Eastern District of Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Sterling man with receipt and possession of child pornography.

According to court records and allegations in the indictment, Anoushiravan Dadgar, 33, used a computer to receive photos and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the videos Dadgar possessed depicted minors who appeared to be less than 10 years old and other prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Dadagar faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Smith III and Maya D. Song 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-100.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

A former contractor at the Military Sealift Command (MSC) was indicted for his role in a bribery and fraud conspiracy from approximately 1999 to 2014, in which he allegedly received almost $3 million dollars in bribes. Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

Scott B. Miserendino Sr., 58, formerly of Stafford, Virginia, was charged in a five-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services mail fraud, one count of bribery and three counts of honest services mail fraud. Miserendino’s arraignment will be scheduled at a later date.

According to allegations in the indictment, Miserendino was a government contractor at MSC, an entity of the U.S. Department of the Navy that provided support and specialized services to the Navy and other U.S. military forces. The indictment alleges that Miserendino and Joseph P. Allen, the owner of a government contracting company, conspired to use Miserendino’s position at MSC to enrich themselves through bribery.

Specifically, beginning in 1999, Miserendino allegedly used his position and influence at MSC to assist Allen and his company in obtaining and expanding a commission agreement with a telecommunications company, which sold maritime satellite services to MSC, according to the indictment. For more than a decade, Miserendino allegedly used his influence at MSC to take official acts to benefit the telecommunications company, which through the commission agreement, also benefited Allen and his company. Among his actions, the indictment alleges that Miserendino: advised officials at MSC and on their ships about using the telecommunications company’s services; authorized Allen and his employees to perform services on MSC ships and ensure that the equipment on those ships defaulted to the telecommunications company’s services rather than that of an alternative provider; and facilitated payment to the telecommunications company for the services it rendered to MSC. Unknown to MSC or the telecommunications company, throughout the scheme, Allen paid half of the commissions he received from the telecommunications company to Miserendino as bribes, according to allegations in the indictment.

For his role in the scheme, Allen, 56, of Panama City, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery on April 19, 2017, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard, in Norfolk, Virginia. Sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen, in Norfolk.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Norfolk offices of the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Sean F. Mulryne and Molly Gaston of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Haynie of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a former contractor at the Military Sealift Command for his role in a bribery and fraud conspiracy through which he received nearly $3 million in bribes.

According to the indictment, Scott Miserendino, Sr., 58, of Stafford, was charged in a five-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services mail fraud, one count of bribery, and three counts of honest services mail fraud.

According to the indictment, Miserendino was a government contractor at MSC, an entity of the U.S. Department of the Navy that provided support and specialized services to the Navy and other U.S. military forces. The indictment alleges that Miserendino and Joseph P. Allen, the owner of a government contracting company, conspired to use Miserendino’s position at MSC to enrich themselves through bribery. Specifically, beginning in 1999, Miserendino allegedly used his position and influence at MSC to assist Allen and his company in obtaining and expanding a commission agreement with a telecommunications company, which sold maritime satellite services to MSC, according to the indictment. For more than a decade, Miserendino allegedly used his influence at MSC to take official acts to benefit the telecommunications company, which through the commission agreement, also benefited Allen and his company. Among his actions, the indictment alleges that Miserendino: advised officials at MSC and on their ships about using the telecommunications company’s services; authorized Allen and his employees to perform services on MSC ships and ensure that the equipment on those ships defaulted to the telecommunications company’s services rather than that of an alternative provider; and facilitated payment to the telecommunications company for the services it rendered to MSC.

Unknown to MSC or the telecommunications company throughout the scheme, Allen paid half of the commission payments from the telecommunications company to Miserendino as bribes. In total, between approximately 1999 and approximately 2014, Allen received more than $6 million from the telecommunications company, and in turn, he paid more than $2.8 million to Miserendino in bribes.

For his role the scheme, Allen, 56, from Panama City, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery on April 19, and is scheduled for sentencing on July 28.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth Blanco, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Robert Craig, Special Agent in Charge for Defense Criminal Investigative Service Mid-Atlantic Field Office; and Maureen Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Haynie, and Trial Attorneys Sean F. Mulryne and Molly Gaston of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three men have pleaded guilty to offenses involving the transportation of an illegal alien for financial gain after driving a 17-year old girl from El Salvador within the United States and demanding additional money from her family for her release.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreements tied to the case, Daniel Lopez-Martinez, 32, of Mexico, Juan Tomas Nicolas, 23, of Guatemala, and Ernesto Solis, Jr., 29, of Mission, Texas, worked together to transport a 17-year old girl from El Salvador within the United States for money. Once she arrived in Houston, multiple calls were made by the defendants to the girl’s father located in Loudoun County. In the calls, the defendants demanded an additional $4,700. The defendants agreed to turn the girl over to the father only upon receipt and counting the money. The girl was rescued after FBI Agents and Task Force Officers in Houston interceded in the scheduled transfer of funds.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Lopez-Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, while Nicolas is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, and Solis Jr. on August 18. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Gregory C. Brown, Leesburg Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Cain is prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office with assistance from the FBI’s Houston Field Office, the FBI’s McAllen Resident Agency, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

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 is located on the website of the District Court

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Bowie, Maryland, woman was convicted today of bank fraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Tonia Latrice Lewis, 47, obtained the identities of dozens of victims and used those identities to open bank accounts and apply for loans in the names of the victims, without their knowledge or consent. Lewis submitted over 30 applications to open accounts and get access to funds from various financial institutions, including Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Lafayette Federal Credit Union, U.S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union, Interior Federal Credit Union, D.C. Teachers Federal Credit Union, M&T Bank, and others. Lewis’ scheme included fabricating driver’s licenses and falsifying records submitted in support of these applications. Lewis used the proceeds from the fraud in part to purchase jewelry, items of clothing, and to gamble at a casino in West Virginia.

Lewis faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for the bank fraud, 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for the mail fraud, and mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft when sentenced on August 18. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; J. Thomas Manger, Montgomery County Chief of Police, made the announcement after a bench trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine L. Wong and Michael Culhane Harper 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-25.

NORFOLK, Va. – Benitez Auguarius Moody, 34, of Portsmouth, was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of drug distribution and possession of multiple firearms.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Moody distributed crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in Portsmouth from the summer of 2015 through March 2016. Moody was arrested on August 10, 2016, after the Portsmouth Police Department conducted a series of controlled buys of heroin with Moody and executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search, law enforcement recovered 97 grams of crack cocaine, two grams of heroin and fentanyl mixture, four firearms (two special revolvers and two semi-automatic pistols), and $4,000 in cash.

The jury found Moody guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Moody faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison, when he is sentenced on Sept. 20, 2017. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Tonya D. Chapman, Chief of Portsmouth Police Department, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherrie Capotosto 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-124.

Mohamed Farah, 31, of Somalia, was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison for engaging in piracy and committing other offenses pertaining to the attack on the USS Ashland, a U.S. Navy ship, in April 2010.

Today’s announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge Martin Culbreth of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office in Virginia, and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Evans of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

A federal jury convicted Farah on Feb. 27, 2013. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Farah and five co-conspirators attacked the USS Ashland on April 10, 2010. Four of Farah’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced for their roles in the attack: Jama Idle Ibrahim (15 years in prison), Mohamed Ali Said (33 years), Mohamed Abdi Jama (life plus 30 years) and Abdicasiis Cabaase (life plus 30 years). These defendants had also previously gone to sea in February 2010 with the purpose of capturing another vessel for ransom, but were instead, intercepted by the HMS Chatham of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. The remaining pirate from the attack on the USS Ashland, Abdi Abshir Osman, was sentenced to life plus 10 years.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the NCIS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. DePadilla for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Jerome Teresinski of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Hatch prosecuted the case previously.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Somali man was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison today for engaging in piracy and committing other offenses pertaining to the attack on the USS Ashland, a U.S. Navy ship, in April 2010.

A federal jury convicted Mohamed Farah, 31, on Feb. 27, 2013. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Farah and five co-conspirators attacked the USS Ashland on April 10, 2010. Four of Farah’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced for their roles in the attack: Jama Idle Ibrahim (15 years in prison), Mohamed Ali Said (33 years), Mohamed Abdi Jama (life plus 30 years) and Abdicasiis Cabaase (life plus 30 years).

These defendants had also previously gone to sea in February 2010 with the purpose of capturing another vessel for ransom, but they were instead intercepted by the HMS Chatham of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.

The remaining pirate from the attack on the USS Ashland, Abdi Abshir Osman, was sentenced to life plus 10 years.

Today’s announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge Martin Culbreth of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office in Virginia, and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Evans of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the NCIS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. DePadilla and Trial Attorney Jerome Teresinski of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Hatch prosecuted the case previously.

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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:10-cr-57.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man pleaded guilty today to willfully receiving a firearm while under indictment in Virginia state court.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement and other court records, Anthony Fernandez Medrano, 28, was indicted in Virginia state court in 2015 for possessing cocaine, a schedule II controlled substance. While still under indictment, and not lawfully able to purchase or possess firearms, Fernandez Medrano sought and purchased guns from a private party seller and signed bills of sale confirming the purchases.

Fernandez Medrano faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison when sentenced on August 11. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Smith III 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-70.

NORFOLK, Va. – A drug dealer who used his drug supply to coerce women into prostitution was sentenced today to 18 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Devon Jay Caldwell, 26, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty on January 17 to his involvement in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Caldwell convinced several women with serious drug problems to work for him as prostitutes by promising them an unlimited supply of drugs in exchange for the money they earned from commercial sex acts. Caldwell arranged their prostitution appointments and set quotas for how much money certain of his prostitutes were required to earn. Caldwell provided the women with drugs in advance of their appointments, and at the conclusion of each act as a reward. If a woman did not want to perform commercial sex acts, Caldwell would withhold drugs from her causing, in some cases, significant physical withdrawal symptoms. Caldwell recruited three co-conspirators – including a 16-year-old boy – to help him run his business, set up appointments, and dole out or withhold drugs at his direction. Caldwell ran this business for a full year before Virginia Beach Police arrested him in August 2016.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney V. Kathleen Dougherty prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the police departments and commonwealth’s attorneys of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton and Newport News. Samaritan House, a Virginia Beach-based nonprofit, is helping the victims.

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 is 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-2.

RICHMOND, Va. – An El Salvadorian citizen who has illegally entered the United States on multiple occasions pleaded guilty today to illegal reentry following deportation and conviction for an aggravated felony.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Mario A. Macias-Maldonado, 29, is a convicted felon who has previously been removed from the United States. In August 2009, Macias-Maldonado was convicted of felony forgery, driving while intoxicated, grand larceny, obstructing justice, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. Macias-Maldonado was removed from the United States in January 2010, only to illegally return again sometime later. In July 2016, Chesterfield County police issued a felony warrant for Macias-Maldonado on charges of rape by force, threat or intimidation. Macias-Maldonado was arrested in August 2016, and in February 2017 was convicted in Chesterfield County Circuit Court of sexual battery and sentenced to one year in prison.

Macias-Maldonado faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 13. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. David Schiller is prosecuting the case. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-300.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Charlotte woman was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for her role in an international drug trafficking conspiracy.

Tammie D. Diggs, 48, pleaded guilty on January 13. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, on March 12, 2016, Diggs traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina to Charleston, South Carolina, to receive 22 kilograms of cocaine from a Panamanian drug trafficking organization (DTO) for domestic distribution. On the same day, law enforcement intercepted 22 kilograms of cocaine on a commercial shipping vessel at the Port of Charleston sent by the Panamanian DTO. The next day, Diggs obtained a bag containing 22 kilograms of cocaine in Charleston from a co-conspirator while under surveillance of law enforcement, and upon taking possession of the cocaine, Diggs traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina. Later that day, law enforcement executed a traffic stop on the vehicle driven by Diggs and seized the bag containing the 22 kilograms of cocaine.

Diggs’s co-conspirator, Lamar Gayle, 34, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, on Feb. 12, 2016, Gayle traveled from Brooklyn to Charleston to receive 15 kilograms of cocaine from a Panamanian drug trafficking organization (DTO) for domestic distribution. On the same day, law enforcement intercepted 15 kilograms of cocaine on a commercial shipping vessel at the Port of Charleston sent by the Panamanian DTO. The next day Gayle obtained a bag containing 15 kilograms of cocaine in Charleston from a co-conspirator while under surveillance of law enforcement, and upon taking possession of the cocaine, Gayle boarded a commercial bus and traveled to the Eastern District of Virginia. The next day law enforcement executed a drug interdiction operation in Sussex County on the commercial bus on which Gayle was traveling. During the stop of the bus, law enforcement surveillance observed Gayle hide the bag containing the cocaine under a seat inside the bus, and shortly thereafter seized the bag containing the 15 kilograms of cocaine.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Daniel Salter, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Atlanta Division; Nick Annan, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charleston; Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent, Virginia State Police; and Humberto I. Cardounel, Jr., Chief of Henrico County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik Siebert and Peter S. Duffey prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-108 (Gayle), and 3:16-cr-117 (Diggs).

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Cameroonian nationals were convicted today for their roles in a marriage fraud conspiracy dubbed “Operation Evasive Immigration,” by the organizers of the conspiracy.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Carine Kojia Aleah Epse Mbendeke, 27, of New Carrollton, Maryland, and Irene Marie Mbono, 35, of Washington, D.C., conspired with Landry Mbendeke, who is currently serving time in federal prison for leading this marriage fraud conspiracy. The evidence presented at trial showed that beginning in December 2013, and continuing through August 2015, the Mbendekes operated a marriage fraud ring that recruited United States citizens to marry Cameroonian nationals for the promise of $5,000. Carine Mbendeke traveled with United States citizen co-conspirators to Cameroon on two occasions. While in Cameroon, Carine Mbendeke orchestrated their fraudulent marriages, acted as a translator, and collected immigration-related documents. One conspirator, who was denied a United States passport and thus could not travel to Cameroon, entered into a sham marriage with Mbono in Washington, D.C.

The Mbendekes recruited, or attempted to recruit, approximately 18 United States citizens. Six of their co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty for their participation in the fraudulent scheme. Those defendants included Marcus Carlye Brooks, Benjamin Franklin Minkins, Jr., Kenneth Cornelius Lewis, Alecia Angelita Portillo, Keonna Lakata Lynch, and James Settles III.

Mbono faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and Carine Mbendeke faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Both defendants will be sentenced on July 14. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Richard Ingram, Special Agent in Charge of Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the verdict for Carine Mbendeke and delivered the verdict for Irene Mbono. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle R. Pascucci 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-272.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three co-conspirators who operated a nationwide, multi-year “home mortgage modification” fraud that scammed hundreds of victims out of at least $10 million were convicted today by a federal jury.

“These defendants scammed hundreds of individuals and families who were trying desperately to save their homes,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their crimes were rooted in dishonesty and greed, and they shamelessly enriched themselves at their victims’ expense. I am very pleased with the convictions and want to commend the efforts of the Assistant United States Attorneys and our investigative partners for their terrific work on this important and complex case.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Sammy Araya, Michael Henderson, and Jen Seko, all from the greater Los Angeles area, operated a large-scale “home mortgage modification” scam that victimized vulnerable individuals and families across the country for several years. The conspirators sent targeted mass mailers to homeowners facing foreclosure through Seko’s company, Seko Direct Marketing. The mailers referenced real federal programs designed to help struggling homeowners, such as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and were titled “Notice of HUD Relief,” “Notice of Mortgage Relief,” and “New HAMP Benefits,” among other misleading titles. The mailers listed various toll-free telephone numbers for the homeowners to call for assistance. When a victim homeowner who had been solicited via a mass mailing called the toll-free number listed on the mailer, a member of the conspiracy posing as a “customer service representative” would answer the phone and collect financial information from the victim, as well as inquire about the victim’s mortgage and how far behind the victim was on his or her mortgage payments. The victims were told the information would be reviewed to determine if they qualified for a mortgage modification. Instead, the information was used by the conspirators to determine how much money could be stolen from the victim. Henderson served as one of the purported “customer service representatives” and helped to distribute the money collected by the scam, while Araya was the mastermind and principal beneficiary of the entire fraudulent operation.

“Today justice was served to three scam artists who preyed upon hundreds of desperate homeowners taking money in exchange for empty promises of admission into the HAMP program,” said Christy Goldsmith Romero, Special Inspector for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). “This was a scheme of deception and thievery: the defendants pocketed the homeowner dollars but did nothing to help their victims. I thank U.S. Attorney Boente and his team for their hard work and commitment protecting homeowners getting help through HAMP.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, after being contacted by another member of the conspiracy and told that their mortgage modification had been approved, the victim homeowner would be told that their lender required a “reinstatement fee,” usually in the amount of thousands of dollars. Victims were also told that they were required to make several “trial” mortgage modification payments. After these so-called “trial payments” were completed, their modification would be complete and their new lower mortgage payment would become permanent for the life of the loan.

“These defendants preyed upon innocent homeowners when they were at their most vulnerable, and simply trying to save their homes,” said Leslie DeMarco, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General. “These egregious schemes victimize homeowners and entire communities, and today a jury held them accountable for their actions. We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners on this case, and will continue to work with them to bring to justice all individuals who attempt to defraud unwitting victims.”

Throughout this process, the members of the conspiracy represented themselves to homeowners in mass mailings, phone calls, emails, and other communications using a laundry list of aliases and fictitious entity names. Some of those fictitious entities included “Equity Restoration Group,” “Neighborhood Counseling Services of America,” and “Home Retention Center,” among many others. The conspirators changed their aliases and entity names regularly, in an effort to evade detection by law enforcement. The conspirators also falsely represented themselves as a “non-profit” organization or as affiliated with the federal government or the victims’ lenders, and they directed the victims to make their checks and money orders payable to other fake entities, such as “Payment Processing Services,” “Default Servicing,” and “Trust Funding.” They then opened bank accounts using those false entity names, and used those bank accounts to briefly deposit victim payments before withdrawing the funds and distributing the proceeds among the members of the conspiracy.

The victims of this scheme dutifully sent their payments to the fraudulent entities as instructed by the conspirators, only to discover that they had not been granted a mortgage modification by their lenders. When victims confronted the members of the conspiracy about this fact, the conspirators would make lulling statements designed to reassure the victims, such as telling them that the mortgage modification process takes time, and that they were dealing with individuals at a higher level at the bank than the lender representatives with whom the victims had spoken. In reality, however, the members of the conspiracy were simply diverting the victims’ payments for their own personal benefit, without doing anything to assist in modifying the victims’ mortgages. Araya, the ringleader of the scheme, used the proceeds of the fraud to purchase expensive vehicles, a racehorse, and a variety of luxury goods, as well as to fund his personal travel and a reality television show he produced called “Make It Rain.TV.”

This scheme had devastating consequences for the victim homeowners, all of whom were already in a precarious financial position. Many victims suffered substantially greater financial hardship after falling victim to this conspiracy than they were already facing when they entered into the bogus agreements with the conspirators. In many cases, the lenders ultimately foreclosed on the victims’ homes, after the victims had been induced to make their “trial” mortgage payments to the members of the conspiracy rather than to their lenders.

Twelve defendants have been convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia in this case and a related case. They include the following individuals:

Name, Age

Hometown

Result

Sentencing

Sammy Araya, 41

Santa Ana, California

Convicted on Counts 1-11 of superseding indictment at trial today

Faces maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of conviction

Michael Henderson, 49

Costa Mesa, California

Convicted on Counts 1-6 and 9-11 of superseding indictment at trial today

Faces maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of conviction

Jen Seko, 36

Anaheim, California

Convicted on Counts 1-6 and 9-11 of superseding indictment at trial today

Faces maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of conviction

Roscoe Umali, 38

Santa Ana, California

Pleaded guilty March 22, 2016

220 months in prison on Aug. 18, 2016

Joshua Sanchez, 37

Las Vegas, Nevada

Pleaded guilty July 8, 2015 in case 1:15cr147

151 months in prison on Oct. 29, 2015

Kristen Ayala, 32

Las Vegas, Nevada

Pleaded guilty August 4, 2015 in case 1:15cr147

135 months in prison on Oct. 29, 2015

Isaac Perez, 33

Los Angeles

Pleaded guilty March 30, 2016

130 months in prison on Sept. 1, 2016

Joshua Johnson, 36

Huntington Beach, California

Pleaded guilty March 30, 2016

121 months in prison on July 7, 2016

Jefferson Maniscan, 34

Los Angeles

Pleaded guilty March 29, 2016

120 months in prison on Aug. 18, 2016

Raymund Dacanay, 47

Newport Beach, California

Pleaded guilty March 29, 2016

60 months in prison on July 21, 2016

Nicholas Estilow, 34

Mission Viejo, California

Pleaded guilty January 18, 2017

Faces maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on June 1.

Sabrina Rafo, 24

Garden Grove, California

Pleaded guilty January 19, 2017

Faces maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on June 1.

 

Araya faces a maximum penalty of 220 years in prison, and Henderson and Seko each faces a maximum penalty of 180 years in prison when sentenced on July 19. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Christy Goldsmith Romero, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP); William Hedrick, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Leslie DeMarco, Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA-OIG); and James Todak, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Los Angeles Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha P. Bateman and Ryan S. Faulconer are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zach Terwilliger and James Gillis formerly 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-301.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Roger Wheaton Webb, 53, of Fairfax, was sentenced today to five years in prison for receipt of child pornography.

Webb pleaded guilty on January 18. According to court documents, between February and March 2015, the FBI identified an Internet Protocol address accessing child pornography from a Fairfax business. Law enforcement officers later executed a federal search warrant at that business where Webb worked. During the search, several electronic devices were located and reviewed, including a Dell computer and a flash drive. Forensic analysis revealed that these two devices contained approximately 5,500 image files and 362 video files of child pornography. The analysis of the computer further confirmed that it had been used to download child pornography using peer-to-peer software. When interviewed, Webb admitted that he had used the business’s computer to access, receive, and download child pornography and that he had transferred and stored child pornography to an external drive or flash drive he possessed.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Dougherty Russell and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Leslie Fisher of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-298.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man pleaded guilty today to a 15-year fraud scheme to obtain $366,716 in federal financial aid through U.S. Department of Education programs, stealing $136,000 in federal grant funds from the National Science Foundation, and making a false statement to receive a United States passport.

According to the criminal information and plea agreement filed in court, Adelaja Allen Arojuraye, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, theft of government funds, and passport fraud, agreeing to $502,716 in forfeiture and restitution.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, by February 2001, Arojuraye received more than $50,000 in federal financial aid under his first social security number. As part of a scheme to obtain more federal financial aid, and avoid repayment of the debt, Arojuraye fraudulently obtained three social security numbers in his own name. Over a 15-year period, Arojuraye used two of the fraudulently obtained social security numbers to accrue $311,418 in debt that he either defaulted on or caused to be placed in forbearance without making any payments. In 2015 and 2016, Arojuraye used his father and mother’s social security numbers without permission to fraudulently receive another $55,298 in federal financial aid. During the execution of his scheme, Arojuraye lied on a U.S. passport application by entering “000-00-0000” as his social security number, even though he knew he had been issued multiple social security numbers.

In November 2012, Arojuraye falsely certified in a grant application to the National Science Foundation that he was not delinquent on any federal debt. Arojuraye received more than $136,000 in federal grant benefits based on the fraudulent application.

Arojuraye faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud, 10 years for theft of government funds, and 15 years for passport fraud, when sentenced on August 11. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Steve A. Linick, Inspector General for the Department of State; Kathleen S. Tighe, Inspector General of the Department of Education; Michael McGill, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General; and Allison C. Lerner, Inspector General of the National Science Foundation, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.

The case was investigated by the Offices of Inspectors General for the U.S. Department of Education, Social Security Administration, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Department of State. The federal agencies partnered with and received substantial assistance from the Northern Virginia Community College Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian D. Harrison 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-082.

NORFOLK, Va. – A drug dealer who transported kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from New York City to Norfolk for distribution was sentenced today to 292 months in prison.

Adrian Paulino, 27, of New York City, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one kilogram or more of heroin. According to court documents, from December 2013 to May 2015, Paulino and his associates transported kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin from New York City to Norfolk for distribution in various automobiles equipped with secret compartments. Paulino and his co-conspirators traveled back to New York City with the large sums of cash generated from the sale of the drugs in Norfolk. In December 2013, Pocomoke City Police stopped Paulino for speeding on US-13 North in Maryland. During the stop, Paulino allowed the police to search his car and police discovered approximately $64,000 in cash inside Paulino’s vehicle. On March 31, 2015, a Worcester County (MD) Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding in which Paulino was traveling as a passenger. During the stop, the driver allowed the police to search the vehicle and police discovered approximately $280,000 in cash concealed in several secret compartments inside the vehicle. Also, during the conspiracy, Paulino and his associates utilized an apartment in the 1600 block of West Little Creek Road in Norfolk as a “stash” house, storing cocaine and heroin there prior to its distribution. On May 19, 2015, Virginia State Police stopped a vehicle being operated by Paulino’s associate Warlin Leo on Northampton Boulevard in Virginia Beach, just past the south terminus of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. During the stop, a Virginia State Police drug dog alerted on the vehicle and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 3.6 kilograms of cocaine and 1.9 kilograms of heroin. On the same date, Norfolk Police searched the “stash” house on Little Creek Road in Norfolk and discovered 138 grams of heroin and 184 grams of cocaine.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of Virginia State Police; and Michael Goldsmith, Chief of Norfolk Police; and James A. Cervera, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:15-cr-154.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy to receive, transport and sell stolen luxury vehicles, and to commit wire fraud.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Lamine Camara, 32, of Laurel, Maryland, conspired with Ray Ekobena, who is currently serving time in federal prison for related offenses, to purchase a 2012 Audi A7 and a 2007 Bentley Convertible GTC using the stolen identities of doctors in the area. Camara also assisted Ekobena with the sale of a stolen 2011 BMW 750LI and a Mercedes Benz S550. In order to accomplish the scheme, Camara submitted fraudulent documents to the Maryland Vehicle Authority and acquired fraudulent titles and fraudulent North Carolina temporary vehicle tags.

Camara faces a maximum of five years in prison when sentenced on August 11. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen S. Dwyer and Nathaniel Smith III 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-1.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A gang member who pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy and use of a firearm resulting in death was sentenced today to 30 years in prison.

Desmond Finnell, 30, of Newport News, pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2016. According to court documents and trial testimony, Finnell was a lieutenant in the Black P-Stones gang headed by Michael Hopson between 2007 and 2010. Finnell was responsible for multiple shootings in Newport News and Hampton as part of his P-Stones gang activity. On Nov. 28, 2010, Finnell lured Ernest “Critter” Crudup to a location in Newport News where he shot him to death, as he believed Crudup robbed him of between 15 and 20 pounds of marijuana.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt and Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Department of Justice 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:13-cr-96.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Two local men and a third from Massachusetts have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a 2009 robbery and murder in Newport News.

According to the indictment that was unsealed today, Bryan Brown, 30, of Newport News, Mark Wallace, 36, of Williamsburg, and Joseph Benson, 35, of Dorchester, Mass., shot and killed Louis Joseph on March 13, 2009, in Newport News.

Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, if convicted. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Kenneth A. Blanco, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, made the announcement after the indictment was unsealed. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick and Lisa R. McKeel, and Trial Attorney Joseph K. Wheatley from the Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is 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-45.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Owners of a Fairfax gaming center were indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and make false statements involving international terrorism, obstruction of justice, and making false statements involving international terrorism.

According to allegations in the indictment, Michael Queen, 28, of Woodbridge, and Soufian Amri, 32, of Falls Church, lied to FBI agents to prevent them from learning about and investigating their friend Haris Qamar’s support of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Queen and Amri knew that Qamar had attempted to travel overseas to join ISIL in 2014, yet they lied to and misled the FBI by saying that the only person they knew who might travel to join ISIL was a “tall, thin, Indian” individual. Queen later told Qamar that Queen and Amri gave the FBI the name of a Hindu individual as someone who might support ISIL. Queen told Qamar, “I’m never going to throw a Muslim underneath the bus to try to do the right thing.”

Qamar was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison on February 17 for attempting to provide material support to ISIL.

Queen and Amri each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Colleen E. Garcia 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-50.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

NORFOLK, Va. – Anthony L. Burfoot, 48, of Norfolk, was sentenced today to six years in prison and ordered to forfeit $250,000 for conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to obtain property under color of official right, obtaining property under color of official right, and perjury. Burfoot is currently suspended as the Norfolk City Treasurer and is a former Vice Mayor of Norfolk and City Councilman.

“When elected officials engage in corruption it erodes public confidence in our democratic system of government,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Burfoot’s well-publicized criminal exploits have eroded public confidence in how their tax dollars are used and managed, and his selfish actions feed the worst perceptions about public employees, of whom the vast majority perform their duties selflessly and admirably. I want to thank the Assistant United States Attorneys and the FBI for their diligence and dedication in pursing this important case.”

“Public corruption is one the FBI’s highest priorities and this case reflects our commitment to the citizens of Hampton Roads to aggressively and relentlessly root out criminal corruption in our community,” said Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “Citizens deserve good governance and faithful service from their public officials. Greed and self-interest have no place in public service and dishonorable officials will be thoroughly investigated and exposed. In this effort one of our most important partners is the public, and we encourage honest citizens to report suspicious activity to the FBI through our regional tip line at 1-844-FIGHTPC.”

Burfoot was found guilty by federal grand jury on Dec. 9, 2016. According to court documents and evidence presented at trail, from 2005 through in or about Feb. 15, 2011, Burfoot engaged in a scheme to defraud the citizens of Norfolk of their right to the honest services of a Norfolk Councilman, Vice Mayor, and Chief Deputy Treasurer. Specifically, Burfoot solicited things of value including money, car payments, and home appliances from individuals with matters before city council and, in exchange, promised to perform specific official acts as well as other actions on an as needed basis on their behalf. Burfoot had illicit relationships with the managers of Tivest Development company as well as Thomas Arney, another developer and local restaurant owner. The managers of Tivest paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to Burfoot and, in exchange, Burfoot voted in favor of City ordinances that provided City-owned land to Tivest for nominal cost and additional City funds for infrastructure improvements. At Burfoot’s request, Arney paid $25,000 to the mother of two of Burfoot’s children after Burfoot promised to obtain the necessary votes for Arney to open a gentlemen’s club on Granby Street in Norfolk. Burfoot also committed perjury, in numerous ways, by claiming under oath during a federal trial that he never accepted nor solicited a thing of value in exchange for performing an official act. Furthermore, according to court records and evidence presented at trial, Ronald Boone, another developer and local restaurant owner, provided cash, gifts, free access to a beach house, other things of value to Burfoot. In exchange, Burfoot performed specific official actions and promised to engage in future official actions to benefit Boone and his business interests.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge District Judge Henry C. Morgan, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa E. O’Boyle, Uzo E. Asonye, and Katherine Lee Martin 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-6.

RICHMOND, Va. – A convicted felon who possessed four firearms, including two weapons capable of accepting large capacity magazines, was sentenced today to a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Marvin Whiters, 29, of Richmond, pleaded guilty on January 12. According to court documents, on April 28, 2016, officers observed Whiters distribute heroin to a cooperating witness at a gas station close to Whiters’ residence. Later that day, the Richmond Police Department executed a search warrant at Whiters’s residence and discovered drugs and four firearms, including an M-4 carbine, semi-automatic rifle; an AK semi-automatic pistol; two semi-automatic 9mm pistols; 500 rounds of ammunition; a rifle optic; additional amounts heroin and packaging; and a bulletproof vest. The M-4 carbine and the AK pistol were firearms capable of accepting large capacity magazines.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-131.

A Wichita, Kansas man and a Chicopee, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography for their participation in a group of individuals who operated two websites for the purpose of coercing and enticing minors as young as eight years old to engage in sexually explicit conduct on web camera.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director Stephen E. Richardson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

“Believing they were cloaked in the anonymity of the Internet, the members of the group sexually exploited hundreds of children around the nation and globe through deceit and trickery,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco. “This case exemplifies the threat of online predators to the world’s most unsuspecting and vulnerable victims. Our prosecutors and law enforcement partners are committed to overcoming the challenges posed by these complex investigations, identifying and notifying victims and their families and rooting out these offenders who lurk and hunt in the shadows of the web.”

“Despite the increasingly common use of technology to hide their conduct, those who seek to take advantage of children online will be found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Boente. “We hope that Operation Subterfuge can serve to show that vulnerable victims will get justice.”

“Crimes against children are among the most heinous crimes that the FBI investigates,” said Assistant Director Richardson. “This case is a prime reminder of the FBI’s unwavering commitment to delivering justice to those who victimize the most vulnerable members of our society. It also serves as a warning that we will stop at nothing to find those who commit these despicable acts. I am incredibly proud of the immense amount of time and effort that men and women throughout the FBI devoted to this investigation. I am also grateful to all of our partners whose collaboration was vital to making this a successful case.”

Allan Cortez, 34, and Edward Parson, 46, were charged on April 4, 2016, and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of the Eastern District of Virginia. Sentencing for Cortez is set for July 21, 2017, and sentencing for Parson is set for July 14, 2017.

According to admissions made in connection with the plea agreements, members of the group created false profiles on social networking and video sites popular with children posing as young teenagers to lure children to two websites they controlled. Parson and Cortez admitted that they showed the children who came to the website pre-recorded videos of prior minor victims, often engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to convince those children that they were chatting live with another minor. Parson and Cortez further admitted that they used these videos to coerce and entice the children to engage in sexually explicit activity on their own web cameras, which could be viewed live by multiple adult members without the victim’s knowledge. Further, Parson and Cortez admitted that these videos were automatically recorded and made available for later download. Parsons and Cortez also admitted that the websites ranked the efforts of members to successfully lure children to the website and to coerce and entice them to engage in sexually explicit conduct on live web camera. Law enforcement agencies have disabled both websites.

In addition to Parson and Cortez, 10 other group members have been convicted and sentenced as follows:

Name, Age, Hometown

Status

Anthony Evans, 54, of Grahamstown, South Africa

Pleaded guilty in South Africa and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on May 29, 2015. An extradition request remains pending.

William J. Morgan, 36, of Essex, New York

Pleaded guilty June 26, 2015. Sentenced to 21 years in prison on Sept. 18, 2015.

Carl Zwengel, 51, of Princeton, Illinois

Pleaded guilty July 10, 2015. Sentenced to 18 years in prison on Oct. 2, 2015.

Milton Smith, Jr., 34, of Lorton, Virginia

Pleaded guilty Aug. 14, 2015. Sentenced to 30 months in prison on Feb. 3, 2017, after testifying at the trial of a co-conspirator.

Christopher McNevin, 37, of Carlisle, Ohio

Pleaded guilty Aug. 21, 2015. Sentenced to 19 years in prison on Dec. 4, 2015.

Karlo Hitosis, 32, of Bronx, New York

Pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 2015. Sentenced to 18 years in prison on Feb. 5, 2016.

Stephen Funk, 35, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pleaded guilty Dec. 18, 2015. Sentenced to 21 years in prison on April 1, 2016.

James E. Hancock, 45, of Thomasville, Georgia

Pleaded guilty Dec. 29, 2015. Sentenced to 90 months in prison on April 1, 2016.

Brian K. Hendrix, 42, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Convicted by jury on Jan. 8, 2016. Sentenced to 21 years in prison on April 8, 2016.

Jeffery Van Dyke, 46, of Weed, California

Pleaded guilty March 10, 2017. Sentencing scheduled for June 9, 2017.

An estimated 1,500 minors were lured to the websites. During the investigation, known as Operation Subterfuge, the FBI identified 357 minor victims in the United States, and Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre identified 43 minor victims in Canada. The FBI’s efforts to identify victims are ongoing.

Trial Attorney Lauren Britsch of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Russell of the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case. Special Agents with the FBI’s Violence Against Children program led the investigation with the assistance of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me, the Digital Analysis and Research Center and the Office of Victim Assistance. The South Africa Police Service, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses, Gauteng; Royal Canadian Mounted Police, National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre; the Dutch Police Services Agency, KLPD; and the Australian Federal Police, Child Protection Operations, Sydney were active partners in Operation Subterfuge, a multinational investigation coordinated by members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children International Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.

Today, Richard Austin pleaded guilty in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia, to trafficking juvenile American eels, aka “elvers” or “glass eels,” in violation of the Lacey Act, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia and Acting Director Jim Kurth of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

As part of his guilty plea, Austin admitted to illegally transporting or selling elvers in interstate commerce, which had been harvested illegally in Virginia and Massachusetts. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Austin was a fisherman from Maine, who travelled to locations near Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Newport News, Virginia, as well as Massachusetts, to illegally harvest elvers. Austin then sold the elvers to dealers from Illinois and New York, who exported them from the United States to buyers in Asia. From 2013 to 2015, Austin trafficked approximately $189,374 worth of illegally-harvested elvers.

This plea was the result of “Operation Broken Glass,” a multi-jurisdiction USFWS investigation into the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the investigation has resulted in guilty pleas for twelve individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $2.94 million worth of elvers.

Eels are highly valued in east Asia for human consumption. Historically, Japanese and European eels were harvested to meet this demand; however, overfishing has led to a decline in the population of these eels. As a result, harvesters have turned to the American eel to fill the void resulting from the decreased number of Japanese and European eels.

American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean bounded on all sides by ocean currents. They then travel as larvae from the Sargasso to the coastal waters of the eastern United States, where they enter a juvenile or elver stage, swim upriver and grow to adulthood in fresh water. Elvers are exported for aquaculture in east Asia, where they are raised to adult size and sold for food. Harvesters and exporters of American eels in the United States can sell elvers to east Asia for more than $2000 per pound.

Because of the threat of overfishing, elver harvesting is prohibited in the United States in all but two states: Maine and South Carolina. Maine and South Carolina heavily regulate elver fisheries, requiring that individuals be licensed and report all quantities of harvested eels to state authorities.

The offense in this case is a felony under the Lacey Act, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or up to twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, or both.

Sentencing is set for July 19, 2017.

Operation Broken Glass was conducted by the USFWS and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section in collaboration with the Maine Marine Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police, USFWS Refuge Law Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Law Enforcement, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game Division of Law Enforcement, Maryland Natural Resources Police, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Division of Natural Resources, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

The government is represented by Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorneys Cassandra Barnum and Shane Waller, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Two Hampton have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to allegations in the indictment, Markis J. Dickerson, 21, who was arrested and taken into custody last night, and Christopher D. Boone, 25, who was already in state custody, conspired to obtain U.S. currency from several financial institutions by depositing worthless and counterfeit financial instruments into accounts belonging to other individuals and then conducting debit card transactions at ATM and retail locations throughout Hampton Roads.

According to the indictment, Dickerson and Boone allegedly recruited account holders of several financial institutions via social media to provide access to their debit cards and personal identification numbers for a period of time in exchange for monetary payment. Dickerson, Boone, and other conspirators then deposited worthless and counterfeit checks and money orders into the compromised accounts primarily through “mobile deposit” online banking applications. Dickerson, Boone, and others were then withdrew cash and made purchases at ATM and retail locations to access the funds made available through such fraudulent deposits. Both men carried firearms when conducting such transactions. Boone, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Both men face a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison to run consecutive to a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison if convicted. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after the indictment was returned. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin C. Gratton 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 is 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-43.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A California woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison today for distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine.

Kimberly Roxann Braun, 34, of Escondido, pleaded guilty on January 13. According to court documents, Jimmy Oliver Zeigler II, who operated in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, regularly traveled to California to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine. Braun met with Zeigler on several occasions and arranged for him to purchase pound quantities of methamphetamine. Braun also used the mail to ship approximately one pound of methamphetamine to one of Zeigler’s co-conspirators.

The case was investigated by the DEA and U.S. Postal Inspection Service as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Ring of Ice. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-269.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Larry Pyos, Jr., 35, of Burke, was sentenced today to 115 years and 10 months in prison for charges related to multiple armed robberies of businesses in Fairfax County and Falls Church.

Pyos faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years for discharging a firearm during one of his armed robberies, and he faced a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for discharging or brandishing a firearm during each of four other armed robberies.

Pyos was found guilty by a federal jury on Oct. 20, 2016. According to court documents, on Aug. 11, 2016, Pyos was indicted for conspiracy, armed robbery, using firearms in committing those robberies and being a felon in possession of firearms. In two of the robberies he fired shots at employees. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Pyos’ crime spree started on Christmas Eve 2015, when he robbed the Good Fortune Supermarket in Falls Church. Pyos, who was armed with a handgun, fired at a store employee as he fled. Pyos later robbed the Shri Krishna grocery store, the Dollar Power store, and the Ding How Carryout all in Springfield. Pyos next robbed the Hong Kong Palace Restaurant in Falls Church on April 26, 2016, and was again armed with a handgun that he fired at a pursuing employee as he fled. Pyos’ final robbery was of a Subway sandwich shop in McLean on May 9, 2016. Pyos was arrested on May 11, 2016, and has been in custody since that date. The two handguns Pyos used in committing these robberies were purchased by his girlfriend and co-conspirator, who previously pleaded guilty to charges arising from these robberies and testified at Pyos’ trial.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler McGaughey and Michael Rich prosecuted the case.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-178.

NORFOLK, Va. – A U.S. Navy sailor who recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with minors was sentenced today to 30 years in prison.

Jordan Lee Adams, 26, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography on January 17. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Adams recorded sexual encounters he had with four minor females from 2009 through 2013. He solicited one of his victims via Facebook messenger when she was 14 years old and Adams was 21 years old. Adams created video recordings of himself performing sexual acts on the victim and stored the files on his laptop in a folder titled “under.” Adams also distributed several sexually explicit depictions of one of his victims via the Kik messenger application. Ultimately, in addition to the files he produced, law enforcement officials found Adams in possession of numerous sexually explicit images of minor females known to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Maureen Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alyssa K. Nichol and David Layne 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-163.

A former officer and program manager for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pleaded guilty today to making false statements regarding his improper use of CBP and other law enforcement databases.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia and Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the of the FBI’s Washington Field Office made the announcement.

Jesus R. Muchacho, 39, of Temple Hills, Maryland, and a naturalized U.S. citizen from Venezuela, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements before U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia.  Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2017.  

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, in December 2013, Muchacho was reassigned to CBP’s National Targeting Center Cargo (NTCC) in Herndon, Virginia, as a CBP officer and a program manager.  The NTCC targets and coordinates the examination of high-risk cargo entering the United States and persons associated with such shipments.  According to his plea, Muchacho held a Top Secret security clearance, which gave him access to classified national security information, sensitive information and protected law enforcement database systems.  Muchacho exceeded CBP’s use restrictions by, among other things, making unauthorized searches and disclosing information to foreign nationals.

According to his plea, on Dec. 1, 2016, Muchacho falsely stated to federal law enforcement officers that: he did not send CBP or U.S. government information outside of CBP systems; he was not asked to provide, and he did not disclose, CBP or U.S. government information to third parties who did not have an authorized need to know; and he did not search law enforcement databases for non-official purposes.  Muchacho further admitted that he made false statements during a background reinvestigation in 2014, when he applied for access to a classified information system in 2016, and when he was interviewed during a secondary inspection at Dulles International Airport.  According to the plea, the false statements were related to his citizenship status, his contacts with foreign governments and an undisclosed foreign passport.

The CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the FBI’s Washington Field Office are investigating the case.  Trial Attorney Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant United States Attorney Grace L. Hill of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man who ran multiple scams that defrauded numerous investors of over $2.3 million, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Gregg Seitz, 49, recruited investors to invest in purported real estate opportunities. Investors were told that Seitz and others were involved in purchasing, renovating and reselling distressed real estate for pennies on the dollar, and that the investors’ money would be used to help purchase and “flip” the real estate. Seitz claimed to have experience with large real estate deals and to be earning large returns on his own money from these investments. Later, Seitz found additional investors, who asked to loan money to finance a purported software company, which investors were falsely told had a lucrative contract with U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In fact, there were no real estate deals and there was no lucrative contract with the Department of Homeland Security. Rather, Seitz used new investor money to pay back old investors and finance his own lifestyle. For example, Seitz spent some of the money on luxury cars, mortgage payments on a townhouse in Alexandria, a wine business, travel to Mexico, Italy and the Caribbean, and purchases from high-end retailers. The total loss to investors was over $2.3 million.

Seitz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 7. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine L. Wong 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-98.

NORFOLK, Va. – On March 1 over 150 law enforcement agents and officers executed a major takedown, arresting dozens of individuals for their respective roles in selling drugs and guns in Norfolk. Today, two more federal defendants pleaded guilty to firearm and drug charges, bringing the total convictions to 10 in the six weeks since the takedown.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) began Operation Riptide in the Fall of 2016, and in collaboration with the Norfolk Police Department, Virginia State Police, and prosecutors from this office and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, identified more than 30 individuals throughout Hampton Roads who were illegally selling firearms, heroin, and/or other narcotics. Operation Riptide resulted in the recovery of over 50 firearms (including at least 3 assault rifles, 2 sawed off shotguns, and 47 hand guns, 18 of which had obliterated serial numbers or were stolen), over 170 grams of heroin, 65 grams of powder cocaine, 290 grams of crack cocaine, and a bullet proof vest.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Larry Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson and U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard accepted the pleas for the ninth and tenth federal defendants.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew C. Bosse, Kevin M. Comstock, Joseph E. DePadilla, Kevin Hudson, William B. Jackson, William D. Muhr, and Daniel T. Young, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler, James F. Entas, of the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Unit, and Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Catherine Paxson.

The ATF’s Norfolk Field Office, the Norfolk Police Department, and the Virginia State Police investigated this case with assistance from the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Police Departments, and the Norfolk and Chesapeake Sheriff’s Offices.

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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:17-cr-Case Nos. 2:17-cr-21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, 36, 37.

 

Name, AKA

Age, Hometown

Pleaded Guilty to the Following Charge(s)

Guilty Plea

Darryl Moore,

aka “Little Darryl”

28, Norfolk

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

March 16

Kejuan Dante Perry,

aka “KP”

25, Chesapeake

Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

March 21

Maurice Owen Johnson,

aka “Dink”

28, Norfolk

Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

March 22

Leonard Lee Brickhouse,

aka “Leo Brixx”

24, Norfolk

Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

March 29

Evrick Speight

aka “P”

23, Virginia Beach

Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

April 5

Jason Gilliard,

aka “Hoodro Wilson”

32, Virginia Beach

Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin

April 10

 

Lamare Pierre Jordan,

aka “L”

30, Norfolk

Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

April 11

James Andre Martin,

aka “Big Buff”

44, Norfolk

Distribution of a Controlled Substance; Felon in Possession of a Firearm

April 10

 

Keone Devon Perry, 23

23, Chesapeake

Transfer of Firearm to Prohibited Person

April 10

Carl Lee Walton, 22

aka “CJ”

22, Virginia Beach

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

April 11

RICHMOND, Va. – A former executive of Nutronix Revolution, Inc., a multi-level vitamin and supplement marketing company, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $963,357.86 for income tax evasion.

Blair S. Bremner, 50, of Mechanicsville, pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2016. According to court documents, Bremner, who holds a business degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, has a history of not filing his income tax returns. For example, between 2006 and 2014, despite earning a substantial income while working as Vice President of Marketing for Nutronix Revolution, Bremner did not file tax returns with the IRS, refusing to file his returns or pay income taxes due totaling $963,357.86. Additionally, Bremner refused to file his returns or pay income taxes despite his father having been convicted and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for the same type of criminal activity.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Kimberly Lappin, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. David Schiller 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-81.

NORFOLK, Va. – A registered sex offender who was collecting child pornography was sentenced today to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release.

Michael Murphy, 68, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on Dec. 28, 2016. According to court documents, Murphy was identified by the Norfolk Police Department in March 2016 when a 9-year-old girl disclosed that she was being molested by Murphy. Subsequent to his arrest, Murphy’s electronics were seized and analyzed, which resulted in the discovery of child pornography images that Murphy had collected on the Internet. Murphy was a registered sex offender, having been convicted in Norfolk courts of various offenses: in 1993 of attempted statutory rape and sodomy; in 1994 of production of child pornography, carnal knowledge, and sodomy; and in 2006 of indecent liberties with children. Murphy’s minor victims have ranged from 4 years old to 14 years old.

This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; and Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-115.

NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man who arranged cocaine deals for a Honduran cocaine trafficker was sentenced today to four years in prison.

Joseph Jesus Grullon, 26, of Chesapeake, pleaded guilty on January 6. According to court documents, in 2014, Grullon resided in Chesapeake with his mother, Janette Elena Cruz Miller, and her boyfriend, German Alvarado Ponce, the leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine in the South Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Ponce, a native of Honduras who was in the United States illegally, did not speak English. Grullon assisted Ponce by making phone calls to Ponce’s English speaking drug customers and arranging drug transactions. On July 15, 2014, law enforcement learned Grullon had arranged a sale of 4.5 kilograms of cocaine with one of Ponce’s customers, Kenneth Bell, of Portsmouth. After the transaction was completed, law enforcement searched Bell’s residence and seized approximately 3.6 kilograms of powder cocaine, 394 grams of cocaine base and approximately $194,000 in cash. See table below for information on the co-defendants in this case.

Name

Date of Guilty Plea

Date of Sentencing

Sentence

Janette Elena Cruz Miller

March 16, 2015

June 24, 2015

18 months

German Alvarado Ponce

March 6, 2015

June 2, 2015

240 months

Kenneth Bell

Feb. 11, 2015

Aug. 6, 2015

120 months

Joseph Jesus Grullon

Jan. 6, 2017

Today

48 months

 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Col. K.L. Wright, Chesapeake Chief of Police; and Tonya D. Chapman, Chief of Portsmouth Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-101.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. –A Newport News man pleaded guilty today to two counts of production of child pornography.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Ernesto Rodriguez Hernandez, 23, of Newport News, used two minor females to produce images of child pornography. Hernandez exchanged messages with Jane Doe 1 using the Facebook messenger application, and received images of child pornography of Jane Doe 1 through Facebook messenger. On Dec. 2, 2016, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Hernandez’s residence, and seized Hernandez’s computers and other media storage items. An examination revealed additional videos and images of child pornography. After forensic examination, law enforcement identified an additional minor victim, Jane Doe 2, who Hernandez used to produce additional images of child pornography.

Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each count when sentenced on July 12. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Cowles and Lisa R. McKeel are prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-94.

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Richmond man today on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Daymont Underwood, 31, of Richmond, was pulled over by the Richmond Police on Oct. 20, 2015, for a traffic violation. Underwood attempted to flee on foot and engaged in a struggle with officers. During the struggle, a loaded .45 caliber handgun fell from Underwood’s waistband. A search of Underwood’s vehicle revealed 78 grams of high-grade marijuana, a digital scale, and sandwich baggies. Law enforcement later determined that Underwood was a convicted felon.

Underwood faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on July 14. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Alfred Durham, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-18.

NORFOLK, Va. – A New York City man pleaded guilty today to illegally harvesting and trafficking more than $150,000 worth of juvenile American eels, aka “elvers” or “glass eels,” in violation of the Lacey Act.

“Illegal harvesting and trafficking of wildlife represents a dire threat to our critical ecosystems,” said Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This investigation into illegal elver trafficking and resulting guilty plea reaffirms our commitment to protecting Virginia’s natural resources for future generations.”

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Tommy Water Zhou, 42, admitted to illegally selling or purchasing elvers harvested illegally in Virginia. In 2010, Zhou established a seafood distribution company known as Wilson Group Sea Trading LLC. The company’s principle place of business was Brooklyn, New York, and its operations included importing seafood for domestic consumption and exporting seafood to international markets. In 2013, Zhou obtained a Maine elver dealer license, authorizing him to purchase and resell elvers harvested in Maine. Thereafter, using his Maine dealer license to cover his illegal activity, Zhou began purchasing and exporting elvers that were actually harvested from Virginia waterways in violation of Virginia law.

“We will not allow illegal wildlife traffickers to undermine managed fish species like the American eel,” said Jeffrey H. Wood, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “In this operation, we are actively partnering with states all along the East Coast to enforce the law and protect our nation's waterways from further exploitation.”

This plea was the result of “Operation Broken Glass,” a multi-jurisdiction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) investigation into the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the investigation has resulted in guilty pleas for 11 individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $2.75 million worth of elvers.

“American eels are a key component of many healthy watersheds, and a priceless part of our natural heritage,” said Jim Kurth, Acting Director of USFWS. “Yet greed is driving criminals to harm the species in the United States, after virtually destroying eel populations in Asia. Today’s guilty plea, along with previous indictments and guilty pleas from defendants in multiple states, demonstrate our resolve to arrest and prosecute those who put profits above the law.”

Eels are highly valued in east Asia for human consumption. Historically, Japanese and European eels were harvested to meet this demand; however, overfishing has led to a decline in the population of these eels. As a result, harvesters have turned to the American eel to fill the void resulting from the decreased number of Japanese and European eels.

“It is important for the preservation of the American eel stock that this type of greedy plundering of juvenile glass eels be stopped. This joint investigation is an excellent example of what cooperative law enforcement partnerships can achieve,” said Virginia Marine Police Chief Rick Lauderman. “We are grateful for the work done by the dedicated agents who participated in Operation Broken Glass.”

American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean bounded on all sides by ocean currents. They then travel as larvae from the Sargasso to the coastal waters of the eastern United States, where they enter a juvenile or elver stage, swim upriver and grow to adulthood in fresh water. Elvers are exported for aquaculture in east Asia, where they are raised to adult size and sold for food. Harvesters and exporters of American eels in the United States can sell elvers to east Asia for more than $2000 per pound.

Because of the threat of overfishing, elver harvesting is prohibited in the United States in all but two states: Maine and South Carolina. Maine and South Carolina heavily regulate elver fisheries, requiring that individuals be licensed and report all quantities of harvested eels to state authorities.

Zhou will be sentenced on July 12 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or up to twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, or both. 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeffrey H. Wood, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division; and Jim Kurth, Acting Director of USFWS, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky and Trial Attorneys Cassandra Barnum and Shane Waller from the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.

Operation Broken Glass was conducted by the USFWS and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section in collaboration with the Maine Marine Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police, USFWS Refuge Law Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Law Enforcement, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game Division of Law Enforcement, Maryland Natural Resources Police, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Division of Natural Resources, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

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 is 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-9.

Today, Tommy Water Zhou pled guilty in federal district court in Norfolk, Virginia, to trafficking more than $150,361 worth of juvenile American eels, aka “elvers” or “glass eels,” in violation of the Lacey Act. As part of his guilty plea, Zhou admitted to illegally selling or purchasing elvers in interstate commerce, which had been harvested illegally in Virginia.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in 2010, Zhou established a seafood distribution company known as Wilson Group Sea Trading LLC. The company’s principle place of business was Brooklyn, New York, and its operations included importing seafood for domestic consumption and exporting seafood to international markets. In 2013, the defendant obtained a Maine elver dealer license, authorizing him to purchase and resell elvers harvested in Maine. Thereafter, using his Maine dealer license to cover his illegal activity, the defendant began purchasing and exporting elvers that were actually harvested from Virginia waterways in violation of Virginia law.

This plea was the result of “Operation Broken Glass,” a multi-jurisdiction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) investigation into the illegal trafficking of American eels. To date, the investigation has resulted in guilty pleas for eleven individuals whose combined conduct resulted in the illegal trafficking of more than $2.75 million worth of elvers.

The guilty plea was announced today by Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Acting Director Jim Kurth of the USFWS.

“We will not allow illegal wildlife traffickers to undermine managed fish species like the American eel,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wood. “In this operation, we are actively partnering with states all along the East Coast to enforce the law and protect our nation's waterways from further exploitation.”

“Illegal harvesting and trafficking of wildlife represents a dire threat to our critical ecosystems,” said U.S. Attorney Boente. “This investigation into illegal elver trafficking and resulting guilty plea reaffirms our commitment to protecting Virginia’s natural resources for future generations.”

“American eels are a key component of many healthy watersheds, and a priceless part of our natural heritage. Yet greed is driving criminals to harm the species in the United States, after virtually destroying eel populations in Asia,” said Acting Director Kurth. “Today’s guilty plea, along with previous indictments and guilty pleas from defendants in multiple states, demonstrate our resolve to arrest and prosecute those who put profits above the law.”

Eels are highly valued in east Asia for human consumption. Historically, Japanese and European eels were harvested to meet this demand; however, overfishing has led to a decline in the population of these eels. As a result, harvesters have turned to the American eel to fill the void resulting from the decreased number of Japanese and European eels.

American eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean bounded on all sides by ocean currents. They then travel as larvae from the Sargasso to the coastal waters of the eastern United States, where they enter a juvenile or elver stage, swim upriver and grow to adulthood in fresh water. Elvers are exported for aquaculture in east Asia, where they are raised to adult size and sold for food. Harvesters and exporters of American eels in the U.S. can sell elvers to east Asia for more than $2000 per pound.

Because of the threat of overfishing, elver harvesting is prohibited in the U.S. in all but two states: Maine and South Carolina. Maine and South Carolina heavily regulate elver fisheries, requiring that individuals be licensed and report all quantities of harvested eels to state authorities.

“It is important for the preservation of the American eel stock that this type of greedy plundering of juvenile glass eels be stopped. This joint investigation is an excellent example of what cooperative law enforcement partnerships can achieve,” said Virginia Marine Police Chief Rick Lauderman. “We are grateful for the work done by the dedicated agents who participated in Operation Broken Glass.”

The offense in this case is a felony under the Lacey Act, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or up to twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, or both.

Sentencing is set for July 12.

Operation Broken Glass was conducted by the USFWS and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section in collaboration with the Maine Marine Patrol, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police, Virginia Marine Resources Commission Police, USFWS Refuge Law Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Law Enforcement, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game Division of Law Enforcement, Maryland Natural Resources Police, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Division of Natural Resources, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Police Department and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

The government is represented by the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorneys Cassandra Barnum and Shane Waller, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky, Environment and Natural Resources Division

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two women were sentenced today for terrorism crimes related to their material support of al-Shabaab, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Muna Osman Jama, 36, of Reston, and Hinda Osman Dhirane, 46, of Kent, Washington, were sentenced to 12 and 11 years, respectively, for conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The women were found guilty of the crimes after a bench trial in front of U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga on Oct. 25, 2016.

According to court documents, Jama and Dhirane, who are both originally from Somalia and are naturalized United States citizens, sent money to financiers of al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, which they referred to respectively as the “Hargeisa side” and the “Nairobi side.” The defendants also organized what was called a “Group of Fifteen,” which included women from Somalia, Kenya, Egypt, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota. The “Group of Fifteen” met regularly in a private chatroom that Jama established to organize and track monthly payment of money to the “Hargeisa side,” which was used to finance al-Shabaab military operations in the Golis Mountains in northern Somalia, and the “Nairobi side,” which was used to fund two al-Shabaab safehouses. One of the safehouses was used by al-Shabaab to store weapons and to prepare for attacks. The other was used to treat al-Shabaab fighters who had been wounded in battle.

A substantial part of the government’s case consisted of recorded telephone calls and other communications among the “Group of Fifteen.” These recordings demonstrated that the women had close connections with al-Shabaab leadership and were privy to non-public, inside information concerning al-Shabaab activities. Jama and Dhirane were recorded as they laughed as the carnage at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi was still taking place. Dhirane and co-conspirator were also recorded as they laughed at the Boston Marathon Bombing before it became known who committed the attack.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mary B. McCord, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Jay S. Tabb, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Gillis and Danya E. Atiyeh prosecuted the case with assistance from C. Alexandria Bogle, Trial Attorney, Counterterrorism Section.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington, D.C. Field Office, with the assistance of the FBI’s Minneapolis and Seattle Field Offices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis also provided valuable assistance to the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs played an essential role in coordinating arrests and searches with foreign authorities.

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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:14-cr-230.

Muna Osman Jama, 36, of Reston, Virginia, and Hinda Osman Dhirane, 46, of Kent, Washington, were sentenced today to 12 years and 11 years respectively. Jama and Dhirane were found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to al-Shabaab, a foreign terrorist organization, and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization after a bench trial in front of U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga on Oct. 25, 2016.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary B. McCord for National Security, U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Jay S. Tabb, Jr. of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.

According to court documents, Jama and Dhirane, who are both originally from Somalia and are naturalized U.S. citizens, sent money to financiers of al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, which they referred to respectively as the “Hargeisa side” and the “Nairobi side.” The defendants also organized what was called a “Group of Fifteen,” which included women from Somalia, Kenya, Egypt, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as Minneapolis, Minnesota. The “Group of Fifteen” met regularly in a private chatroom that Jama established to organize and track monthly payment of money to the “Hargeisa side,” which was used to finance al-Shabaab military operations in the Golis Mountains in northern Somalia, and the “Nairobi side,” which was used to fund two al-Shabaab safehouses. One of the safehouses was used by al-Shabaab to store weapons and to prepare for attacks. The other was used to treat al-Shabaab fighters who had been wounded in battle. 

A substantial part of the government’s case consisted of recorded telephone calls and other communications among the “Group of Fifteen.” These recordings demonstrated that the women had close connections with al-Shabaab leadership and were privy to non-public, inside information concerning al-Shabaab activities. Jama and Dhirane were recorded as they laughed as the carnage at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi was still taking place. Dhirane and co-conspirator were also recorded as they laughed at the Boston Marathon Bombing before it became known who committed the attack. 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington, D.C. Field Office, with the assistance of the FBI’s Minneapolis and Seattle Field Offices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis also provided valuable assistance to the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs played an essential role in coordinating arrests and searches with foreign authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Gillis and Danya E. Atiyeh prosecuted the case with assistance from C. Alexandria Bogle, Trial Attorney, Counterterrorism Section.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Monclaire Saint Louis, 29, and Ulriste Tulin, 40, both from of Carrefour, Haiti, were each sentenced to 20 years in prison today for conspiracy to commit hostage taking, hostage taking and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Both men were ordered to pay $49,000 in restitution to their victims, and will be removed from the United States upon release from prison.

Saint Louis and Tulin were found guilty after a jury trial on Dec. 16, 2016. According to the evidence presented at trial, Saint Louis and Tulin specifically targeted victims they believed had money and would pay a ransom. Saint Louis and Tulin abducted two United States citizens separately, the first on June 2, 2012, and the second on July 9, 2012. Both victims were women, including one who was 68 years old, and each were held for ransom. The first victim was able to escape after eight days and Haitian law enforcement authorities rescued the second victim after four days.

According to evidence presented at trial, multiple firearms were used to abduct each woman from their respective family. A third co-conspirator, Samson Jolibois, pleaded guilty on to his role in the abductions on Feb. 27, 2015, and testified at trial. Multiple Haitian law enforcement officers traveled to the United States to testify at the trial.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Walutes, Jr. 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-173.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who used an elaborate ruse to meet minor girls over Facebook and attempt to coerce them into unlawful sexual activity was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.

Juan Torres-Hernandez, 23, of Triangle, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to court documents, Torres-Hernandez created a Facebook account using a false name, age, and photograph. Using this account, Torres-Hernandez contacted multiple minor girls and attempted to convince them to meet him for sex. Torres-Hernandez eventually convinced a 15-year old victim to send him nude photographs and to meet in person. When Torres-Hernandez met the victim, he pretended to be a friend of the person on Facebook to whom the victim had been speaking. Torres-Hernandez then drove the victim to his home in Triangle and engaged in criminal sexual activity.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Stephan M. Hudson, Prince William County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-283.

NORFOLK, Va. – Five members of a Portsmouth based heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization have been sentenced to approximately 66 years in prison.

The final member to face sentencing, Nathaniel Powell, 34, of Portsmouth, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison. Detuan Gordon, 26, Ernest Cross, 38, Valerie Wilson, 56, and Marque Wilson, 34, all of Portsmouth, were all previously sentenced for their respective roles in the conspiracy. See table below for details.

According to court documents, from March 2012 through July 2016, members of this organization conspired to manufacture and distribute heroin in excess of 1,000 grams. The group’s primary source of supply for heroin and fentanyl came from Baltimore. The narcotics were then transported to Hampton Roads and repackaged using a hydraulic press machine and gel capsules for retail sales. This organization further disseminated their drugs and served as a source of supply for other individuals in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

According to court documents, on Dec. 22, 2015, police executed a search warrant on Gordon’s residence and recovered opiates, scales, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. During the conspiracy Gordon, a convicted felon, possessed an AK-47-style rifle as well as a Taurus handgun. When Gordon was arrested police recovered nearly $50,000 in cash, a firearm, heroin, and fentanyl. Valerie Wilson was arrested in Moyock, North Carolina, after selling five grams of heroin. Wilson also had a minor in her vehicle when she distributed the heroin.

 

Two members of the group led police on two separate vehicle pursuits. Marque Wilson, who was in possession of heroin and cocaine, was arrested on June 10, 2016, after attempting to elude police. On May 26, 2016, Powell led police on a high-speed chase past a school and through residential neighborhoods of Portsmouth before he crashed into another driver, who was subsequently hospitalized. Powell, who is a paraplegic, used a cane to drive during the pursuit. Police recovered seven grams of fentanyl, some marijuana, and approximately $3,600 cash from Powell. After Powell’s state arrest, he threatened to kill an individual he believed was working with police. He was then arrested on federal charges, and after pleading guilty on Oct. 20, 2016, made more threats to a co-conspirator through the use of notes that were sent between cell blocks at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.

Name

Date of Guilty Plea

Date of Sentencing

Sentence

Nathaniel Powell

Oct. 20, 2016

Today

300 months

Detuan Gordon

Sept. 20, 2016

Jan. 26, 2017

295 months

Ernest Cross

Sept. 23, 2016

Jan. 20, 2017

70 months

Valerie Wilson

Sept. 16, 2016

Jan. 20, 2017

60 months

Marque Wilson

Oct. 18, 2016

Jan. 27, 2017

72 months

 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; Tonya D. Chapman, Chief of the Portsmouth Police Department; and Kelvin L. Wright, Chief of the Chesapeake Police Department made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. DePadilla and Andrew C. Bosse prosecuted the case.

 

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-97.

NORFOLK, Va. – Four Norfolk men have been sentenced to a combined 37 years in prison for their respective roles in several Tidewater AT&T Store robberies in early 2016.

The final defendant to face sentencing, Corey Holmes, 27, of Norfolk, was sentenced to 121 months in prison today. Kendrick Perry, 23, Brice Keeling, 24, and Breon Berry, 25, all of Norfolk, all have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. See the table below for additional details.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, the men conspired with one another to rob the stores of cellphones, tablets and cash. The men entered the stores wearing masks and brandished what appeared to be firearms at the employees. They would subsequently demand money and access to the unsold electronic devices, including cellphones and tablets. They then would make the employees get down on the floor, zip tied their hands and feet, and took the employees personal phones and some form of identification, telling the employees that they now know where the employees live. In total, the men took approximately $370,000 worth of electronic devices and approximately $3,432 in cash during the robberies. Keeling and Holmes conducted two of the robberies, while Keeling and Perry conducted the remaining robbery. Berry was the get-away driver for all three robberies. Their robbery spree ended when a construction worker took down the license plate of their fleeing vehicle during their last robbery. The plates came back to Berry who confessed to the robberies and named his co-conspirators. Keeling and Perry were arrested in Columbia, South Carolina, attempting to sell the electronic devices from the last robbery to a third party.

Name

Date of Guilty Plea

Date of Sentencing

Sentence

Corey Holmes

Oct. 7, 2016

Today

121 months

Kendrick Perry

Sept. 27, 2016

January 11

121 months

Brice Keeling

Oct. 11, 2016

January 26

125 months

Breon Berry

Sept. 27, 2016

February 6

84 months

 

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Martin Culbreth, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis. Assistant U.S. Attorney William D. Muhr 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-94.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A father and son were sentenced today to a combined 27 years in prison for their roles in a synthetic cannabinoid trafficking operation. The duo was also ordered to forfeit over $1.9 million from their Spice sales.

 

Nader Abdallah, 56, of Rochester, New York, who was sentenced to 198 months in prison, was convicted on Oct. 20, 2016, by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues, possession with intent to distribute schedule I controlled substances, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and two counts of false statements. Nader’s son, Sharif Abdallah, 33, also of Rochester, who was sentenced to 132 months in prison, pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2016, to conspiracy to use a communication facility and unlawful monetary transactions.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of Nader Abdallah, the father/son team operated a gas station and convenience store located on Warwick Boulevard in Newport News called the Red Barn. Nader and Sharif would take turns coming down from New York to operate the store. In 2011, the Red Barn began selling smokable synthetic cannabinoid products, commonly known as “Spice.” According to court documents, Sharif told investigating agents that he would spend $15,000 to $20,000 on spice inventory in a slow month and $30,000 to $50,000 on spice inventory in a good month.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial of Nader Abdallah, on Sept. 18, 2014, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Red Barn, where they found over 18 kilograms of spice, over $100,000 in cash and a safety deposit box key. Agents conducted a subsequent search warrant of the safety deposit box where they uncovered approximately $700,000 in cash. Eight days after that search warrant, Sharif contacted the Red Barn’s spice supplier and indicated that he and his father wanted to transition from the spice retail they had been doing at the Red Barn to spice wholesale. The Red Barn on Warwick Boulevard was subsequently sold and is no longer under the Abdallahs’ ownership. In December 2014, Nader and Sharif Abdallah acquired a new property in Newport News, which they began using to wholesale spice. During a search warrant executed at that new location on April 20, 2015, law enforcement found over a kilogram of spice and over $10,000 in cash.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric M. Hurt and Kevin Hudson 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:15-cr-18.

NORFOLK, Va. – Jamie Lee Sorrentino, 50, of Suffolk, pleaded guilty today to receipt of images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, a computer user at Sorrentino’s residence was distributing images of child pornography via peer-to-peer file sharing technology. In June 2016, the Suffolk Police Department executed a search warrant a Sorrentino’s house and seized numerous items of electronic media. After examination, a forensic specialist found over 50,000 images and videos of child pornography and child erotica. That same day, Sorrentino confessed that he was responsible for the images and videos.

Sorrentino faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison when sentenced on September 12. 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.

This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; and Thomas E. Bennett, Chief of Police, Suffolk Police Department, made the announcement after Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi 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 is 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-42.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Iraqi refugees living in Northern Virginia were arrested this morning and charged along with another individual with immigration fraud.

The defendants arrested this morning are Yousif Al Mashhandani (“Yousif”), 35, of Vienna, and Adil Hasan, 38, of Burke, who are full biological brothers. The third individual charged is Enas Ibrahim, 32, also of Burke, who is the wife of Hasan. Each are charged with attempting to obtain naturalization contrary to law. The defendants will have their initial appearance today in front of Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis at 2 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Alexandria.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on Nov. 1, 2004, a United States citizen, identified as R.H., was kidnapped in Iraq and held with other hostages for months in horrible conditions in an underground bunker. After a raid in 2005 freed the hostages, authorities detained Majid Al Mashhadani (“Majid”), who is a full biological brother of Yousif and Adil Hasan, and he admitted his complicity in the kidnapping of R.H.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Yousif was admitted into the United States as a refugee in 2008. In May 2013, Yousif resided in Vienna and applied for naturalization as a United States citizen. In connection with Yousif’s applications for citizenship, his fingerprints were taken. According to an FBI fingerprint specialist, analysis conducted in November 2013 determined that Yousif’s fingerprints match those found on a document at the underground bunker where forces rescued R.H. and others in Iraq in 2005.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Yousif, Hasan, and Ibrahim are lawful permanent residents and have applied to naturalize and become United States citizens. On various applications and forms throughout their respective immigration processes, each has provided and extensive list of family members and information of their respective family trees; however, none ever listed any reference to Majid.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on March 4, 2016, FBI agents interviewed Yousif, Hasan and Ibrahim. When FBI agents asked Yousif why he failed to include reference to Majid on the family tree form, Yousif said he omitted reference to Majid because, when he was a refugee, he was told by others applying for refugee status that he would not be allowed into the United States if any immediate family members had a criminal background. Hasan admitted to FBI agents that Majid was his brother, and Hasan and Ibrahim each admitted they discussed not including Majid’s name on their applications for refugee status because their connection to Majid might delay their ability to gain such status.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, to justify his application for refugee status, Yousif reported that in 2006, while working as an anti-corruption investigator for the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity in Iraq, he started receiving threats from a Shiite militia known as the "Al Mahdi Militia," in order to coerce Yousif to drop a particular corruption investigation. Yousif said that in May 2006 Adil was kidnapped by the Al Mahdi Militia, and only released after Yousif arranged to drop the investigation in question and helped pay a large ransom. Yousif said that after Adil was released, he reopened the corruption investigation, only to flee to Jordon in October 2006 after his parents’ house was burned down.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, to justify his application for refugee status, Hasan provided sworn testimony that, in 2006, he had been kidnapped and tortured by members of the Al Mahdi Army and held for nearly a month. Hasan said he was released upon the payment of a ransom of $20,000. In an interview by FBI agents in April 2016, Hasan said he was threatened in Iraq on two occasions, but made no mention of being kidnapped, held hostage, and tortured for nearly a month. In a subsequent interview in October 2016, FBI agents confronted Hasan about the discrepancy in his stories and Hasan admitted to making false statements and creating his persecution story.

Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. 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.

Dana J. Boente, Acting Deputy Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Patrick J. Lechleitner, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes ICE/HSI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Colleen E. Garcia 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-mj-143.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Yousif Al Mashhandani (“Yousif”), 35, of Vienna, Virginia, and Adil Hasan, 38, of Burke, Virginia, who are full biological brothers, were arrested this morning. The third individual charged is Enas Ibrahim, 32, also of Burke, who is the wife of Hasan. Each are charged with attempting to obtain naturalization contrary to law. The defendants will have their initial appearance today in front of Magistrate Judge Ivan D. Davis at 2 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia.

Acting Deputy Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Dana J. Boente, Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI’s Washington Field and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Lechleitner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on Nov. 1, 2004, a U.S. citizen, identified as R.H., was kidnapped and held with other hostages for months in horrible conditions in an underground bunker. After a raid in 2005 freed the hostages, Majid Al Mashhadani (“Majid”), who is a full biological brother of Yousif and Hasan, was detained and admitted his complicity in the kidnapping of R.H.   

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Yousif was admitted into the U.S. as a refugee in 2008. In May 2013, Yousif resided in Vienna and applied for naturalization as a U.S. citizen. In connection with Yousif’s applications for citizenship, his fingerprints were taken. According to an FBI fingerprint specialist, analysis conducted in November 2013 determined that Yousif’s fingerprints match those found on a document at the underground bunker where forces rescued R.H. and others in Iraq in 2005.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Yousif, Hasan and Ibrahim are lawful permanent residents and have applied to naturalize and become U.S. citizens.  On various applications and forms throughout their respective immigration processes, each has provided an extensive list of family members and information of their respective family trees; however, none listed any reference to Majid.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, on March 4, 2016, FBI agents interviewed Yousif, Hasan and Ibrahim. When FBI agents asked Yousif why he failed to include reference to Majid on the family tree form, Yousif said he omitted reference to Majid because, when he was a refugee, he was told by others applying for refugee status that he would not be allowed into the U.S. if any immediate family members had a criminal background. Hasan admitted to FBI agents that Majid was his brother. Hasan and Ibrahim each admitted they discussed not including Majid’s name on their applications for refugee status because their connection to Majid might delay their ability to gain such status.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, to justify his application for refugee status, Yousif reported that in 2006, while working as an anti-corruption investigator for the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity in Iraq, he started receiving threats from a Shiite militia known as the "Al Mahdi Militia," in order to coerce Yousif to drop a particular corruption investigation. Yousif said that in May 2006, Hasan was kidnapped by the Al Mahdi Militia, and was released only after Yousif arranged to drop the investigation in question and helped pay a large ransom. Yousif said that after Hasan was released, he reopened the corruption investigation, only to flee to Jordon in October 2006 after his parents’ house was burned down.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, to justify his application for refugee status, Hasan provided sworn testimony that, in 2006, he had been kidnapped and tortured by members of the Al Mahdi Army and held for nearly a month. Hasan said he was released upon the payment of a ransom of $20,000. In an interview by FBI agents in April 2016, Hasan said he was threatened in Iraq on two occasions, but made no mention of being kidnapped, held hostage and tortured for nearly a month. In a subsequent interview in October 2016, FBI agents confronted Hasan about the discrepancy in his stories and Hasan admitted to making false statements and creating his persecution story.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes ICE/HSI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon Kromberg and Collen Garcia for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

2017 03 28 Mashhadani Affidavit

NORFOLK, Va. – A U.S. Navy senior chief who stole personal identity information of sailors under his command was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for identity theft and bank fraud.

Clayton A. Pressley, 41, of Chesapeake, pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2016. According to the statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, Pressley used his position as a senior enlisted member of a local military command to steal personal identity information and identification documents of members of his command. Using that information and pretending to be two of his subordinates, he applied for and received several loans from Pioneer Mid-Country Bank totaling $24,000. He also possessed identity documents at his residence for eight other members of his military command.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Maureen Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Nichol and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Haynie 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 is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-66.