gratitude for coming forward and exposing his horrible criminal conduct.”

“When unscrupulous healthcare providers such as Perwaiz put greed above patient care, they not only violate public trust, they stain the profession.” said Christopher W. Dillard, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “DCIS is committed to working alongside our investigative partners in rooting out criminal malpractice and bringing to justice those who put the public and community at risk.”

The evidence also demonstrated that Perwaiz falsified records for his obstetric patients so that he could induce their labor early, prior to the recommended gestational age that minimizes risk to the mother and baby, to ensure he would be reimbursed for the deliveries. Perwaiz also violated the 30-day waiting period Medicaid requires for elective sterilizations by submitting backdated forms to falsely make it appear as if he had complied with the waiting period. Perwaiz billed insurance hundreds of thousands of dollars for diagnostic procedures that he only pretended to perform at his office.

The witnesses at trial included more than 25 former patients, some of whom testified to the complications they continue to endure as a result of the unnecessary surgeries Perwaiz performed. In addition, the Court received over 60 Victim Impact Statements and the FBI received hundreds of tips through its hotline concerning Perwaiz’s actions. Witnesses also included nurses who worked at the hospitals where Perwaiz performed his surgeries, who testified that they repeatedly complained about his practices to their supervisors.

On November 9, 2020, a federal jury convicted Perwaiz of 52 counts of health care fraud and false statements. In total, Perwaiz was responsible for $20.8 million worth of false and fraudulent billings for both himself and the hospitals where he performed the surgeries.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Chris Dillard, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Yusi, E. Rebecca Gantt, and John F. Butler 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. 2:19-cr-189.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, Christopher McKinley Barnes, 36, sold heroin and fentanyl from late 2016 until he was arrested on April 16, 2019. During that time, Barnes sold a total of over a kilogram of heroin in the Hampton Roads area and to users from the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. In July 2018, he sold a mixture of heroin and fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of a victim in Nags Head. During a search of the defendant’s residence, officers recovered heroin and a loaded handgun, among other items.

Barnes is the fourth and final member of the conspiracy to plead guilty. Deshawn Jones, 29, of Portsmouth; James Boone, 48, of Eure, North Carolina; and Grey Miller, 32, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison in the Eastern District of Virginia. The group was responsible for selling fentanyl and heroin to individuals in Portsmouth, Norfolk, and the Outer Banks. At least two fatal overdoses and several non-fatal overdoses have been linked to the group.

Barnes is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Phil Webster, Chief of the Nags Head Police Department, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bosse and William B. Jackson are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. 2:19-cr-163.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – After three days of trial before a federal jury, an Owings Mills, Maryland man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme worth approximately $1.26 million.

“In the midst of a jury trial, the defendant admitted that he deceived victims into believing they were investing more than $1.2 million in a high-end fabric design business, when in reality, he fraudulently used their money to fund personal expenses,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our Office is grateful to the FBI and prosecution team for uncovering and piecing together the evidence that exposed this investment fraud scheme. We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to swindle honest investors.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Manish Singh, 48, entered into an agreement in 2016 with a married couple to create a business that would design and sell high-end fabrics. The couple was to provide the capital for the business, and Singh was to contribute his expertise and contacts in the fabric industry.

Singh represented to the victim investors that their money was being used for numerous expenses related to the business, such as the manufacture of fabric in India. In reality, Singh was using the victims’ money almost entirely for personal expenses, mostly to view live pornography online. Based on Singh’s misrepresentations, the victims gave him approximately $1.26 million for the fraudulent joint business venture.

Singh pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 30. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis III accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grace L. Hill and Heidi B. Gesch 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. 1:20-cr-59.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former Army Green Beret was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for conspiring with Russian intelligence operatives to provide them with U.S. national defense information.

“Debbins flagrantly and repeatedly sold out his country, including while he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendant’s brazen disclosures to Russian intelligence agents jeopardized U.S. national security and threatened the safety of his fellow servicemembers. This prosecution underscores our firm resolve to hold accountable those who betray their sworn oath and bring them to justice for their exceptionally serious crimes.”

According to court documents, from December 1996 to January 2011, Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins, 46, of Gainesville, a former member of the U.S. Army, conspired with agents of a Russian intelligence service. During that time, Debbins periodically visited Russia and met with Russian intelligence agents. In 1997, Debbins was assigned a code name by Russian intelligence agents and signed a statement attesting that he wanted to serve Russia.

“Debbins violated his oath as a U.S. Army officer, betrayed the Special Forces, and endangered our country’s national security by revealing classified information to Russian intelligence officers, providing details of his unit, and identifying Special Forces team members for Russian intelligence to try to recruit as a spy,” said John C Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “His conduct is a personal betrayal of colleagues and country, and it reflects the threat of Russian intelligence operations targeting our military. Today’s almost 16-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct. It should also serve as a warning to those who would be tempted to do the same.”

“The Green Berets epitomize heroics, leadership, and bravery, but Debbins was just the opposite,” said Alan E. Kohler, Jr., Assistant Director of Counterintelligence for the FBI. “Debbins’ actions in this case show a complete disregard for his fellow soldiers and for his country. The FBI will do everything in its power to identify those who choose to betray our country and bring them to justice.”

“The betrayal of fellow U.S. citizens and servicemembers is inexcusable, and today Debbins was sentenced for his reprehensible and dangerous actions,” said Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “He was entrusted to serve his country and protect his fellow Special Forces team, but instead he chose to provide classified national defense information to his own country’s adversary. This investigation which led to today’s sentencing is a reminder that the FBI and our partners will continue to diligently and doggedly counter national security threats to the U.S.”

From 1998 to 2005, Debbins served on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army, serving in chemical units before being selected for the U.S. Army Special Forces. The Russian intelligence agents encouraged him to join and pursue a career in the Special Forces, where he attained the rank of Captain.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Debbins provided Russian intelligence agents with information he obtained as a member of the U.S. Army, including sensitive details about his chemical and Special Forces units. In 2008, after leaving active duty service, Debbins disclosed to the Russian intelligence agents classified information about his previous activities while deployed with the Special Forces. Debbins also provided the Russian intelligence agents with names of and information about several his former Special Forces team members for the purpose of allowing the agents to recruit them to conspire with the Russian intelligence service.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Alan E. Kohler, Jr., Assistant Director of Counterintelligence for the FBI; and Steven M. D’Antuono, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office; made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas W. Traxler and James L. Trump and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh and Assistant Attorney General Demers greatly appreciate the assistance of Army Counterintelligence, the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police Service, and MI5.

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. 1:20-cr-193.

WASHINGTON – A Virginia man and former Army Green Beret was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for conspiring with Russian intelligence operatives to provide them with U.S. national defense information.

Peter Rafael Dzibinski Debbins, 46, of Gainesville, admitted to conspiring with agents of a Russian intelligence service. According to court documents, from December 1996 to January 2011, Debbins periodically visited Russia and met with Russian intelligence agents. In 1997, Debbins was assigned a code name by Russian intelligence agents and signed a statement attesting that he wanted to serve Russia.

“Debbins violated his oath as a U.S. Army officer, betrayed the Special Forces, and endangered our country’s national security by revealing classified information to Russian intelligence officers, providing details of his unit, and identifying Special Forces team members for Russian intelligence to try to recruit them as spies,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department's National Security Division. “His conduct is a personal betrayal of colleagues and country, and it reflects the threat of Russian intelligence operations targeting our military. Today’s almost 16-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct. It should also serve as a warning to those who would be tempted to do the same.” 

“Debbins flagrantly and repeatedly sold out his country, including while he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendant’s brazen disclosures to Russian intelligence agents jeopardized U.S. national security and threatened the safety of his fellow servicemembers. This prosecution underscores our firm resolve to hold accountable those who betray their sworn oath and bring them to justice for their exceptionally serious crimes.” 

“The betrayal of fellow U.S. citizens and servicemembers is inexcusable, and today Debbins was sentenced for his reprehensible and dangerous actions,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono for the FBI Washington Field Office. “He was entrusted to serve his country and protect his fellow Special Forces team, but instead he chose to provide classified national defense information to his own country’s adversary. This investigation which led to today’s sentencing is a reminder that the FBI and our partners will continue to diligently and doggedly counter national security threats to the U.S.”

“The Green Berets epitomize heroics, leadership, and bravery, but Debbins was just the opposite,” said Assistant Director Alan E. Kohler Jr. for the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Debbins' actions in this case show a complete disregard for his fellow soldiers and for his country. The FBI will do everything in its power to identify those who choose to betray our country and bring them to justice.”

From 1998 to 2005, Debbins served on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army, serving in chemical units before being selected for the U.S. Army Special Forces. The Russian intelligence agents encouraged him to join and pursue a career in the Special Forces, which he did, where he served at the rank of Captain.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Debbins provided the Russian intelligence agents with information that he obtained as a member of the U.S. Army, including information about his chemical and Special Forces units. In 2008, after leaving active duty service, Debbins disclosed to the Russian intelligence agents classified information about his previous activities while deployed with the Special Forces. Debbins also provided the Russian intelligence agents with the names of, and information about, a number of his former Special Forces team members so that the agents could evaluate whether to approach the team members to see if they would cooperate with the Russian intelligence service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas W. Traxler and James L. Trump for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh and Assistant Attorney General Demers greatly appreciate the assistance of Army Counterintelligence, the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police Service and MI5.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Glen Allen man was sentenced today to 34 months in prison for defrauding both a Pennsylvania-based bank and the Export-Import Bank of the United States in connection with a $1.6 million loan.

“For over two years, the defendant deliberately deceived financial institutions to fraudulently obtain a $1.6 million government-backed loan,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As this case demonstrates, those who defraud American taxpayers and seek to undermine the integrity of our financial system will be held accountable for their criminal conduct.”

According to court documents, Tae Il Lee, 41, was the Managing Director of New World Group, a Richmond-based company engaged in the business of exporting American snacks and other food stuffs to international buyers (typically South Korean companies). In April 2016, Lee sought what eventually became a $1.6 million loan from First National Bank of Pennsylvania, relying on the “Working Capital Program” offered by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank). Under the program, EXIM guaranteed to provide financial backing for the loan in the event that New World Group defaulted.

Over the next two years, Lee regularly provided First National Bank, and the bank’s auditing firm, with financial documents that purported to show New World Group’s accounts receivable, banking statements, and financial statements. These documents reflected that New World Group was a growing, thriving export company, grossing more than $6 million in export sales in 2017 and another $6.3 million in just the first few months of 2018.

Those financial documents, however, were false. Specifically, Lee had created fictitious accounts receivable and financial statements, and doctored New World Group’s actual bank statements to show non-existent, high-dollar transactions that never took place. During the course of his fraud scheme, Lee also created a fictitious intermediary—a purported employee of New World Group—in order to account for delays in Lee’s communications with First National Bank.

In the spring of 2018, First National Bank issued a demand letter for the $1.6 million loan to New World Group. New World Group never completed any payments to First National Bank, which requested that EXIM cover the defaulted loan. EXIM did so, absorbing the $1.6 million loss.

Lee pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud and making false statements to a federally insured bank.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jennifer Fain, Acting Inspector General for the Export-Import Bank of the United States, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Kaitlin G. Cooke prosecuted the case.

This matter was investigated by the EXIM Office of Inspector General (OIG). EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States and assists in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Complaints and reports of waste, fraud, and abuse related to EXIM programs and operations can be reported to the OIG hotline at 888-OIG-EXIM (888-644-3946) or via email at IGhotline@exim.gov.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the 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. 3:21-cr-2.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Utica, New York man pleaded guilty yesterday to charges relating to his sale of over $1.2 million in opioid pills and counterfeit U.S. currency on multiple dark web criminal marketplaces.

According to court documents, from around October 2016 through February 2021, Albie Pagan, 65, operated under the moniker H00k3d on various dark web markets, including AlphaBay, Apollon, Avaris, Cryptonia, Dark Market, Darkode, Dream, Nightmare, and Wall Street. Pagan, as H00k3d, advertised prescription opioids and medications for sale, including oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and Adderall, as well as counterfeit $10 and $20 bills. Pagan mailed these online-purchased narcotics and counterfeit currency to individuals across the country.

“The defendant illegally distributed over $1.2 million of highly addictive opioids and counterfeit currency while attempting to operate anonymously on dark web marketplaces,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Those who seek to profit by using the dark web to fuel a devastating opioid crisis that has ravaged our communities will be found and brought to justice.”

On Wall Street alone, Pagan sold over $325,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency, and his gross proceeds for the sale of narcotics and counterfeit currency was at least $1,011,079. On AlphaBay, Pagan’s gross proceeds for narcotics sales was at least $90,399. A review of H00k3d’s sales on Dark Market revealed 475 voluntary customer-rated orders reflecting purchases for several illicit items, including 3,293 hydrocodone, 2,250 oxycodone, and 382 hydromorphone pills. On Dark Market, Pagan’s gross proceeds for narcotics and counterfeit currency exceeded $131,948 based on reviewed transactions.

Pagan pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances and selling counterfeit currency. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24 and 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Matthew S. Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bibeane Metsch is prosecuting the case.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Hi-Tech Opioid Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents and task force partners, including special agents and officers of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and detectives from local assisting police agencies. The task force is charged with identifying and investigating the most egregious Dark Web marketplaces, and the vendors operating on the marketplaces who are engaged in the illegal acquisition and distribution of controlled substances, to include fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other opioids.

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. 1:21-cr-95.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In honor of National Police Week, Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh joins Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in recognizing the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“The Eastern District of Virginia expresses its deep appreciation to the courageous women and men of law enforcement who serve on the front lines and put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and our loved ones, repeatedly sacrificing their safety to ensure ours,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh. “The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted pain, heartache, and tragedy on so many, including members of law enforcement and their families. We mourn for and pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the line of duty, offer our condolences to their families, and express our gratitude to those who carry on their legacy with honor and valor each day.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Eastern District of Virginia, four law enforcement officers died in the line of duty and were added to the 2021 Roll Call of Heroes: Officer Katherine Mary Thyne of the Newport News Police Department, Master-at-Arms Oscar J. Temores of the U.S. Navy Security Forces, Major Angelanette Moore of the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, and Master Jail Officer Robert Charles Sunukjian of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail.

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020. LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to Oct. 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A dual Lebanese and U.S. citizen who resides in Vienna, Virginia pleaded guilty today to participating in a conspiracy to launder money as part of a decade-long scheme to ship electronics equipment to a Hizballah-owned television station in Lebanon. In addition, the defendant and her husband pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit tax fraud by concealing income from her employment in Virginia.

“For over a decade, Racha Farhat participated in a conspiracy to purchase electronics equipment using the proceeds of illegal activity, which benefited a Lebanese television station owned by Hizballah,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will bring to justice those who use the U.S. financial system to further the interests of prohibited entities that engage in unlawful activities abroad.”

According to court documents, Racha Farhat, 44, began laundering money in 2010 and continued to do so until the time of her arrest in February 2021. The scheme involved Farhat receiving money from an unindicted co-conspirator (UCC-1) in Lebanon, which she used to purchase electronics equipment in the United States. Farhat then shipped the items purchased by herself and other co-conspirators overseas, primarily to Lebanon, where UCC-1 supplied at least $175,000 worth of goods to Al Manar TV. Al Manar TV is a Lebanon-based TV station owned and operated by Hizballah. Both Hizballah and Al Manar TV are prohibited entities for a U.S. person to conduct business with under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

“This plea is an example of the FBI and our partners using available tools and techniques to investigate criminals who attempt to launder funds through U.S. financial institutions,” said Matthew R. Alcoke, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Counterterrorism and Incident Management Division. “The FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice international money launderers and to deter those who may attempt to perpetrate criminal activity in the U.S.”

In order to facilitate the purchase of electronics equipment in the United States, UCC-1 used a variety of means to transfer money to Farhat that were designed to conceal the money’s origins. Farhat received over $1 million in wire transfers from Lebanon, more than $500,000 of which went into a third-party bank account that actually was controlled by Farhat. Farhat also received nearly $80,000 worth of money orders that were purchased in a way to evade identification reporting requirements.

Farhat received direction from UCC-1 as to what equipment to buy, and she lied to vendors about the intended destination of the items, knowing (or being willfully blind to the fact) that at least some of the money was derived from unlawful activity. Farhat also filed U.S. tax returns for UCC-1 that contained false information and used the refunds generated for electronics purchases.

Farhat and her husband, Hussam Hawi, 46, also pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States in the collection of income taxes. Farhat and Hawi concealed Farhat’s employment from the IRS, declaring her as a “stay home mom” and failing to declare any of the employment wages she earned for tax years 2015–2019. As a result of these willful misstatements and omissions, Farhat and Hawi received a tax refund each year. They owe the IRS more than $64,000.

Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on September 21. Farhat faces a maximum combined penalty of 25 years in prison, and Hawi faces a maximum 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Matthew R. Alcoke, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Counterterrorism and Incident Management Division; and Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Dennis M. Fitzpatrick 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 Nos. 1:21-cr-112 and 1:21-cr-113.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging a Williamsburg wellness center owner with defrauding Virginia Medicaid and other health care programs out of over $2 million.

“The defendant allegedly defrauded health care programs and the government by submitting false claims and engaging in multiple overbilling schemes,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “EDVA remains committed to holding accountable anyone who undermines the integrity of our health care system, including the Virginia Medicaid program, which is designed to subsidize critical health care coverage for those who need it most.”

According to the indictment, Maria Kokolis, 45, of Williamsburg, owned and operated Pamisage, Inc., a center for integrative behavioral health and medicine, with a focus on weight management issues. Beginning in or about 2018, and continuing through February 2020, Kokolis executed a scheme to defraud and overbill various health care benefit programs and the Virginia Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). She did so by charging 45 minutes to an hour of face-to-face psychotherapy services for noncomparable services like sending messages through the company’s smartphone app or monitoring a client’s data. Kokolis billed these psychotherapy services for times when she was out of the country on vacation and when the clients were out of state or sick in the hospital. The overbilling became so extensive, the indictment alleges, that on 332 separate occasions, Kokolis billed for services that exceeded 24 hours in a single day.

According to the indictment, Kokolis used the names, Medicaid ID numbers, and other identifying information of her clients in submitting these false claims to the health care benefit programs. Kokolis received a total of at least $2,189,342 in fraudulent health care benefit program reimbursements, a portion of which came from the U.S. government.

Kokolis is charged with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a maximum of ten years in prison for each health care fraud count, and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft count. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph L. Kosky and Clare P. Wuerker 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. 2:21-cr-55.

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

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In the month of May, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) honors the rich traditions, history, and cultures that are recognized during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have enriched our Office, our communities, and our Nation with their enduring leadership, vibrant cultures, and extensive contributions to all aspects of our society,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the first Indian American and person of color to serve as EDVA’s chief federal law enforcement official. “While showing steadfast resilience in the face of great hardship, they have helped shape our country’s history for the better, including protecting the Nation during times of war, serving the American people at all levels of government, and spearheading innovations in the law, science, education, commerce, and the arts, among many other fields. As a proud member of the AAPI community, I am honored to continue EDVA’s commitment to celebrating the rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and furthering our collective efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do.”

The Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage encompasses a diverse group of nations and cultures from the entire Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, which includes Native Hawaiians. At present, there are over 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, and more than 300,000 living veterans from the AAPI community.

The national theme for this year’s observance is “Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service.” The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the May 10, 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was built primarily by Chinese immigrant workers.

This year’s AAPI commemoration comes at a time of heightened fear and pain for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our country. “Hate crimes and discrimination against anyone, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, are reprehensible acts that are contrary to the ideals of our Nation and have no place in our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh in a recent statement condemning acts of violence against Asian Americans. “I reaffirm our Office’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that those who perpetrate federal crimes fueled by hate are held accountable, and EDVA stands united with our law enforcement partners in combating these injustices.”

During the 2021 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, EDVA will host office-wide virtual events, including a virtual fireside chat with Vanita Gupta, a lifelong civil rights lawyer who recently became the first woman of color to serve as the Associate Attorney General of the United States, and discussions involving the prosecution of hate crimes in partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Recently, EDVA hosted virtual events with Aloke Chakravarty, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the Boston Marathon bombings case, and Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the first South Asian American federal appellate court judge in the United States.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to multiple life sentences for his role in a gang-related racketeering conspiracy that engaged in multiple murders, attempted murders, and drug trafficking.

“As the evidence demonstrated during a seven-week trial, the defendant’s actions displayed a chilling neglect for human life, safety, and the rule of law,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our Office is grateful to our law enforcement partners and trial team, who worked for years to bring the defendant and his co-conspirators to justice and stop them from further threatening our communities with violence.”

According to court documents, Martin L Hunt, 24, along with members of the 36th Street Bang Squad gang, were involved in multiple violent crimes in Hampton and Newport News between March and June 2015. On April 6, 2015, Hunt and three other members of the 36th Street Bang Squad drew firearms and began shooting at people outside a Newport News home. Two teenagers were killed during this incident.

Casings collected from the April 2015 double-murder scene matched a 9 mm firearm that Hunt had obtained from a family member in March 2015. Those casings also matched the gun used during a March 15, 2015 shooting of P.D. and A.J. in Newport News. That shooting left both victims with serious and life-threatening injuries. Hunt bragged afterwards to other gang members that he had gone “op shopping,” which meant shooting at rival gang members.

On June 5, 2015, Hunt and co-conspirators Shaquone Ford, 26, of Newport News, Jamaree Green, 24, of Hampton, and Corey Sweetenburg, 24, of Newport News, drove to a Hampton high school looking for a rival gang member suspected of murdering a 36th Street Bang Squad member two days prior. Once at the location, other 36th Street members and associates joined the group and followed a Hampton City school bus in two vehicles, waiting for their target to get off at a stop. When the target exited the bus, the defendants and other gang members and associates chased him into an apartment complex. The defendants carried loaded firearms and planned to kill the target if he was found, which he was not.

According to court documents, Hunt used social media to taunt rival gang members, acquire firearms, and brag about the exploits of the 36th Street Bang Squad.

On December 10, 2019, after a seven-week jury trial, Hunt was convicted on eleven counts of crimes in aid of racketeering, including two murders, three attempted murders, and using a firearm in each crime. He was sentenced today to life in prison, followed by two consecutive life sentences and an additional twenty-five years.

In addition to Hunt, six co-defendants were convicted by a federal jury in the same trial for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy. Those six co-defendants currently are scheduled for sentencing in the next three months from June 10 through August 2.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; Kenneth Ferguson, Interim Chief of Hampton Police; and Anton A. Bell, Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Hampton, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Brian Samuels and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Cross from the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Chad McHenry from the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section 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. 4:17-cr-52.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former leader of the Atomwaffen Division in Texas, a racially motivated violent extremist group, was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy that conducted multiple swatting events targeting journalists, a Virginia university, a former U.S. Cabinet member, a historic African American church, an Islamic Center in Arlington, Texas, and members of various minority groups and communities across the United States.

“The reprehensible conduct in this case terrorized communities across our Nation, as innocent Americans simply tried to attend school, practice their faith, and exercise their First Amendment rights,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendants caused irreversible trauma to the victims of these hate-based crimes. This case sends an unmistakable message that those who target individuals because of their race, religion, or any other form of bias, will be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice.”

According to court documents, John Cameron Denton, 27, of Montgomery, Texas, participated in a conspiracy that conducted swatting attacks on at least 134 different locations across the United States between October 2018 and February 2019. Swatting is a harassment tactic that involves deceiving emergency dispatchers into believing that a person or persons are in imminent danger of death or bodily harm and causing the dispatchers to send police and emergency services to an unwitting third party’s address. Many of the conspirators, including Denton, chose targets because they were motivated by racial animus.

“Denton’s swatting activities were not harmless pranks; he carefully chose his targets to antagonize and harass religious and racial communities, journalists, and others against whom he held a bias or grievance,” said Timothy Thibault, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable anyone who terrorizes communities and threatens public safety by diverting emergency resources, which puts innocent people and first responders at risk.”

Conspirators targeted multiple locations in the Eastern District of Virginia, including a then-sitting U.S. Cabinet official living in northern Virginia on January 27, 2019; Old Dominion University on November 29 and December 4, 2018; and the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town Alexandria on November 3, 2018. In each instance, conspirators selected the targets and called emergency dispatchers with false claims of pipe bombs, hostage takings, or other violent activity occurring at the targeted locations. As a result of these swatting calls, police were dispatched to Old Dominion University and the Alfred Street Baptist Church, and individuals in each location were required to shelter in place while the bomb threats were investigated. According to court documents, a conspirator admitted to choosing the Alfred Street Baptist Church as a target because its congregation is predominantly African American.

Additionally, Denton personally chose at least two targets to “swat”: the New York City office of ProPublica, a non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism; and an investigative journalist who produced materials for ProPublica. Denton chose these two targets because he was angry with ProPublica and the investigative journalist for publishing Denton’s identity and discussing his role in the Atomwaffen Division, a U.S.-based violent extremist group with cells in multiple states. The group’s targets have included racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ community, the U.S. government, journalists, and critical infrastructure.

During the investigation, Denton unknowingly met with an undercover law enforcement officer and told the undercover officer about his role in the swatting conspiracy. Denton stated that he used a voice changer when he made swatting calls and admitted that he swatted the offices of ProPublica and the investigative journalist. Denton also stated that it would be good if he was “raided” for the swatting because it would be viewed as a top-tier crime, and he felt that his arrest could benefit the Atomwaffen Division.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Timothy Thibault, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar 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. 1:20-cr-154.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Mathews County man was sentenced today to life in prison for engaging in a conspiracy to produce child pornography in connection with a purported “teen modeling” endeavor.

“As the evidence at trial demonstrated, the defendant preyed on, manipulated, and abused defenseless young girls,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our Office expresses its gratitude to the trial and law enforcement team for their relentless efforts in bringing the defendant to justice and holding him accountable for repeatedly victimizing children.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, William Wellington Hooper, Jr., 54, conspired with Jennifer Hutchens, 54, of Gloucester, to produce images of child sexual abuse of Jane Doe #1, a 15-year-old girl, and her 14-year-old friend, Jane Doe #2. During the months of April and May 2019, Hooper and Hutchens coerced Jane Doe #1 to engage in sexually explicit conduct in Gloucester County and Mathews County.

“Every case involving child sexual exploitation is difficult, but the level of manipulation and abuse carried out in this case is especially disturbing,” said Special Agent in Charge Raymond Villanueva for the HSI Washington, D.C. Field Office. “This individual deserved nothing less than a life sentence and HSI will continue to diligently investigate these crimes against children and rid our communities of these atrocious offenders.”

Hutchens, at the request of Hooper, also recruited other minor girls to pose for sexually explicit photographs in what Hooper called a “teen modeling” endeavor. Hooper promised these children, whose families were struggling financially, that they would be compensated. He specifically promised that Jane Doe #1 could make almost $3 million if she obeyed him completely. Hooper also asked Hutchens to find younger children for his photographs. In explaining his request, Hooper said that “[l]egal doesn’t matter” and suggested that Hutchens could get access to younger children by running a daycare, for which she could “[s]pecialize in problem[] girls between the ages of 8 and 12.”

A jury convicted Hooper at trial of conspiracy to produce child pornography, production of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a child. Hutchens previously pleaded guilty to producing child pornography and was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment on October 13, 2020.

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.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; L. Mark Barrick, Mathews County Sheriff; Darrell W. Warren, Jr., Gloucester County Sheriff; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge David J. Novak.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel, Howard J. Zlotnick, and Brittany M. Fisher 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. 4:20-cr-18.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted two individuals today for their roles in a nationwide investment fraud scheme that resulted in over $25 million in losses to more than 300 victims, most of whom were elderly.

“As proven during a five-week trial, these defendants and their co-conspirators defrauded hundreds of unsuspecting investors out of over $25 million, draining their retirement accounts and leaving a trail of financial and emotional devastation for the victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The jury’s verdicts bring us one step closer to securing justice for the victims of these damaging, manipulative, and life-altering schemes. Our Office is deeply appreciative to the trial team and our law enforcement partners for their tireless work in unraveling this complex fraud and ensuring these defendants are held accountable."

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Daryl Bank, 51, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, ran an investment fraud scheme from approximately January 2012 through July 2017, based in the Tidewater area and Port St. Lucie, and operating across the country. Bank and his co-conspirators—including attorney Billy Seabolt, 56, Raeann Gibson, 49, of Florida, and Roger Hudspeth 51, of Suffolk—deceived hundreds of unsuspecting investors, most of whom were at or near retirement age, by convincing them to invest in companies owned and controlled by Bank. At Bank’s direction, co-conspirators stole significant portions of investment contributions to fund their criminal enterprise and Bank’s lavish lifestyle.

In 2010, Bank, then a registered securities broker, was barred from the securities industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Undeterred, Bank created a private equity company called Dominion Private Client Group (Dominion) and continued to sell unregistered securities on his own and through insurance salesmen across the country. Billy Seabolt served as Dominion’s legal counsel and was involved in the development of many of the fraudulent investments and corporations.

The conspirators made material misrepresentations and omissions to sell illiquid, highly speculative investment vehicles. Based on these fraudulent representations, unsuspecting investors cashed out of 401(k) and other retirement accounts to invest in Bank’s investment vehicles, without knowing that Bank immediately transferred 20%–70% of the investors’ funds to companies that he controlled in the form of purported “fees.” As a result of this investment fraud scheme, the victims suffered losses in excess of $25 million.

Bank was convicted of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, selling unregistered securities, securities fraud, and money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of over 300 years in prison when sentenced on September 20. Seabolt was convicted of conspiracy and mail fraud, and he faces a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison when sentenced on September 15. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Gibson pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2020. Hudspeth pleaded guilty to investment advisor fraud and money laundering and was sentenced to over 12 years in prison in May 2018.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the verdicts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office extends its appreciation to the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Division of Securities.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa E. O’Boyle, Elizabeth M. Yusi, and Andrew Bosse prosecuted the case.

Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.

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. 2:17-cr-126.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach couple pleaded guilty this week to perpetrating a counterfeit coupon fraud scheme that cost retailers and manufacturers over $31 million in losses.

“These defendants orchestrated a nationwide scheme to make and sell counterfeit coupons, which defrauded businesses out of more than $31 million,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Counterfeiting coupons harms the entire retail industry and causes financial loss to consumers, businesses, and the economy. As this case demonstrates, those who use illegal get-rich-quick schemes to deceive others will be brought to justice.”

According to court documents, from approximately April 2017 through May 2020, Lori Ann Talens, 41, operated a complex scheme using social media sites and apps such as Facebook and Telegram to find groups of coupon enthusiasts and sell them counterfeit coupons. Lori Ann Talens, who operated online under the moniker “MasterChef,” used a computer to design, create, and produce a wide variety of counterfeit coupons in her Virginia Beach home. These counterfeit coupons were virtually indistinguishable from authentic coupons and were often created with inflated values, far in excess of what an authentic coupon would offer, in order to receive items from retail for free or for a greatly reduced price.

“Whenever someone uses the U.S. Mail to send counterfeit, illegal or improper items, Postal Inspectors will find them and bring them to justice,” said Peter R. Rendina, Postal Inspector in Charge, Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “We remain committed to keeping the mail safe for our customers and our employees.”

As part of the scheme, Lori Ann Talens would ship the counterfeit coupons throughout the United States using the U.S. Postal Service and other commercial parcel delivery services. She accepted payment for the counterfeit coupons through a variety of online payment methods, including Bitcoin and Paypal. Lori Ann’s husband, Pacifico Talens, 43, was aware of the counterfeit coupon scheme, profited from it, and assisted in the operation by shipping packages of counterfeit coupons and performing other administrative tasks at the direction of his wife.

The scheme was discovered when one of the Talens’s customers reported them to the Coupon Information Center (CIC), a coalition of consumer product manufacturers dedicated to coupon integrity. The CIC purchased coupons from the Talens, confirmed they were counterfeit, and contacted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for further investigation.

After identifying the defendants as the source of the counterfeit coupons, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant on their residence. During the search, agents seized nearly $1 million worth of counterfeit coupons from the residence. Furthermore, a review of the Talens’s computer revealed images for over 13,000 separate and distinct counterfeit coupon designs. The CIC reviewed these images and compared them to the known counterfeit coupons in circulation. The analysis concluded that coupon redemptions using the 13,000 counterfeit designs on the couple’s computer had caused approximately $31,817,997 million in losses to retailers and manufacturers.

In a separate scheme, from approximately November 2015 through February 2020, Lori Ann Talens defrauded Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Lori Ann Talens applied for benefits for each of these programs and failed to disclose either her husband Pacifico’s legitimate employment income, or their own illegitimate counterfeit coupon income. Had she disclosed this income, the Talens would not have been eligible for these benefits. The total loss to Medicaid and SNAP was approximately $43,000.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to mail fraud. Lori Ann Talens also pleaded guilty to wire fraud and health care fraud. Lori Ann Talens is scheduled to be sentenced on August 31, and she faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison. Pacifico Talens is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, and 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young accepted the plea.

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. 2:21-cr-39.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Arlington man with sex trafficking of minors, production of child pornography, and other commercial sexual exploitation offenses involving young adults.

“The defendant allegedly used his money and power to sexually exploit minors,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who prey on and victimize children, and to seeking justice for society’s most vulnerable members.”

“Erausquin allegedly exploited and abused underage girls without regard for the impact on his victims,” said Albert Murray III, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “The FBI is committed to stopping and holding accountable anyone who engages in the sexual exploitation of children. Together with our partners on the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, we are dedicated to investigating and bringing federal charges against those who commit these crimes.”

As alleged in court documents, Matthew Erausquin, 46, was a frequent commercial sex customer of six underage girls and three other young adults from June 2017 through at least August 2020. Erausquin met some of the girls on a “sugar daddy” website and a dating app, and in at least one instance pretended to be an 18 or 19-year-old teenager. Erausquin lured the girls into commercial sex arrangements, paying the girls between $500 to $800 each per sexual encounter and offering to pay at least $1,000 for threesome sexual activity. In addition to these payments, Erausquin gave the girls marijuana and expensive gifts, such as Tiffany’s purses.

As alleged in court documents, Erausquin secretly recorded some of the underage girls while he engaged in sexual activity with them. He also continued to engage in commercial sex with some of the girls after they turned 18 years old. After one victim moved out of state, he flew her back to Virginia for the holidays and paid her for sex.

Erausquin is charged with six counts of sex trafficking of minors, one count of production of child pornography, one count of transporting a person across state lines for purposes of prostitution, and three counts of coercion and enticement to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution. If convicted, Erausquin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison and a maximum penalty of life. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Albert Murray III, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and David M. Rohrer, Fairfax County Interim Chief of Police and Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen C. Cain and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Kramer are prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Significant assistance in this matter was provided by the Fairfax County Police Department.

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. 1:21-cr-49.

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

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to ten years in prison for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and felony possession of a controlled substance. Both charges stem from the defendant’s involvement in a January 2020 traffic stop that allegedly led to the death of Newport News Police Officer Katie Thyne.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 23, 2020, Vernon Evander Green II, 38, encountered Newport News Police at the Monitor Merrimac Overlook. Police responded to the area after reports of a vehicle with two occupants who appeared to be smoking marijuana. The officers found Green in the driver’s seat and asked him to exit the vehicle. He failed to comply with the officers’ requests and instead fled the scene in his vehicle.

A later search resulted in the recovery of marijuana in the vehicle, along with a soft cooler bag containing a firearm with Green’s fingerprint on the magazine. Green admitted he had previously been convicted of a felony and was not allowed to possess a firearm.

Today’s sentence in federal court consisted of ten years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and two years in prison for the felony controlled substance offense, with both prison terms to run concurrently to each other. The Court, however, ordered that the federal sentence run consecutively to any sentence that may be imposed in the future for Green’s separate pending charges involving felony homicide in Newport News and bank robbery in North Carolina. With regards to the pending Newport News matter, Green has been charged under Virginia state law with felony homicide, in connection with the death of Officer Thyne, in the Newport News Criminal General District Court. The defendant is presumed innocent of the pending state charges until proven guilty.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Lisa R. McKeel 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. 4:20-cr-35.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Brookside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (BRNC), located in Warrenton, has agreed to pay compensatory damages and a civil penalty, as well as enact remedial actions for residents with disabilities, to settle allegations that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The settlement agreement between the United States Attorney’s Office and BRNC resolves allegations that BRNC had denied admission to an individual who is deaf because she would need sign language interpreting services. The ADA prohibits covered entities from excluding individuals with disabilities from their services because they require auxiliary aid or services, such as a sign language interpreter.

“We are firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensuring that they have equal opportunity and equal access to essential health or medical services,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through the protections enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, EDVA will continue to uphold the civil rights of every member of our community, irrespective of disability, by taking action to eliminate injustices and remove barriers in public services and accommodations.”

Abraham A. Gutnicki and Judy Kushner, who manage BRNC and are parties to the settlement agreement, have an interest in seven other nursing facilities located in Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey. The remedial action agreed upon is to be implemented at those facilities.

To resolve this complaint, BRNC agreed to adopt new ADA policies that will make their services accessible to individuals with communication disabilities, including those who require the services of a sign language interpreter; designate an ADA Administrator, who will be responsible for ensuring each facilities’ compliance with the ADA; enter into agreements with sign language interpreting service providers to provide services to individuals who need them; and provide training for its personnel on the ADA’s effective communication requirements. The agreement covers eight of the nursing facilities in which Gutnicki and Kushner have an interest: (1) BRNC; (2) Cranford Rehab & Nursing Center; (3) Lynwood Manor Health Center; (4) Mystic Meadows Rehab & Nursing Center; (5) Oakwood Care Center; (6) Rehab at Rivers Edge; (7) Skyview Springs Rehab and Nursing Center; and (8) Wellspring at Amelia.

In addition to making changes to the policies and procedures at their nursing facilities, BRNC agreed to pay $40,000 to the resident to whom it denied admission and a $50,000 civil penalty.

The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Gordon, who is the Civil Rights Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The civil claims settled by this ADA agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.

For more information on the ADA and to access helpful compliance-related publications, visit ADA.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY). ADA complaints may be filed online at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man pleaded guilty today to conspiring with members of an international drug trafficking organization to possess and distribute more than 200 kilograms of cocaine.

According to court documents, Darrell King, II, 45, was a kilogram dealer of cocaine in the Tidewater area. Between June and October 2016, King received four deliveries of cocaine that arrived in hidden compartments of tractor-trailers driven cross-country from California. During this time, King and his co-conspirators used various locations, including an auto-repair garage operated by a co-conspirator in Newport News, to receive deliveries and provide money for the purchase of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine. King or his co-conspirators attended the unloading of cocaine from the tractor-trailers and brought King’s money, which they had counted and vacuum sealed, to be sent back to their California suppliers.

In June 2016, King received a delivery of 70 kilograms of cocaine at his home in Hayes, Virginia. In August 2016, he received two additional deliveries, totaling 105 kilograms of cocaine, at the Newport News garage. On October 20, 2016, King was scheduled to receive a fourth shipment of cocaine at the garage. That day, law enforcement executed search warrants and seized approximately 54 kilograms of cocaine and almost $1 million of King’s money, which was intended to pay for the cocaine being delivered.

King pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. King is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8, and he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Five of King’s co-conspirators—Marvin O’Neal Carter, 50, Michael Stephen Kuna, 42, of Canada, brothers Hilario Rodriguez, 50, and Daniel Rodriguez, 49, both of California, and Christopher Passione, 34, of Pennsylvania—were sentenced previously in 2017 to terms ranging from 9 to 27 years in prison based on their roles in the conspiracy.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Kenneth Ferguson, Acting Chief of Hampton Police Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the plea.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Cross and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bibeane Metsch and Brian Samuels are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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 Nos. 4:19-cr-77, 4:16-cr-76, and 4:18-cr-44.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An American military contractor was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for her role in a theft ring on a military installation in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

“This defendant exploited her position of trust as a security supervisor by facilitating the theft and movement of government equipment from a U.S. military base in Afghanistan into the hands of unknown and unvetted individuals,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendant, along with her co-conspirators, helped orchestrate and execute the scheme to circumvent the military base’s security protocols for their own financial gain. We will continue to hold accountable those who compromise the safety of the courageous women and men protecting us overseas.”

According to court documents, Varita V. Quincy, 35, of Snellville, Georgia, admitted that, between April 2015 and July 2015, she and others conspired to steal property from the Kandahar military installation, including generators, a truck, and other items worth over $150,000. Larry Green, one of Quincy’s co-conspirators, negotiated the sale of the stolen property with a third-country national middleman, who in turn facilitated the sale of the items to unknown persons in Kandahar.

Quincy further admitted that, to effectuate the theft of the generators and other property, she used her position as a security badging and escort pass supervisor to create, or cause to be made, false official documents. The false documents facilitated both the entry of unknown and unvetted Afghan nationals and their vehicles onto the military installation and effectuated the removal of the stolen property from the installation. The falsified documents were used to deceive security officers and gate guards and compromised the security of U.S. military and civilian personnel on the military installation. Leading up to today’s hearing, Quincy engaged in additional fraudulent conduct by submitting altered documents to the Court in aid of sentencing.

Quincy pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, 2020 to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit theft of property of value to the United States, and one count of making false statements. As part of her sentencing today, Quincy also was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,708.

Green pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit theft of property of value to the United States; one count of theft of property of value to the United States; and one count of aiding and abetting the submission of false statements. Green was sentenced on Nov. 19, 2020 to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $179,708 in restitution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh of the Eastern District of Virginia; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko made the announcement.

SIGAR investigated the case with help from the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and the 939th Military Police Detachment of the Indiana Army National Guard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky of the Eastern District of Virginia, and Trial Attorneys Sasha N. Rutizer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Rosaleen O’Gara of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity 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 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. 2:20-cr-55 and 2:20-cr-46.

An American military contractor was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for her role in a theft ring on a military installation in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Varita V. Quincy, 35, of Snellville, Georgia pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, 2020, to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit theft of property of value to the United States and one count of making false statements. According to court documents, Quincy admitted that, between April 2015 and July 2015, she and others conspired to and did steal property of value to the United States including generators, a truck, and other items worth over $150,000. Larry Green, one of her co-conspirators, negotiated the sale of the stolen property with a third-country national middleman, who in turn facilitated the sale of the items to unknown persons in Kandahar.

Quincy further admitted that, to effectuate the theft of the generators, she used her position as a security badging and escort pass supervisor to create or cause to be made false official documents. The false official documents facilitated both the entry of unknown and unvetted Afghan nationals and their vehicles on to the military installation and effectuated the removal of the stolen property from the installation. The falsified documents were used to deceive security officers and gate guards and compromised the security of U.S. military and civilian personnel on the military installation.

Green pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit theft of property of value to the United States; one count of theft of property of value to the United States; and one count of aiding and abetting the submission of false statements, and was sentenced on Nov. 19, 2020, to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $179,708 in restitution.

Quincy also was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,708. Further, Quincy’s sentence reflected her fraudulent post-trial conduct of submitting altered documents to the court on her behalf in advance of sentencing.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh of the Eastern District of Virginia; and Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John F. Sopko made the announcement.

SIGAR investigated the case with help from Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and the 939th Military Police Detachment of the Indiana Army National Guard.

Trial Attorneys Sasha N. Rutizer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Rosaleen O’Gara of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A five-time previously convicted felon was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for flying an airplane without a pilot’s license.

According to court documents, on September 27, 2018, Ryan Guy Parker, 31, of Fredericksburg, took an airplane at Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg for a joyride. Parker, who named his business “Outlaw Aviation,” was employed by the airplane’s owner to assemble the plane but had not yet completed the job. At the time of the flight, the airplane had a caster rear wheel, a plastic bicycle water bottle for radiator overflow, and duct tape on key parts of the aircraft.

Despite poor weather conditions, Parker flew just above Shannon Airport’s fuel tanks and twice crossed the airspace used by aircraft on approach to Shannon Airport’s main runway. He flew around the airport for 10 to 15 minutes at a dangerous altitude of around 500 feet. Parker did not possess a pilot’s license at the time of the flight.

According to court documents, the defendant has a lengthy criminal history with five prior felony convictions, including a previous conviction involving unlawful activity pertaining to aircraft. In that case, the defendant was found guilty in the Stafford County Circuit Court for destruction of property and unauthorized use of a vehicle in connection with a separate September 2018 incident that occurred at the Stafford Regional Airport.

On January 22, Parker pleaded guilty to serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Jamie Mazzone, Mid-Atlantic Region Special Agent-In-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis, III.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lebowitz and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Roberts 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. 1:20-cr-78.

UPDATE

The indictment described in the press release below was dismissed without prejudice by U.S. District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on June 23, 2021.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia returned an indictment Wednesday charging six former employees of a government contractor for their role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a U.S. government contract to recruit and deploy qualified linguists to Afghanistan where they would provide language services in Dari and Pashto to the U.S. military, including interacting with Afghan civilians and military forces.

According to court documents, Mezghan N. Anwari, 41, of Centerville, Virginia, Abdul Q. Latifi, 45, of Irvine, California, Mahjoba Raofi, 47, of San Diego, California, Laila Anwari, 54, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Rafi M. Anwari, 54, of Centerville, Virginia, and Zarghona Alizai, 48, of Annandale, Virginia, were employed as linguist recruiters for the Arlington, Virginia-based government contractor, which performed subcontract services such as recruiting linguists to serve in support of U.S. military operations, pursuant to a U.S. government prime contract valued in excess of $700 million.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants exploited the trust placed in them by the U.S. military and recruited unqualified linguists to be deployed to Afghanistan,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are committed to holding accountable those who undermine the integrity of the procurement process and potentially jeopardize the United States’ mission overseas.”

The indictment alleges, among other things, that the defendants knowingly recruited linguists who lacked the minimum language proficiency in Dari or Pashto. The defendants arranged for other individuals with stronger language skills to fraudulently impersonate the unqualified linguist candidates during oral proficiency interviews, which were tests independently conducted by another government contractor to ensure that candidates identified by the defendants met minimum proficiency standards. In so doing, the defendants sought to make it appear that the linguist candidates possessed stronger language skills than was the case and to ensure that their unqualified linguist candidates would receive passing scores. At times, the defendants themselves fraudulently impersonated candidates during interviews. During the scheme, the defendants received a base salary plus a series of incentive-based bonuses determined by how far through a multi-step vetting process a recruited candidate progressed.

“The defendants in this case allegedly engaged in an expansive conspiracy to enrich themselves at the expense of American soldiers and military operations in Afghanistan,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Fraud and abuse of U.S. government contracts paid for by the American taxpayer, and designed to support our men and women uniform, will not be tolerated.”

“This indictment alleges serious crimes that threatened to put American troops at greater risk in a combat zone,” said John F. Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). “I’m proud that SIGAR special agents and their investigative partners got to the bottom of this alleged scheme. We remain committed to protecting our country’s investment in Afghanistan reconstruction, and to pursuing justice anytime that investment is put at risk.”

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to ensuring the integrity of the Department of Defense’s procurement system” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the Transnational Operations Field Office for DCIS. “The special agents of DCIS along with our investigative partners will vigorously investigate contractors who attempt to rig the system for their own ill-gotten gain. Illicit conduct of this sort deprives our military forces of crucial services and cheats the American taxpayer. We remain steadfast in our mission to root out fraud against U.S. Department of Defense and bring those responsible to justice.”

Mezghan Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud. Latifi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. Raofi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Laila Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Rafi Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Alizai is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

The defendants are scheduled for arraignment on May 5, before U.S. District Court Judge Anthony J. Trenga in the Eastern District of Virginia. If convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and DCIS are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Burke and Trial Attorneys Michael McCarthy and Matthew Kahn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud 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 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. 1:21-cr-85.

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

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UPDATE

The indictment described in the press release below was dismissed without prejudice by U.S. District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema on June 23, 2021.

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A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia returned an indictment Wednesday charging six former employees of a government contractor for their role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a U.S. government contract to recruit and deploy qualified linguists to Afghanistan where they would provide language services in Dari and Pashto to the U.S. military, including interacting with Afghan civilians and military forces.

According to court documents, Mezghan N. Anwari, 41, of Centerville, Virginia, Abdul Q. Latifi, 45, of Irvine, California, Mahjoba Raofi, 47, of San Diego, California, Laila Anwari, 54, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Rafi M. Anwari, 54, of Centerville, Virginia, and Zarghona Alizai, 48, of Annandale, Virginia, were employed as linguist recruiters for the Arlington, Virginia-based government contractor, which performed subcontract services such as recruiting linguists to serve in support of U.S. military operations, pursuant to a U.S. government prime contract valued in excess of $700 million.

The indictment alleges, among other things, that the defendants knowingly recruited linguists who lacked the minimum language proficiency in Dari or Pashto. The defendants arranged for other individuals with stronger language skills to fraudulently impersonate the unqualified linguist candidates during oral proficiency interviews, which were tests independently conducted by another government contractor to ensure that candidates identified by the defendants met minimum proficiency standards. In so doing, the defendants sought to make it appear that the linguist candidates possessed stronger language skills than was the case and to ensure that their unqualified linguist candidates would receive passing scores. At times, the defendants themselves fraudulently impersonated candidates during interviews. During the scheme, the defendants received a base salary plus a series of incentive-based bonuses determined by how far through a multi-step vetting process a recruited candidate progressed.

“The defendants in this case allegedly engaged in an expansive conspiracy to enrich themselves at the expense of American soldiers and military operations in Afghanistan,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Fraud and abuse of U.S. government contracts paid for by the American taxpayer, and designed to support our men and women uniform, will not be tolerated.”

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants exploited the trust placed in them by the U.S. military and recruited unqualified linguists to be deployed to Afghanistan,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are committed to holding accountable those who undermine the integrity of the procurement process and potentially jeopardize the United States’ mission overseas.”

“This indictment alleges serious crimes that threatened to put American troops at greater risk in a combat zone,” said John F. Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). “I’m proud that SIGAR special agents and their investigative partners got to the bottom of this alleged scheme. We remain committed to protecting our country’s investment in Afghanistan reconstruction, and to pursuing justice anytime that investment is put at risk.”

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to ensuring the integrity of the Department of Defense's procurement system” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the Transnational Operations Field Office for DCIS. “The special agents of DCIS along with our investigative partners will vigorously investigate contractors who attempt to rig the system for their own ill-gotten gain.  Illicit conduct of this sort deprives our military forces of crucial services and cheats the American taxpayer. We remain steadfast in our mission to root out fraud against U.S. Department of Defense and bring those responsible to justice.”

Mezghan Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud.  Latifi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. Raofi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Laila Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Rafi Anwari is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Alizai is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. The defendants are scheduled for initial court appearances on May 5, before U.S. District Court Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. If convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

 SIGAR, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, and DCIS are investigating the case.

The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is the nation’s leading prosecuting authority for complex procurement fraud and corruption cases.

Trial Attorneys Michael McCarthy and Matthew Kahn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Burke of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Daniel Butler of the Fraud Section contributed significantly to the investigation of this case.

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

ALEXANDRIA – Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh is encouraging community members in the Eastern District of Virginia to participate in DEA’s 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, to be held at participating locations on Saturday, April 24, 2021.

For this year’s Take Back Day, Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh will be participating in a public event with senior leadership of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), including Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans and Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget. The event will also feature Acting Director Regina LaBelle of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the 2020 Miss America, Camille Schrier, who is currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and serves as a prescription safety advocate. The event will take place on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fairfax County Police Department’s West Springfield District Station, which serves as a Take Back site for the community.

“Take Back Day allows our communities to safely dispose of unused and unwanted prescription drugs, which could save lives by reducing the chances that they will be misused and cause an overdose,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We must continue working together to raise awareness about the need for everyone to remain vigilant year-round in safely disposing of prescription drugs that are no longer needed. We fully support these vital efforts by DEA and all of our law enforcement partners as we stand united in combating the opioid crisis that has been ravaging our communities.”

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a bi-annual event that aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked of individuals who participate in the event.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that opioid overdose deaths have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to preliminary CDC data, 87,203 Americans died as a result of a drug overdose from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020, which is the most ever recorded within a one-year period and represents an approximately 27 percent increase in reported deaths year-over-year. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating significantly during the first months of the public health crisis.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, fatal drug overdoses have been the leading cause of accidental or unnatural deaths in Virginia since 2013, and in the second and third quarters of 2020, the Commonwealth experienced a more than 62% increase in fatal drug overdoses compared to the same time periods in 2019.

Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharp objects, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop-off locations, as long as the lithium batteries are removed.

To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. In addition to Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information about the event on April 24, or to locate a collection site near you, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ or call 1-800-882-9539.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Reston man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl to an individual who later suffered a fatal overdose.

“The defendant’s fentanyl trafficking significantly endangered our communities and caused victim N.G. to suffer a tragic overdose,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “While no prosecution can bring victim N.G. back to his family and loved ones, we hope that this case has brought some measure of peace and closure to them, all of whom deserve justice and healing for their devastating loss.”

According to court documents, Peter Andrew Romm, 36, regularly traveled to Baltimore to buy heroin and fentanyl, which he then sold to customers in Northern Virginia. Romm sold the drugs in two forms: enclosed in small plastic capsules and folded in small slips of paper.

Romm’s customers included an individual identified in court documents as N.G. On October 7, 2019, Romm sold fentanyl to N.G. through a middleman, Tyler Huston. N.G. later consumed the fentanyl and fatally overdosed; he was found dead in his home the next morning. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of N.G.’s death was acute fentanyl poisoning. Text messages recovered from N.G.’s phone indicate that Huston had nonfatally overdosed on drugs obtained from Romm prior to the transaction that resulted in N.G.’s death.

As recently as February 2020, Romm was traveling to Baltimore regularly to buy fentanyl, sometimes with his girlfriend and co-conspirator, Donnetta Ferguson, who aided him in distributing narcotics. On February 11, 2020, Romm was arrested on his way back from Baltimore in possession of approximately 75 capsules of fentanyl. During a post-arrest interview with law enforcement, Romm admitted to selling fentanyl in Northern Virginia, including to N.G. through a middleman. Despite being informed by law enforcement during this interview that N.G. had died of a drug overdose, Romm was arrested again eight days later, along with Ferguson, on his way back from Baltimore with another 72 capsules of fentanyl in his vehicle.

On November 4, 2020, Romm pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of fentanyl. As part of his plea agreement, Romm admitted that the fentanyl he distributed caused N.G.’s death. Tyler Huston and Donnetta Ferguson also pleaded guilty to charges relating to their roles in the conspiracy.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; and David M. Rohrer, Fairfax County Interim Chief of Police and Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Rumbaugh and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karolina Klyuchnikova 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. 1:20-cr-176.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Senior Executive Service (SES) employee of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent applications for over $350,000 in COVID-19 economic relief loans and benefits.

“Despite holding a senior executive position at NASA, the defendant applied for over $350,000 in fraudulent loans and benefits,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “In doing so, he essentially treated COVID-19 relief programs as a personal piggy bank, using funds intended to provide pandemic relief for small businesses and the unemployed to pay down his credit card debt, pay off loans for a residential pool and minivan, and pay a dog-breeder, among other personal expenses. EDVA will continue to hold accountable individuals who exploit a national economic crisis in order to unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of those in genuine need due to the pandemic.”

According to court documents, Andrew Tezna, 36, of Leesburg, fraudulently submitted three loan applications to two financial institutions (totaling $272,284) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal initiative designed to help businesses pay their employees and meet their basic expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tezna also submitted two Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program applications to the Small Business Administration (totaling $69,500), and he applied for COVID-related unemployment benefits from Virginia, ostensibly for his mother-in-law, who was retired and did not qualify for the benefits (totaling $15,950). In support of the fraudulent PPP loan applications, Tezna submitted fabricated IRS tax returns and fraudulently claimed payroll expenses that did not exist.

“People’s greed, especially when it involves fraudulently obtaining funds meant to help those in need, is truly disappointing,” said Darrell J. Waldon, IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office. “We will continue to work with our agency counterparts to ensure all are held accountable.”

Tezna successfully obtained over $285,000 from the PPP loans and unemployment benefits. The bulk of the money came from PPP loans applied for in his and his mother-in-law’s names for businesses that did not exist. He then spent the funds, among other things, to pay off a personal loan for a residential pool, to pay off a personal loan for a minivan, to pay off personally incurred credit card debt, for a down payment on a new car, and to pay a dog-breeder. In addition, Tezna also admitted to filing a false Financial Disclosure Report with NASA.

“As a NASA senior executive, the Agency placed a great deal of trust in Tezna. Taking advantage of the CARES Act to fraudulently obtain PPP loans not only violated the Agency’s trust, but the trust of American people that sought assistance for the legitimate needs of their struggling businesses,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark J. Zielinski, NASA Office of Inspector General, Eastern Field Office.

Tezna pleaded guilty to bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16. 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Darrell J. Waldon, IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Mark J. Zielinski, NASA Office of Inspector General, Eastern Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly M. Shartar and Jamar K. Walker 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. 1:27-cr-77.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Portsmouth woman pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud veterans.

“This defendant has been brought to justice for orchestrating numerous fraudulent schemes against veterans who honorably served their country,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “For those who steal, misappropriate, and divert funds that belong to our country’s veterans, this case sends a strong message that you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your inexcusable conduct.”

According to court documents, Rita Copeland, 59, operated an entity known as “Veteran Services of the Commonwealth.” Copeland purported to provide caregiving, contracting, and rental assistance services to various veterans from 2016 through 2020. Copeland caused a number of victims to apply for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Such grant payments are to be used for certain designated improvements to the residences of veterans. Copeland failed to perform all of the promised work and used a portion of these payments to her own benefit, contrary to the designated purposes of the funds.

Copeland also diverted the income and retirement fund payments of another veteran to a bank account that she had opened. In addition, Copeland fraudulently obtained and diverted loan funds and used the credit and debit cards of this elderly victim. Finally, Copeland engaged in a rental fraud scheme, purporting to link veterans and others with landlords, but then diverting rental and security deposit payments to her own benefit.

Copeland pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, and she is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for wire fraud and a mandatory consecutive term of two years for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Samuels is prosecuting the case.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Norfolk Division’s Peninsula Resident Agency.

Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.

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. 4:20-cr-63.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia joins communities nationwide in commemorating the 40th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 18–24, 2021. This year’s theme, Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities, emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.

“We are firmly committed to upholding victims’ rights as we protect the safety of our communities and pursue equal justice under the law in a broad range of criminal and civil matters across EDVA,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “From seeking justice for victims of terrorism, human trafficking, child exploitation, and other violent and white-collar crimes, to enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, vindicating the rights of military servicemembers and veterans, and securing restitution for the victims of financial fraud, we will stand with victims and ensure their voices are heard. This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week recognizes the importance of, and power in, all facets of the community—including stakeholders in the justice system, victim advocates, charitable organizations, faith-based groups, health care providers, and mental health professionals—standing together to ensure that victims of crime receive the services, healing, and justice they need and deserve.”

NCVRW is a time to renew our commitment to serving victims of crime, acknowledge achievements made in the victim services field, and remember crime victims and survivors. For more information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week website.

The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW, during which victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local, and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.

In the Eastern District of Virginia, those events will include the following:

• A virtual training on Privacy, Protection, and Fairness: Why Crime Victims’ Rights Matter to Victims of Violence, hosted by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services on April 20.

• The Unsung Heroes awards ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General on April 21 to recognize outstanding service and support to victims of crime in the Commonwealth. For more information about the event, please visit here.

• National Crime Victims’ Rights Candlelight Vigil & 2-Mile Walk, hosted by the Stafford Country Sheriff’s Office on April 23.

To commemorate the NCVRW this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is holding a clothing drive to donate garments and toiletries to a local non-profit organization that assists women and children in crisis. Additionally, among other initiatives led by the Victim-Witness Unit, EVDA is hosting speakers to raise awareness of victim issues.

On April 16, Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh hosted a virtual event in which Aloke Chakravarty, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, discussed his experience prosecuting the Boston Marathon bombings case. The discussion also focused on the collaboration and coordination required to ensure that victims’ voices were heard during the investigation and resulting trial.

On April 23, Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh will host a virtual fireside chat with Tony West, who in his former role as the Justice Department’s Associate Attorney General (2012–2014) helped secure nearly $37 billion in fines and restitution for American victims in connection with the 2009 financial crisis.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach woman was sentenced today to five years in prison for her role in an internet-based loan scam that defrauded nearly 1,700 owners and prospective owners of small businesses out of $1,076,000.

According to court documents, Terri Beth Miller, 53, along with her husband, Ronald A. Smith, 60, set up an internet-based company, Business Development Group, that offered, in exchange for an advance fee, assistance to individuals in preparing applications to obtain loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). From August 2012 through February 2018, Miller and Smith solicited potential customers on the basis of false, fraudulent, and misleading statements and representations, including that the company was headquartered at the Trump Building in New York City with additional offices in Las Vegas, that it was affiliated with the SBA, that it had favorable relationships with banks across the nation, and had assisted well-known large companies in obtaining SBA loans. They offered a money-back guarantee, but in fact employed various fraudulent methods to deny refunds. Miller ran the day-to-day operations of the company with the knowledge that it was a fraudulent enterprise.

“Miller and Smith’s brazen scheme resulted in over a million dollars in losses and inflicted serious financial and emotional hardship to many of their nearly 1,700 victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “For those who seek to deprive our hardworking community members from receiving crucial financial assistance, you will be held accountable in EDVA and brought to justice.”

Miller and Smith solicited 1,669 customers, who paid an aggregate sum of about $1,076,000 in advance fees. Most of these customers did not receive an SBA-guaranteed loan.

Smith and Miller were previously convicted of criminal conduct before they executed this scheme. In 2006, Smith was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia for nearly the identical advance-fee scam. In 2008, Miller was prosecuted in the Western District of Pennsylvania for malicious destruction of property by fire after she set fire to a business to obtain the insurance proceeds.

Miller pleaded guilty on October 23, 2020 to wire fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. On April 9, 2021, Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the advance-fee scheme and other fraudulent conduct relating to COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Derek Pickle, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA’s Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.

The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Small Business Administration, and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Salsbury 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-69.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The last of six defendants were sentenced today for participating in multiple health care fraud conspiracies involving kickbacks and fraudulent billings that resulted in nearly $8 million in losses to federal, state, and private health care benefit programs.

“Health insurance programs, and the American public, rely on pharmacy professionals to safeguard the system from harmful kickback schemes, and to make truthful representations about the services they provide,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The defendants betrayed their duties as health care professionals, performed illegal kickbacks, and defrauded essential benefit programs out of millions of dollars. EDVA is committed to prosecuting those who exploit taxpayers and engage in the unacceptable fleecing of these important public institutions and programs.”

According to court documents, Mohamed Abdalla, 48, of Allendale, New Jersey, owned multiple pharmacies in northern Virginia, including Medex Health Pharmacy in Falls Church and Royal Care Pharmacy in Fairfax. As the owner of these pharmacies, Abdalla oversaw and executed two related schemes to defraud health care benefit programs. One scheme involved the payment or receipt of unlawful kickbacks for expensive drugs and devices in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. Another scheme involved billing federal, state, and private health care benefit programs for numerous expensive drugs and devices that were not medically necessary, not prescribed by a physician, or were not received by a beneficiary.

“Health care professionals who use fraud and deceit to steal funds and scam the system will be held accountable for their actions,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “These individuals, who are supposed to be trusted by the American public, were fueled by greed and their own interests to exploit their profession and pad their pockets. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to root out fraud in the health care industry and protect the public from their illegal schemes.”

From at least January 2014 through at least the end of 2018, Abdalla participated in several schemes to pay kickbacks for the referral of prescriptions for compound medications and for an expensive naloxone auto-injector device used to treat opioid emergencies. Abdalla and his conspirators then billed federal health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, which is the Department of Defense’s health care program, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Abdalla obtained over $2 million from these schemes.

“This investigation is a prime example of how kickback schemes undermine the integrity of the U.S. military healthcare system, and degrade the acquisition process,” said Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “These sentencings should send a clear warning that DCIS and its investigative partners will vigorously pursue fraudsters intent on lining their pockets with tax dollars earmarked for the care of our Warfighters.”

In addition, Abdalla and employees at his pharmacies conspired to defraud federal, state, and private health care benefit programs by engaging in numerous other schemes, including billing for prescriptions in the names of themselves, family members, and other pharmacy employees that were not medically necessary and/or not prescribed by a licensed physician, and billing for prescriptions for pharmacy customers that were never filled. These additional schemes resulted in a loss to these health care benefit programs of approximately $6,216,434.39.

“Health care providers are trusted to recommend and provide prescription medications that their patients need,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, HHS Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office. “Today’s sentencing shows individuals who commit fraud and pay kickbacks will be held responsible for their illegal actions. HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to investigate allegations of health care fraud and ensure the integrity of Federal programs.”

On March 19, Abdalla was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the conspiracies. Five additional defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their respective roles in conspiring to pay kickbacks and defraud health insurance providers:

Onkur Lal, 30, of Alexandria, worked for Abdalla as a pharmacy technician and pharmacy intern before ultimately working as a licensed pharmacist. From approximately January 2014 to April 2019, Lal engaged in numerous health care fraud schemes resulting in millions of dollars in losses. At times, Lal used his specialized knowledge to circumvent audits and investigations by third parties, who were investigating fraud on behalf of health benefit programs. On March 5, Lal was sentenced to three years in prison.

Mohammed Tariq Amin, 35, of Fairfax, worked for Abdalla as a pharmacy technician and was the general manager of Royal Care for almost two years. From approximately January 2015 to November 2018, Amin conspired with Abdalla and others to pay kickbacks for the referral of prescriptions of an expensive naloxone auto-injector device. He also engaged in numerous other schemes that defrauded health care benefit programs and used his specialized knowledge to circumvent audits and investigations. Amin was sentenced today to two years in prison.

Daniel Tyler Walker, 51, of Lewes, Delaware, worked as a pharmaceutical sales specialist for a pharmaceutical company and was responsible for marketing an expensive naloxone auto-injector device used to treat opioid emergencies. From approximately August 2015 to April 2017, Walker accepted kickbacks from Abdalla and Amin for the referral of prescriptions for this device, which were then billed to federal health care programs. Walker was sentenced today to 15 months in prison.

Seth Michael Myers, 53, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, from approximately spring of 2013 to mid-2016, conspired with Abdalla, another individual who was a licensed physician, and others to accept kickbacks for the referral of expensive compound medications that were billed to federal health care benefit programs. A company that was created by Myers and the licensed physician was paid over $2.5 million during the scheme. On March 19, Myers was sentenced to two years in prison.

Michael Beatty, 53, of Finksburg, Maryland, worked as a licensed pharmacist at Fallston Pharmacy in Fallston, Maryland. From approximately the summer of 2013 to the fall of 2014, Beatty conspired with Myers and a licensed physician to pay kickbacks for the referral of expensive compound medications, which were billed to federal health care benefit programs. On March 5, Beatty was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Chris Dillard, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, HHS Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office; Norbert E. Vint, Deputy Inspector General Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of the Inspector General; and Mark S. McCormack, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monika Moore, Carina Cuellar, and Jamar Walker prosecuted the 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 No. 1:20-cr-250.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced today that it will be providing the attached

Dear Colleague Letter reminding community partners that are involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response that the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to their services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe and distressing impact on people with disabilities, who, through no fault of their own, have faced additional barriers due to the public health crisis,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will vigorously pursue justice on behalf of those who are not provided equal access because of their disability. It is absolutely critical that COVID-19 resources, including vaccines and testing, are implemented in a manner that ensures individuals with disabilities are not subjected to discrimination and are able to access those services.”

The Dear Colleague Letter explains that ADA “considerations may include: whether registration systems and websites are available to individuals who have vision or hearing disabilities; whether facilities selected as vaccine or COVID-19 testing sites are accessible to people with mobility disabilities; and whether there is effective communication for people with disabilities in conveying information about such services.”

The Dear Colleague Letter includes links to numerous federal publications that provide a detailed discussion of the ADA’s requirements, including publications on ADA.gov. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a technical assistance document titled “ADA Checklist for Polling Places,” which may serve as a helpful guide to states and municipalities in selecting vaccination sites, as well as providing temporary remedies to ensure that vaccination programs are accessible to people with disabilities. Like polling places, vaccination sites often have another primary use (such as a gym or community center), so the considerations for their selection and the methods used for ensuring their accessibility are applicable. The Dear Colleague Letter also includes links to additional resources and publications provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, through its Civil Rights Enforcement (“CRE”) Unit, in partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, vigorously enforces a variety of federal statutes that prohibit discrimination, including the ADA, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. EDVA’s CRE Unit also enforces the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

For more information on the ADA, visit ADA.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

EDVA Dear Colleague Letter (COVID-19 ADA)

NORFOLK, Va. – A California man was sentenced today to 24 years in prison for organizing and running a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and commercial sex trafficking ring from his state prison cell.

“While already imprisoned for a sexual exploitation offense, the defendant organized and led a drug and sex trafficking conspiracy that placed profits over the lives and well-being of vulnerable victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This prosecution serves as a reminder that those who exploit and inflict harm on our community members, from behind bars or elsewhere, will be brought to justice.”

According to court documents, Foster Shane Gaines, 44, was serving an eight-year sentence in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for engaging in the prostitution of an adult woman. Beginning in approximately 2016, Gaines launched a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine from a source of supply in California to co-conspirators in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Using cellphones smuggled into prison, Gaines directed co-conspirators in California, Nevada, and elsewhere to mail parcels of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Petersburg, and elsewhere. Once the methamphetamine was distributed to customers during transactions that Gaines, at times, personally arranged using his contraband cellphones, the co-conspirators returned the proceeds from the sales to Gaines and his confederates by way of prepaid stored value cards or bulk cash sent through the mail.

“Gaines’s actions exemplify someone with a complete disregard for our laws and for the welfare of American citizens and deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” said Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. field office. “Sex and drug trafficking are both transnational issues and occur within nearly every region of the United States. HSI is proudly charged with preventing these types of crimes from happening and thwarting criminal networks that capitalize on them.”

In addition to his methamphetamine trafficking, Gaines also organized and led a commercial sex trafficking ring that at times involved approximately ten adult females and two juvenile girls. Again, using his smuggled cellphones, Gaines recruited women and girls to work as prostitutes by contacting them over various social media platforms. In exchange for 40 to 50 percent of their commercial sex proceeds, Gaines created online advertisements for commercial sex, rented hotel and motel rooms, communicated with customers, organized transportation, and otherwise managed their commercial sex activities. Gaines also arranged for a professional photographer to take sexually suggestive photographs of some women for use in the commercial sex advertisements he created for them, and he frequently directed his co-conspirators to provide cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other drugs to the women and girls. As with the proceeds from the methamphetamine sales, Gaines directed that the women and girls transmit their commercial sex proceeds to him through bulk cash mailings or prepaid stored value cards.

On October 11, 2019, Gaines pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a child.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police; Col. K.L. Wright, Chief of Chesapeake Police; Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, 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. 2:18-cr-143.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Within the last week, three individuals pleaded guilty to their involvement in a conspiracy to launder at least $30 million of drug proceeds combined throughout the United States on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations (DTOs). These guilty pleas are the result of a nearly four-year investigation into the relationship between foreign drug trafficking organizations and Asian money laundering networks in the United States, China, Mexico, and elsewhere.

“These defendants were involved in a wide-ranging conspiracy to launder millions of dollars of drug proceeds throughout the United States to aid foreign drug trafficking organizations,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Through their tenacity and indefatigable investigative efforts, our law enforcement partners unraveled the complex money laundering scheme, which involved the use of casinos, front companies, foreign and domestic bank accounts, and bulk cash smuggling. This prosecution demonstrates our continued commitment to dismantle and bring to justice transnational criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities.”

“For years, these defendants participated in a sophisticated money laundering system to help drug  cartels line their pockets with the ill-gotten gains of drug trafficking, while profiting considerably, themselves,” said Wendy Woolcock, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Special Operations Division. “Money laundering is not a victimless crime – the actions of these individuals routed millions of dollars in drug proceeds back to the cartels, allowing these criminal organizations to further their activities, flooding our communities with dangerous drugs, causing devastating addictions and death. The apprehension and prosecution of these individuals is a significant success for the DEA, and we thank our countless partners for their work in this transnational effort to battle money laundering and other related crimes at the highest levels.”

“The dedicated men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration will go to great lengths to ensure those who profit off of the poisoning of our communities are ultimately brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Todd Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “I’m very proud of the work done by our folks, along with our law enforcement counterparts in this complex investigation.”

According to court records, the defendants participated in a years’ long conspiracy to use casinos, front companies, foreign and domestic bank accounts, and bulk cash smuggling to launder money on behalf of transnational drug trafficking organizations, whose main trafficking activities involved cocaine. The DTOs issued “contracts” to the defendants to collect money generated by drug trafficking activities in the United States, and members of the conspiracy engaged in financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the original proceeds, in return for the payment of commissions.

To facilitate the scheme, the defendants used several methodologies, including transporting, or causing others to transport, drug proceeds across the United States and in the Eastern District of Virginia. The defendants also converted drug proceeds into Chinese and Mexican currency through a variety of methods, including “mirror transfers” in which financial transactions in the United States are used to trigger the release of equivalent funds into bank accounts in China, with those funds then being used to purchase Chinese goods that are subsequently sold by merchants in Latin American countries, including Mexico.

As part of a guilty plea entered on April 9, Jiayu Chen, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, admitted to his participation in the drug trafficking and money laundering network. Chen received drug proceeds from couriers in New York City and then delivered this cash to other individuals who conducted additional financial transactions with the money to hide its source. Chen kept detailed ledgers of the money he received totaling approximately $2.8 million. During this period, Chen was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and he received drug proceeds from, and paid commissions to, couriers as compensation for their role in transporting drug proceeds. On at least one occasion, Chen accepted bulk drug proceeds while wearing his USPS uniform.

As part of a guilty plea entered today, Tao Liu, 46, of Hong Kong, admitted that he worked with his co-defendants to execute the money laundering scheme. At times, Liu accepted bulk drug cash on behalf of co-defendant Xizhi Li, which he later deposited into bank accounts that Xizhi Li provided. Additionally, Liu was the target of a months-long undercover investigation during which he attempted to bribe what he believed was a corrupt U.S. Department of State official to obtain U.S. passports for individuals, including Tao himself, who were not otherwise entitled to use or possess such documents. This purportedly corrupt official was actually an undercover DEA agent. Liu agreed to pay $150,000 per passport as part of this scheme.

As part of a guilty plea entered today, Jingyuan Li, 49, of San Gabriel, California, admitted that he used a California-based seafood import/export business, known as “Shuoyu USA Inc.” (Shuoyu), in connection with the above-described money laundering scheme. Specifically, Li used the proceeds of drug trafficking to purchase goods through Shuoyu, which he later had shipped to China and Hong Kong for sale. This enabled the conspiracy to pay back the DTOs who gave the conspiracy the contracts to launder their money. Additionally, Li organized and participated in the delivery of drug cash within the United States. In all, Li’s activities resulted in the laundering of at least $3.8 million of drug proceeds.

Jiayu Chen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, and he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 20, 2021. Tao Liu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and bribery of a public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, when he is sentenced on July 13, 2021. Jingyuan Li pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, and he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 13, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In addition to the three defendants referenced above, two other defendants, Xizhi Li, 45, and Eric Yong Woo, 43, previously were charged in the superseding indictment for their alleged involvement in the scheme. Li and Woo have pleaded not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty at trial, which currently is scheduled for August 23, 2021. In addition, Jianxing Chen, 40, was charged in the superseding indictment for his alleged involvement, and he remains a fugitive.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, Operation Dark Castle and Taishan Triangle. 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.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Wendy C. Woolcock, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA-Louisville; Raymond P. Donovan, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA-New York; Jessica Moore, Chief of the Criminal Investigations Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the pleas.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Peters and Michael P. Ben’Ary and Trial Attorneys Kerry Blackburn, Mary Daly, and Stephen A. Sola of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case.

Significant assistance was provided by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Federal Police, the Mexican Federal Police, Australia Department of Home Affairs, the Guatemalan National Civil Police (PNC), and the New Zealand Police.

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. 1:19-cr-334.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Reston man pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to create counterfeit Economic Impact Payments (also known as COVID-19 stimulus checks), and for attempting to conduct a series of fraudulent financial transactions.

“The defendant illegally obtained the personal identifiers and financial information of more than 150 individuals in EDVA by stealing their mail, which he then used to conduct fraudulent transactions and create counterfeit COVID-19 stimulus checks,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are firmly committed to holding accountable fraudsters who engage in identity theft and exploit a national economic crisis for personal gain at the expense of hardworking members of our communities.”

According to court documents, Jonathan Drew, 38, stole U.S. mail addressed to more than 150 individuals in Fairfax County between approximately December 2019 and August 2020. The mail Drew stole included bank statements, credit cards, credit card statements, W-2 forms, and more than $700,000 in checks, including a COVID-19 stimulus payment and checks Drew used to create counterfeit checks.

According to court documents, Drew used the stolen stimulus check to create counterfeit stimulus checks ranging from $1,200 to $2,400, and he negotiated his own authentically issued stimulus check twice. Drew also used the personally identifiable information of several individuals without authorization to lease an apartment, open bank accounts, and attempt to conduct fraudulent transactions through counterfeit checks, forged checks, unauthorized use of credit cards, and wire transfers.

Drew is scheduled to be sentenced on August 25. He faces a maximum penalty of 32 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum of two years. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; Peter R. Rendina, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; David M. Rohrer, Fairfax County Interim Chief of Police and Deputy County Executive for Public Safety; and Michael L. Chapman, Loudoun County Sheriff, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberta O. Roberts and Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell L. Carlberg 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. 1:21-cr-71.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk woman was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for wire fraud and participating in the preparation of over 30 fraudulent income tax returns while she served as the co-owner of a tax preparation service with multiple offices in the Hampton Roads area.

“As the evidence demonstrated at trial, the defendant repeatedly violated her trusted position as a tax preparer and ran a business based on deceptive and duplicitous practices in order to enrich herself,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Tax fraud schemes are serious offenses that deprive our communities of necessary resources, and those who engage in this conduct will be held accountable in EDVA.”

According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Nikia Tull, 44, was the co-owner, operator, and manager of YT Phoenix Enterprises, Inc., aka Phoenix Financial Tax Service, a tax preparation service based in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. Between 2014 and 2018, Tull willfully participated in preparing and submitting 33 federal income tax returns to the IRS containing numerous false and fraudulent items. In 2019, Tull continued her fraud by submitting forged and fraudulently altered bank statements to a private lending company in support of loan applications for $70,000.

According to court documents, Tull included a variety of false and fraudulent items on the income tax returns of her clients without their knowledge or consent. Some of the fraudulent items Tull included were residential energy credits, unreimbursed employee expenses, charitable contributions, and business losses. Tull charged her clients based on the number of separate forms filed with each return, so she was able to collect more fees for herself by including the false items and amounts. As a result of Tull’s fraudulent conduct, the IRS suffered a total loss of approximately $230,000.

In addition to defrauding the IRS, Tull also devised a wire fraud scheme aimed at a small business lender in which she submitted materially false and fraudulently altered bank statements in support of online applications for loans of $20,000 and $50,000 for her business.

After a seven-day trial, a federal jury convicted Tull on November 12, 2020 on five counts of wire fraud and 33 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent income tax returns. As part of her sentencing today, Tull was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $162,460.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Darrell J. Waldon, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel P. Shean and 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-9.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his role in an internet-based loan scam that defrauded nearly 1,700 owners and prospective owners of small businesses out of $1,076,000, and for fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to court documents, Ronald A. Smith, 60, and his co-defendant and wife, Terri Beth Miller, 53, set up an internet-based company, Business Development Group, that offered, in exchange for an advance fee, assistance to individuals in preparing applications to obtain loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. From August 2012 through February 2018, Smith and Miller solicited potential customers on the basis of false, fraudulent, and misleading statements and representations, including that the company was headquartered at the Trump Building in New York City with additional offices in Las Vegas, that it was affiliated with the SBA, that it had favorable relationships with banks across the nation, and had assisted well-known large companies in obtaining SBA loans. They offered a money-back guarantee, but in fact employed various fraudulent methods to deny refunds.

“Smith’s brazen scheme resulted in over a million dollars in losses and inflicted serious financial and emotional hardship to many of his nearly 1,700 victims,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “For those who seek to deprive our hardworking community members from receiving crucial financial assistance, you will be held accountable in EDVA and brought to justice.”

“This kind of fraud reaches deep into the community by striking at struggling businesses and people trying to hold onto their livelihoods. It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from the community using the SBA loan program to line their own pockets,” said Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “The FBI is committed to rooting out this kind of fraud. Anyone with information on SBA loan program and other COVID-19 related fraud is asked to submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.”

“Ronald A. Smith submitted a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim with the Virginia Employment Commission, thereby stealing federal pandemic unemployment compensation benefits intended to help unemployed workers,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Today’s sentence demonstrates the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to combating fraud against the unemployment insurance program. We will continue to work with our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to hold accountable those who seek to exploit unemployment insurance benefit programs to unlawfully enrich themselves.”

“Defrauding small business owners who are trying to launch, expand, or support their businesses is unacceptable,” said Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

Smith and Miller solicited 1,669 customers, who paid an aggregate sum of about $1,076,000 in advance fees. Most of these customers did not receive an SBA-guaranteed loan.

Smith was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia for nearly the identical advance-fee scam in 2006 and received a seven-year prison sentence.

As part of the current case, Smith also committed fraud in connection with emergency benefits by submitting a fraudulent application with the Virginia Employment Commission for unemployment compensation, including $600 per week in federal pandemic unemployment compensation authorized under the CARES Act. As a result, Smith obtained $9,600 in federal pandemic unemployment compensation to which he was not entitled.

On October 9, 2020, Smith pleaded guilty to wire fraud, engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property, and fraud in connection with emergency benefits. Miller pleaded guilty on October 23, 2020 to wire fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property, and she will be sentenced on April 16, 2021.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Derek Pickle, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA’s Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr.

The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Salsbury 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-69.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging four individuals with allegedly participating in a conspiracy to use the personal identifying information of 35 Virginia prison inmates in order to fraudulently obtain over $300,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants deliberately stole funds intended for members of our community who have faced financial hardship and unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “EDVA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard these critical taxpayer-funded resources and hold accountable those who unlawfully line their pockets at the expense of the American people.”

According to the indictment, Mary Benton, 38, of Portsmouth, and Angelica Cartwright-Powers, 35, of Norfolk, allegedly worked with two inmates at Virginia correctional institutions to collect the personally identifiable information of other inmates to fraudulently apply for Virginia unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Benton allegedly submitted successful applications for Virginia unemployment benefits for 31 inmates across three Virginia correctional facilities. Cartwright-Powers allegedly submitted successful applications for four inmates at one correctional facility.

“Fraudulently exploiting COVID-19 relief funds for personal gain is unconscionable,” said Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security. “Today’s indictment sends a clear message that DHS OIG will fully investigate fraud affecting FEMA funds and continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring an end to these schemes.”

“Investigating fraud involving the Unemployment Insurance Program is an important part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, particularly during a time when our nation is providing billions of dollars in unemployment benefits to American workers in need of assistance due to the continuing economic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate unemployment insurance fraud.”

According to the indictment, co-conspirator Michael Lee Lewis, Jr., 41, of Chesapeake, allegedly provided information for inmates at the Augusta Correctional Center, where he was incarcerated. Michael Anthony White, 38, of Chesapeake, allegedly provided information for inmates at the Lawrenceville Correctional Center, where he was incarcerated. The four individuals charged in this indictment, along with the prisoners whose information was used for the unemployment applications, allegedly shared the proceeds of their crimes, which amounted to approximately $334,667. Although the conspirators initially and allegedly obtained $436,834, the Virginia Employment Commission was able to reclaim some of the disbursed funds after discovering the fraud.

During the pandemic, both the federal government and the Virginia Employment Commission expanded unemployment benefits both by increasing the monetary amount, and by making benefits accessible for the self-employed, contractors, and gig workers, who have not historically qualified for unemployment. However, inmates remained ineligible for such benefits, and each application that Benton and Cartwright-Powers submitted allegedly contained numerous false statements that made the application successful, such as the inmates’ contact information and last employer, and that they were ready and willing to work.

Benton is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of fraud in connection with major disaster benefits, and three counts of mail fraud. Lewis and White are each charged with one count of conspiracy and two counts of mail fraud. Cartwright-Powers is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of fraud in connection with major disaster benefits, and one count of mail fraud. If convicted, the conspirators face a maximum of five years in prison on the conspiracy count and thirty years in prison on each fraud count. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security; Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Washington, DC Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Paul Haymes, Chief of Investigations, Virginia Department of Corrections, Special Investigations Unit, made the announcement.

This investigation was conducted under the auspices of “Operation Checkmate,” the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force. The task force is led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, DOL-OIG, DHS-OIG, and the Virginia Department of Corrections. This investigation included assistance from the U.S. Secret Service’s Richmond Field Office, the Portsmouth Police Department, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt 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. 2:21-cr-33.

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

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging the former owner of a Richmond-based assisted living facility with allegedly diverting over $800,000 in federal and state benefits that were intended to pay for the care of the facility’s residents.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendant repeatedly left the residents of her assisted living facility in deplorable conditions while she diverted their essential benefits to pay for her gambling expenses in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and to fund her personal debts, travel, and retail purchases,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We will vigorously pursue justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our community to ensure that those entrusted to care for the elderly and infirm are held accountable if they exploit the critical trust placed in them.”

According to the indictment, Mable B. Jones, 77, of Richmond, owned and operated Jones & Jones, an assisted living facility complex that served primarily elderly and incapacitated adults. For residents who were legally incapable of managing their own funds, Jones & Jones served as a representative payee and regularly received state and federal benefits payments on behalf of those residents. Representative payees are required to use Social Security benefits to provide for the beneficiary’s needs, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Representative payees, moreover, are specifically prohibited from using Social Security benefits for anything other than the beneficiary’s needs. Similar requirements also apply to auxiliary grants issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

According to the indictment, beginning around December 2015 and continuing through the facility’s closure in 2019, Jones converted more than $800,000 of the residents’ federal and state benefits for her own personal use. As alleged in the indictment, Jones used the residents’ benefits to satisfy her personal debts, including her mortgage and bankruptcy payments, and to fund her personal travel, retail purchases, and gambling expenses, including at casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to the indictment, Jones’s diversion of resident benefits allegedly led to significant and persistent deficiencies in the facilities, care, and services provided to Jones & Jones residents, including deficiencies that allegedly endangered residents’ health and safety. These conditions ultimately prompted state and federal audits of the facility before its closure, during which Jones allegedly made false statements about her conversion and use of resident funds.

Jones is charged with wire fraud and making false statements. If convicted, she 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Michael McGill, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin G. Cooke and Shea Gibbons are prosecuting the case.

Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.

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. 3:21-cr-30.

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

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a citizen of Pakistan for allegedly leading a scheme to smuggle undocumented individuals into the United States from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to court documents, between January 2015 and December 2020, Abid Ali Khan, 40, allegedly organized, led, and worked with others in his Pakistan-based smuggling network to facilitate the travel of undocumented individuals to the United States. Khan allegedly disregarded the fact that the individuals did not have prior authorization to enter the United States and that their entry into the United States would be illegal. Khan also allegedly encouraged, induced, and brought undocumented individuals to the United States for commercial advantage and financial gain.

“Khan allegedly led a global human smuggling operation that used fraudulent documents and international travel routes to facilitate the entry of unauthorized individuals into the United States,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are committed to holding accountable those who seek personal monetary gain by compromising and undermining the integrity of the immigration process.”

“Abid Ali Khan is alleged to have organized and led an international organization that, in exchange for monetary payment, facilitated the illegal smuggling of individuals through various countries to the United States,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As this case demonstrates, the department continues to identify and prosecute those who seek to profit from conduct that undermines our system of legal immigration and imperils the lives of those being smuggled, often under dangerous conditions.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami is committed to prosecuting individuals who pose a threat to national security and our critical infrastructure, including exploiting our global financial systems through their smuggling networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami. “A recent HSI-led investigation revealed the Pakistani-based Abid Khan human smuggling network, operating in the Middle East and southwest Asia, is allegedly exploiting systemic vulnerabilities in order to move people into the United States and elsewhere.”

“This outcome is a result of the outstanding dedication and commitment by case agents and the effective partnership between HSI and the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, including significant contributions made by CBP’s Counter Networks Division, members of the HSI Human Smuggling Unit  and other partners,” said Chief Ramon Romo of the HSI Human Smuggling Unit. “Their collaborative efforts make our country a safer place.”

Khan allegedly accepted payment in exchange for planning and coordinating the international travel for foreign nationals to travel from Pakistan through multiple countries, to include Brazil and the United States, allegedly offered or provided false documents for foreign nationals to use for travel through multiple countries, and allegedly instructed foreign nationals that his co-conspirators would facilitate various parts of the travel between Pakistan and the United States.

In addition to the criminal charges filed against Khan, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also announced today that it has designated Khan, the Khan Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), and several other members of his smuggling network in connection with their involvement in a global network of human smugglers and the smuggling of undocumented noncitizens to the United States. The Treasury Department’s sanctions require the blocking and reporting of all assets held by Khan, his associates, and the Khan TCO in the United States, or in the possession and control of U.S. persons. The sanctions also prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons, or persons within (or transiting) the United States, that involves any property or interests of Khan, his associates, or the Khan TCO.

The Department of Justice recognizes OFAC’s efforts to help stop Khan and his network from allegedly continuing to smuggle persons to the United States.

The case is being investigated by HSI Miami, with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland Security Homeland Identities, Targeting, and Exploitation Center (HITEC); HSI Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program; HSI Attaché Panama; and HSI Attaché Brasilia.

The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walutes of the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jay A. Bauer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions 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 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. 1:21-cr-68.

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

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia returned an indictment today charging a citizen of Pakistan for allegedly leading a scheme to smuggle undocumented individuals into the United States from Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

According to court documents, between January 2015 and December 2020, Abid Ali Khan, 40, allegedly organized, led, and worked, with others in his Pakistan-based smuggling network to facilitate the travel of undocumented individuals to the United States. Khan allegedly disregarded the fact that the individuals did not have prior authorization to enter the United States and that their entry into the United States would be illegal. Khan also allegedly encouraged, induced, and brought undocumented individuals to the United States for commercial advantage and financial gain.

“Abid Ali Khan is alleged to have organized and led an international organization that, in exchange for monetary payment, facilitated the illegal smuggling of individuals through various countries to the United States,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As this case demonstrates, the department continues to identify and prosecute those who seek to profit from conduct that undermines our system of legal immigration and imperils the lives of those being smuggled, often under dangerous conditions.”

“Khan allegedly led a global human smuggling operation that used fraudulent documents and international travel routes to facilitate the entry of unauthorized individuals into the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are committed to holding accountable those who seek personal monetary gain by compromising and undermining the integrity of the immigration process.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami is committed to prosecuting individuals who pose a threat to national security and our critical infrastructure, including exploiting our global financial systems through their smuggling networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami. “A recent HSI-led investigation revealed the Pakistani-based Abid Khan human smuggling network, operating in the Middle East and southwest Asia, is allegedly exploiting systemic vulnerabilities in order to move people into the United States and elsewhere.”

“This outcome is a result of the outstanding dedication and commitment by case agents and the effective partnership between HSI and the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, including significant contributions made by CBP’s Counter Networks Division, members of the HSI Human Smuggling Unit  and other partners,” said Chief Ramon Romo of the HSI Human Smuggling Unit. “Their collaborative efforts make our country a safer place.”

Khan allegedly accepted payment in exchange for planning and coordinating the international travel for foreign nationals to travel from Pakistan through multiple countries, to include Brazil and the United States, allegedly offered or provided false documents for foreign nationals to use for travel through multiple countries, and allegedly instructed foreign nationals that his co-conspirators would facilitate various parts of the travel between Pakistan and the United States.

In addition to the criminal charges filed against Khan, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced today that it has designated Khan, the Khan Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), and several other members of his smuggling network in connection with their involvement in a global network of human smugglers and the smuggling of undocumented noncitizens to the United States. The Treasury Department’s sanctions require the blocking and reporting of all assets held by Khan, his associates, and the Khan TCO in the U.S., or in the possession and control of U.S. persons. The sanctions also prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons, or persons within (or transiting) the United States, that involve any property or interests of Khan, his associates or the Khan TCO.

The Department of Justice recognizes OFAC’s efforts to help stop Khan and his network from allegedly continuing to smuggle persons to the United States.

The case is being investigated by HSI Miami, with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland Security Homeland Identities, Targeting, and Exploitation Center (HITEC); HSI Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program; HSI Attaché Panama; and HSI Attaché Brasilia.

The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jay A. Bauer of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walutes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

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

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington, D.C. man was sentenced today to 21 years in prison in connection with a series of armed robberies that he conducted at multiple banks and a retail store in northern Virginia in 2018 and 2019.

According to court documents, Freddie Lee McRae, 35, committed a series of robberies in 2018 and 2019. On November 13, 2018, McRae robbed a Wells Fargo bank branch located in Alexandria. McRae handed a teller a note that demanded money, indicated he had a firearm, and threatened to “[k]ill [a]ll [b]ankers” if the teller did not comply. McRae pointed a firearm at two tellers before fleeing with approximately $8,750 in cash.

“This case involved a chilling armed robbery spree during which innocent community members were threatened with serious injury or death if they did not comply with repeated demands for money,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are thankful to our law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation across multiple jurisdictions to bring the defendant to justice, including apprehending him after he jumped out of a moving vehicle prior to it crashing and sinking into the Potomac River.”

“The FBI, along with our partners at every level of law enforcement, are committed to protecting the public from the most egregious and violent criminals who terrorize the community,” said James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division. “Today’s significant sentence demonstrates the seriousness and threat McRae posed to businesses and people in our community. The sentence is the result of teamwork among our partners to hold him accountable and prevent future violence.”

On December 10, 2018, McRae robbed a Burke & Herbert bank branch located in Alexandria. McRae approached a teller, who asked if he wanted to make a deposit. McRae responded, “gimmie your money,” before lifting up his shirt and pulling a pistol from his waistband, which he pointed at the teller. As the teller gathered money, McRae racked the slide on the pistol and demanded all large bills. McRae fled with approximately $1,366 in cash.

On April 21, 2019, McRae robbed the Legend Kicks & Apparel store located in Arlington. McRae brandished a pistol and demanded that two store employees empty their pockets, which they did. McRae then ordered the employees to lie on the floor before taking approximately $2,160 in cash that belonged to the store. McRae fled the store on foot and the area by vehicle. When a law enforcement officer tried to pull over the vehicle, McRae stopped only briefly before leading law enforcement officers on a vehicle pursuit on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. McRae ultimately jumped out of his moving vehicle prior to it crashing and sinking into the Potomac River. McRae tried to flee law enforcement by jumping into the river, but officers pulled him out and placed him under arrest.

As part of his guilty plea, McRae also admitted to robbing a Bank of America branch in Springfield on October 27, 2018; a BB&T branch located in Alexandria on December 20, 2018; and a Capital One branch located in Bowie, Maryland, on January 2, 2019. McRae further admitted to attempting to rob a Capital One branch located in Arlington on February 11, 2019, and to obstructing justice following his apprehension.

The bank robberies that McRae admitted to committing were investigated by the FBI as part of the “Beltway Bank Bandit” series.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James A. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Acting Chief Andy Penn, Arlington County Chief of Police; Michael L. Brown, Alexandria Chief of Police; and David M. Rohrer, Fairfax County Interim Chief of Police and Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Northern Virginia Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Force, which is composed of FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers from northern Virginia law enforcement agencies. Significant investigative assistance in this case was provided by the Arlington County Police and the Fairfax County Police. The task force is charged with identifying, investigating, and disrupting the most egregious and violent criminal actors within northern Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Smalky and Alexander E. Blanchard 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. 1:19-cr-268.

A former intelligence analyst and former military servicemember pleaded guilty today to illegally obtaining classified national defense information and disclosing it to a reporter.

According to court records, Daniel Everette Hale, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee, served as an enlisted airman in the U.S. Air Force from July 2009 to July 2013. After receiving language and intelligence training, Hale was assigned to work at the National Security Agency (NSA) and deployed to Afghanistan as an intelligence analyst. After leaving the Air Force in July 2013, Hale was employed by a defense contractor and assigned to the NGA, where he worked as a political geography analyst between December 2013 and August 2014. In connection with his active duty service and work for the NSA, and during his time at NGA, Hale held a Top Secret // Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS//SCI) security clearance and was entrusted with access to classified national defense information.

“Hale has now admitted what the evidence at trial would have conclusively shown: that he took classified documents from his work at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), documents he had no right to retain, and that he sent them to a reporter, knowing all along that what he was doing was against the law,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers for the Justice Department's National Security Division. “This conduct undermined the efforts of our Intelligence Community to keep us safe. Hale’s plea is another step in the Department’s ongoing efforts to prosecute and deter leaks of classified information.”

“Those who are entrusted with classified information have a duty to safeguard that information in order to protect our Nation’s security,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As an analyst for the Intelligence Community, Daniel Hale knowingly took highly classified documents and disclosed them without authorization, thereby violating his solemn obligations to our country. We are firmly committed to seeking equal justice under the law and holding accountable those who betray their oath to safeguard national security information.”

According to court records, beginning in April 2013, while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to the NSA, Hale began communicating with a reporter. Hale met with the reporter in person on multiple occasions, and communicated with the reporter via phone, text message, email, and, at times, an encrypted messaging platform. Then, in February 2014, while working as a cleared defense contractor at NGA, Hale printed six classified documents unrelated to his work at NGA and soon after exchanged a series of messages with the reporter. Each of the six documents printed were later published by the reporter’s news outlet.

According to court records, while employed as a cleared defense contractor for NGA, Hale printed 36 documents from his Top Secret computer, including 23 documents unrelated to his work at NGA. Of the 23 documents unrelated to his work at NGA, Hale provided at least 17 to the reporter and/or the reporter’s online news outlet, which published the documents in whole or in part. Eleven of the published documents were marked as Top Secret or Secret.

According to court records, in August 2014, Hale’s cell phone contact list included contact information for the reporter. He also possessed a thumb drive that contained a page marked “SECRET” from a classified document that Hale had printed in February 2014 and had attempted to delete from the thumb drive. In addition, Hale possessed on his home computer another document that he had stolen from NGA.

Hale pleaded guilty to retention and transmission of national defense information, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on July 13, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office made the announcement after the plea was accepted by Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Alexander P. Berrang and Senior Trial Attorney Heather M. Schmidt of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former intelligence analyst and former military servicemember pleaded guilty today to illegally obtaining classified national defense information and disclosing it to a reporter.

“Those who are entrusted with classified information have a duty to safeguard that information in order to protect our Nation’s security,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “As an analyst for the Intelligence Community, Daniel Hale knowingly took highly classified documents and disclosed them without authorization, thereby violating his solemn obligations to our country. We are firmly committed to seeking equal justice under the law and holding accountable those who betray their oath to safeguard national security information.”

According to court records, Daniel Everette Hale, 31, of Nashville, Tennessee, served as an enlisted airman in the U.S. Air Force from July 2009 to July 2013. After receiving language and intelligence training, Hale was assigned to work at the National Security Agency (NSA) and deployed to Afghanistan as an intelligence analyst. After leaving the Air Force in July 2013, Hale was employed by a defense contractor and assigned to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), where he worked as a political geography analyst between December 2013 and August 2014. In connection with his active duty service and work for the NSA, and during his time at NGA, Hale held a Top Secret // Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS//SCI) security clearance and was entrusted with access to classified national defense information.

According to court records, beginning in April 2013, while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to the NSA, Hale began communicating with a reporter. Hale met with the reporter in person on multiple occasions, and communicated with the reporter via phone, text message, email, and, at times, an encrypted messaging platform. Then, in February 2014, while working as a cleared defense contractor at NGA, Hale printed six classified documents unrelated to his work at NGA and soon after exchanged a series of messages with the reporter. Each of the six documents printed were later published by the reporter’s news outlet.

According to court records, while employed as a cleared defense contractor for NGA, Hale printed 36 documents from his Top Secret computer, including 23 documents unrelated to his work at NGA. Of the 23 documents unrelated to his work at NGA, Hale provided at least 17 to the reporter and/or the reporter’s online news outlet, which published the documents in whole or in part. Eleven of the published documents were marked as Top Secret or Secret.

According to court records, in August 2014, Hale’s cell phone contact list included contact information for the reporter. He also possessed a thumb drive that contained a page marked “SECRET” from a classified document that Hale had printed in February 2014 and had attempted to delete from the thumb drive. In addition, Hale possessed on his home computer another document that he had stolen from NGA.

Hale pleaded guilty to retention and transmission of national defense information, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on July 13, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Jennifer C. Boone, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Alexander P. Berrang and Senior Trial Attorney Heather M. Schmidt of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control 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 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. 1:19-cr-59.