Eastern District of Washington

Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a six-count federal indictment charging Ayoola Taiwo Adeoti a/k/a “Gaji,” age 41, with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy in connection with a business email compromise (BEC) scam that is alleged to have stolen $740,216.79 from Benton County in November 2019.

The indictment alleges that Adeoti directed an individual to set up bank accounts in the Atlanta, Georgia area, in the name of a fictitious business. As alleged in the indictment, a co-conspirator of Adeoti then posed as a contractor of Benton County by using a fraudulent email sent from overseas that mimicked the name of a legitimate contractor frequently employed by the County. As a result of the fraudulent emails, the indictment alleges, Benton County employees believed that the County had received valid electronic funds transfer information to make payment, when in fact Adeoti and his co-conspirators directed payment to one of the bank accounts that Adeoti had fraudulently created. According to the indictment, neither Adeoti nor any of the co-conspirators had any connection to Benton County’s contractor, but based on the fraudulent emails, and resulting instructions to Benton County’s bank, Benton County electronically transferred $740,216.79 of its funds into the bank account in Atlanta fraudulently set up by Adeoti. That same day, as charged in the indictment, a co-conspirator of Adeoti’s withdrew $8,000 in cash from the fraudulently created bank account and handed the cash directly to Adeoti.

“Business email compromise scams, often perpetrated outside of the state, are a recurring problem which illegally siphon funds from our businesses, local governments, and residents throughout Eastern Washington,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “In order to make Eastern Washington communities safer and stronger, we will continue to vigorously prosecute these scammers and those that manage these conspiracies.”

Fortunately, Benton County employees realized that the County had likely been defrauded and immediately contacted law enforcement. Based on court records, this led to the United States Secret Service, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, to execute a seizure warrant on the alleged fraudulent bank account and seize the remaining funds that had not immediately been withdrawn. The United States Attorney’s Office subsequently forfeited the funds through a civil forfeiture action, which resulted in returning $717,201.44 of the stolen funds to Benton County.

“I commend the Benton County Auditor’s Office for quickly realizing what happened and immediately reaching out to law enforcement. Because of their prompt response, our office and the Secret Service have already returned more than 95% of the stolen funds to the people of Benton County,” added U.S. Attorney Waldref.

If convicted, Mr. Adeoti faces the following possible maximum statutory sentences: 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and on each count of wire fraud; 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and on each count of bank fraud.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Spokane Resident Office. This case is being prosecuted by Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington. The civil forfeiture action was prosecuted by Brian M. Donovan, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – Each year, taxpayers’ personal information is compromised through phishing scams or by unscrupulous tax preparers. With tax season kicking off on January 24, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and IRS Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) urge taxpayers to be aware of tax-related fraud.

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref encouraged all taxpayers to be vigilant as tax season kicks off: “Having a safe, strong community in Eastern Washington includes ensuring that taxpayers are protected from fraud. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues at IRS to ensure not only that all taxpayers pay their fair share, but that no one is taken advantage of by shady preparers or online scams. As tax season begins, I urge all taxpayers in Eastern Washington to file federal taxes timely and to be on the lookout for unsolicited offers that look too good to be true.”

“In the midst of a pandemic that has greatly affected us all, some people see an opportunity to illegally line their own pockets. IRS-CI is continually using all of its resources to protect the public from fraudsters, but there are also things that taxpayers can do this filing season to protect their financial well-being,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS-CI Seattle Field Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and IRS-CI are committed to protecting taxpayers from those who seek to cheat the U.S. tax system, and offer the following ten tips to help taxpayers avoid tax season fraud:

1. Choose tax preparers wisely. Look for preparers who are available year-round.

2. Ask tax preparers for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (“PTINs”). All paid preparers are required to have these numbers.

3. Do not use ghost preparers. These are preparers who will not sign tax returns they prepare.

4. Do not fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds. All taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.

5. Do not sign blank tax returns. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on the tax returns that are filed with the IRS, no matter who prepares them.

6. Make sure that tax refunds are received and deposited into the bank accounts of taxpayers, not tax preparers.

7. Do not take telephone calls from anyone claiming to be the IRS or threatening legal action on behalf of the IRS. The IRS does not make calls like this. Hang up on anyone claiming to be a representative of the IRS.

8. Do not respond to text messages, emails, or social media posts from anyone claiming to be the IRS. These communications may contain malware that can compromise personal information.

9. Do not click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about tax returns. These messages are fraudulent.

10. Protect personal and financial information. Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media posts from anyone claiming to be the IRS.

This year’s tax season began on January 24 and continues through April 18 for most taxpayers. U.S. taxpayers are subject to tax on worldwide income from all sources and must report all taxable income and pay taxes according to the Internal Revenue Code.

Taxpayers found to be committing fraud may be subject to penalties including payment of taxes owed plus interest, fines and jail time. In the Eastern District, a tax preparer named Jonathan Schumann was recently sentenced to six months in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns. Schumann operated a tax return preparation business, J’s Income Tax, out of his residence in Richland, Washington. He prepared false tax returns claiming fraudulent and inflated itemized deductions, including charitable contributions, personal property taxes, and unreimbursed employee business expenses.

For more tips on how to choose tax professionals or file complaints, visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business may file a report with the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral. Taxpayers can also report phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov and IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov.

Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced the unsealing of a 138-count federal indictment charging twenty-three defendants in Washington, California, Michigan, Nevada, and British Columbia, Canada with participating in a staged automobile accident scheme, obstructing an official proceeding, and making false statements to FBI investigators.

According to the indictment, twenty-two of the defendants conspired to commit mail and wire fraud and health care fraud by staging approximately 14 automobile accidents and thereafter caused the submission of almost $1 million in false insurance claims for lost wages, bodily injury, and property damage. According to the allegations, in at least three of the staged accidents, there were no occupants (driver or passengers) in the “victim” vehicle when a defendant deliberately drove the “at fault” vehicle” into the “victim” vehicle. The twenty-two defendants alleged to have been involved in the scheme are: Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Insaf A. Karawi, Hasanein A. Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, Mashael A. Bachay, Hussein K. Bachay, Mohammad Bajay, Noor Tahseen Al-Maarej, Ali F. Al-Himrani, Rana J. Kaabawi, Amar F. Abdul-Salam, Ameer R. Mohammed, Mohammed F. Al-Himrani, Maria Elena Sanchez, Seifeddine A. Al-Kinani, Farooq S. Yaseen, Firas S. Hadi, Abdullah Al-Dulaimi, Khalil Abdul-Razaq, Jesus George Sanchez, and Sinan Akrawi.

The indictment further alleges that when Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Hasanein A. Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, Ali F. Al-Himrani and Mohammed Naji Al-Jibory (who is not charged in the staged accident scheme) learned of the FBI’s investigation, they committed various acts to obstruct official proceedings. Some of the alleged obstructive acts included Ali Abed Yaser, Hussein A. Yasir, Hasanein A. Yaser and Mohammed Naji Al-Jibory fabricating a story that the FBI case agent, and another individual suspected of working as an FBI informant, solicited a $22,000 bribe payment in exchange for offering the investigation or case to go away. Other alleged obstructive acts included Ali Abed Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay and Ali F. Al-Himrani using threats of physical force to prevent communication of information about the possible commission of federal crimes to a law enforcement officer and a judge.

Two of the defendants, Ali Abed Yaser and Mohammad Naji Al-Jibory, are charged with making false statements to FBI investigators. Ali Abed Yaser, Ahmad K. Bachay, and Ali F. Al-Himrani are charged with witness tampering. The indictment also alleges Ali Abed Yaser attempted to tamper with evidence.

The following defendants are charged in the Indictment:

Defendant, Age, Location

ALI ABED YASER 51 Kennewick, WA

HUSSEIN A. YASIR 39 Kennewick, WA

INSAF A. KARAWI 52 Kennewick, WA

HASANEIN A. YASER 20 Kennewick, WA

AHMAD K. BACHAY 35 El Cajon, CA

MASHAEL A. BACHAY 31 El Cajon, CA

MOHAMMAD BAJAY 39 El Cajon, CA

HUSSAIN K. BACHAY 32 Vancouver, B.C. Canada

NOOR TAHSEEN AL-MAAREJ 32 El Cajon, CA

ALI F. AL-HIMRANI 40 Temecula, CA

RANA J. KAABAWI 38 Temecula, CA

AMAR F. ABDUL-SALAM 40 El Cajon, CA

AMEER R. MOHAMMED 45 Kennewick, WA

MOHAMMED F. AL-HIMRANI 33 Kennewick, WA

MARIA ELENA SANCHEZ 41 Kennewick, WA

SEIFEDDINE A. AL-KINANI 37 Las Vegas, NV

ABDULLAH AL-DULAIMI 30 Detroit, MI

FIRAS S. HADI 41 El Cajon, CA

FAROOQ S. YASEEN 32 Kennewick, WA

KHALIL ABDUL-RAZAQ 40 Kennewick, WA

JESUS GEORGE SANCHEZ 56 Eltopia, WA

SINAN AKRAWI 44 La Mesa, CA

MOHAMMED NAJI AL-JIBORY 54 Kennewick, WA

Four defendants have not been located at this time and are considered fugitives. If convicted, the defendants face the following possible maximum statutory sentences: 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and each count of mail and wire fraud; 20 years in prison for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and each count of witness and evidence tampering; 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud; and five years in prison for making false statements to the FBI.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case is being prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III and Dominique Juliet Park, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

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

Richland, Washington – On January 6, U.S. District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Trent Drexel Howard, 50, of West Richland, Washington, to 23 years in federal prison for attempted production of child pornography. Judge Mendoza also ordered Howard to serve an additional 20 years on federal supervision after he is released from prison. Howard pleaded guilty on September 23, 2021.

According to court documents, from 2008 through 2016, Howard attempted to produce child pornography of at least 14 different minor victims by hiding cameras in the bathrooms and bedrooms of his residence in the Eastern District of Washington. Howard captured video footage of his minor victims in nude and semi-nude states.

The investigation began when Howard distributed 168 files containing suspected child pornography images and videos to an undercover agent using a publicly accessible, Internet-based, file-sharing network. Federal agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Howard’s residence and discovered the hidden camera footage on some of the more than 100 electronic devices they seized.

Howard was working in Kazakhstan when federal agents executed the search warrant at his residence. After learning of the investigation, Howard attempted to remain in Kazakhstan and avoid facing these charges, but Kazakh authorities arrested him on September 12, 2019. A Kazakh judge ordered Howard detained pending an extradition request from the United States, which soon followed. According to the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Howard’s removal from Kazakhstan is the first extradition to the United States from Kazakhstan.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref for the Eastern District of Washington praised the complex international efforts taken to investigate the case, bring the prosecution, and extradite Howard to face these charges in Richland: “Mr. Howard earned every day of his multi-decade sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “This case makes it clear that those who exploit children in our community will be held accountable, even if they try to hide in a foreign country or avoid extradition to the United States. I cannot commend highly enough the agencies and departments that worked together to achieve justice for this serial child predator. The FBI led a collaborative investigation that required the excellent and diligent work of the U.S. State Department, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and detectives from the Kennewick, Richland, and Moses Lake Police Departments. It is simply remarkable how many moving parts were involved in bringing this investigation and prosecution to a just resolution.”

“For more than a decade, Mr. Howard victimized numerous minors and possessed tens of thousands of child exploitation materials,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald M. Voiret of the FBI Seattle Field Office. “This case demonstrates that no matter where in the world our subjects may be, the FBI will stop at nothing to hold child predators accountable.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ 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 sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the FBI Spokane Resident Office, with the Southeast Regional ICAC Task Force, and the Kennewick, Richland, and Moses Lake Police Departments. Invaluable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of State and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – The United States Marshals are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the capture of William Oldham Mize, who failed to appear for a pretrial conference before United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Spokane. Mize, 60, is alleged to have participated in a multi-million-dollar fraud, and has been a fugitive from justice since approximately July 10, 2019, when he is alleged to have violated his pretrial release conditions by failing to make himself available for pretrial supervision to the U.S. Probation Office and failing to contact his attorney. A United States Magistrate Judge has issued a warrant for Mize’s arrest.

On December 18, 2018, a federal Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Washington found probable cause to indict Mize and others on numerous charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The alleged criminal activity took place for years, between September 2013 and April 2018. Court records indicate that Mize is alleged to have caused fake car accidents, falls, and other accidents in multiple states. To date, insurers have paid more than $6 million on Mize’s allegedly fraudulent claims.

Mize originally appeared in federal court on January 9, 2019, to answer a summons issued in connection with his federal indictment. He was released pending trial on conditions that included reporting to the U.S. Probation Office as often as directed, contacting his defense attorney weekly, posting an unsecured $750,000 appearance bond, surrendering his U.S. Passport, limiting his travel to Washington and Nevada, and showing up for all future court dates.

Mize is believed to have used numerous aliases, including Phillip Novak, Phillip Gonzalez, Phillip Boito, Bill Babaian, Bill Park, William Park, William Talento, William Westfall, Phillip Amezcua, Phillip Smith, William Smith, Will Smith, William Frangella, William Tardy, William Sharp, Phillip Tardy and Chad Harris. He has previously frequented cities in Washington, California, Florida, and Mexico, as well as Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Mize is a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

Tips may be submitted directly to the United States Marshals Service by calling 1-877-WANTED2 or using the USMS Tips App.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George J.C. Jacobs, III. The case number is 18-CR-00232-TOR.

 

Spokane, Washington – On December 13, 2021, Senior United States District Judge W. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Patrick Elliott Pearson, 49, of Moses Lake, Washington, to 35 years in prison for shooting at four ATF agents with a shotgun in connection with a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. Earlier this year, a jury convicted Pearson of assaulting the agents, engaging in a drug conspiracy, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The United States Probation Office calculated Pearson’s advisory range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines at 30 years to life, with a mandatory 10-year sentence for discharging the shotgun, consecutive to all other counts. Judge Nielsen determined that Pearson’s criminal history was in Category VI, the highest category under the federal guidelines.

The evidence at trial showed that Pearson, along with co-defendant Luis Manuel Farias-Cardenas, controlled and facilitated a methamphetamine and heroin distribution ring in the greater Grant County and Yakima areas from 2015 to 2019. The jury considered extensive evidence at trial that demonstrated that Pearson was responsible for the distribution of hundreds upon hundreds of pounds of heroin and methamphetamine into the Grant County community. As part of his role in this endeavor, Pearson lived in a trailer on a compound in Mae Valley, Washington, outside Moses Lake. At that compound, the conspirators received, stored, and dealt methamphetamine and heroin to customers. Judge Nielsen concluded that the compound was a drug “stash house” and imposed an enhancement for Pearson’s maintenance of a premise for the purpose of drug trafficking.

On the morning of July 16, 2019, numerous ATF agents, Grant County deputies, and local officers went to Pearson’s Mae Valley compound to serve search and arrest warrants authorized by a federal magistrate judge. Specially trained agents from ATF’s Special Response Team (“SRT”) approached Pearson’s trailer to arrest him. As they approached, Pearson aimed his shotgun at the ATF agents and repeatedly pulled the trigger, blasting lead slugs and buckshot rounds at them through the trailer’s fiberglass walls. He then reloaded the shotgun and continued to shoot at the agents. Grant County Sheriff’s Office took the lead on the shooting investigation. The evidence at trial showed that Pearson knew where he needed to aim to hit the ATF agents, because he had installed numerous high-definition security cameras on the property that live-streamed what was happening outside his trailer onto a large, high-definition television screen inside the trailer.

The ATF agents did not shoot back at Pearson, because they were not able to see if anyone else was inside the trailer. With the aid of a trained law-enforcement canine, the ATF agents were eventually able to arrest Pearson. When he finally came out of the trailer, law enforcement officers learned that after shooting at the officers, he had tried to take his own life with the shotgun. He was unsuccessful, and the ATF agents immediately arranged for Pearson to be life-flighted to Spokane for medical treatment.

During his sentencing hearing, Pearson claimed that he was not trying to hurt anyone, and that he was just trying to buy time by scaring the ATF agents. Judge Nielsen rejected this contention and told Pearson that the only conclusion that could be reached about his conduct that morning was that he was trying to hurt or kill the agents. Judge Nielsen specifically noted that Pearson was not “shooting blind,” based on the video surveillance system that was live-streaming the locations of the ATF agents. Judge Nielsen also found that the evidence of Pearson reloading the shotgun supported the conclusion that Pearson’s intent was not merely to scare the officers. Judge Nielsen also commented on the serious impact Pearson’s drug trafficking had on the community, noting that because of Pearson’s choice to distribute drugs, he was feeding the addiction of current addicts and making drugs available to others who might become addicts.

United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement and emphasized the need to keep Eastern Washington safe and strong from both drugs and drug-related violence. “No one can be allowed to shoot at law enforcement. Numerous brave ATF agents went to Mr. Pearson’s trailer that morning to do their jobs by executing a lawful court order and serving a valid arrest warrant. Thanks to Mr. Pearson’s poor aim, this community has not had to endure the potential tragedy of fallen ATF officers. Today’s sentence sends a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can shoot their way out of an arrest and get away with it – they cannot. If they try, the United States Attorney’s Office will work with its federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent provided by law. When Mr. Pearson saw on his video screens that ATF was present with a warrant, he simply had to surrender to avoid the most serious charges in this case. Instead, with reckless disregard for human life, he tried to hurt or kill a number of agents.”

United States Attorney Waldref continued: “I am both grateful for, and inspired by, the professionalism shown by the ATF agents who risked their lives that morning. They relied on their training to keep themselves and Mr. Pearson safe, and no ATF officer even returned fire into the trailer despite being shot at multiple times. I thank and commend the ATF SRT team, their ATF, DEA, and Grant County colleagues, and the hundreds of law enforcement officers and professionals who executed dozens of other warrants that very same morning. No other execution of a warrant that morning involved anyone pulling a trigger—only Mr. Pearson shot at law enforcement that day, and it is appropriate that he will spend 35 years in federal prison for doing so.”

Jonathan T. McPherson, the ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge, echoed the U.S. Attorney, stating: “The actions of the ATF Special Agents and officers from our partner agencies that day are truly commendable. They acted with high regard not only for the safety of the surrounding community, but also for Mr. Pearson, despite the fact that he was shooting at our Special Response Team. We are thankful none of our Special Agents were injured and that Mr. Pearson will serve a significant sentence.”

Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Seattle Field Division joined that sentiment, noting: “This brazen attack on law enforcement illustrates the direct correlation between drug trafficking and violence. We have long known that drug trafficking organizations use violence and fear to further their criminal enterprises. With the help of our partners, we strive to drive down drug-related violence that endangers our communities. We will continue to do so through enforcement actions, community engagement, education, and awareness.”

This investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation was conducted by DEA and ATF, with significant assistance from the Grant County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted and tried to a jury by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin A. Baunsgard and David M. Herzog.

Spokane, Washington – Esther Rae Tuller, age 40, of Moses Lake, Washington, has pleaded guilty to tampering with morphine medication while working as a registered nurse. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian accepted Tuller’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 17, 2022, in Spokane.

According to court documents and information disclosed during Tuller’s change of plea hearing, between August 2019 and April 2020, Tuller was a Washington-licensed registered nurse employed at the Confluence Health Clinic in Moses Lake. Her position as a nurse provided her with access to medications, including opioid narcotics such as morphine, an opioid derivative commonly prescribed by hospitals and health care facilities to relieve pain. 

While working at Confluence Health, Tuller used syringes to remove morphine from at least 17 vials, and then ingested that morphine as part of her own opioid addiction. She then replaced the morphine with a saline solution that was essentially salt dissolved in water, and attempted to glue the caps back onto the vials to make them appear intact. Before Tuller was apprehended by law enforcement, at least one Confluence Health patient who was prescribed morphine had to be rushed to the emergency room; that patient continued to be in excruciating pain after receiving only saline from what was supposed to be morphine vials.

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref emphasized that part of her mission to ensure a safe and strong community in Eastern Washington includes addressing the opioid epidemic in all of its forms. “While Ms. Tuller’s addiction to opioids is both tragic and far too common, her decision to take advantage of her access to medical-grade morphine was an egregious breach of trust. It is deeply troubling that she compounded her misconduct by secretly replacing that morphine with saline in vials that she knew would be distributed to patients. She recklessly and seriously endangered the safety of patients who rely on the judgment and integrity of health care professionals every day.”

The drug tampering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of court supervision after release.

United States Attorney Waldref underscored how important it is to detect crimes like these. “I commend the outstanding investigative work by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Group as well as the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations. This case demonstrates that DEA, FDA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to protect and strengthen our communities both by combatting opioid abuse wherever it occurs, and by holding accountable anyone who abuses a position of trust to access dangerous drugs or put vulnerable patients at risk.”

Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Seattle Field Division, highlighted DEA’s ongoing work against the abuse of opioids. “Ms. Tuller’s reckless actions violated her oath as a medical professional, and undermined the trust and confidence of the public. During this national opioid crisis, people are depending on health care and law enforcement professionals to keep our communities safe from anyone who seeks to exploit the system designed to provide care and treatment for those in need.”

“The FDA oversees the U.S. drug supply to ensure that it is safe and effective, and those who knowingly tamper with medicines put patients’ health at risk,” added Special Agent in Charge Lisa L. Malinowski of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office. “We will continue to protect public health and bring to justice any health care professionals who take advantage of their unique positions or compromise their patients’ health and comfort by tampering with needed drugs.”

This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Diversion Group in the Seattle Field Office, and the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, Seattle Domicile. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene are prosecuting this matter on behalf of the United States.

Spokane, Washington – Senior United States District Judge Rosanna M. Peterson sentenced Kyle Steven Scott Cate, age 30, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, to 107 months of imprisonment for Carjacking and Felon in Possession of a Firearm following Cate’s guilty pleas to two federal indictments earlier this year.

According to court documents, on April 30, 2020, at 2:30 a.m., Cate began banging on the door of a residence located in Coulee Dam, Washington, on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Cate’s victim, who also is an enrolled member of the Colville Tribe, came to the door, and Cate asked him for a ride to Nespelem, Washington. When the victim declined to give Cate a ride, Cate brandished a snub-nosed pistol at him before stealing his 1998 Black Subaru Legacy at gunpoint. Before leaving, Cate demanded the victim’s keys, pointed a pistol at his face, and said he would shoot him. With Cate’s pistol only 4 to 5 inches away from his face and fearing for his safety, the victim gave up his keys. Cate left in the carjacked Subaru, driving in the direction of Nespelem. His victim called 911.

Within minutes of the 911 call, Colville Tribal Police observed the Subaru Legacy driving toward Nespelem. Police matched the license plate to the victim’s stolen car, and began pursuing Cate. Cate led officers on a chase that lasted approximately 23 miles, during which he reached speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour. After Cate endangered law enforcement, other drivers, and himself for a significant period of time, the engine on the Subaru Legacy failed and Tribal Police were able to stop the carjacked vehicle. During Cate’s arrest, Tribal Police recovered seven .22 caliber bullets from Cate’s pocket. A firearm that met the description given by Cate’s victim was recovered along Cate’s flightpath, consistent with Cate having thrown it from the moving vehicle during the high-speed chase. Cate’s fingerprint was later recovered on the firearm.

Separately, and prior to the carjacking, Cate was found in possession of four stolen firearms in August 2018. Those firearms, which had been stolen during a residential burglary, were recovered from Cate’s home. Cate admitted that he possessed the guns and that he knew they were stolen. At the time he possessed the stolen firearms, Cate had a prior felony conviction for Second Degree Robbery in Okanogan County Superior Court.

United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement and emphasized the need to keep Eastern Washington safe and strong. “All people in Eastern Washington deserve to be safe in their homes, whether they live in big cities, small towns, rural communities, or on reservations. The danger inherent to stealing a car at gunpoint was made significantly worse when Mr. Cate led law enforcement on a high-speed chase. He needlessly endangered countless people – including other Tribal members, Tribal law enforcement, innocent bystanders, and himself. His offense may have taken only moments, but it has had a lasting impact on his victim and the community. This case illustrates the good reasons why felons are not legally permitted to possess firearms, and it is alarming that entirely separate from the carjacking conduct, Mr. Cate was in possession of numerous firearms. I am grateful to all of the federal, state, and Tribal officers who investigated the cases against Mr. Cate, and thankful that neither they, nor anyone else, was physically hurt by his actions.”

Donald Voiret, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle office, echoed the U.S. Attorney, stating: “Mr. Cate’s casual use of violence and blatant disregard for people’s safety indicates that significant time in prison may be the only way to ensure that he is not an ongoing menace to the public.” ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson, joined that sentiment, noting: “Mr. Cate’s dangerous use of firearms in the commission of a carjacking, while also being a felon in possession of other stolen firearms, clearly warrants this significant sentence. ATF will continue to investigate aggressively those who possess and use firearms illegally, including to threaten innocent bystanders as Mr. Cate did.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Colville Tribal Police, and Washington State Patrol investigated these cases, which were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Barker.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (“COPS Office”) COPS Hiring Program (“CHP”). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. In the Eastern District of Washington, the cities of Soap Lake and Zillah each received $125,000.

“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”

“Local law enforcement is a crucial component of our mission to make and keep the communities of Eastern Washington safe and strong,” said United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “Effective, well-funded community policing efforts will help us to continue building trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve. I am particularly pleased that in the Eastern District we will be able to devote specific resources to combating gun violence and stamping out hate and domestic extremism. I commend the cities of Soap Lake and Zillah, which have been selected for this competitive program.”

CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting policebased responses to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.

Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.

To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award . For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/. The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.

A federal jury convicted a Seattle doctor yesterday of fraudulently seeking over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Eric R. Shibley, 41, of Seattle, submitted several fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications to federally insured financial institutions, other Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved lenders, and the SBA, in the names of businesses with no actual operations or by otherwise misrepresenting the business’s eligibility. In the applications, Shibley falsified the number of employees and payroll expenses and concealed his own criminal history. To support the fraudulent applications, Shibley submitted fake tax documents and the names of purported employees who did not, in fact, work for the businesses for which Shibley claimed they worked. Shibley received over $2.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds as a result of the fraud. 

Shibley was convicted of multiple counts of wire fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2022, and faces 20 years for each count of wire fraud, 30 years for each count of bank fraud, and 10 years for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Brown for the Western District of Washington; Special Agent in Charge Weston King of SBA’s Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region; Acting Assistant Director Jay Greenberg of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey D. Pittano of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), San Francisco Regional Office; Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA); Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin of IRS–Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle; and Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), San Francisco Regional Office made the announcement.

SBA-OIG, the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, FDIC-OIG, TIGTA, IRS-CI, HSI, and HHS-OIG investigated the case. 

Trial Attorney Laura Connelly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Werner of the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Wenatchee, Washington Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography Spokane – Today, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jose A. Mendoza, age 32, of Wenatchee, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of production of child pornography on June 30, 2021. Senior United States District Judge Rosanna M. Peterson sentenced Mendoza to a 210-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to court documents, the Wenatchee Police Department executed a warrant to search Mendoza’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices that contained images of child pornography. Upon further review, Mendoza was found to have produced images of himself engaged in sexually exploitative conduct with female children.

United States Attorney Waldref said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, in collaboration with its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, uses every resource and tool available to investigate and prosecute aggressively those involved in child exploitation. This Office will continue to do all we can to protect vulnerable child victims of these horrible crimes.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Wenatchee Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Monica Linker, age 32, of Walla Walla, Washington, was sentenced on October 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Linker to 5 years in federal custody, to be followed by a 10- year term of court supervision after she is released. Chief Judge Bastian calculated Linker’s sentencing range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines at more than 12 years – in part because this was Linker’s fourth child pornography offense – but exercised his discretion to depart downward to 5 years. Linker’s sentence is 8 years shorter than the 13-year sentence the United States recommended.

According to court documents, an FBI Special Agent went online in an undercover role to locate people in the community who were trading child pornography. The agent downloaded more than 80 videos of child pornography from Linker’s residence in Walla Walla, which led to a search warrant and the removal of all digital devices from her home. A forensic review confirmed significant child pornography evidence on her devices. Then, approximately ten months later, FBI executed a second search warrant at Linker’s new residence, recovering new images of child pornography from Linker’s new digital devices. In all, FBI recovered a significant amount of child pornography, as well as other indicia of Linker’s sexual interest in children and technical sophistication. This evidence included peer-to-peer, cleaning, encryption, and hacking software, and a Japanese Anime child pornography comic book. FBI also found evidence that Linker had burned images of child pornography onto disks. By the time FBI located Linker online, she had sustained three child pornography offenses under Washington law. In fact, she was on supervision with the Washington Department of Corrections when FBI downloaded child pornography from her. During prior probation searches of Linker’s residences, officers recovered 25 pairs of girls’ panties, anime books and videos, anime pornography, and a book on child gynecology.

United States Attorney Waldref condemned the exploitation of children:

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington works closely with our local and federal partners to apprehend the most serious child exploitation offenders in our community. I commend the Walla Walla Police Department and the FBI, whose excellent investigation in this case has protected children by keeping a recidivist offender off the streets for years. Sadly, there is an entire community of people who use the Internet to collect and trade crime-scene photos of children’s abuse for their own sexual gratification. Those images often travel around the Internet forever, ensuring that child pornography victims are never truly free. To those who use peer-to-peer networks to exploit children while seeking to evade detection by law enforcement, today’s sentence puts you on notice: undercover FBI agents are online at all hours of the day and night looking for child pornography offenders. We will continue to prosecute child exploitation as vigorously as the law allows. I encourage anyone who sees or suspects any form of child abuse to contact law enforcement immediately.”

Donald Voiret, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Division, which encompasses the Spokane, Walla Walla, and Yakima areas, said “Ms. Linker is a repeat offender who has obviously not learned her lesson from her past convictions. Her compulsion to engage in this activity, even after being aware of law enforcement scrutiny, indicates the importance of keeping her away from the children in our communities.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood (“PSC”), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. PSC has five major components:

ꞏ Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases,

and to identify and rescue children;

ꞏ Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

ꞏ Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

ꞏ Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

ꞏ Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Detective (Ret.) Tim Hollingsworth led the investigation by the Walla Walla Police Department and Special Agent (Ret.) Lee McEuen led the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. David M. Herzog, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, prosecuted the case.

Spokane, Washington – Senior United States District Judge Rosanna M. Peterson sentenced Maddesyn George, age 27, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, to 78 months (six-and-a-half years) in federal custody for voluntary manslaughter and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Earlier this year, George admitted that she had killed Kristopher “Buddy” Graber in a dispute over money and drugs that George stole from Graber the night before. George also admitted in her Plea Agreement that she had not acted in self-defense. George is likely to be released back into the community in 2025, after which she will spend the rest of her life on federal Supervised Release.

Judge Peterson calculated George’s sentencing range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines at 108-135 months, in part because of George’s criminal history, which includes numerous convictions for drug offenses, burglary, assaults, and making a false statement. However, Judge Peterson disagreed with the United States’ position that George’s criminal history was understated, and exercised her discretion to impose only 78 months of custody despite the United States’ request for a sentence of 204 months.

According to court documents, George – who identified herself in a video recording and telephone records as “Martha Ruthless” – was inside a car on the morning of July 12, 2020. Graber approached the car to recover 47 grams of methamphetamine, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and more than $5,000 in cash, which George had stolen from him the night before when he was asleep. Eyewitnesses described Graber as “cool, calm, and collected” that morning. But rather than return Graber’s property or simply drive away, George fired Graber’s own gun at him, shattering the glass of the partially-open window of the locked car door. George’s shot struck Graber in the heart, killing him. Graber had no weapon in his possession when George killed him. In his left hand, he held only a cigarette. While Graber lay dying, George tried to pass the gun off to an eyewitness, and got upset when a neighbor tried to call 911. She then hid the stolen methamphetamine in a nearby field, and hid almost $3,000 in her undergarment. George admitted in her Plea Agreement that she was going to distribute a portion of the methamphetamine to others – as she had done the previous night at the Coulee House Motel. Court documents also revealed that George had a history of distributing drugs on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Court records showed that George provided law enforcement with numerous accounts of what happened, frequently contradicting her own story. George initially tried to claim self-defense, alleging that Graber had sexually assaulted her the night before. When she was arrested, she said “I had no choice.” In her Plea Agreement, however, George admitted that the shooting was not legally justified because she exerted more force than was lawful under the circumstances. Indeed, the facts undermining George’s self-defense claim are undisputed: a significant amount of time had passed since the alleged assault, Graber did not have a weapon, George was not under any immediate threat, and Graber was on the other side of a locked car door when George shot him.

“This case is devastating—one human being is dead and another is going to prison,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “But the United States prioritizes the investigation and prosecution of violent crime, whenever it happens, and whoever commits it. The safety of our communities is paramount, including on the Colville Reservation where families have experienced a tragic increase in violent crime. Our mission is to follow the facts wherever they lead. In this case, the facts that Ms. George admitted lead to one inescapable conclusion: she chose to shoot and kill an unarmed man through a locked car door so she could keep the methamphetamine and money she had stolen from him. Whatever else can be said about this tragedy, neither violence nor vigilantism are the answers. I commend the federal and tribal officers who conducted the investigation, the emergency medical personnel who responded to the shooting, and Assistant United States Attorneys Alison Gregoire and Rich Barker, who prosecuted this complicated and wrenching case with fairness, compassion, and justice.”

United States Attorney Waldref also addressed some of the attention this matter has received: “In this case, it is a fact that the Defendant was an Indigenous woman who killed an unarmed person because she did not want to return the drugs and money she had stolen from him. It is also a fact that many violent crimes against Indigenous women have historically gone unsolved and unprosecuted. Both injustices must be addressed, in an evenhanded way by people who have command of, respect for, and a responsibility to, all the facts. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue those who commit crimes of violence on Native American Reservations in the Eastern District of Washington.”

The United States Attorney made it clear that under her leadership, crimes of violence will continue to be prosecuted vigorously, based on the specific facts of individual cases: “We will continue to follow the facts wherever they lead, no matter who the Defendant may be. We will continue to seek fair resolutions for all victims of violent crime, no matter how long it takes. We will continue to make Eastern Washington communities safer and stronger through prosecutions driven by facts and evidence, no matter what the reactions may be on social media or commentary. And we will continue to pursue justice in all cases as we have today for Mr. Graber and his family.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Colville Tribal Police investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alison Gregoire and Richard Barker.

Spokane, Washington – Christopher M. Valley, N.D., a Spokane-based naturopathic doctor, has agreed to pay $47,700 to resolve allegations under the Controlled Substances Act that he improperly prescribed controlled substances between December 2015 and December 2020. The Controlled Substances Act regulates certain drugs deemed to pose a risk of abuse and dependence. To protect public safety and prevent misuse and diversion, the Act requires practitioners to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) to prescribe these controlled substances.

During the relevant time period, Dr. Valley was a naturopathic doctor licensed in the State of Washington. Under state and federal law, as a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Valley was only authorized to prescribe two types of controlled substances: codeine and testosterone products. In the settlement agreement between the United States and Dr. Valley, Dr. Valley acknowledged prescribing at least 318 controlled substances that he was not authorized to prescribe, including stimulants such as modafinil (typically prescribed for narcolepsy and sleep apnea); the sedative pregabalin (sold by Pfizer under the brand name Lyrica); the diet drug phentermine; the sleep aid zopidem (often sold under the brand name Ambien), and one prescription for ketamine, a Schedule III anesthetic that is commonly abused recreationally.

The settlement agreement also further sets forth that Dr. Valley ceased his improper prescribing practices in September 2020 when pharmacists contacted him regarding his improper prescribing, and that he cooperated with the United States’ investigation, including acknowledging his prior improper prescribing and voluntarily surrendering his DEA registration. Additionally, the settlement agreement sets forth that Dr. Valley has implemented additional controls and procedures to ensure that this conduct does not recur.

“I am relieved that it does not appear anyone was seriously harmed by any medications prescribed by Dr. Valley, and I am heartened by Dr. Valley’s acknowledgment of his conduct and commitment to strict compliance going forward. But when a healthcare practitioner prescribes controlled substances that he is not qualified or authorized to prescribe, the public is placed at risk of potentially dangerous side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “This resolution demonstrates our strong commitment to protecting public health and to keeping our communities strong and safe. In particular, I commend the excellent investigative work conducted by DEA’s Diversion Group and the Department of Health and Human Services. We will continue to partner with DEA, HHS, and other law enforcement agencies to hold health care practitioners accountable.”

“Dr. Valley’s careless and irresponsible prescribing habits violated federal law and constituted a serious breach of his naturopathic license, which presented a clear and present danger to the health and safety of our communities,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Seattle Field Division. “We will continue to work with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners in the relentless pursuit of all those involved in the trafficking of opioids and other controlled substances.”

The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by DEA’s Seattle Field Office, Diversion Group, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, with support and assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Seattle Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene handled this matter on behalf of the United States.

Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that David Barnes Nay, age 42, of Prosser, Washington, was sentenced on October 20, 2021, after having pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute eight controlled substances (fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone, hydromorphone, methylphenidate, amphetamine mixture, carisoprodol and alprazolam) and six counts of distributing fentanyl and oxycodone. Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Nay to a 78-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to court documents, Dr. Janet Sue Arnold owned and operated Desert Wind Family Practice in Richland, Washington. Dr. Arnold pre-signed hundreds of blank prescription forms which enabled Nay, an addict and drug dealer, and other members of the conspiracy to distribute large quantities of opioid medications and other controlled substances.

United States Attorney Waldref said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to combat the opioid epidemic in our community. The sentence imposed sends a stern warning to those who may seek to illegally distribute fentanyl and other prescription medications that they will face significant consequences. I commend the diligent work of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, agents who investigated this case.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III and Dominique Juliet Park, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Seth Randles, age 38, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty to two federal sex trafficking charges. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Randles to 20 years in federal custody, the maximum sentence available, to be followed by a 15-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Randles used violence, threats, and manipulation to force women to engage in commercial sex acts with strangers of his choosing. He took the money his victims earned and used gruesome physical violence and the threat of force to ensure their compliance. He caused at least one victim to get a tattoo of his street name, “Silky,” on her body, to indicate that she was his property.

In 2017, after years of Randles forcing her to engage in oral sex and intercourse with customers, one victim and her family were brave enough to go to the police. Law enforcement officers learned that Randles forced his victims to perform sex acts on the main floor of his house in Spokane, while he hid on the second floor. Randles also used that residence to stage photos of women that he could post online to advertise for additional sex trafficking acts. When one victim refused to do as he wanted, Randles dragged her out of the shower by her hair, pushed and kicked her, stomped on her body, and punched her in the mouth. The victim’s mother was so terrified of Randles that she repeatedly told law enforcement officers that she feared Randles would kill her daughter or retaliate against their family if he found out they had contacted law enforcement.

On at least one occasion, Randles beat a victim to the point that she needed medical care, but did not allow her to receive it. When there was a dispute with a “client” about a commercial sex act, Randles would violently beat both the “john” and his trafficking victim, because he was worried that the “client” would post about the incident online and negatively affect his business.

Randles advertised his victims online. One victim reported being trafficked at least once a day, and up to as many as ten times in a day, while Randles kept the money generated by the trafficking. He also arranged for the serial rapes of at least two of his victims after driving them to Wenatchee – all for his own financial profit. As Randles admitted in his plea agreement, “roughly from 2009 onward, pimping women to engage in commercial sex acts was his sole source of income.”

United States Attorney Waldref said, “Randles used intimidation, violence, and humiliation to force his victims to perform commercial sex acts and caused immeasurable harm. The significant term of imprisonment imposed today will help the victims in the healing process while holding Randles accountable for his criminal conduct. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue its aggressive efforts to bring justice to all victims of sexual exploitation. I commend the FBI and our local law enforcement partners who investigated this case. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: law enforcement will protect the public from human traffickers through tenacious investigation and vigorous prosecution.”

The Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Seattle, Donald Voiret, said “For years Seth Randles terrorized and intimidated his victims, trafficking them to strangers and treating them as his personal property for his own personal gain. Our hope is these victims realize they are not invisible and see the imposition of the highest sentence possible, as tangible proof of our commitment to protect those involved in similar circumstances.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by David M. Herzog, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

 

 

 

Spokane – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Randy D. McReynolds, age 51, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having been convicted by a jury on June 30, 2021 of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.  Senior United States District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentencing McReynolds to a 92-month term of imprisonment, to be following by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Nielsen also imposed an 18-month term of imprisonment, to run consecutive to the sentence imposed in the firearm case, after finding that McReynolds violated court supervision stemming from previous federal drug-related convictions.

According to court documents, after receiving a tip, federal probation officers conducted a search of McReynolds’ residence and found a .357 revolver and multiple rounds of ammunition.  McReynolds was under federal court supervision at the time.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “To keep our neighborhoods safe, it is essential that we keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will prosecute aggressively individuals who illegally possess firearms.  I commend the law enforcement officers with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case.”

This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.  PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis and Timothy J. Ohms, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane, Washington – On October 7, 2021, Vanessa R. Waldref will be sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. In a ceremony that will be held on Thursday afternoon, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian will administer the oath of office to U.S. Attorney Waldref, making her the chief law enforcement officer for the Eastern District. U.S. Attorney Waldref was nominated by President Biden on July 26, 2021, and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 30, 2021. She will be the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District.

U.S. Attorney Waldref said, “It is an honor and privilege to serve as United States Attorney, and to lead an Office of dedicated public servants who work every day to pursue justice and build a safe and strong community in Eastern Washington. I look forward to working closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to fulfill the mission of the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute the most serious offenders in our community, and will work tirelessly to protect the people of this District from violent crime, child exploitation, fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and environmental degradation.”

U.S. Attorney Waldref has spent the majority of her legal career in the Department of Justice. Since 2013, she has served as an Assistant United States Attorney and as a Trial Attorney with the Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. An expert on regulatory, employment, and environmental law, U.S. Attorney Waldref has taught a number of courses at the Gonzaga University Law School as an adjunct professor. She has won numerous awards for her teaching and mentorship of law students, including the prestigious Myra Bradwell Woman of the Year award in 2021.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Waldref was in private practice at law firms in Spokane and Washington, D.C., where she specialized in complex litigation and labor and employment law. She began her legal career as a law clerk to United States District Judge John D. Bates in the District of Columbia. After graduating as valedictorian from Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, she went on to graduate magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa at Georgetown University and magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the Georgetown University Law School. She is proud to have been born and raised in Northeast Spokane.

U.S. Attorney Waldref welcomed the responsibilities that come with her new duties. She pledged to serve and protect all the people of the Eastern District, while ensuring a commitment to fairness and equality. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute federal offenses with all the tools at our disposal, including the enforcement of federal civil rights for everyone. We are at an inflection point where we must decide what kind of society we want to be. All of us — conservatives and liberals, law enforcement officers and social justice activists, prosecutors and members of the community — are called upon to work together toward our shared American ideal of equal justice under law.”

U.S. Attorney Waldref thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington, who has served as the Acting U.S. Attorney since March, for his dedicated service: “I have incredible respect for the Office and the hard work and dedication of its leadership, especially during the pandemic. We are fortunate in the Eastern District to have a U.S. Attorney’s Office made up of such professional and enthusiastic attorneys and support staff. These public servants routinely sacrifice their personal and family time to protect and enforce the rights we all hold dear. Having served in the trenches with this group, I know how committed they are to seeking justice. I am honored and ready to serve with them.”

The Eastern District of Washington encompasses a geographical area of approximately 41,826 square miles east of the Cascade Mountains, and is populated by more than 1.3 million people. The Eastern District includes the counties of Spokane, Lincoln, Douglas, Chelan, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Grant, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Asotin, Columbia, Walla Walla, Franklin, Benton, Klickitat, Yakima, and Kittitas. U.S. Attorney Waldref will work with Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff at offices in Spokane and Yakima, and will continue to evaluate the needs of the District for other staffed offices.

Chief Judge Bastian will perform the swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Attorney Waldref at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in Courtroom 755 at the Tom Foley United States Courthouse, located at 920 W. Riverside Avenue in Spokane. Chief Judge Bastian and U.S. Attorney Waldref are expected to make brief remarks. The ceremony is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis for seating. Face masks are required in all public spaces in the federal courthouse, and visitors should expect airport-style security at the front of the building.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Rodolfo Ramirez, Jr., age 36, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 30, 2021, to Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Ramirez to an 84-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Rice also imposed a 24-month term of imprisonment, to run consecutive to the sentence imposed in the firearm case, after finding that Ramirez violated court supervision stemming from a previous conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on December 21, 2019, law enforcement officers in Moses Lake, Washington responded to a report of a drive-by shooting. At the scene, officers were notified that an individual, subsequently identified as Ramirez, fled the scene after discharging multiple rounds of ammunition at another person. One of the rounds Ramirez discharged pierced the wall of a residence and entered a bedroom where a child was sleeping. When arrested, Ramirez admitted discharging his firearm at the person.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The actions of Ramirez placed the victim and innocent by-standers in grave danger. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is dedicated to seeking lengthy prison sentences for anyone involved in acts of violence. I commend the law enforcement officers with Moses Lake Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case.”

This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Moses Lake Police Department, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by James A. Goeke and Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane, WA- The United States has filed a civil enforcement action against Rick T. Gray and one of his companies, Gray Farms & Cattle Co. LLC, in United States District Court, alleging Mr. Gray’s multi-year scheme to defraud the federally backed crop insurance program designed to help farmers nationwide. According to the Complaint filed by the United States, Mr. Gray made tens of thousands of dollars through hidden and undisclosed wheat sales while falsely claiming a wheat production loss thereby obtaining over $500,000 in crop insurance loss indemnity payments, all of which were fully backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. Under the False Claims Act , Mr. Gray and his company face triple damages for any fraudulently caused losses to the United States (over $1.6 million in triple damages as alleged) as well as additional penalties under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery Enforcement Act.

According, to the Complaint filed by the United States, in 2015 Mr. Gray concealed more than half of the wheat production of companies he owned and/or controlled by falsely claiming to crop insurance loss adjusters that those companies had only sold approximately 21,000 bushels of wheat for approximately $130,000, when in actuality his companies also sold over 35,000 bushels of wheat for an additional approximate $184,000 in hidden and undisclosed wheat sales. As alleged, Mr. Gray’s false statements netted him and the companies he owned and/or controlled at least $540,028 in insurance indemnity payments for 2015. Moreover, as stated in the Complaint, Mr. Gray was attempting to execute the same scheme in 2016 but was discovered by loss adjusters and the USDA before he once again fraudulently obtained phony crop insurance loss payments.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler Tornabene and Dan Fruchter are handling this matter with analytical and investigative support from the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency. The case has been filed as United States v. Rick T. Gray et al., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington under cause number 1:21-CV-03126. The claims articulated in the Complaint are allegations only; at this time there has been no determination of liability.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Orlando Raul Rodriguez, a/k/a “Toon,” age 31, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021, of brandishing a firearm while committing a crime of violence and for illegal possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Rodriguez to a 120-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Rodriguez, a known member of the Sureños street gang, and three others lured the victim to a parking lot in downtown Yakima at approximately 9 a.m. on July 5, 2020. Rodriguez pointed a .22 caliber rifle at the victim and ordered the victim and his passenger out of the vehicle. Once the victim was out of the vehicle, one of Rodriguez’s accomplices drove the vehicle away with Rodriguez in the passenger seat. The victim and his passenger walked to a nearby business and called police. Officers from Yakima Police Department responded quickly and where able to locate and apprehend Rodriguez and his accomplices within an hour of the carjacking being reported.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The lengthy sentence reflects our commitment to prosecute those who seek to commit violent crimes against members of our community. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakima Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case. Violent crime in our communities will not be tolerated.”

Yakima Police Department Chief Matt Murry said, “The partnership we share with federal law enforcement and this U.S. Attorney’s Office is invaluable. This case and others like it that are working through the system are examples of the commitment to use every tool available to hold those who commit violence accountable. Make no mistake about it, if you choose to engage in violence we WILL investigate and prosecute you.”

This case was investigated by the Yakima Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Richard Burson and Todd Swenson, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Trent Drexel Howard, age 50, of West Richland, Washington, pleaded guilty on September 23, 2021 pursuant to a plea agreement to one count of Attempted Production of Child Pornography. In the plea agreement, Howard and the United States agreed to a sentence of 23 years in prison. District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. will decide whether to accept the plea agreement during the sentencing hearing set for January 6, 2022.

According to court documents, beginning on or about March 2008 and continuing through April 2016, Howard knowingly attempted to use fourteen different children to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. For years, Howard used cameras hidden in bathrooms and bedrooms of his residence, within the Eastern District of Washington, to capture video footage of the minor victims in nude and semi-nude states. Federal agents discovered the video footage after execution of a search warrant authorizing the search of evidence of child pornography at Howard’s residence. Agents seized over 100 electronic devices. The investigation began, however, when Howard distributed over 168 suspected child pornography files to an undercover agent over a publicly accessible, Internet based, file-sharing network. Forensic review of the seized devices led to the discovery of the hidden camera footage and later identification of at least fourteen minor victims.

According to court documents, Howard was working in Kazakhstan when federal agents executed the search warrant at his residence in Richland, Washington. After learning of the investigation, Howard stayed in Kazakhstan and was eventually arrested by Kazakhstan authorities on September 12, 2019. A Kazakh judge ordered Howard be detained pending an extradition request from the United States. According to the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, Howard’s removal from Kazakhstan is the first extradition from that country by the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “Production of child pornography is a despicable crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to aggressively prosecute those who exploit children. I commend our state, local and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes detectives from the Kennewick and Richland Police Departments, and the Moses Lake Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Dr. Janet Sue Arnold, age 63, of Benton City, Washington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute opioid pain medications (specifically, fentanyl, oxycodone, methadone, hydromorphone, methylphenidate, and amphetamine mixture) and other controlled substances (carisoprodol and alprazolam), without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Dr. Arnold faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years. United States District Judge Edward F. Shea accepted Dr. Arnold’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for December 7, 2021, at 1:15 p.m. in Richland, Washington. Dr. Arnold is the final defendant to plead guilty in the case. Four other defendants, Danielle Corine Mata, age 44, of Richland, Washington, David Barnes Nay, age 43, of Kennewick, Washington, Lisa Marie Cooper, age 55, of Prosser, Washington, and Jennifer Cheri Prichard, age 46, of Prosser, Washington, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute opioid pain medications and other controlled substances, and are scheduled to be sentenced on October 19, 2021, November 2, 2021, and November 9, 2021, in Richland, Washington.

According to court documents and information disclosed during court proceedings, Dr. Arnold owned and operated Desert Wind Family Practice, at 431 Wellsian Way in Richland, Washington. Beginning in approximately March 2016, and continuing until May 3, 2017, Dr. Arnold pre-signed hundreds of blank prescription forms and provided them to Mata, Prichard, and Cooper, who were drug addicts. These individuals then provided the illegal prescriptions to individuals seeking opioids and other controlled substances or used the prescriptions to get their drugs of choice. Dr. Arnold allowed Mata, who also acted as Desert Wind Family Practice’s office manager, to fill in all the required prescription information (patient name, drug type, dosage, and quantity) on the pre-signed blank prescriptions. Dr. Arnold’s practice of pre-signing blank prescription forms enabled the conspirators, including Nay, a drug dealer and addict, to distribute significant quantities of opioid medications and other controlled substances.

Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington said, “Dr. Arnold abandoned her role as a medical doctor by essentially turning over her prescription pad to her office manager and others. Today’s guilty plea should serve as a warning to all medical professionals that if you abuse your medical license by prescribing opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, you will be held accountable. I commend the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, agents who investigated this case.”

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III and Dominique J. Park, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.  

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Kathleen Joy Yallup, age 45, of Parker, Washington, was sentenced today after having been found guilty on April 21, 2021, of assault with a dangerous weapon following a three-day jury trial. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Yallup to a 70-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after she is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Yallup stabbed the male victim multiple times in the face and chest during an argument inside his car on January 10, 2020, in Parker, Washington, which is within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation. Shortly after the assault, Yallup was arrested by Yakama Nation Police officers.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakama Nation Police Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Violent crime in the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation is extremely serious and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will prosecute vigorously any individuals who may engage in such conduct.”

This case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Police Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal, and Matthew A. Stone, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Bruce Warren Sampson, Jr., age 38, of Toppenish, Washington, was sentenced today after having been found guilty on May 6, 2021, of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury following a four-day jury trial. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Sampson to a 70-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Sampson beat and kicked the male victim in the head and chest causing grievous injuries, including eight broken ribs, traumatic brain injury and a broken eye socket. The victim was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington for treatment. The assault occurred in Sampson’s hotel room in Toppenish, Washington, which is within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation. Sampson initially denied any knowledge of the assault and at trial claimed to have acted in self-defense. Sampson’s claim of self-defense was rejected by the jury.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakama Nation Police Department, Toppenish Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Prosecuting violent crime occurring on Indian Reservations in the Eastern District of Washington is a major priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

This case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Police Department, Toppenish Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Richard Burson, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Clifton Frank Peter, age 37, of Parker, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, pled guilty to three counts of Second Degree Murder. A sentencing hearing has been set before Chief United States District Judge Stanley Bastian to take place on December 1, 2021.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on June 1, 2020, Peter became enraged while playing a video game, subsequently attacked his mother and departed from her residence in a vehicle. As Peter was backing out of the driveway, his vehicle struck victim J.G.’s vehicle as it passed by. Shortly after J.G.’s vehicle stopped, Peter exited his vehicle and shot J.G. with a shotgun. J.G. died at the scene.

Peter then drove away from the scene and headed northbound on Yakima Street. At the same time, victims I.G. and O.V. were in a vehicle driving northbound on Yakima Street. Peter observed they were moving slowly and he intentionally rear-ended their vehicle, causing an accident. Peter then exited his vehicle and shot I.G. and O.V. with a shotgun. Both victims died at the scene. Peter was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. All three homicides occurred within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation.

This case was investigated by the Yakima Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Rick Burson and Tom Hanlon, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has agreed to pay the United States $6,854,416 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in its administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Department of Justice announced today. Until 2008, SNAP was known as the Food Stamp Program.

“The money allocated by Congress for the SNAP program funds critical USDA’s efforts to help families in need,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to protect public funds to ensure that they are used for their intended purposes.”

It is disheartening that Tennessee’s Department of Human Services, and so many other states’ agencies entrusted with feeding and caring for vulnerable and needy residents, would manipulate SNAP quality control data for their financial benefit,” said Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “I am encouraged that Tennessee has acknowledged and corrected its conduct, cooperated with this investigation, and resolved its liability. I want to especially commend the outstanding work by the USDA’s Office of Inspector General’s special agents and auditors that enabled the United States to recover over $67 million in wrongfully obtained funds. This nationwide investigation and series of settlements demonstrate our office’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that that those who abuse SNAP and other critical government programs will be held fully accountable.”

Under SNAP, USDA provides eligible low-income individuals and families with financial assistance to buy nutritious food. Since 2010, SNAP has served on average more than 45 million Americans per month, and provided more than $71 billion annually.

Although the federal government funds SNAP benefits, it relies on the states to determine whether applicants are eligible for benefits, to administer those benefits, and to perform quality control to ensure that eligibility decisions are accurate. The USDA requires that the states’ quality control processes ensure that benefits are correctly awarded, are free from bias, and accurately report states’ error rates in making eligibility decisions.

The USDA reimburses states for a portion of their administrative expenses in administering SNAP, including expenses for providing quality control. It also pays performance bonuses to states that report the lowest and the most improved error rates each year, and can impose monetary sanctions on states with high error rates that do not show improvement.

The settlement resolves allegations that beginning in late 2012, TDHS contracted with a consultant known as Julie Osnes Consulting, LLC (Osnes Consulting) to provide advice and recommendations designed to lower its SNAP quality control error rate. The United States alleged that Osnes Consulting’s recommendations, as implemented by TDHS, injected bias into TDHS’s quality control process and resulted in TDHS submitting false quality control data and information to USDA, for which it received performance bonuses for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 to which it was not entitled.

This is the ninth settlement in this matter, and the eighth settlement with a state agency for manipulating its SNAP quality control findings. The United States has reached previous settlements with state agencies in Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, and Florida, as well as with Osnes Consulting and its owner, Julie Osnes. Including this settlement, the United States has now recovered more than $67 million in connection with this investigation.

“We appreciate the commitment and investigative assistance provided by our partners at the Department of Justice’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout this long-term, multi-state investigation,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG). “We also wish to note the technical assistance provided by our colleagues in the Office of Audit at OIG. During the investigation, conducted by OIG’s Northeast Regional Office, we worked together to address the concerns of employees of multiple states and others who alleged that the integrity of the SNAP quality control process was weakened by third-party consultants. These concerned individuals reported that cases were not being treated in a consistent manner, and that certain advice from consultants resulted in identified errors being diminished rather than used to improve eligibility determinations. The settlements reached to date send a strong message regarding the government’s commitment to work across agency lines to protect the integrity of SNAP.”

The settlement was the result of a joint nationwide investigation conducted by the USDA OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, and the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, with the assistance of USDA-OIG-Audit based on the results of their nationwide audit of SNAP QC processes. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene of the Eastern District of Washington and by Don Williamson, Senior Trial Counsel of the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch.

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

Sunrhys, LLC, a landlord and property management company headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, agreed to pay $16,618 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overcharging a tenant and by fraudulently obtaining federal funds from a federal program designed to provide housing to homeless Veterans.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and United States Department for Veterans Affairs (VA) jointly administer the HUD-VA Support Housing (HUD-VASH) program. HUD provides rental assistance for Veterans experiencing homelessness, while VA support services assist homeless veterans in identifying, obtaining, and maintaining housing and other needed support services. At the end of Fiscal Year 2020, approximately 80,000 formerly homeless Veterans were receiving permanent housing through the HUD-VASH program.

“In creating the VA’s predecessor agency, President Abraham Lincoln said that we must ‘care for him who shall have borne the battle,’” said Joseph H. Harrington, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “No Veteran who has served our country and given everything to protect the safety and comfort of Americans should be himself or herself without the safety and comfort of a home. The HUD-VASH program provides important benefits to homeless Veterans. This settlement is an example of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of that program.”

Between July 2019 and April 2020, Sunrhys was a participating landlord in the HUD-VASH program with respect to a Sunrhys rental property in Walla Walla, Washington that Sunrhys rented to Daniel Avila, an eligible Veteran. Each month, Sunrhys collected a portion of the monthly rent for the Walla Walla property from Mr. Avila. Sunrhys then submitted a claim for federal rent support funds for the remainder of the total agreed-upon rent. Pursuant to the Housing Assistance Payment Agreement governing Sunrhys’ participation in the program, Sunrhys was expressly prohibited from seeking or collecting additional rent from Mr. Avila in excess of the eligible amount. The United States alleged that Sunrhys violated the Agreement and the HUD-VASH program requirements by fraudulently overcharging Mr. Avila for monthly rent between July 2019 and April 2020.

Jason Root, Special Agent in Charge at the VA Office of Inspector General, stated, “VA OIG’s joint oversight of HUD-VASH is one of the agency’s highest priorities because of the importance of safeguarding grant programs designed to end veteran homelessness. VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and the HUD Office of General Counsel for their partnership and commitment to protecting at-risk homeless veterans.”

This matter originated when Mr. Avila filed a whistleblower, or “qui tam” complaint in February 2021. When a relator files a qui tam complaint, the False Claims Act requires the United States to investigate the allegations and elect whether to intervene and take over the action or to decline to intervene and allow the relator to go forward with the litigation on behalf of the United States. The relator is generally able to then share in any recovery. Here, the United States intervened in the action contemporaneous with the settlement. Mr. Avila will receive $4,154 of the settlement. Mr. Avila was represented by the Northwest Justice Project, Washington’s largest publicly funded legal aid program, which provides civil legal assistance and representation to low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs.

“Under the False Claims Act, landlords that overcharge tenants under this program are liable not just to repay the amount that they overcharged their tenants, but for three times the total amount of federal funding that the landlord received in rent support payments plus additional penalties for each month, providing a powerful deterrent to fraud,” added Acting U.S. Attorney Harrington. “I want to especially commend the exceptional investigative work performed by the VA’s Office of Inspector General, Spokane Resident Agency, as well as the excellent work done by the Northwest Justice Project, which represented the whistleblower. Our office will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners, with whistleblowers, and with public interest groups like Northwest Justice Project to hold accountable landlords that abuse critical housing programs.”

The settlement was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, with support provided by HUD’s Office of General Counsel, Office of Program Enforcement and HUD’s Office of Inspector General. The investigation and prosecution for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene. The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. The case is captioned United States ex rel. Avila v. Sunrhys, LLC, 4:21-cv-5013-TOR (E.D. Wash.).

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that on Tuesday, August 3rd, members from his office will participate in community events held as part of Spokane’s National Night Out Against Crime.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring law enforcement and the community together under positive circumstances.

“Keeping our communities safe is a top Justice Department priority, as it is for state, local and Tribal police departments across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Law enforcement is most effective when it has the trust and support of the communities it serves. That is why events like National Night Out are so important and effective; they help to bridge the gap between neighbors and their police departments in a positive and informal setting.”

Joseph H. Harrington said, “National Night Out Against Crime is an outstanding opportunity for neighbors to gather with their law enforcement and community partners. When such groups gather they demonstrate that battling crime in our communities is truly a collective responsibility. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington looks forward to joining others tonight to help continue to spread the important message that we are all in this together.”

For more information visit www.spokanecops.org

 

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jonny Shineflew, age 48, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to a 70-month term of imprisonment after pleading guilty on March 25, 2021, to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, one count of Mail Theft, and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice also imposed a five-year term of court supervision after Shineflew is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, between March 15 and July 31, 2018, Shineflew entered into an agreement with co-defendants and others to commit bank fraud. Shineflew and his co-defendants unlawfully obtained checks, altered the stolen checks, and presented the altered checks for payment at financial institutions and businesses for the use and benefit of the members of the conspiracy. Shineflew and his co-conspirators utilized computer equipment and printers to create false identifications to be used in connection with presenting the fraudulent checks for payment, at times using the identities of real people without their knowledge or consent. Shineflew was recorded passing some of the fraudulent checks on security video.

During a search of Shineflew’s apartment, which he shared with other members of the conspiracy, investigators seized computers, printers, blank identification cards, stolen checks, lists with personal identifying information for third parties, and empty envelopes for commercial checks stolen from the mail, issued in the total amount of $458,498.00. The conspiracy resulted in $29,453.15 of actual loss.

Shineflew was the last remaining defendant in this case to be sentenced. Angus Johnston, 36, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Mail Theft, and Aggravated Identity Theft, and was sentenced to 60 months; Michael Slater, 48, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 21 months; Anthony Wright, 36, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 7 months; Jordan Yates, 26, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and was sentenced to 99 days; Jared Pilon, 34, of Spokane, Washington, Tabitha Shineflew, 32, of Spokane, Washington, Britney McDaniel, 30, of Spokane, Washington, Andrianna McCrea, 30, of Spokane, Washington, and Tyler Bordelon, 30, of Mead, Washington, each pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and were sentenced to time served. All these defendants were sentenced to a five-year term of court supervision following release from custody and ordered to pay restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The sentence imposed sends a strong message. Crimes such as bank fraud, mail theft, and identity theft should not be taken lightly. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners will continue to work closely and bring to justice those individuals who may engage in such conduct. I commend the work of the United States Postal Inspector’s Office and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office who investigated this case.”

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector’s Office, in cooperation with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced Juan Carlos Sandoval-Guerrero, age 21, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today, after pleading guilty to production and attempted production of child pornography, on April 1, 2021. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Sandoval-Guerrero to a 15-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Sandoval-Guerrero was also ordered to pay $53,040.00 in restitution to his victims.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating Sandoval-Guerrero after law enforcement received a complaint from a concerned local mother. The mother expressed concern regarding interactions her nine-and eleven-year-old sons were having with a person she believed to be an adult over Xbox.

Through further investigation, HSI determined that Sandoval-Guerrero had been using Xbox to encourage the boys to engage in sexually-explicit activities, to video and photograph those activities, and send the images to him. Sandoval-Guerrero also communicated with the eleven-year-old boy via an application called TextNow.

On February 6, 2020, HSI executed a warrant to search Sandoval-Guerrero’s Grandview, Washington, residence, and seized numerous electronic devices that contained images of child pornography involving the boys. Officers transported Sandoval-Guerrero to the Grandview Police Department where he was interviewed. Sandoval-Guerrero admitted contacting the boys through the video game “Fortnite.” Sandoval-Guerrero also admitted that he requested and directed the boys to produce sexually-explicit images and videos.

At sentencing Judge Mendoza said “This is a very serious offense. The effects of the offense are not limited to those instances, those moments with the children. The brain of a 9, 11-year old is just developing. It has severe life-long impacts – what happens to them at that age. Impacts that you caused. You did it.”

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, in collaboration with its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, uses every resource and tool available to investigate and prosecute aggressively those involved in child exploitation. This Office will continue to do all we can to protect vulnerable child victims of these horrible crimes.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeast Regional ICAC. This case was prosecuted by Alison Gregoire and Brian Donovan, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (FDCF) has agreed to pay the United States $17,500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in its administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Department of Justice announced today. Until 2008, SNAP was known as the Food Stamp Program.

Under SNAP, USDA provides eligible low-income individuals and families with financial assistance to buy nutritious food. Since 2010, SNAP has served on average more than 45 million Americans per month, and provided more than $71 billion annually.

“SNAP provides important benefits to help families in need,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “This settlement is an example of the department’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent appropriately so that the public can have confidence in the integrity of vital programs like SNAP.”

Although the federal government funds SNAP benefits, it relies on the states to determine whether applicants are eligible for benefits, to administer those benefits, and to perform quality control to ensure that eligibility decisions are accurate. The USDA requires that the states’ quality control processes ensure that benefits are correctly awarded, are free from bias, and accurately report states’ error rates in making eligibility decisions.

The USDA reimburses states for a portion of their administrative expenses in administering SNAP, including expenses for providing quality control. It also pays performance bonuses to states that report the lowest and the most improved error rates each year, and can impose monetary sanctions on states with high error rates that do not show improvement.

The settlement resolves allegations that beginning in 2010, FDCF implemented policies and practices to reduce its SNAP error rate by submitting false information to USDA. Specifically, the United States alleged FDCF injected bias into its quality control process that resulted in FDCF submitting false quality control data and information to USDA, for which it received unentitled performance bonuses for fiscal years 2011 and 2012. In addition to its payment of $17.5 million, FDCF has also agreed to forego payment of an additional $14.7 million in unpaid bonuses USDA awarded for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

Joseph H. Harrington, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington said, “While it is shocking these claims where submitted by the Florida Department of Children and Families, the state agency entrusted with assisting vulnerable and needy individuals, I commend the agency for correcting its conduct, cooperating with our investigation, and resolving its liability for its past actions. Together with our partners in the Justice Department’s Civil Division and the USDA, we will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who misuse and wrongfully obtain SNAP funding.”

This is the eighth settlement in this matter, and the seventh settlement with a state agency for manipulating its SNAP quality control findings. The United States has reached previous settlements with state agencies in Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana, Alaska and Mississippi, as well as with Osnes Consulting and its owner, Julie Osnes. Including this settlement, the United States has now recovered over $60 million in connection with this investigation.

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, with investigative support from USDA, Office of the Inspector General. The investigation arose out of a nationwide audit of SNAP Quality Control processes by the USDA-OIG.

“We appreciate the commitment and investigative assistance provided by our partners at the Department of Justice’s Civil Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout this multi-state investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the USDA, Office of Inspector General (OIG). “We also wish to note the technical assistance provided by our colleagues in the Office of Audit at OIG. During the investigation, conducted by OIG’s Northeast Regional Office, we worked together to address the concerns of employees of multiple states and others who alleged that the integrity of the SNAP quality control process was weakened by third-party consultants and/or the implementation of methods that injected bias into the QC process. These concerned individuals reported that cases were not being treated in a consistent manner, and that certain advice from consultants and/or the implementation of certain methods resulted in identified errors being diminished rather than used to improve eligibility determinations. The settlements reached to date send a strong message regarding the Government’s commitment to work across agency lines to protect the integrity of SNAP.”

The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene of the Eastern District of Washington and by Don Williamson, Senior Trial Counsel of the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch.

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

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Carlos Salgado Velasquez, age 30, of Warden, Washington, was sentenced today after pleading guilty on April 1, 2021, to one count of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Child Sex Trafficking. Senior United States District Judge Nielsen sentenced Velasquez to a 23-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after Velasquez is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, beginning in September 2016 and continuing through September 2018, Velasquez engaged in conduct with four minor female victims within the Eastern District of Washington that constituted both the production of child pornography and child sex trafficking, in violation of federal law. Velasquez admitted that he knowingly took part in sexually explicit conduct with the four minor victims for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the sexually explicit conduct. Velasquez also admitted that he engaged in commercial sex acts with the four minor victims by soliciting them to engage in sexual intercourse with him in exchange for things of value. Velasquez solicited the four victims to engage in commercial sex acts with him by arranging to meet them using various internet communications platforms.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said “This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to

identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes detectives from the Kennewick and Richland Police Departments, and the Moses Lake Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that on June 30, 2021, a federal jury in Spokane, Washington, convicted Randy D. McReynolds (a/k/a “Randall D. McReynolds,” “Randy Del McReynolds”) of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, United States Probation received a tip that McReynolds was in possession of firearms inside his home. They conducted a probationary search and found two backpacks containing a 357 revolver and ammunition as well as ammunition for a 9mm pistol. During the trial, McReynolds presented evidence that the handgun and ammunition belonged to his son-in-law and that he was unaware of its presence in his home. The government challenged this evidence through recorded jail calls. The jury found that McReynolds constructively possessed the firearm and ammunition.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “Prosecuting firearm-related crimes continues to be a priority here in the Eastern District of Washington. Individuals serving a term of court-ordered supervised release, like McReynolds was in this case, are subject to robust enforcement by the United States Probation Office of release conditions. The community impact of such enforcement effort keeps firearms out of the hands of convicted felons and holds them accountable for their conduct. I commend the efforts of the officers with the Probation Office and the ATF who successfully investigated this case.

This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and the United States Probation Office for the Eastern District of Washington. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis and Timothy J. Ohms, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Aleandro Leon, age 24, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced on June 30, 2021, after having pleaded guilty to: being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2); Conspiracy to Provide Prohibited Objects to an Inmate in Prison in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), (b)(2) (b)(3), (b)4, and (c), all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; and Inmate in Possession of a Prohibited Object, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2), (b)(1)(c). Chief United States District Judge Stanley Bastian sentenced Leon to a 160-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after he is released from prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Leon was under Department of Corrections supervision for a drive-by shooting conviction when he was indicted in three separate federal indictments, all involving separate criminal conduct from January 2019 until April 2020. Leon was identified as working within a criminal organization responsible for the distribution of thousands of deadly Fentanyl laced pills in early 2019. A partner of Leon, Miguel Candido' s apartment was searched in March of 2019 where 5000 Fentanyl laced pills, 1 pound of heroin, over $20,000 in US currency, drug ledgers, scales, and cell phones linking the two to a criminal organization were located. When Leon was arrested for those drug charges, he was unlawfully in possession of a loaded firearm. While in custody, Leon, a confirmed Florencia 13 gang member, became involved in a conspiracy to smuggle illegal contraband into the Benton County Jail with the assistance of a correctional officer. The illegal contraband included methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and cell phones.

Leon pled guilty to two out of the three federal indictments. A contested sentencing hearing was held June 30, 2021, and Chief Bastian found that, shortly after Leon's release from state custody on the drive-by shooting conviction in November 2017, Leon immediately began new criminal conduct to include the distribution of large quantities of Fentanyl laced pills and heroin. Even after his arrest, this criminal conduct continued with the serious actions within the Benton County Jail. Chief Judge Bastian determined Leon posed a danger to the community and an extreme risk to re-offend given his significant criminal history and recidivist criminal behavior. Judge Bastian sentenced Leon to 100 months on the firearms offense and a consecutive 60 months on the contraband offense.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the federal and local agencies who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker and violent offender from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.”

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

This case was investigated by the DEA-Tri-Cities Task Force, METRO and Pasco Street Crimes Unit, United States Marshals Service, and Benton County Sheriff's Office. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Yakima – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that on June 10, 2021, a federal jury in Yakima, Washington, convicted Jordan Everett Stevens, an Indian, of First Degree Murder in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111, 1153 and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii).

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on or about April 30, 2019, Stevens assaulted a woman in Toppenish, Washington. A potential witness, ACM, a Native American female, was near the location of the assault and had a conversation with responding police officers. Stevens erroneously believed that ACM provided information to the police. On May 3, 2019, Stevens and two females drove ACM to a rural section of the Yakama reservation. Stevens pulled ACM out of the vehicle and shot her in the head as payback for speaking with the police. Stevens threatened to kill the female witnesses if they told anyone about the murder.

The FBI was alerted by a family member that ACM was missing and immediately began an investigation. In late May 2019, the FBI tracked down one of the female witnesses who identified Stevens as ACM’s killer. On May 29, 2019, the FBI found ACM’s body in a remote area of the Yakama Indian Reservation. Shortly after the FBI found the second female witness who confirmed what had happened to ACM. On July 17, 2019, an Indictment was filed charging Stevens with Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and First Degree Murder.

On June 7, 2021, a jury trial began at the federal courthouse in Yakima. Multiple witnesses were reluctant to testify out of fear of retribution and refused to appear for court. They were subsequently apprehended with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and testified at the trial. On June 10, 2021, a federal jury found the Defendant guilty of First Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. A conviction for First Degree Murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. On June 10, 2021, the Honorable Stanley Bastian ordered a sentencing hearing to take place on September 1, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the officers with the Yakama Nation Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this senseless murder. Investigating and prosecuting cases involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) is a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. This Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively cases involving violent acts committed against Native American women who reside on Reservation lands within this District.”

“Too often, violence on the reservation results in the tragic and senseless loss of life,” said Donald M. Voiret, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office. “The FBI is committed to combatting crime on our state’s reservations. Stevens will have the rest of his life in prison to contemplate his choices.”

This case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin D. Seal and Richard C. Burson, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington

Spokane – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company (CHPRC), a prime contractor at the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site, has agreed to pay $3,038,270 million to resolve allegations that CHPRC violated the False Claims Act by submitting false and fraudulent small business subcontract reports.

In 2008, CHPRC, a Washington subsidiary of CH2M Hill Companies Ltd., which is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, was a DOE prime contractor responsible for environmental remediation and cleanup of the Central Plateau area of the Hanford Site, which includes the Plutonium Finishing Plant and other legacy plutonium production facilities. Pursuant to its contract, DOE fully reimbursed CHPRC for its costs, including hundreds of millions of dollars in subcontractor costs. Accordingly, CHPRC’s contract required that CHPRC make efforts to award a certain percentage of those subcontracts to small businesses, including businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). CHPRC’s contract also required CHPRC to regularly report to DOE regarding its efforts to subcontract to HUBZone businesses. CHPRC’s contract provided for fee-based incentives regarding CHPRC’s success in subcontracting to HUBZone businesses, and for the imposition of monetary penalties if CHPRC missed its goals and failed to exercise good faith efforts to award HUBZone subcontracts.

This settlement resolves allegations that CHPRC falsely reported to DOE regarding its HUBZone subcontracting efforts. Specifically, the settlement resolves allegations that CHPRC falsely represented that subcontract awards to two companies, Indian Eyes, LLC, and Phoenix-ABC A Joint Venture (“PABC”), were to HUBZone businesses, when in fact CHPRC knew that both entities did not have HUBZone status during the time period of the subcontracts.

Joseph H. Harrington, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “Small business fraud not only harms the taxpayers and the vital cleanup mission at Hanford, but legitimate small disadvantaged businesses that do not have the opportunity to fairly compete for and perform subcontracts. This resolution demonstrates that we will continue to work with courageous whistleblowers and our law enforcement partners to ensure accountability for small business fraud at Hanford and elsewhere.”

“The whistleblower complaint alleged that CHPRC knowingly misrepresented PABC and Indian Eyes as legitimate HUBZone entities and falsely claimed HUBZone credit and status as part of CHPRC’s small business subcontracting plan,” said Teri Donaldson, Inspector General of the Department of Energy. “This settlement affirms the OIG’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the Department of Energy’s procurement process to provide opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses through programs like the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone and Disadvantaged Woman-Owned programs. The OIG will aggressively investigate any allegations of false claims, overbilling, kickbacks and any other fraud scheme threatening the Department of Energy and ultimately the American taxpayers. The OIG has enjoyed a very collaborative relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office and will continue to join forces with DOJ to investigate and hold accountable those perpetrating fraud against Department of Energy resources and programs.”

The case is captioned as United States of America ex rel. Salina Savage, et al. v. CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company, et al., 14-cv-5002-SMJ. The case originally arose out of a whistleblower complaint filed by Savage Logistics LLC, a Hanford-area small business, and Salina Savage, its owner. The whistleblowers will receive $865,907 as a result of the settlement. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Silas James Enick, age 31, an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, was sentenced today after pleading guilty on February 10, 2021, to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner in Indian Country. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Enick to a time-served sentence of 376 days imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, this case arose in February 2020 when Enick struck his girlfriend’s face at their residence on the Colville Indian Reservation. Enick’s girlfriend, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, suffered a broken jaw requiring her to undergo surgery and have her jaw wired shut for almost two months.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington works closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to ensure that Native American women and families are protected from violence such as this.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colville Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Michael L. Vander Giessen, Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jason William Cathcart, age 52, a resident of Selah, Washington and Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced May 10, 2021, after having pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography, on June 15, 2020. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Cathcart to 30 years of imprisonment, to be reduced by 5 years already spent in related state custody, for a final federal term of imprisonment of 25 years. The Court also imposed a lifetime term of court supervision after Cathcart is released from federal prison. 

In March, 2016, a witness reported to the Selah Police Department that a minor child had been molested by Cathcart after walking in on him and the minor partially nude. Cathcart exclaimed something similar to, “No, no, no my life is over.” Cathcart turned himself in to police and admitted engaging in sexual acts with the minor child. Cathcart was arrested and later convicted of state charges for First Degree Child Molestation where he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 10 years of confinement. 

A federal investigation followed, and devices seized from Cathcart’s residence were forensically examined. On Cathcart’s devices, investigators located images of child pornography that he had produced involving two minor children, including the one previously mentioned. Cathcart used the children to take part in sexually explicit conduct to produce sexually explicit images. The devices used by Cathcart had been mailed, shipped, and/or transported across state lines and/or in foreign commerce. Over two thousand additional images of other child pornography were also located on Cathcart’s devices. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington said, “The lengthy sentence imposed today demonstrates the severity of Cathcart’s criminal conduct. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to protecting vulnerable victims and prosecuting individuals who engage in conduct in which they attempt to produce child pornography and sexually exploit children. I commend the outstanding work of our federal, state and local partners who worked collaboratively in the investigation of this case.” 

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components: · Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives; · Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases; · Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and
· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the United States Secret Service and the Selah Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Today, Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that a federal grand jury in Spokane returned an Indictment charging Rio A. Mirabal, 23, of Spokane, Washington with arson of the St. Charles Parrish and School in Spokane, Washington.

The Indictment alleges that, on March 18, 2021, Mirabal maliciously damaged, by means of fire, the building and real property known as the St. Charles Parrish and School, located at 4515 North Alberta Street, Spokane, Washington. The alleged crime is a federal offense in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). If proven, the offense is punishable by a minimum 5-year, but not more than a 20-year, term of imprisonment; a $250,000 fine; and a 3-year term of court supervision following release from federal imprisonment.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Spokane Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Russell E. Smoot, Criminal Chief / Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

mirabal_indictment.pdf

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Carlos Manuel Marquez-Pierce, age 23, of Plummer, Idaho and an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty in two cases, first on January 25, 2021, to production of child pornography, and second on February 25, 2021, to sexual abuse of a minor. United States District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Marquez-Pierce to a 23-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Marquez-Pierce committed sexual offenses against three minor victims, ages 11 and 12, over nearly two years. Marquez-Pierce recorded sexually explicit conduct with one of his victims and distributed some of the produced images to others. One of Marquez-Pierce’s victims was an enrolled member of the Coeur d’ Alene Indian Tribe.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “With the sentence imposed today, a dangerous child predator has been removed from the community. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting anyone who may sexually exploit our most vulnerable population, children. I commend the hard work of our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement partners who investigated this case.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc

and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Resident Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Tribal Police Departments, and the Spokane Police Department, with assistance from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Social Services. This case was prosecuted by Ann Wick, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, in cooperation with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Eusebio Olvera Ruiz, age 27, of Quincy, Washington, was sentenced on April 22, 2021, after having pleaded guilty on January 14, 2021, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. United States District Chief Judge Bastian sentenced Ruiz to a 140-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Mr. Ruiz was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating out of the Quincy and Moses Lake, Washington area. During the course of the investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the Tri-Cities, they conducted multiple search warrants and seized multiple pounds of methamphetamine, several hundred fentanyl laced pills, heroin, and numerous stolen firearms and ammunition. Chief Judge Bastian found that Ruiz should receive two enhancements for his possession of firearms utilized to intimidate and threaten those that owed money to the organization. He also found that Ruiz committed an act of violence during the offense, specifically, that he participated in a drive-by shooting in Moses Lake, at the direction of the leader organizer of the drug trafficking organization. Ruiz is a Citizen of Mexico and will be removed from the United States after the completion of his sentence.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the federal and local agencies who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker and violent offender from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington, Moses Lake Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Department of Corrections, Quincy Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Reynaldo Perez Munoz, age 41, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on August 28, 2020, to Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine and 1 Kilogram or More of Heroin, two counts of Money Laundering, and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or more of Fentanyl. Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Reynaldo Perez Munoz to a 26-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 7-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Pursuant to forfeiture proceedings, no additional fine was imposed. 

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, this case arose from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Task Force investigation in Southern California. The Task Force identified a transnational drug trafficking organization (DTO) and worked in an undercover capacity to identify the DTO’s money laundering activities and locations in the United States where the DTO was trafficking narcotics. Munoz, and other co-conspirators were identified by the FBI as members of the DTO. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington executed several search warrants and seized over 19,000 Fentanyl-laced pills, 40 pounds of heroin, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 23 pounds of cocaine, and $170,000 in U.S. currency. They found items consistent with packaging large amounts of U.S. currency, multiple firearms, multiple identifications, and other indicia of drug trafficking. In terms of the significance of this drug trafficking organization to which he played a role, the cash money drops further corroborate that in less than one month, this organization was able to hand deliver over $1.25 million in drug cash proceeds. This case involved one of the single largest drug seizures in the Eastern District of Washington. It also involved one of the largest Fentanyl pill seizures at the time. 

During court proceedings, it was disclosed that FBI cryptoanalysis analyzed drug ledgers seized from Munoz and determined they reflected an additional $6 million collected in drug cash proceeds and several hundred kilograms of controlled substances to include fentanyl laced pills. 

Senior District Judge Shea found that Munoz was the leader organizer of a cell with the Sinaloa Cartel in the Eastern District of Washington. As a leader of the cell operating here, Munoz was responsible for coordinating drug shipments and collecting large amounts of drug cash proceeds that would be sent back to cartel leaders in Mexico. 

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “This case highlights the joint commitment, dedication, and partnership between our state and federal partners in combatting drug trafficking in our community. I commend their outstanding work. This investigation made a substantial mark upon a large-scale organization that had chosen Eastern Washington as a point of operation. It is these types of investigations that bring into focus the dangers drug trafficking organizations pose to our community.” 

"In just a short period of time, Munoz and his co-conspirators coordinated vast shipments of drugs and cash across state and international borders," said Donald M. Voiret, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office. "Removing these dangerous drugs from Washington state will no doubt save lives and families from the pain of addiction. This sentence reflects the severity of Munoz's actions, and he will have decades in prison to consider the impact of his decisions." 

Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force in Tri-Cities Washington, Cross Border Violence Task Force (CBVTF) in San Diego CA, Kennewick Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
 

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is National Prescription Drug “Take Back Day.” This year marks the 20th biannual event in the ten-year history of the Drug Take Back initiative. Drug Take Back Day gives the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will be partnering this Saturday with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Spokane Police Department, and other community partners at Northtown Mall, 4750 North Division, located in the northwest corner of Division Street and Queen Avenue in Spokane. To keep everyone safe, collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

At its last Take Back Day in October 2020, DEA collected nationally a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential. Of those numbers, Washington State collected 13,842 pounds of prescription drugs at approximately 56 collections sites operated by the DEA and 61 of its state and local law enforcement partners. In its previous events, Washington State alone has collected 270,260 pounds of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 19 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in 13,684,848 pounds (6,842.4 tons) of pills.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to have begun prior to the COVID-19 health emergency but accelerated during the pandemic.

Acting U.S. Attorney Harrington said, “Participating in drug take-back events is one step that individuals can do to help positively impact the opioid crisis and protect their loved ones. We now face a national epidemic reaching every corner of America. Opioid overdoses have skyrocketed since the late 1990’s, becoming the worst drug epidemic in modern American history. The United States is seeing an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths do not discriminate – they can impact anyone of any age, race, gender or demographic.”

In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day. The FDA provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. To find out where year-round disposal sites are located, go to https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.

For more information about Annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day, go to www.DEATakeBack.com

Spokane – The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (DCYF) will pay $300,000 and make sweeping changes to procedures for providing services to families where a parent or child is deaf or hard of hearing, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington of the Eastern District of Washington and Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman of the Western District of Washington. The settlement follows an investigation of complaints by two Washington State families about DCYF’s Child Welfare Program (CWP).

“No individual should be denied or delayed access to public services because of a disability,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington for the Eastern District of Washington. “Services provided by the State of Washington whether through DCYF or other important areas of civic life must comply with the ADA and its effective communication requirements. The ADA for over thirty years has strengthened our society and this settlement should serve as a stark reminder of why this landmark legislation is so important.”

“At every step communication is key to the relationship between a family facing challenges and social workers who are trying to protect and serve children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “It is critical whether in a home assessment, a supervised visit or a therapeutic service, that a parent who is deaf or hard of hearing be able to understand and communicate with a caseworker. DCYF has agreed to a path forward that will provide these critical services.”

According to the settlement agreement, DOJ found evidence that on more than 100 occasions between 2017 and 2019, the Child Welfare Program failed to provide appropriate auxiliary aids or services, including qualified sign language interpreters, for the complainant families. The communications included high stakes interviews during investigations regarding the possible termination of parental rights and during court-ordered treatments and counseling required for reunification with children.

The investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington determined that the failure to provide auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, denied the complainant families equal access to DCYF’s services, programs, and activities. This failure to provide qualified interpreters in a timely manner, meant that the complainant families were not provided communication that was as effective as the agency’s communications to people without disabilities. That is the standard set out in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The investigation concluded that complainant families were frequently unable to participate fully in agency investigations, had unequal access to case resolutions options like mediation, and experienced delays in moving through court-ordered services such as counseling and drug treatment. DCYF employees also improperly relied on ineffective means of communication such as the use of note-writing for the parents whose primary language was ASL, or the use of family members to interpret instead of qualified interpreters. There was also evidence that the parents’ status as individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their legitimate requests for qualified interpreters resulted in caseworkers having a negative view about the willingness of such parents to cooperate in DCYF’s investigation.

DOJ concluded that the delays and barriers to access to DCYF’s services, including resolution of investigations and visitations with their children, caused significant emotional distress to the complainant parents and their children. The investigation also reflected that these problems were likely not limited to the complainant parents but reflected a more widespread inability to communicate effectively with families with members who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Under the terms of the settlement DCYF Child Welfare Program must devise and implement, with input by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, new policies, practices, and procedures on how it will communicate effectively with constituents who have communication disabilities, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The new communications policies will follow the ADA requirements and will ensure there are a variety of resources, including appropriate auxiliary aids and services, for caseworkers to use in communicating with families. The new policy will prohibit the use of interpreters who are family members and children, as required by the ADA.

The settlement agreement also calls for DCYF to enter or maintain sufficient contractual arrangements across all the counties of Washington State to meet the expected needs for qualified interpreters. Video remote interpreting may be used following the ADA’s standards and requirements.

The settlement agreement further calls for publicizing the new communications plan, appointing an ADA coordinator, training employees on the new plan and ADA requirements, and keeping a log of when auxiliary aids and services, including interpreter services, are used. The log will be part of the information provided to the U.S. Attorney’s Offices to ensure DCYF remains in compliance with the settlement agreement.

Under the terms of the settlement, the $300,000 will be divided between the complainants in Eastern and Western Washington. Some of the money will be held in trust for two of the children whose reunification with their parents was delayed by a repeated lack of interpreters.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families cooperated fully in the investigation. The settlement was reached without DCYF admitting the conclusions or determinations made by the United States.

The investigation was conducted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Derrig of the Eastern District of Washington and Assistant United States Attorney Christina Fogg who serves as the Civil Rights Program Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices (in coordination with the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice) vigorously enforce federal civil rights laws throughout Washington. These laws prohibit discrimination, protect the constitutional rights of residents, and affirm equal opportunity for all.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced James Lee Crooker, age 36, was sentenced today, after having pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted production of child pornography, each involving a different victim, on June 17, 2020. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Crooker to a 25-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

Crooker had previously entered a guilty plea to one count of production of child pornography pertaining to one minor aged victim, and he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. However, on his motion, his conviction and sentence were vacated. Today’s 25-year sentence follows a superseding indictment, wherein he was charged with additional acts of child exploitation, several of which committed against additional victims.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, the investigation began after law enforcement received information about sexually-explicit communications on a cellular telephone between a 15-year-old developmentally delayed child and a then 32-year-old male, James Lee Crooker. Investigators quickly determined Crooker was a registered sex offender. As the investigation progressed, authorities learned that Crooker had asked the child to send him sexually explicit photographs of herself and she sent them through Facebook and Kik Messenger. She had told Crooker she was 15-years old, but he still requested the photos. She had met Crooker in person and they had discussed meeting to engage in sex. Investigators found the explicit photographs the minor victim sent on Crooker’s smartphone.

While Crooker was under investigation for the photographs produced of the 15-year old child, Facebook alerted law enforcement that Crooker was also communicating in a sexually-explicit manner with a 13-year old child in Ohio, who had also taken and sent sexually-explicit photographs to Crooker who was in Eastern Washington via Facebook, at his request.

In November, 2019, the FBI interviewed another child who resided locally and who investigators believed to be a witness to other aspects of the case. However, the child soon revealed to the FBI Agent that she too had been in a sexual relationship with Crooker, when she was 16 years old. Crooker communicated with her primarily via Facebook. Crooker asked her for sexually explicit photographs repeatedly.

At sentencing Chief Judge Bastian noted he felt compelled to protect the public and provide adequate deterrence from future misconduct. Judge Bastian told Crooker he gave him credit for pleading guilty but noted, “you have accepted responsibility reluctantly and late.” Crooker had commented he knew it was time for him to grow up, to which Judge Bastian responded, that was good, but he had victimized children who wanted to grow up too and wanted to grow up not being a victim.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington said, “The lengthy sentence imposed today demonstrates the severity of Crooker’s criminal conduct. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to protecting vulnerable victims and prosecuting individuals who engage in conduct in which they attempt to produce child pornography and sexually exploit children. I commend the outstanding work of our federal and state partners who worked collaboratively in the investigation of this case.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakima Police Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Alison L. Gregoire, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on April 13, 2021, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Christian B.M. Crawford (age: 28) of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, charging him with arson of a building in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i).

The indictment alleges that on January 22, 2021. Crawford maliciously damaged the Ridgeway VP gas station in Neenah, Wisconsin, by fire.  If convicted of the charge, Crawford faces a mandatory minimum five-year prison term and a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment.  He also faces a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Neenah Police Department, the Town of Menasha Police Department, the Town of Fox Crossing Police Department, and the Town of Clayton Fire Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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For further information contact:

Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales

Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

(414) 297-1700

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Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Carlos Salgado Velasquez, age 30, of Warden, Washington, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021 pursuant to a plea agreement to one count of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Child Sex Trafficking. In the plea agreement, Velasquez and the United States agreed to a sentence of 23 years in prison. Senior District Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen will decide whether to accept the plea agreement during the sentencing hearing set for July 6, 2021.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, beginning in September 2016 and continuing through September 2018, Velasquez engaged in conduct with four minor female victims within the Eastern District of Washington that constituted both the production of child pornography and child sex trafficking, in violation of federal law. Velasquez admitted that he knowingly took part in sexually explicit conduct with the four minor victims for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the sexually explicit conduct. Velasquez also admitted that he engaged in commercial sex acts with the four minor victims by soliciting them to engage in sexual intercourse with him in exchange for things of value. Velasquez solicited the four victims to engage in commercial sex acts with him by arranging to meet them using various internet communications platforms.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “Crimes against children are one of the highest priorities of the Department of Justice and will continue to be vigorously prosecuted in the Eastern District of Washington. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Moses Lake Police Department, the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the United States Department of Homeland Security who investigated this case.”

This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components:

· Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children;

· Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives;

· Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases;

· Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and

· Community awareness and educational programs.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes detectives from the Kennewick and Richland Police Departments, and the Moses Lake Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick and James A. Goeke, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Josue Medina-Perez, age 24 and Francisco Delgado, age 35, both from Phoenix, Arizona, were sentenced March 17, 2021, after admitting to being members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking Fentanyl-laced pills into the Eastern District of Washington. They each pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 400 grams or more of Fentanyl. Senior United States District Judge Edward Shea sentenced Josue Medina to a 96-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court supervision after release from federal prison and Francisco Delgado to a 10-year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court supervision after release from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Medina-Perez and Delgado were identified as members of a drug trafficking organization tied directly to Sinaloa Mexico, operating in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Medina-Perez and Delgado were identified as one of the first major sources of Fentanyl-laced pills in Eastern Washington and were responsible for transporting and distributing more than 5,000 to 10,000 pills per week beginning in 2017. These Fentanyl-laced pills are made to appear to be prescription medication. Fentanyl, an extremely potent opioid, is largely responsible for the marked increase in drug overdoses and deaths in Eastern Washington. As Judge Shea noted during the sentencing hearing, Fentanyl is the most dangerous and insidious drug facing our community today and, based upon the quantity of pills sold by Medina-Perez and Delgado and their negative impact on this community, these lengthy sentences were appropriate.

Joseph H. Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington will aggressively prosecute cases involving fentanyl distribution, and the sentence imposed in this case demonstrates that fentanyl dealers will be held accountable for their illegal conduct. I commend the outstanding investigative work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”

Today’s enforcement action is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved in the investigation of drug-related crimes. This OCDETF investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced the Indictment of Timothy Richard Ray Riggins, age 32, of Moses Lake, Washington, in connection with possession of an unregistered firearm/destructive device, in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5845(a)(8), (f), and 5861(d). If proved, the offense carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and up to three years supervised release.

According to state court records, in the early morning hours on or about November 3, 2019, Moses Lake Police Department (“MLPD”) received a 911call from a reporting party that Riggins had just assaulted her, stolen her vehicle, and was in possession of a “bomb.” The reporting party advised the explosive device was in a fanny pack and she was concerned for the safety of a mutual friend. MLPD was familiar with Riggins, a documented Norteno criminal street gang member, and knew he had an active felony warrant for his arrest from Washington State Department of Corrections. The reporting party’s vehicle was located, and Riggins was tracked to a nearby residence. After applying for and executing a warrant to search the residence, police found Riggins hiding inside a top-loading washing machine in one of the rooms.

While searching along Riggins’ path of travel from the stolen vehicle to the residence, police found a fanny pack that contained an operable improvised destructive device, more specifically described as a large commercial firework with more than 20 nails taped to the outside, with a large fuse. Two additional similar improvised destructive devices were located near the fanny pack.

This case is being investigated under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal prosecution.

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

This case is being investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Moses Lake Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Caitlin Baunsgard, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.