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22 August 2023
Violent felon convicted of gun chargeRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old Pharr man has been ordered to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Christian Shauntrell Garcia pleaded guilty May 2.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Garcia to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information about Garcia’s history of drug trafficking and gun violence. In imposing the prison term, the court noted he represented an ongoing threat and needed a sentence to “provide for the safety of the community.”
Authorities believed Garcia had discharged a firearm at a residence in Pharr in 2021. On Nov. 26, 2021, authorities attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop, but he fled. A high-speed chase ensued, and law enforcement was able to take him into custody. At that time, they found a firearm in his possession along with an array of various controlled substances.
As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.
Garcia was prosecuted as part of a joint Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Attorney’s Office initiative known as Operation: Knock Down. It started in 2022 and focuses federal resources on armed and violent offenders in the Rio Grande Valley.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Guerra Jr. prosecuted the case.
Violent Detroit Street Gang Indicted on RICO ChargesRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Members of a violent Detroit gang were indicted on various federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, trafficking controlled substances, firearm charges, and unemployment insurance fraud, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
The members of the Purple Heart Vets gang who were indicted by a federal grand jury include:
- Devin King, 24, of Detroit
- Trevon Mathis, 23, of Detroit
- Jordan Gilmore, 24, of Novi
- Devon Hill, 25, of Taylor
- Vincent McKinney, 24, of Detroit
- Malik Thomas, 24, of Detroit
U.S. Attorney Ison was joined in the indictment unsealing announcement by Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Division, and Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge of the Great Lakes Region of the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General.
According to the indictment and other court records, the Purple Heart Vets gang allegedly promote themselves as soldiers in battle, engaging in violence on the streets of Detroit on behalf of the gang. Operating primarily on the northwest side of Detroit, the leaders rewarded gang members who engaged in acts of violence with Purple Hearts. They obtained guns and coordinated attacks on their rivals. The attacks led to multiple shootings in and around Detroit, which resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. In one instance, a minor was caught in the crossfire during an attack on a rival gang member. The gang also sold controlled substances and engaged in significant unemployment insurance fraud to raise money to further their criminal activities.
“This indictment is another example of our office’s commitment to addressing violent crime in the City of Detroit. We believe that by removing the individuals who are the primary drivers of violent crime we can provide our neighborhoods with the peace we should all expect and deserve,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.
“Serious crimes have serious consequences. Gang members using the streets of Detroit as a battlefield to settle scores can expect to be shut down by law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “It should be common knowledge throughout metro-Detroit: If you pack an illegal firearm, you should pack your bags for prison…Everyone deserves to live in a community without the threat of senseless gun violence.”
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving unemployment insurance programs. This is particularly true when an allegation involves racketeering and violent crimes in our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and state workforce agencies to aggressively investigate these type of allegations,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in- Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. This case in being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Utah Fugitive and Alleged Drug Trafficking Ringleader Among 28 Defendants Charged in Major Multi-Agency OperationRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an 18-count indictment Wednesday charging a fugitive and 27 other defendants with multiple drug related crimes, including conspiracy to distribute drugs, possession and distribution of drugs, aiding and abetting and firearm offenses.
According to court documents, Llobani Federico Figueroa, aka “Pablo,” 32, of Magna, Utah, is the alleged ringleader in a major drug trafficking organization that operated in the District of Utah. Figueroa was taken into custody on August 3, 2023. Figueroa had been a fugitive since he was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2020 for distribution of methamphetamine. See full news release here: Fugitive and Alleged Drug Dealer Behind Bars After Three Years in Hiding.
In the 2023 indictment, Figueroa is listed as the main defendant with 27 additional co-defendants, many of whom were also taken into custody. Some of the main conspirators in the drug trafficking conspiracy include Lorena Inez Herrera, aka Lorena Duran, aka Melissa Valencia, 40, of West Valley City, Utah; Isaac David Valdez, 39, of Salt Lake City; Christopher Kin Chun, aka, “Sinner,” aka, “C Kin,” 25, of West Jordan, Utah; and Candelario Lopez-Perez, 21, a foreign national. According to the indictment, beginning but not later than December 2022 and continuing through August 2023, in the District of Utah, Figueroa and the defendants named in the indictment, conspired to distribute narcotics, including 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. During this same time period, undercover agents conducted multiple controlled narcotics purchases from different distributors working on behalf of Figueroa’s drug trafficking organization. As part of their alleged drug trafficking conspiracy, Figueroa served as the primary conduit among multiple Californian and Mexico-based sources of supply and broker/distributors in the District of Utah. Figueroa and other members of the drug trafficking conspiracy allegedly rented residences on a short-term basis, often referred to as “trap houses,” from which members of the conspiracy possessed with the intent to distribute narcotics under Figueroa’s direction. According to court documents, at the time of Figueroa’s arrest, he possessed more than $300,000 in cash, three Glock firearms with ammunition, 3.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 328 grams of heroin, 1.6 pounds of “crack” cocaine, and 409 grams of powder cocaine. Figueroa is also a known member of the nationwide criminal organization “LaRaza.” At the time of Herrera’s arrest, she possessed more than 46 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 37 pounds of cocaine. At the time of Lopez-Perez’s arrest, he possessed approximately 700 grams of methamphetamine, more than 240 grams of heroin, 189 grams of cocaine, more than $15,000 in cash and a loaded firearm.
Figueroa is charged with a continuing criminal enterprise; conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to distribute heroin; conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, aiding and abetting; possession of heroin with intent to distribute, aiding and abetting; felon in possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. All defendants in the indictment are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Defendants charged in counts three through 18 are listed in the indictment. Figueroa’s arraignment on the indictment was Monday, August 21, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. His trial date will be scheduled at a later date. Initial court appearances on the other defendants can be found in the court docket.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force and West Valley City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
Remaining defendants named in the indictment:
1. Steven Kay Langley, aka Steven Vernon Johnson, 55, of Ennis, Montana
2. Tammie Lynn Salstrom, aka Tammie Lynn Tumsuden, 51, of Ennis, Montana
3. Brandon Leon Simmons, aka, Adam Lee Evans, 42, of North Salt Lake, Utah
4. Irineo Brito, aka’s Neo Brito, and Neo Trujillo, 42, of Salt Lake City, Utah
5. Glen Anthony Witham, 62, of Salt Lake City, Utah
6. Jon Tyler Pearson, aka’s Treetop, Droopee, 34, of West Jordan, Utah
7. Monique Maria Garcia, 45, of West Valley City, Utah
8. Buff Joseph Boss, 46, of Heber, Utah
9. Coty Lee Stiehl, 44, of Murray, Utah
10. Kimberly Sue Stubbs, 50, of Clarkston, Utah
11. Irene Mary McIntosh, aka Irene Douglas, 35, of Salt Lake City, Utah
12. Harold Brent Larsen, 66, of Gusher, Utah
13. Paul Casey Krehbiel, 38, of Murray, Utah
14. Kimberly Johnson, 38, of Salt Lake City, Utah
15. Jack Eugene Lamb, 42, of Salt Lake City, Utah
16. Anthony Vincent Barbera, 42, of Salt Lake City, Utah
17. Crystal Ann Beck, 42, of Heber City, Utah
18. Travis K. Hansen, aka’s Christopher J. Stevens, and Chris Steven, 53, of Park City, Utah
19. Mary Emilia Herrera, 41, of Salt Lake City, Utah
20. Jessica Archuletta, 32, of West Valley City, Utah
21. Alisha Nicole Brown-Reinsimar, 43, of West Valley City, Utah
22. Cree Williams, 43, of Salt Lake City, Utah
23. Megan Olmos, 40, of Stansbury Park, UtahAn indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Union County Investment Advisor Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Stealing Client MoneyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former investment advisor who stole over $600,000 from his clients to fund his gambling and personal expenses was sentenced today to 42 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Mario E. Rivero Jr., 39, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count each of wire fraud and securities fraud. Judge Arleo imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From April 2018 through November 2020, Rivero, while serving in his capacity as an investment advisor employed by a large brokerage firm, misappropriated $626,478 from five clients. Rivero, who had been entrusted to manage client funds responsibly, instead perpetrated a scheme to defraud multiple clients. He obtained his clients’ money under the fraudulent pretense that he would invest the funds, but instead, Rivero unlawfully diverted the funds to enrich himself and others.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced Rivero to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes, Chief of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
U.S. Attorney’s Office offers “United Against Hate” civil rights eventRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The United States Attorney’s Office will offer a civil rights outreach event in the Eastern Panhandle.
“United Against Hate: Protecting the People of West Virginia” will take place at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Romney on Tuesday, August 22 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The event will highlight the Department of Justice United Against Hate initiative and explore other civil rights topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act.
The West Virginia State Bar is offering legal education credits. The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is providing social work education credits. The event is free and open to the public.
This event is one of several outreach efforts within the Northern District of West Virginia.
To learn more about the District’s civil rights work, or to report a civil rights violation, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/civil-rights-program.
United Against Hate is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to combat unlawful acts of hate. This initiative will connect federal, state, and local law enforcement with communities to help build trust and encourage people to report hate crimes and incidents.
U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr. Announce the Appointment of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in ShreveportRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the appointment of Jason Waltman to serve as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This appointment is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office in the Shreveport Division of the Western District of Louisiana.
Due to the proliferation of gang and gun violence in the Shreveport area, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown and Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr. have joined efforts in a unique way to fight violent crime in that area by adding a specially appointed federal prosecutor to work these types of cases. The goal is for Mr. Waltman to partner as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the district’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program and other Assistant U.S. Attorneys to improve the program’s effectiveness in the northwest corner of the district.
“Collaboration with our state and local law enforcement and prosecutive partners is vital. For years, we have had a great partnership with the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, but we want to take our collaborative efforts the next level. I am grateful that District Attorney Stewart is willing to share such a skilled and talented Assistant District Attorney with our office as we jointly fight to eradicate violent crime in Shreveport,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “SAUSA Jason Waltman is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable prosecutor and knows the federal court system, given he was a former federal criminal defense attorney. Over the years, he has developed a great working relationship with our Assistant U.S. Attorneys, federal agents and task force officers, and will give us valuable insight when it comes to charging decisions and prosecutive strategy.”
“This is another example of our cooperative efforts of how we work together to serve the people of the community,” stated Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr.
Jason Waltman has worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish since 2016, where he serves as one of the office’s Section Chiefs in the Criminal Division. Prior to working at the District Attorney’s Office, SAUSA Waltman worked as a Trial Attorney with the Capital Assistance Project of Louisiana, and in private practice handling criminal, civil, and administrative law. SAUSA Waltman also previously served as an Instructor at the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Baylor University and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.
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Two Men Plead Guilty to Violent Carjackings and Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Two men have pleaded guilty to multiple carjacking and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on January 3, 2022, Jordan James Smith, 26, of Ramsey, approached an individual who was sitting in a parked vehicle. Smith opened the driver’s door of the victim’s Nissan Juke and pushed a gun into the victim’s torso. Smith then stated, “I’ve got a [expletive] gun,” and directed the victim to “give me everything you have and get out of the car.” Smith pulled the victim from the car, got into the driver’s seat, and drove off. The victim’s phone and wallet were still in the car as Smith fled. On January 10, 2022, Smith and an associate used the victim’s Nissan Juke as collateral to test drive a black Maserati. Smith and his associate abandoned the Nissan Juke and stole the black Maserati before being apprehended by law enforcement.
On February 3, 2022, Smith and his co-defendant Carson Thomas McCoy, 22, of Blaine, broke into a local car dealership. They stole several vehicles, including an unlicensed GMC Acadia. Later that morning, at 8:30 a.m., the Minneapolis Police Department responded to a hit-and-run accident. Smith was driving a blue Honda Accord while McCoy—who was driving the stolen GMA Acadia and following Smith’s blue Honda Accord—ran a stop sign and struck another vehicle. McCoy abandoned the GMC Acadia and got into the blue Honda Accord driven by Smith. However, before leaving the area, Smith approached the vehicle McCoy hit, pointed a gun at the driver, and said “give me your purse or I’ll [expletive] kill you.” Smith returned to the blue Honda Accord and fled the scene with the victim’s iPhone, housekeys, and a child’s backpack.
Shortly thereafter, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Smith and McCoy noticed the driver of a silver Honda Accord parked in a nearby residential area. Smith and McCoy exited the blue Honda Accord and approached the silver Honda Accord. Smith tapped on the driver’s side window with a black gun that had a red camouflage slide while McCoy used his hand to gesture that he also possessed a gun. The driver of the silver Honda Accord exited the vehicle and, as the driver attempted to retrieve his wallet, Smith threatened the driver with his gun. Smith and McCoy then drove off in the silver Honda Accord. Because Smith has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
According to court documents, on August 10, 2022, after stealing a black BMW sedan, McCoy broke into a residence in Ham Lake, Minnesota, stealing various items—including a firearm. Less than 30 minutes later, law enforcement responded to a road-rage incident involving a black BMW sedan. A group of motorcyclists reported nearly colliding with a black BMW sedan after which the driver—later identified as McCoy—fired a handgun into the air from the sunroof of the black BMW. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement officers located the black BMW sedan and attempted a traffic stop. McCoy fled, collided with a marked patrol car, and ultimately crashed into a tree. A search of the black BMW sedan revealed, among other things, the Springfield Armory semi-automatic pistol the defendant had stolen from the Ham Lake residence, another handgun, baggies of controlled substances, and the false identification card the defendant used to test drive the black BMW sedan before he stole it.
Smith pleaded guilty yesterday before Judge John R. Tunheim to two counts of carjacking. McCoy pleaded guilty on April 11, 2023, before Judge John R. Tunheim to one count of aiding and abetting carjacking and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Blaine Police Department, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.
Two Former Lexington Business Owners Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.- Two former Lexington business owners, Douglas William Vance, 54, and Molly McKinnon, 59, were sentenced on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 174 months and 156 months, respectively, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to evidence at trial, from August 2016 through December 2018, Vance and McKinnon used falsified bank statements, financial reports, purchase orders, sales and production figures, and other fabricated records, to convince different investors that each owned a controlling stake in a company called “Nex-Gen.” The company purported to produce “calcined coal” and other carbon-based products, in Chavies, Kentucky. The false and fabricated documents also convinced two companies to lend money to Nex-Gen, and concealed the fact that Vance and McKinnon were misappropriating both investor and lender funds. The evidence presented at trial established that Vance and McKinnon worked together to defraud multiple investors and lenders, out of more than $2 million.
Vance and McKinnon were convicted of the charges in October 2022.
Under federal law, Vance and McKinnon must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Brian Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Rosenberg and James Chapman.
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Stanislaus County Man Pleads Guilty to Passing Forged Treasury BondsRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ronnie Douglas Fleming, 37, of Keyes, pleaded guilty today to passing a counterfeit obligation of the United States, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, from March to May 2022, Fleming passed counterfeit treasury bonds on 10 occasions at banks in the Central Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. The banks paid Fleming more than $134,000 for the bonds.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from the Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case.
Fleming is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 28, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Fleming faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
St. Louis Woman Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Bank and Pandemic FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A woman from St. Louis, Missouri was sentenced Monday to 37 months in prison for committing both check fraud and pandemic fraud.
U.S. District Judge John A. Ross also ordered Nikia A. French, 30, to repay $57,173.
French pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud in March and admitted recruiting people on Instagram who were willing to let French use their bank accounts. French created counterfeit checks, deposited them in the accounts and withdrew the money or made debit card purchases before the bank learned that the checks were bogus.
Between February 2022 and April 2022, French deposited or attempted to deposit counterfeit checks totaling at least $73,515 and received at least $34,109 in proceeds.
French also submitted two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications in April of 2021, seeking a total of about $23,000. She falsely inflated her gross income and submitted false documents to obtain the loans. She used the money at restaurants and clothing stores and took some out in cash.
French lied on the applications when she said she had not been convicted of a felony involving fraud in the last five years. In a 2019 bank fraud case, French was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and ordered to repay nearly $62,000. The fraud then was nearly identical to what French did in 2022, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow said in a sentencing memo.
Clow also pointed out that the first fraudulent PPP loan application was submitted about six months after French was released from prison. French exploited the pandemic for personal gain, at the expense of small businesses and employees who were at risk of losing their jobs, he wrote.
“Today’s sentence brings to a conclusion an investigation that began with one stolen check, and ultimately led to Postal Inspectors uncovering the defendant’s involvement in multiple fraud schemes,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça who leads the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office. “The defendant will now be held accountable for the thousands of dollars she obtained through various criminal enterprises.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.St. Louis County Man Admits Stealing from QuikTrips Five TimesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri on Tuesday admitted stealing cigarettes or cash from area QuikTrip stores five times.
Terrence Gleason, 52, of Bel Ridge, pleaded guilty to three robbery charges and two charges of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He admitted stealing cigarettes from or robbing three QuikTrip stores, including one in Bel Ridge that he victimized three times.
On Dec. 5, 2021, at about 2:30 a.m., Gleason entered the QuikTrip at 9099 Natural Bridge in Bel Ridge, walked behind the counter and began filling a bag with cartons of cigarettes. When the clerk moved to activate an alarm, Gleason lifted his shirt to show his holstered firearm. The clerk put his hands in the air and Gleason left with the stolen cigarettes.
The next day at about the same time, Gleason returned. The same clerk was working. Gleason had one hand in the front pocket of his coat and the clerk believed Gleason was armed, based on Gleason’s actions the night before. Gleason demanded “all the Newports,” and put a bag on the counter. The clerk put seven packages of cigarettes in the bag. Gleason then said, “Come on bro, I know you got more than that,” at which point the clerk put six or seven cartons of cigarettes in the bag. Gleason then left.
On Dec. 10, 2021, at about 3:00 a.m., Gleason and another man entered the QuikTrip at 5909 Howdershell Road in Hazelwood. Gleason and the other man walked behind the checkout counter and began removing cartons of cigarettes. When that store employee walked behind the counter to trigger the alarm, Gleason’s accomplice pulled back his jacket, displayed a firearm and said, “Press something, I dare you.” The employee backed up and put his hands in the air and Gleason and the man left with cartons of stolen cigarettes.
On Dec. 11, 2021, at approximately 4:12 a.m., Gleason returned to the Bel Ridge QuikTrip, walked up to the counter, reached over it and opened a drawer where cigarette cartons were stored. He grabbed several cartons then approached the clerk who witnessed the two prior incidents and said, “I need Newports,” while grabbing at his waistband. The clerk believed Gleason had a gun and tried to comply, but then said they did not have any more cartons. Gleason walked behind the counter, grabbed several packages of cigarettes and left.
On Dec. 12, 2021, at about 4:30 a.m., Gleason entered the QuikTrip located at 11150 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann and robbed the store at gunpoint, taking $85 from one cash register.
Gleason is scheduled to be sentenced January 25. The first firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, consecutive to any other charge, and the second firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum consecutive term of seven years. The robbery charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
The FBI, the Normandy Police Department, the St. Ann Police Department, and the Hazelwood Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.
Rio Rancho Woman Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Christina Joyner was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,025,165.72 in restitution to her former employer. Joyner, 48 of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, pled guilty to wire fraud on September 2, 2022.
According to court records, from approximately July 2014 through September 2021, Joyner used her position as bookkeeper for Quanz Motor Car Company, doing business as Quanz Auto Body, to defraud the company of over $2 million. Joyner accomplished this by issuing checks to herself and coding them to give the appearance they were for legitimate business expenses, using company credit cards to make personal, online purchases, retaining money from cash transactions and creating fraudulent pay stubs for her husband that were used as proof of income to obtain loans. Joyner maintained email reminders to herself to modify entries in the accounting software and manipulated the software to conceal her actions.
Joyner’s employer completely trusted her with the company’s finances, as well as the employees’ personal information, and one reported that her abuse of their trust “has hurt far worse than any financial impact has.” Joyner blamed her deceased husband’s addiction for her theft, however the investigation revealed that Joyner used the money to fund both her and her husband’s lifestyle.
Upon her release from prison, Joyner will be subject to three years of supervised release and must complete 60 hours of community service.
The Albuquerque Resident Office of the United States Secret Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Brawley is prosecuting the case.
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Quincy, Illinois man Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Quincy, Illinois man, Demetrius Fernando, 46, of the 2200 block of Ohio Street in Quincy, Illinois has been sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough to 96 months in prison to be followed by 48 months of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Fernando distributed more than 5 grams of methamphetamine in 2020 on two occasions in Quincy, Illinois. He has multiple prior state-controlled substances convictions.
Fernando was indicted in March 2020 and pleaded guilty in April 2023. He has been in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since March of 2020.
The statutory penalties for distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) are up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release.
The West Central Illinois Task Force, Quincy Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Fernando was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Permanent Injunction and $650,000 Civil Penalty Imposed on Experian Consumer Services for Allegedly Sending Commercial Emails Without Providing Consumers the Ability to Opt Out of Future Emails, in Violation the CAN-SPAM ActRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. dba Experian Consumer Services (Experian), has agreed to a permanent injunction and a $650,000 civil penalty as part of a settlement to resolve alleged violations of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003 (CAN-SPAM Act), the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Rule (CAN-SPAM Rule), and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The CAN-SPAM Act and Rule require senders of commercial emails to notify the recipients of such emails of their right to opt-out of future emails and to provide an opt-out mechanism. Experian shares a parent company, Experian PLC, with Experian Information Solutions Inc., which offers credit information, analytical tools and marketing services.
The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, involves emails Experian sent to consumers who had created free Experian accounts to control third-party access to their credit reports. Account holders may “freeze” their credit reports to make them inaccessible to identity thieves and legitimate potential creditors such as banks. They can also “unfreeze” their credit reports when they require a credit check, for example, to finance a expensive purchase. The complaint asserts that Experian sent its account holders millions of commercial emails promoting additional Experian services. These emails asked the consumer to confirm whether a car that Experian had associated with the user’s account was theirs, offered a service aimed at boosting the user’s credit score, and advertised a free scan of the dark web. The emails did not give the recipients notice that they could opt-out of future such emails or provide any opt-out mechanism, violating the CAN-SPAM Act and the CAN-SPAM Rule. The complaint alleges that these emails implied that they contained important information about the recipient’s account, even though they were commercial in nature. The government received many consumer complaints that these emails contained no opt-out mechanism.
The stipulated order, entered by the federal district court yesterday, enjoins Experian from sending commercial emails that do not provide notice that the recipient may opt-out of receiving such emails in the future or an opt-out mechanism. The order also enjoins Experian from otherwise violating the CAN-SPAM Act. Under the order, Experian is also subject to a civil penalty judgment of $650,000.
“Consumers have the right to opt-out of email advertising that they do not want,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to enforcing the CAN-SPAM Act and preventing senders of commercial emails from falsely describing those emails as providing account updates or other transactional information in order to circumvent the opt-out requirements.”
“Signing up for a membership doesn’t mean you’re signing up for unwanted email, especially when all you’re trying to do is freeze your credit to protect your identity,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “You always have the right to unsubscribe from marketing messages, and the FTC takes enforcing that right seriously.”
“It is critical that consumers have the ability to opt-out of unwanted commercial emails, and such emails should not be misleading in any way,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “This permanent injunction and civil penalty will provide relief to consumers and help to prevent future violations of the CAN-SPAM Act.”
This matter was handled by Senior Trial Attorney James T. Nelson and Assistant Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Cuff for the Central District of California and Frances Kern and Elsie Kappler of the FTC.
For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov.
Ocean Vessel Operator Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Pay $2 Million for Marine Environmental CrimesRead the Press Release
Ocean vessel operating company Zeaborn Ship Management (Singapore) PTE. LTD. (Zeaborn) pleaded guilty to maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oily bilge water and garbage on board the vessel Star Maia. In its plea, Zeaborn has agreed to pay a total monetary penalty of $2 million. The company’s Chief Engineer, Constancio Estuye, and Captain, Alexander Parreno, also pleaded guilty for their roles in the crimes.
According to court documents, Zeaborn and Estuye admitted that – at least four times between June and October 2022 – they dumped over 7,500 gallons of oily bilge water from the Star Maia into the ocean without first processing the oily bilge water through required pollution prevention equipment. They also admitted that these illegal discharges were falsely recorded in the oil record book as having been made using the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment when the equipment had not been used. Oily bilge water typically contains oil contamination from the operation and cleaning of machinery on the vessel.
In addition to the illegal discharges of oily bilge water, Zeaborn and Parreno admitted that on at least three or four occasions between June and August 2022, they had burned garbage – including paper, plastics and oily rags – in barrels on the Star Maia’s deck. The barrels were then thrown into the ocean. This garbage burning and barrel disposal was not recorded in the vessel’s garbage record book, as required by law.
“Illegally dumping oily waste and garbage at sea poses a serious threat to the health and viability of the marine environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those who violate environmental laws are held accountable for their criminal conduct.”
“Unlawful oil discharges can cause significant harm to the marine environment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden for the Southern District of California. “We will continue to safeguard our oceans by vigorous enforcement of environmental laws. Today’s case is a reflection of that commitment.”
“This prosecution highlights the Justice Department and the U.S. Coast Guard’s continued dedication in safeguarding our maritime environment against those that seek to deliberately harm our natural resources,” said Sector Commander Captain James W. Spitler of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Diego. “Illegal dumping of oil, falsification of oil record books and flagrant disregard for air emission requirements are egregious violations. These guilty pleas should serve as a reminder that the Coast Guard and our partners at the Justice Department will work tirelessly to hold accountable those that seek to deliberately harm the maritime environment.”
Zeaborn pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in San Diego to two felony violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS). The plea agreement, subject to acceptance by the court, includes a $1.5 million fine and a $500,000 community service payment. The community service payment will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund projects to benefit marine and coastal natural resources located in or around the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve in Southern California. Zeaborn will also serve a four-year term of probation during which all containerships and conventional bulk carriers operated by the company and calling on U.S. ports will be required to implement a robust environmental compliance plan.
Estuye and Parreno each pleaded guilty to one felony violation of the APPS for failing to accurately maintain the oil and garbage record books for the Star Maia. Sentencing for defendants Zeaborn, Estuve and Parreno is set for Dec. 1.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service are investigating the case. Senior Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
Note, this release has been updated to specify which types of Zeaborn vessels are subject to the four-year term of probation.
Nomura Securities International Agrees to Pay $35 Million Penalty Stemming from Its Participation in Securities Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Nomura Securities International (“NSI”), a U.S.-based broker-dealer subsidiary of Japanese financial services firm Nomura Holdings, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have entered into a non-prosecution agreement relating to NSI’s fraudulent trading of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (“RMBS”). As part of this agreement, NSI will pay a monetary penalty of $35 million and pay restitution to victim customers, which include firms affiliated with recipients of federal bailout funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program and firms investing as fiduciaries on behalf of pension funds, charitable and educational endowments, insurance companies, and others.
The government’s investigation revealed that NSI – principally from its trading floor in New York City – perpetrated a scheme from 2009 to 2013 to defraud its customers in RMBS trades. The purpose and effect of NSI’s fraud was to increase its profits on RMBS trades at the expense of victim customers, including victim customers based in Connecticut. NSI conducted this scheme by, through, and with its employees, who acted with the knowledge, encouragement, and participation of NSI supervisors, including those tasked with compliance responsibilities.
NSI conducted its scheme by misrepresenting material facts to deceive and cheat its customers in trades. For instance, in certain transactions, NSI traders lied to the buyer about the seller’s asking price (or vice versa), keeping the difference between the price paid by the buyer and the price paid to the seller for NSI. In other transactions, NSI traders misrepresented to the buyer that bonds held in NSI’s inventory were being offered for sale by a fictitious third-party seller, which allowed NSI to charge the buyer an extra, unearned commission. NSI supervisors instructed its RMBS traders in, and caused them to use, these fraudulent trading practices. NSI, with full knowledge and participation of its supervisors, lied to victims who detected or suspected that they had been the victims of fraud. NSI concealed its fraudulent conduct from its customers, and from its own employees who were not participants in the scheme, in order to prevent or delay discovery.
Under the terms of the non-prosecution agreement, NSI agreed to pay a penalty of $35 million and make restitution to victims of $807,717.68. NSI previously paid $20,125,614.59 in remediation to victims as part of its settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This resolution takes into account NSI’s extensive cooperation, acceptance of responsibility for its and its employees’ criminal conduct, remediation efforts, including its discipline and/or termination of employees and its commitment to make complete restitution to all impacted customers, enhanced compliance program, and agreement to continue to cooperate with law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not require NSI to retain an independent consultant to assess and improve NSI’s compliance and ethics program because NSI has already taken steps to reasonably prevent and detect further fraud, and because of certain structural changes in the secondary market for RMBS that would make repetition of the conduct less likely.
The agreement announced today addresses only the corporate criminal liability of NSI and not criminal charges for any individual. Several former NSI employees have been charged in connection with NSI trading activities.
This matter was investigated by the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Novick, Heather Cherry, and Jonathan Francis.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MELVIN WALKER, age 35, a resident of Westwego, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge, Jay C. Zainey to 37 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. On May 11, 2023, WALKER pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to court records, WALKER was standing outside of his residence when the occupants of a white SUV opened fire at him. WALKER removed a nine-millimeter firearm from his waistband and fired back at the fleeing SUV. WALKER sustained a gunshot wound during the gunfire exchange.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and collected fired casings from WALKER’s nine-millimeter firearm, as well as .223 rifle casings believed to have been discharged by the occupants of the white SUV. WALKER’s residence was searched by deputies who located a bloody nine-millimeter magazine was found on WALKER’s living room couch. The deputies also determined that the ammunition collected from the magazine was the same caliber and brand of ammunition discharged by the nine-millimeter that WALKER discharged. WALKER has two previous convictions for firearms-related offenses and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following his term of incarceration, WALKER will be placed on supervised release for 36 months. The court also imposed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit.
New Haven Carjacker Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIHAJA ORTIZ-TUCKER, also known as “TJ,” 20, of New Haven, was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for carjacking and conspiracy offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between March and July 2022, Ortiz-Tucker and others posed as interested buyers of motor vehicles advertised by Connecticut residents (the “victim-sellers”) on Facebook Marketplace. On three occasions, Ortiz-Tucker and his co-conspirators arranged to meet in person with the victim-sellers for the purported purpose of test driving and purchasing the motor vehicles. At the conclusion of the purported test drives, Ortiz-Tucker and his co-conspirators stole, at gunpoint, the vehicles, as well as certificates of title, bills of sale, and other ownership documents. On at least two occasions, Ortiz-Tucker posed as the legitimate owner of stolen motor vehicles, advertised them for sale on the OfferUp online platform, and sold them to unwitting purchasers.
Ortiz-Tucker also participated in two carjackings of Uber drivers in May 2022. In both instances, an Uber driver picked up the carjacker in New Haven and drove to Wallingford where the cars were taken from the drivers at gunpoint. Both cars were later recovered in the same area of Hamden.
Ortiz-Tucker was arrested on July 22, 2022. On May 30, 2023, he pleaded guilty to three counts of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force, violence and intimidation (“carjacking”), and one count of conspiracy. Ortiz-Tucker is detained.
Following Ortiz-Tucker’s sentencing, RUBEN MONTANO, 20, of New Haven, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. On May 2, 2023, Montano pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, admitting that he participated in one of these carjackings with Ortiz-Tucker in July 2022, and the subsequent sale of the vehicle. He is also detained.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force, the Connecticut State Police and the Wallingford, New Haven, Hamden, Waterbury, and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Tara E. Levens.
U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged those who sell and purchase items online, and need to meet an individual in person to complete the sale, to use a visible, monitored location. Contact your local police department to see if it offers a monitored meeting location, or search online for a nearby monitored location.
Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, GA: Three people have been indicted in the Southern District of Georgia on felony charges including illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.
“A key factor in our fight against violent crime is to remove guns from the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them – particularly convicted felons,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We commend our law enforcement partners for their diligent work in keeping our streets safe.”
In the past four years, more than 800 defendants have been prosecuted in the Southern District of Georgia for firearms offenses – most often for possessing a firearm after conviction for a previous felony. That charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system.
Those indicted during the August term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Tommy Cowart, 60, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
- Donyah Rayquan Hardaway, 27, of Statesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and,
- Jamell Williams, 44, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Olajuwon Raheem Williams, 25, of Augusta, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Williams after he threatened to shoot up his ex-girlfriend’s home and fled from police while firing at the pursuing officer with an AR-style pistol. Williams was previously convicted of armed robbery.
- Tyrique Marquez Mills, 25, of Waycross, Ga., was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Mills was wanted on felony warrants related to a shooting when he was arrested in July 2022 by Waycross Police officers who found a loaded pistol in his pocket.
- Horatio Trimane Bynes, 65, of Augusta, was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies found drugs, cash, and a .357 caliber revolver in Bynes’ car during a traffic stop.
- Javonte Deshawn Washington, 30, of Savannah, was sentenced to 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to Straw Purchase of a Firearm. In his plea, Washington agreed that in November 2022 he aided and abetted Nygeria Tasheema Brown, 32, of Savannah, in purchasing a semi-automatic pistol for Washington from a Chatham County gun store even though he knew that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Garden City police officers found Washington in possession of the gun later that month when responding to a report of a man pointing a gun at motorists outside an apartment complex. Brown awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
- Dequan Donte Payne, 31, of Augusta, was sentenced to 110 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Payne in March 2022 after finding drugs and guns during a search of his residence as part of a drug investigation. Payne previously was convicted of armed robbery.
- Daquan Marquise Rolack, 25, of Grovetown, Ga., was sentenced to 60 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Richmond County deputies arrested Rolack as part of Operation Grace during a June 2022 traffic stop in which they found Rolack in possession of a pistol while engaging in drug trafficking.
- Daquan Minor, 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police officers found a pistol in Minor’s possession during an August 2022 traffic stop. Minor previously was convicted of illegal gun possession and drug trafficking offenses.
- Joquan K. Clark, 25, of Waynesboro, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Waynesboro Police officers responding to a domestic dispute arrested Clark after finding a pistol in his pocket.
- Jovonn Courtney Stokes, 26, of Springfield, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to three counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and one count of Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. In his plea agreement, Stokes admitted that he brandished a handgun while robbing two Chatham County convenience stores and an Effingham County convenience store in November and December 2022.
- Stephan Dewaine Jackson, 28, of Brunswick, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Glynn County Police officers found a pistol in Jackson’s vehicle during a January 2022 traffic stop.
- Tyrell Smith, 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Smith, who had an active arrest warrant related to a Savannah shooting, ran from police who arrested him when they found him carrying a pistol.
- Isaac Wilford Stewart, 23, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Waynesboro Police officers found a pistol in the floorboard of Stewart’s vehicle in October 2022 after an attempted traffic stop led to a chase and crash.
- Tyrone Dion Lyons Sr., 39, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies and U.S. Marshals found a pistol in Lyons’ vehicle while serving a warrant for his arrest on Gwinnett County, Ga., charges.
- Jared Tyrese Adger, 23, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment. In June 2022, Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies found Adger in possession of two firearms during a traffic stop as part of Operation Grace.
- William Beau Devore, 21, of Martinez, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Devore in January 2022 as a suspect in a burglary, and determined that he was illegally in possession of five guns.
Agencies investigating these cases include the ATF, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Patrol.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473
Missaukee County Man Sentenced to 90 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Multiple ChildrenRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced the sentencing of Nathan Gary Christensen, 45, of Manton, Michigan, to 1,080 months in custody with the Bureau of Prisons. If released, Christensen must spend the rest of his life on supervised release.
“Mr. Christensen’s sexual abuse of innocent children is horrific," said U.S. Attorney Totten. “This 90-year sentence does not begin to undo the harm he’s inflicted on our most vulnerable. No sexual predator who learns of Mr. Christensen’s fate should experience a moment of ease: we will find you and we will hold you accountable.”
“These crimes are nothing less than monstrous,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “My thoughts are with the victims in this case, and it is my hope that today’s sentencing will bring some measure of peace as they heal from these horrific crimes. I would like to thank the Australian Federal Police and the HSI office in Canberra, whose vigilance helped bring this predator to justice.”
At sentencing today, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou denounced Christensen’s conduct as horrific. Judge Jarbou stated that in her 25-years of experience as a lawyer and judge she had not seen anything like this before. He “abused trust in the worse possible way and did it for years and did it to multiple victims” with children as young as “3-days old and 3-months old.” Judge Jarbou observed that the “exploitation will last forever” and that the children and their families will be impacted the rest of their lives. “The damage inflicted is life-long.” Judge Jarbou announced that “a life sentence is appropriate,” and sentenced Christensen to 90 years to protect the community, punish him for his conduct, and to send a message of deterrence to others who might contemplate sexually abusing children.
In September 2022, Christensen was identified by Australian Federal Police as a collector of child pornography and a potential producer and contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In October, HSI and the Michigan State Police (MSP) located Christensen and executed search warrants on his home and another associated residence. HSI and MSP then identified Christensen and recognized rooms in the home as the background of some of the images and videos. Christensen was immediately arrested on state charges of criminal sexual assault.
Computer forensic examination disclosed hundreds of thousands of images and videos of child pornography. Christensen was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2023, and transferred to federal custody. In total, eight children were identified as victims and located. The victims were as young as 3-days-old and 3-months-old. Two of the victims had special needs. In March 2023, Christensen pleaded guilty to three counts stemming from his production of child pornography. Each charge had a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a statutory maximum of 30 years. By law, the court was permitted to run the sentences consecutively for a combined maximum of 90 years. In June 2023, Christensen pleaded guilty in Missaukee County to criminal sexual conduct charges and will be sentenced next month with the agreement that his state sentence will run concurrent with the federal sentence.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru and investigated by HSI Grand Rapids, Michigan State Police, MSP Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce in Traverse City, and the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Missaukee County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Metairie Man Pleads Guilty for Use of Communication Device to Faciliate Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on August 17, 2023, BRANDON MARTINEZ, a/k/a “RABBIT,” age 24 of Metairie, pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the superseding bill of information for use of a communication facility to facilitate felony drug trafficking, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b).
For Count 1, the maximum penalty includes 4 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, not more than 1 year of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
According to public records, prior to March 2, 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) was informed that a motorcycle shop located at 5926 Alost Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, was suspected of harboring individuals selling drugs. ATF utilized a confidential informant (“CI”) to approach the shop and investigate if drug sales were occurring. On March 2, 2021, the CI traveled to the shop and met with MARTINEZ. The CI stated he was there to purchase methamphetamine. MARTINEZ utilized a cellphone to facilitate a meeting later that day between the CI and a co-defendant who sold methamphetamine. Co-defendants in this case previously plead guilty to selling an attempting to sell over 50 grams of methamphetamine, in addition to gun charges.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun track violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.
Melvin Hill Convicted by Jury on Federal Drug and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Melvin Hill, 44, of Tignall, Georgia, was convicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Rutland on five drug and gun charges after a week-long jury trial. Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordered that Hill remain in jail pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Hill has been held without bail since his arrest in March 2022.
According to court records, in January 2022, a confidential source told Burlington narcotics investigators that the source could buy narcotics from Hill. In February and March, this source made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Hill in transactions that were recorded and surveilled by police officers. Officers learned that Hill was staying at a hotel in South Burlington. They obtained a state-court warrant to search Hill’s hotel room and the car he had been driving. Officers arrested Hill on March 10 and recovered a loaded pistol and crack cocaine from his person. In his car and hotel room, officers seized hundreds of folds of fentanyl, hundreds of pills containing methamphetamine, and powder cocaine. They also found narcotics paraphernalia and around $13,000 in cash.
The following day, March 11, state and federal agents searched a storage unit that Hill had rented in Burlington. Inside, authorities found additional fentanyl, a second pistol, and about a pound of pure methamphetamine.
In March 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopted Hill’s case for federal prosecution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont had successfully prosecuted Hill in an unrelated drug case in 2012.
In July 2022, a federal grand jury in Burlington charged Hill, in a superseding indictment, with two counts of distributing fentanyl to the confidential source; possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, and large quantities of methamphetamine; and two counts of possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Hill is barred from possessing any firearms because he has several felony convictions in federal court and in state court in Georgia.
“The Burlington Police Department is committed to public safety, and that includes protecting those who suffer from substance use disorder,” said Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad. “We do not tolerate trafficking poisonous substances into our community, particularly by traffickers who target vulnerable people. This case shows our resolve to hold these individuals accountable. The BPD’s team, including Drug Unit Sergeant Phil Tremblay, want to acknowledge the fantastic work at trial by Assistant United States Attorneys Stendig and Waples, and their legal team. We would also like to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their efforts in this investigation.”
“DEA is committed to investigating individuals like Mr. Hill who are responsible for distributing drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the citizens of Vermont,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Let this conviction be a warning to those traffickers who are distributing this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs.”
Hill faces up to life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. The actual sentence will be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisting with firearms evidence.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest stated, “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those who combine illegal firearm possession with illegal drug trafficking. The prosecution of Mr. Hill is an example of our commitment and that of our partner investigative agencies. We commend the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to investigate Hill’s conduct and to bring him to justice.”
At trial, Hill served as his own attorney. The prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Waples and Zachary Stendig.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Many, LA Man Sentenced to 12+ Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – John Michael Murphy, 36, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced today for trafficking methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Murphy to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Murphy was charged in an indictment on June 15, 2022, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine stemming from an investigation by law enforcement agents working in the Many, Louisiana area. Officers with the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team conducted an undercover purchase of 60 grams of methamphetamine from Murphy prior to November 2021 and were aware of his drug trafficking activities. Agents received information that Murphy would be traveling to get more methamphetamine and they began conducting surveillance of the vehicle in which Murphy was a passenger. As they were following Murphy, agents lost him and requested assistance from other officers in the area to assist in locating the vehicle.
On November 16, 2021, a Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy observed the vehicle traveling on La. Highway 6 and recognized the female driver who he knew to have an expired driver’s license. The deputy activated his emergency overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop. Both the female driver and Murphy stepped out of the car and the female driver gave deputies consent to search the vehicle. Deputies conducted a pat down search of Murphy and found a large bag between his legs containing a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. The drugs were seized, and Murphy was arrested. The suspected drugs were sent to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Crime Lab for analysis and confirmed to be approximately 136.72 grams of methamphetamine. Murphy pleaded guilty on April 11, 2023 to possessing a total of 158.35 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick.
The investigation and conviction of Murphy is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Man Who Claimed Bounty for St. Louis Murder Sentenced to 9 years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White on Tuesday sentenced a man who claimed the $10,000 bounty for a 2017 murder to nine years in prison.
Delvin Bost, 28, pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He admitted calling to confirm that a bounty was still in place for Kevin Davis Jr. and then accepting the money after the fatal shooting of Davis, 24, on June 30, 2017 in the 1900 block of Belt Avenue in St. Louis. Bost said he then paid Michael “Beezy” Johnson. A witness told investigators that Johnson fired 25 shots at Davis Jr. after chasing him down the street.
On August 1, Judge White sentenced Johnson, 30, to 18 years in prison.
Both Bost and Johnson were involved in a narcotics conspiracy led by Maurice Herbert Lee II, 35, who had placed a bounty of between $5,000 and $15,000 on any rival gang members or drug dealers.
Lee pleaded guilty May 2 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his guilty plea, Lee admitted to offering and paying the bounty for the killing of two different men. In addition to Kevin Davis, Lee admitted that another fatal shooting occurred in furtherance of the drug conspiracy, that of Alexander Noodel on May 8, 2017.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced September 7.
Bost also admitted selling drugs on Facebook and being caught with methamphetamine on Feb. 11, 2019. Judge White ordered Bost to pay more than $16,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.
In all, 17 defendants were charged and all pleaded guilty.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul D’Agrosa and Mohsen Pasha are prosecuting the case.
Man Charged with Defrauding Elderly Homeowners and COVID-19 Relief ProgramsRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Freeman man had his initial appearance today on charges of wire fraud, filing a false tax return, tax evasion, and making false statements to a financial institution.
According to the indictment, Howard Lee Stith Jr., 41, allegedly perpetrated a scheme to defraud elderly homeowners in the Richmond Metro area by appearing at their homes and claiming that their slate roofs needed extensive repairs, which Stith offered to provide on a price-per-foot or price-per-material basis. Thereafter, Stith purported to provide the promised services, but, in truth, Stith performed minimal work of poor quality while charging homeowners exorbitant fees. Allegedly, Stith targeted the same homeowners over months and years, returning unsolicited and claiming the homeowners’ roofs needed further repairs. To substantiate the excessive amounts he charged, Stith allegedly created false invoices and misleading receipts, which he provided to various homeowners. From at least 2015 through the present time, Stith is alleged to have fraudulently obtained at least $1.5 million from elderly homeowners in connection with this scheme.
According to allegations in the indictment, Stith failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the income he obtained from this scheme by filing a false tax return in 2018; failing to file tax returns in 2019, 2020, and 2021; and taking affirmative acts to evade the assessment of income tax between 2019 and 2021. Specifically, Stith allegedly directed homeowners to pay him by personal check and then conducted a series of transactions to convert the check into cash without making deposit records. Having thereby concealed the nature and source of his income, Stith thereafter dealt heavily in cash. After learning he was under federal investigation, Stith allegedly began directing homeowners to write personal checks to others to further conceal his receipt of such payments. Through this conduct, Stith evaded the assessment of income tax in the alleged amount of at least $575,000 for tax years 2018 through 2021.
According to further allegations in the indictment, Stith also used cash from his roofing scheme to make large payments on high end cars. When applying to finance some of these vehicles with a local credit union, Stith is alleged to have prepared and provided false tax returns that reported significantly more income than he had claimed in the returns filed with the IRS for those same years. As a result, the credit union approved and funded multiple loans totaling at least $130,000.
Finally, according to the allegations, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stith applied for and received relief funds to which he was not actually entitled. First, Stith applied for multiple Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) on behalf of various businesses, including a roofing business. These applications included materially false statements about each business’s gross income and number of employees. Based on these material misrepresentations, Stith obtained at least $112,000 in EIDL funds to which he was allegedly not entitled. Stith also applied for and received at least $13,000 in unemployment insurance benefits (UI), allegedly falsely claiming that he was not working, not self-employed, and not receiving money from any source. It is alleged that Stith received tens of thousands of dollars from elderly homeowners during the period in which he falsely claimed entitlement to unemployment.
Stith is charged with wire fraud, filing a false tax return, evading the assessment of income tax, failing to file income tax returns, and making false statements to a financial institution. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kyo Dolan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Richmond Field Office; Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; Troy W. Springer, Acting Special Agent in Charge, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin G. Cooke and Kashan K. Pathan are prosecuting the case.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.
Anyone who believes they have been harmed by Stith’s criminal actions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Coordinator by calling 804-819-7429.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-110.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Man Admits Three St. Louis Area RobberiesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Florissant, Missouri on Tuesday admitted robbing two area banks and a fast-food restaurant with what appeared to be a handgun.
Ricardo Rusan, 56, of Florissant, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to two counts of bank robbery and one other robbery charge. As part of his plea, he admitted robbing the Church’s Chicken at 5720 South Lindbergh Boulevard in Green Park, in south St. Louis County, on Jan. 1, 2019. On April 16, 2019, he robbed the Commerce Bank at 6383 Clayton Road in Clayton. Two days later, he robbed the Bank of America at 4189 Veterans Memorial Parkway in St. Peters. Investigators found blue gloves and a mask in Rusan’s car consistent with what the robber wore in two of the robberies. Rusan’s DNA was on the mask and a glove dropped by the Church’s robber.
Rusan is scheduled to be sentenced November 30. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Peters Police Department, the Clayton Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra Wiemken is prosecuting the case.
Lewis County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nathan Hotchkiss, age 35, of Lewis County, New York, pled guilty today to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo, New York Field Office, and Lewis County District Attorney Leanne K. Moser made the announcement.
As part of Hotchkiss’s guilty plea, he admitted that, from at least October 2021 through August 2022, he sexually exploited two children under the age of five and livestreamed or distributed depictions of the sexual abuse online for cash. When Hotchkiss was arrested in August 2022, he also had a collection of child pornography he had obtained on the Internet or through social media message exchanges with others.
If the parties’ agreed-upon sentence is imposed by the Court at sentencing on January 17, 2024, Hotchkiss will receive a term of imprisonment of 30 years, a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of life, and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. In addition, Hotchkiss will be required to pay restitution to his victims and to forfeit the electronic devices that he used to commit his offenses to the United States.
HSI investigated the case with the assistance of the New York State Police and the Lewis County District Attorney’s Office as part of Project Safe Childhood. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting the case.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locates, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Lafayette Man Sentenced to 84 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Angel J. Zanex, 37 years old, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Zanex was sentenced to 84 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $71,000 in restitution to the victims of the charged offense as well as victims of uncharged offenses.
According to documents in the case, on or about December 15, 2021, Zanex distributed child sexual abuse material by posting a video to an online platform.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) GRIT/Merrillville Field Office, with assistance from the FBI Milwaukee Field Office, the Winnebago County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police Digital Forensic Unit, the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Tak Force (ICAC), the Tippecanoe County Hight Tech Crime Unit, and the Lafayette Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan and former Northern District of Indiana Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Jill Koster.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Justice Department Secures Title IX Agreement Addressing Campus Sexual Assault and Harassment with Case Western Reserve UniversityRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today an agreement with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, to resolve a federal investigation under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 into the university’s response to complaints of student-on-student and employee-on-student sexual harassment. Under the agreement, CWRU will undertake campus-wide reforms so that students can attend school and participate in Greek life programming free from sex discrimination, including sexual assault, sex-based stalking and retaliation for filing complaints of sex discrimination.
“All students should be able to participate in college life without being subjected to sex discrimination. Far too often, students on our nation’s college and university campuses face stalking, harassment or sexual assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When sex discrimination rears its head, universities must respond appropriately to stop the misconduct and provide support so that the student can safely participate in school activities and complete their educational pursuits. This agreement would not have been possible without the many current and former student survivors who came forward and courageously shared their stories. We hope this agreement sends a message to the higher education community about the actions that must be taken to ensure that campuses are safe for all students.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes sex discrimination allegations such as these very seriously. The agreement provides not only for increased training but also for revised policies and procedures along with increased efforts at campus engagement and internal monitoring to address such matters proactively,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This settlement sends a strong message that sexual harassment on college campuses will not be tolerated, and the measures in the agreement will help protect current and future students. We acknowledge and commend the students from CWRU whose efforts shined a light on this issue, and we look forward to working with CWRU to implement this important agreement.”
The department’s investigation, which was conducted jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, focused on CWRU’s response to student complaints and hundreds of social media reports alleging sexual harassment on campus and a hostile environment in Greek life. One quarter of CWRU’s undergraduate population participates in the university’s 10 sororities and 16 fraternities. The department’s investigation concluded that, among other things, CWRU did not respond appropriately to a well-known climate of sexual harassment in its Greek life program. Further, CWRU employees did not report sexual harassment complaints to the office tasked with responding to such allegations and providing students with support and resources.
CWRU fully cooperated during this investigation. The agreement requires CWRU to undertake extensive reforms, including:
- Publicizing Title IX policies and protocols and developing user-friendly materials so the CWRU community knows how to report concerns regarding sex discrimination and access resources to address it;
- Delivering comprehensive annual training for all students and employees;
- Implementing new policies, protocols and well-designed trainings to reform the university’s Greek Life programming;
- Providing students who experience sex discrimination with resources to prevent disruptions to their education;
- Funding the women’s center, Office of Greek Life and University Health and Counseling Services, as needed, to support students affected by sex discrimination; and
- Conducting outreach and analyzing trends to strengthen prevention and response to sex discrimination on campus.
A summary of the agreement can be found here.
Individuals with information related to CWRU’s compliance with Title IX are encouraged to contact the Justice Department at 1-866-432-0339 or Outreach.CWRU@usdoj.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Protecting students from harassment and other discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Ohio is available on its website at www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh.
Justice Department Secures Title IX Agreement Addressing Campus Sexual Assault and Harassment with Case Western Reserve UniversityRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today an agreement with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, to resolve a federal investigation under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 into the university’s response to complaints of student-on-student and employee-on-student sexual harassment. Under the agreement, CWRU will undertake campus-wide reforms so that students can attend school and participate in Greek life programming free from sex discrimination, including sexual assault, sex-based stalking and retaliation for filing complaints of sex discrimination.
“All students should be able to participate in college life without being subjected to sex discrimination. Far too often, students on our nation’s college and university campuses face stalking, harassment or sexual assault,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When sex discrimination rears its head, universities must respond appropriately to stop the misconduct and provide support so that the student can safely participate in school activities and complete their educational pursuits. This agreement would not have been possible without the many current and former student survivors who came forward and courageously shared their stories. We hope this agreement sends a message to the higher education community about the actions that must be taken to ensure that campuses are safe for all students.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes sex discrimination allegations such as these very seriously. The agreement provides not only for increased training but also for revised policies and procedures along with increased efforts at campus engagement and internal monitoring to address such matters proactively,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This settlement sends a strong message that sexual harassment on college campuses will not be tolerated, and the measures in the agreement will help protect current and future students. We acknowledge and commend the students from CWRU whose efforts shined a light on this issue, and we look forward to working with CWRU to implement this important agreement.”
The department’s investigation, which was conducted jointly by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, focused on CWRU’s response to student complaints and hundreds of social media reports alleging sexual harassment on campus and a hostile environment in Greek life. One quarter of CWRU’s undergraduate population participates in the university’s 10 sororities and 16 fraternities. The department’s investigation concluded that, among other things, CWRU did not respond appropriately to a well-known climate of sexual harassment in its Greek life program. Further, CWRU employees did not report sexual harassment complaints to the office tasked with responding to such allegations and providing students with support and resources.
CWRU fully cooperated during this investigation. The agreement requires CWRU to undertake extensive reforms, including:
- Publicizing Title IX policies and protocols and developing user-friendly materials so the CWRU community knows how to report concerns regarding sex discrimination and access resources to address it;
- Delivering comprehensive annual training for all students and employees;
- Implementing new policies, protocols and well-designed trainings to reform the university’s Greek Life programming;
- Providing students who experience sex discrimination with resources to prevent disruptions to their education;
- Funding the women’s center, Office of Greek Life and University Health and Counseling Services, as needed, to support students affected by sex discrimination; and
- Conducting outreach and analyzing trends to strengthen prevention and response to sex discrimination on campus.
A summary of the agreement can be found here.
Individuals with information related to CWRU’s compliance with Title IX are encouraged to contact the Justice Department at 1-866-432-0339 or Outreach.CWRU@usdoj.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
Protecting students from harassment and other discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Ohio is available on its website at www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh.
Cover Letter Agreement Agreement SummaryJustice Department Announces $51.86 Million in Grant Awards to Support Victims of Sexual AssaultRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant funding totaling $51,860,858 to provide victims of sexual assault with services in every state and the District of Columbia, as well as American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This marks a significant increase of nearly 45% when compared to last year’s funding level. OVW Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall announced the 56 Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program (SASP) awards in remarks at the National Sexual Assault Conference in San Francisco, California. These are funds that are made available through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
“It is critically important that all victims of sexual assault are able to access support and safety. Research shows that the need for that support is substantial across our nation: more than half of women and nearly one-third of men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, which is a truly staggering number,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “This significant release of SASP funds reflects our unwavering resolve to combat sexual assault. It represents our dedication to supporting rape crisis centers and other organizations that provide trauma-informed services and counseling, training advocates and ensuring that every survivor receives assistance tailored to their unique needs. We’re not just investing in services; we're investing in dignity, healing and justice for every survivor.”
“While we face significant challenges as a nation in preventing and addressing sexual assault, the increased resources for these programs through SASP funds underscore our dedication to centering the voices of survivors and enhancing services and support,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “We at the Office on Violence Against Women recognize the importance of strengthening a robust community-wide response in aiding survivors of sexual violence. This collective effort ensures that survivors are not just heard, but that they are fully supported in accessing safety, healing and justice. I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to service providers, advocates, coalitions and especially survivors. Their relentless work, bravery and dedication in preventing and addressing sexual violence are not just commendable but essential.”
Congress first authorized SASP in the VAWA Reauthorization of 2005. SASP is the nation’s first federal funding stream dedicated to providing direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault. OVW administers SASP funding according to a statutorily determined, population-based formula. States and territories, in turn, sub award the funds to rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental or Tribal agencies that provide direct intervention and related services to adult, youth and child victims of sexual assault.
In addition to SASP, OVW administers discretionary grant programs, many of which fund sexual assault services.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
Full Award ListJury Convicts Ray City Man for Armed Meth TraffickingRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Ray City, Georgia, convicted felon was found guilty by a federal jury late last week of armed drug trafficking resulting from a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation.
Demetris Gervone Bellamy, 31, of Ray City, Georgia, was found guilty of one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Aug. 17. Bellamy faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Armed drug trafficking conducted by career criminals is a threat to our communities and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We are thankful to our local law enforcement partners for collaborating with us to keep our communities as safe as possible.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a cooperating witness in a drug trafficking investigation informed law enforcement they received methamphetamine from a source named “Nitro,” who was later identified as Bellamy. Law enforcement conducted a controlled methamphetamine buy from Bellamy on Sept. 9, 2021, surveilling him exiting his Ray City residence carrying a bag and arriving at the location in Valdosta. Bellamy fled the scene after he realized that law enforcement was present, tossing a bag of nearly 500 grams of methamphetamine immediately before he was apprehended. Investigators located a firearm in his car, along with a scale, baggies, and quantities of other drugs. Post-arrest, Bellamy admitted to acquiring “30 bricks” of methamphetamine as well as the firearm found in his vehicle from another person. A recorded jail call captured Bellamy telling a friend that he was going to get out of his charges because he tossed the drugs while he was running and the firearm was found in his vehicle, as opposed to on his person. Bellamy has a lengthy criminal history, including prior drug trafficking convictions. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a gun.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch is prosecuting the case for the Government, with support from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Destroying EvidenceRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Christopher Raymond Joseph (19, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to destroying records with the intent to impede or obstruct a federal investigation. Joseph faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, FBI was investigating a terrorism case involving a threat to conduct a violent attack against Jewish individuals and synagogues. As part of the investigation, Joseph was interviewed regarding whether he had knowledge of or involvement in this threat. During the investigation, FBI special agents specifically requested that Joseph preserve certain records of communications on his cellphone with a suspect in another district. Within moments of their departure from his residence, Joseph deleted one of the records that the FBI had discussed with him.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler, III and Assistant United States Attorney Cherie Krigsman, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Historical Items Belonging to Alan Turing Returned to EnglandRead the Press Release
DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces the return of historical items belonging to Alan Turing to the Sherborne School in Dorset, England.
As part of a ceremony this week, several items belonging to Alan Turing were returned to his boyhood school, including the following items: Alan Turing’s PhD diploma from Princeton University, the Order of the British Empire Medal, a personal note from the King George VI of England, a number of school reports, and various photos. These items were removed from the school archives nearly 40 years ago. They were recovered in Colorado, and subject to a forfeiture action filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Colorado.
According to the Second Amended Complaint, the United States learned that certain items originally belonging to Alan Turing were located in Colorado, when they were offered to be displayed at the University of Colorado in Boulder in 2018. An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations revealed that the items had been removed from the Sherborne School located in Dorset, England. Alan Turing attended the school from approximately 1926 to 1931, and the items were originally placed there by his family. In 1984, a person named Julia Schinghomes arrived at the school and took the items into her possession. She later changed her name to Julia Turing. After the United States filed the action in this case, the matter was resolved in a settlement. Pursuant to that settlement, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado entered a Final Order of Forfeiture over the items in this case in May 2021.
“Together with Homeland Security Investigations, our office ensured that historical artifacts belonging to Alan Turing are now back in the place where they belong,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We celebrate the accomplishments of Alan Turing and are thrilled that the historical significance of these artifacts will continue to be appreciated by scholars and generations to come.”
“Sir Alan Turing was named a national hero for the crucial role he played in cracking coded messages during World War II, enabling the Allies to defeat the Axis Powers,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge, Ryan L. Spradlin. “I’m very proud that HSI Denver investigators and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s office were able to recover his effects after being missing for nearly 40 years.”
Alan Turing was an English mathematician and computer scientist instrumental in codebreaking during the Second World War.
The Sherborne School invited HSI Special Agent Greg Wertsch and Assistant United States Attorney Laura Hurd to attend the repatriation ceremony this week. The repatriation represents years of hard work and the dedication of HSI Agents, the Department of Justice, and local law enforcement. The event further signifies the importance of the Department of Justice’s work to return cultural property worldwide.
Case Number 20-cv-00152-STV
Hartford Fentanyl Distributor Sentenced to 67 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TROY COLEMAN, also known as “Hoy” and “TJ,” 37, formerly of Hartford and Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 67 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force revealed that Troy Coleman and his brother, Tyshawn Coleman, were selling fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford. In November and December 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of fentanyl, totaling 900 dose bags of the drug, from Troy Coleman. As the investigation continued, on April 13, 2021, Troy Coleman was shot multiple times outside of a restaurant located at 2393 Main Street in Hartford. Coleman, who possessed fentanyl and crack cocaine at the time of the shooting, was released from the hospital approximately one week later.
It is alleged that an undercover law enforcement officer purchased fentanyl from Tyshawn Colman in late April and early May 2021. On May 5, 2021, investigators conducted a court authorized search of Tyshawn Coleman’s apartment on Sisson Avenue in Hartford, where Troy Coleman also resided. The search revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .40 caliber “ghost gun” with a loaded high-capacity magazine, a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, and additional loaded gun magazine, ammunition, and $4860 in cash. Troy Coleman was located and arrested on unrelated later that day.
Troy Coleman has been detained since his federal arrest on October 4, 2021. On August 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.
Tyshawn Coleman, also known as “Ty” and “Mazi” has been charged by indictment for conduct stemming from this investigation, and is currently being sought by law enforcement. Individuals with knowledge of his whereabouts are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-777-6311.
As to Tyshawn Coleman, U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Brendan J. Keefe through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Hammond Man Sentenced to 60 Months Incarceration for Committing Interstate Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – VINCENT TURNER, age 39, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Susie Morgan to 60 months in federal prison for violating 18 U.S.C. 2261(b)(5), Interstate Domestic Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The sentence imposed will run concurrent with a sentence to be imposed in a Plaquemines Parish revocation proceeding.
On May 2, 2023, TURNER pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with violations of Assault and Interstate Domestic Violence. The remaining counts of the indictment were dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement between the government and TURNER. Following his incarceration, TURNER will be placed on supervised release for 36 months. The Court also imposed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
According to court records, TURNER physically assaulted his dating partner while aboard the Carnival cruise ship Valor, an American vessel. The ship left from the Port of Orleans and traveled to Costa Maya, Mexico. While aboard the cruise ship, TURNER and his dating partner engaged in a verbal altercation that turned physical when TURNER pushed his dating partner, causing her to fall to the floor. TURNER continued to strike the victim with his hand and kick her with his foot, resulting in physical injuries to her.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit.
Fugitive and Alleged Drug Dealer Behind Bars After Three Years in HidingRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A Utah fugitive was arrested in Salt Lake County after fleeing from federal law enforcement in 2020 on federal charges related to the distribution of a narcotic in the District of Utah.
According to court documents, Llobani Fredrigco Figueroa, 32, of Magna, Utah, was located and taken into custody by federal agents in early August 2023. In 2020, a federal grand jury charged Figueroa by indictment for distribution of methamphetamine. Court documents allege that in February 2020, Figueroa distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Figueroa had his initial appearance on the indictment August 8, 2023. He had a detention hearing on August 21, 2023, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force, West Valley City Police Department, Unified Police Department Salt Lake Area Metro Gang Unit (MGU), and the Department of Public Safety State Bureau of Investigation (DPS-SBI).
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Nelson of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fourth and final meth trafficker ordered to federal prisonRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 35-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for his role in transporting meth in multiple tractor trailer loads, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Roel Longoria pleaded guilty June 23, 2022.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Longoria to serve 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard of Longoria’s extensive criminal history including three prior felony convictions. In delivering the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Longoria’s serious pattern of criminal behavior and disregard for the law.
Judge Alvarez previously sentenced Dorian Hazel Ruiz-Chavez, 36, a citizen of Mexico unlawfully in the United States, Mario Alberto Ortiz, 43, Edinburg, and Luis Ramos, 35, Donna, to 190, 168 and 70 months, respectively.
In September 2020, law enforcement initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in the Rio Grande Valley. They were believed to be involved with the importation of narcotics from Mexico utilizing commercial tractor trailers with hidden compartments.
Ruiz-Chavez coordinated with a Mexican narcotics supplier who would send the tractor trailers into the United States. Once there, Ruiz-Chavez worked with additional individuals to store and transport the trailers further north. Longoria and Ortiz were tasked to find willing drivers to transport the narcotics north after they entered the United States.
On Nov. 12 2020, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered the United States through the Laredo Port of Entry. The trailer contained 147 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. On April 26, 2021, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered through the Pharr Port of Entry. The trailer contained 90 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. Both trailers were allegedly transported at the direction of Ruiz-Chavez.
Following the trailer seizures, the organization changed tactics and began to transport narcotics in smaller loads within passenger vehicles.
On May 13, 2021, authorities apprehended Ramos as he transported 45 kilograms of meth in his personal vehicle.
Longoria has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
Former attorney, convicted of defrauding clients, now charged with defrauding taxpayers by falsely claiming COVID program benefitsRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A disbarred attorney, sentenced last year to 18 months in prison for stealing money from a deceased client’s estate and defrauding a friend, is now charged by information with wire fraud and making false statements in connection with a scheme to illegally claim COVID pandemic benefits, and with lying to the government about her income, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Darlene Baker, aka Darlene Piper, 58 of Port Orchard, Washington, was sentenced in March 2022 to 18 months in prison for her scheme to steal a $500,000 bequest to a children’s hospital, and then defrauding a friend out of $500,000 to repay the estate. Piper has officially changed her name to Baker. She is scheduled for a plea hearing on the information on Friday August 25, 2023.
Following the sentencing hearing for the original wire fraud case, prosecutors were alerted that Baker had lied to the government about her income and work status. The investigation revealed that she had also lied to government agencies to obtain pandemic relief loans to which she was not entitled. The charging information alleges that between March of 2020 and August of 2021, Baker sought to obtain $265,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funds and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and successfully obtained over $80,000. In connection with the applications for the programs, Baker allegedly falsely claimed that she had lost all income due to the pandemic and stated that she would use the aid to meet payroll expenses for her business. In fact, throughout that period, Baker worked providing accounting and related services for a Gig Harbor, Washington, investment firm earning as much as $145,000. Baker also had no employees and no payroll obligations.
The False Statement charge alleges that Baker lied on financial disclosure statements required by the court in her earlier criminal case. In those statements, Baker claimed to be out of work, when in fact she had substantial income working for the investment firm. Despite that income, Baker failed to repay the victim in the wire fraud case and claimed to have virtually no resources to pay restitution.
Darlene Piper was released from federal custody on March 16, 2023, but remains on supervised release.
Wire fraud in connection with a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Making a false statement is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The charges contained in the information are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion.
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 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 via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
baker_information.pdfFormer Taylor Mayor pleads guilty to Bribery Conspiracy and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Richard Sollars, 49, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. The charges were in connection with the City of Taylor’s Right of First Refusal (“ROFR”) Program and also involved a scheme to defraud donors to Sollars’ election campaign account by fraudulently using donated funds for his personal benefit.
U.S. Attorney Ison was joined in the announcement by Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent-in- Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court records, between 2016 and 2018, Sollars exercised his authority and influence as Mayor and recommended to the Taylor City Council that Awad’s company, Realty Transition, be awarded the majority of the tax-foreclosed properties that the City had or would acquire under its ROFR program. This was a program designed to allow Taylor to acquire tax-foreclosed properties from Wayne County for redevelopment. Sollars recommended Realty Transition for the ROFR program, intending to be influenced and rewarded by the free home renovations and other items of value that Awad provided to Sollars for his personal residence, office, and lake house.
As part of his election efforts, Sollars established a campaign account entitled, “Committee to Elect Richard Sollars, Jr.” Sollars engaged in a scheme to defraud his donors by fraudulently using funds that were donated for his personal benefit rather than for his political campaign. In furtherance of the fraudulent scheme, Sollars directed his campaign treasurer to provide him with a signed blank check from his campaign account. Sollars then made that check payable to Dominick’s Market in the amount of $5,600, purporting to represent payment for catering services provided to the campaign. The owner of Dominick’s Market, Hadir Altoon, prepared a false invoice purporting to reflect a bill for $5,600 in catering services for a 2018 Superbowl party at City Hall. As known to Sollars, Dominick’s Market did not provide catering services worth
$5,600 and instead cashed the campaign check and gave some of the money to Sollars for Sollars’s personal use.
The bribery conspiracy count to which Sollars pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
“Sollars, as the Mayor of the City of Taylor, betrayed the trust of the citizens and the voters who supported him by awarding city contracts and spending campaign funds for his personal gain.
Today’s plea represents my office’s commitment to hold accountable those elected officials who place their own greed above of their duties to the citizens in the community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.
“The former Mayor effectively eroded the faith of those who entrusted him with his office,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “No one is above the law and the FBI remains committed to combatting public corruption and following the facts wherever they may lead.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Frances Carlson and Robert Moran.
Former Puerto Rico Mayor Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The former mayor of the municipality of Humacao, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments for awarding municipal contracts to two companies.
According to court documents, from 2021 until 2022, Reinaldo Vargas-Rodríguez, 49, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Humacao. Starting in 2021, Vargas-Rodríguez was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding municipal contracts for waste disposal services, asphalt and paving services, and debris removal, and paying outstanding invoices on the contracts. Vargas-Rodríguez received at least $27,000 in cash bribes from January 2021 through July 2021 from the two businessmen.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph González of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico assisted in the investigation.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts.
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Former Puerto Rico Mayor Sentenced for Accepting BribesRead the Press Release
The former mayor of the municipality of Humacao, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments for awarding municipal contracts to two companies.
According to court documents, from 2021 until 2022, Reinaldo Vargas-Rodriguez, 49, was the mayor and highest-ranking government official in the municipality of Humacao. Starting in 2021, Vargas-Rodriguez was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding municipal contracts for waste disposal services, asphalt and paving services, and debris removal, and paying outstanding invoices on the contracts. Vargas-Rodriguez received at least $27,000 in cash bribes from January 2021 through July 2021 from the two businessmen.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph Gonzalez of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI San Juan Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Nicholas W. Cannon of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbefor the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson for the District of Puerto Rico assisted in the investigation.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to combat public corruption by municipal officials in Puerto Rico. In addition to the above matters, the Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico have recently obtained convictions against other former public officials and contractors in the District of Puerto Rico for soliciting and accepting bribes related to municipal contracts.
Former Louisiana Resident Charged with Federal Cares Act FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – BRIA PETERS, age 38, formerly of New Orleans, LA and now residing in Houston, Texas, was charged on August 18, 2023 in a one-count bill of information with making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
On March 27, 2020, The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.
According to the charging documents, PETERS made false statements to an approved lender on or about May 27, 2021, for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a PPP loan, which she later received in the amount of approximately $29,166.00. PETERS stated in her PPP application that she owned a clothing business impacted by the pandemic when,in truth, she had no such business in 2020.
PETERS faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements count. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee due after conviction.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
For more information on the Department of Justice’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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General – Criminal Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Former J.P. Morgan Precious Metals Traders Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Two former precious metals traders at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan) were sentenced today for engaging in fraud, attempted price manipulation, and spoofing as part of a market manipulation scheme that spanned over eight years, involved tens of thousands of unlawful trading sequences, and resulted in over $10 million in losses to market participants.
Gregg Smith, 59, of Scarsdale, New York, was sentenced to two years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Michael Nowak, 49, of Montclair, New Jersey, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and a $35,000 fine.
“The defendants used their positions as some of the most powerful traders in the worldwide precious metals markets to engage in an egregious effort to manipulate prices for their benefit,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case reaffirms the Department’s steadfast commitment to hold accountable those who engage in fraud and manipulation that undermines the investing public’s trust in the integrity of our commodities markets.”
According to court documents, between approximately May 2008 and August 2016, Smith and Nowak, along with other traders on the JPMorgan precious metals desk, engaged in a widespread spoofing, market manipulation, and fraud scheme. Smith was an executive director and trader on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk in New York, and Nowak was a managing director and ran JPMorgan’s global precious metals desk. As part of their market manipulation scheme, Smith and Nowak placed orders for precious metals futures contracts that they intended to cancel before execution to drive prices on orders they intended to execute on the opposite side of the market. Smith and Nowak engaged in tens of thousands of deceptive trading sequences for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts traded through the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (NYMEX) and Commodity Exchange Inc. (COMEX), which are commodities exchanges operated by CME Group Inc. These deceptive orders were intended to inject false and misleading information about the genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts into the markets.
“As today’s sentencing demonstrates, the FBI and its partners remain committed to investigating and bringing to justice anyone who attempts to manipulate our financial markets for their own selfish gain,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “In order to maintain economic security, investors in equity and commodities markets must have confidence that exchanges are operated in a transparent and equitable manner, and that investments are free from manipulation and fraud. Today’s outcome should serve as a reminder that the FBI remains highly focused on combatting bad actors conducting sophisticated fraud schemes targeting the securities and commodities markets.”
In September 2020, JPMorgan admitted to committing wire fraud in connection with: (1) unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts; and (2) unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. JPMorgan entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement through which it paid more than $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with parallel resolutions by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities Exchange Commission announced on the same day.
The FBI New York Field Office investigated the case. The CFTC’s Division of Enforcement provided valuable assistance.
Market Integrity & Major Frauds Unit Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorneys Matthew F. Sullivan, Lucy B. Jennings, and Christopher Fenton of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
Former Employee of NFT Marketplace Sentenced to Prison in First-Ever Digital Asset Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NATHANIAL CHASTAIN, a former product manager at Ozone Networks, Inc. d/b/a OpenSea (“OpenSea”), was sentenced today to three months in prison in connection with a scheme to commit insider trading in Non-Fungible Tokens, or “NFTs,” by using confidential information about which NFTs were going to be featured on OpenSea’s homepage for his personal financial gain. CHASTAIN was previously convicted at trial of wire fraud and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Nathanial Chastain faced justice today for violating the trust that his employer placed in him by using OpenSea’s confidential information for his own profit. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to other corporate insiders that insider trading – in any marketplace – will not be tolerated.”
According to court filings and statements made in court:
As part of his employment, CHASTAIN was responsible for selecting NFTs to be featured on OpenSea’s homepage. OpenSea kept confidential the identity of featured NFTs until they appeared on its homepage. After an NFT was featured on OpenSea’s homepage, the price buyers were willing to pay for that NFT, and for other NFTs made by the same NFT creator, typically increased substantially. In violation of the duties of trust and confidence he owed to his employer, OpenSea, CHASTAIN exploited his advanced knowledge of what NFTs would be featured on OpenSea’s homepage for his personal financial gain.
From approximately June to September 2021, CHASTAIN used OpenSea’s confidential business information about what NFTs were going to be featured on its homepage to secretly purchase dozens of NFTs shortly before they were featured. After those NFTs were featured on OpenSea, CHASTAIN sold them at profits of two- to five-times his initial purchase price. To conceal the fraud, CHASTAIN conducted these purchases and sales using anonymous digital currency wallets and anonymous accounts on OpenSea.
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In addition to the prison term, CHASTAIN, 31, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, a $50,000 fine, and ordered to forfeiture the Ethereum he made trading the featured NFTs.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Burnett, Allison Nichols, and Nicolas Roos are in charge of the prosecution.
Florida Man Admits $3.6 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Florida man today admitted his role in a durable medical equipment kickback scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Patrick Fitchner, 51, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
“The defendant admitted that he and his conspirators submitted millions of dollars’ worth of claims to Medicare and other health benefits programs that they knew were procured through the payment of kickbacks and bribes. Their scheme caused Medicare to pay out $3.6 million in fraudulently obtained reimbursements. Protecting our healthcare system from schemers like this is a full-time job, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to do so.”
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
“The defendant admitted that he and his conspirators submitted millions of dollars’ worth of claims to Medicare and other health benefits programs that they knew were procured through the payment of kickbacks and bribes,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “Their scheme caused Medicare to pay out $3.6 million in fraudulently obtained reimbursements. Protecting our healthcare system from schemers like this is a full-time job, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to do so.”
“Many scammers who commit healthcare fraud may believe the system is so complex that no one will miss a few thousand dollars here or a few million dollars there,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “The problem with that premise is we are paying attention, and our job as the FBI is to protect the general public from criminals who think they can game the system. Fitchner and his conspirators are now paying for their crimes, and others looking to follow suit should take note.”
“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute that involve durable medical equipment can jeopardize the supply of equipment and federal health care benefits for others,” Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said. “Individuals who participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients.”
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Fitchner and his conspirators solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing durable medical equipment (DME) companies with completed doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary DME, such as orthotic braces. Fitchner and his conspirators utilized the service of telemedicine companies to obtain these prescriptions for DME, and the DME orders were subsequently fraudulently billed to Medicare and other health care benefit programs.
Fitchner and his conspirators were paid approximately $2.1 million in kickbacks for these DME orders and caused losses to Medicare and other health care benefit programs of at least $3.6 million.
The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys DeNae M. Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark and Sean M. Sherman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York.
fitchner.information.pdfFinal Gang Member Sentenced in Large Scale Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. - The final defendant prosecuted as part of the Northern District of Oklahoma’s case against the United Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) – a violent white supremacist gang – for racketeering and drug trafficking charges, was sentenced today.
Johnny R. Jameson, 41, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison. He is currently serving life without parole for a state conviction.
According to court documents, the UAB operates both inside prisons and outside prison walls and funds itself through drug trafficking to promote white supremacist hatred. The Northern District of Oklahoma targeted the gang’s violent and drug trafficking activities, which led to the conviction of 18 UAB members. The UAB, and Jameson, specifically, murdered a Black Oklahoma of Department of Corrections inmate. Additionally, UAB members engaged in multiple other acts of murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering both inside and outside prison facilities.
“The UAB is a violent gang in Oklahoma prisons. Their crimes bleed into communities beyond the prison walls and include 10’s of millions of dollars in drug trafficking and money laundering, 100,000’s of pounds in methamphetamine distribution, arson, kidnapping, and murder,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “This was an arduous lengthy investigation and I want to thank the many partner agencies that diligently worked to get convictions on all 18 defendants in this indictment.”
“The financial expertise of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agents is critical in detecting and tracing the money laundering transactions of criminal organizations,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., CI Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office. “These cases are a direct result of the excellent partnership between law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s office in combating the UAB criminal organization. I am extremely proud of the CI special agents who used their unique financial expertise to help unravel this complex fraud and money laundering scheme involving 18 defendants prosecuted over the last five years. This joint effort demonstrates CI’s resolve to serving our communities by investigating criminal activities negatively impacting citizens of the United States.”
“The success of this joint investigation is clear proof to criminal gangs that they are not beyond the reach of the law,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “We will continue pursuing transnational criminal organizations, using every resource and law enforcement partnership available for the sake of justice and public safety."
In many cases, the defendants’ federal sentences will run concurrently to state terms of imprisonment yet to be fulfilled. The additional defendants in the case were sentenced to the following prison terms, or probation where noted:
- Christopher Baldwin, 22 years
- Matthew Abrego, 10 years
- Jeremy Anderson, aka JC, 22 years
- Dustin Baker, 20 years
- Michael Clinton, aka Mikey Clinton, 15 years.
- Eddie Funkhouser, over 12 years.
- Elizabeth Lewis, aka Beth Lewis, over eight years
- Charles McCully, aka Mark McCulley, aka Charles M. McCulley, 15 years
- Dillon Rose, over 17 years
- Randy Seaton, over seven years.
- Brandy M. Simmons, three years of probation.
- James Taylor, aka JT, 20 years
- Robert W. Zeidler, aka Rob Z, 22 years
- Brandon Zimmerlee, 10 years
- Lisa Lara, three years of probation.
- Sisney Large, over six years
- Richard Young, aka Richard Pearce, five years
U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Chief Jim Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, HSI, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and state and local law enforcement partners investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Fries and David Nasar for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney Ken Kaplan of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted the case.
Final Gang Member Sentenced in Large Scale Racketeering CaseRead the Press Release
The final defendant prosecuted as part of the Northern District of Oklahoma’s case against the United Aryan Brotherhood (UAB) – a violent white supremacist gang – for racketeering and drug trafficking charges, was sentenced today.
Johnny R. Jameson, 41, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison. He is currently serving life without parole for a state conviction.
According to court documents, the UAB operates both inside and outside prisons and funds itself through drug trafficking to promote white supremacist hatred. The Northern District of Oklahoma targeted the gang’s violent and drug trafficking activities, which led to the conviction of 18 UAB members. The UAB, and Jameson specifically, murdered a Black Oklahoma of Department of Corrections inmate. Additionally, UAB members engaged in multiple other acts of murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering both inside and outside prison facilities.
In many cases, the defendants’ federal sentences will run concurrently to state terms of imprisonment yet to be fulfilled. The additional defendants in the case were sentenced to the following terms:
- Christopher Baldwin was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
- Matthew Abrego was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Jeremy Anderson, aka JC, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
- Dustin Baker was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- Michael Clinton, aka Mikey Clinton, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Eddie Funkhouser was sentenced to over 12 years in prison.
- Elizabeth Lewis, aka Beth Lewis, was sentenced to over eight years in prison.
- Charles McCully, aka Mark McCulley, aka Charles M. McCulley, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Dillon Rose was sentenced to over 17 years in prison.
- Randy Seaton was sentenced to over seven years in prison.
- Brandy M. Simmons was sentenced to three years of probation.
- James Taylor, aka JT, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- Robert W. Zeidler, aka Rob Z, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
- Brandon Zimmerlee was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Lisa Lara was sentenced to three years of probation.
- Sisney Large was sentenced to over six years in prison.
- Richard Young, aka Richard Pearce, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Chief Jim Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes Jr. of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas made the announcement.
The IRS-CI, HSI, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and state and local law enforcement partners investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Ken Kaplan of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Fries and David Nasar for the Northern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Tahlequah Resident of Assault and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that that Nick Allen Mabray, age 37, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of all counts charged in the indictment, specifically: one count of Conspiracy to Commit Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country, one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country, and one count of Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
The jury trial began with testimony on August 14, 2023, and concluded on August 15, 2023, with the guilty verdicts.
The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Sherriff’s Department.
Nick Mabry, along with Gene Mabray and Odom Hoffman, was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2022. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on January 6, 2021, Nick Mabray had a confrontation with an agent of RCB Bank at a foreclosed property in Park Hill, Oklahoma. During the incident, Mabray drove his truck into the agent’s vehicle before beating him with a 22-250 rifle and holding the agent against his will. The government also presented evidence that during the altercation, Gene Mabray took the victim’s cell phone to prevent calls for help, and Odom Hoffman removed the rifle from the scene to conceal evidence of the crimes. These crimes occurred in Indian Country, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
On January 17, 2023, Odom Hoffman, age 58, formerly of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of the felony offense of Misprision. At his hearing, Hoffman admitted that on January 6, 2021, he arrived to find the victim on the ground, but failed to summon help, and that he removed the rifle Nick Mabray used in the assault from the scene of the crime.
On July 5, 2023, Gene Mabray, age 67, of Cherokee County, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. At his plea hearing, Gene Mabray admitted that on January 6, 2021, he took the victim’s cell phone and firearm during the altercation.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Nick Allen Mabray will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing. Odom Hoffman and Gene Mabray were granted conditional release from custody after entering their pleas and are awaiting sentencing.
Special Assistant United States Attorneys Robert F. Moody and Casey Richmond represented the United States.
Fayette County Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – William Lawrence Bryant, 33, of Fayetteville, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography. Bryant must also register as a sex offender.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 1, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Bryant’s residence and seized multiple digital media devices including computers, cell phones, and external hard drives. A forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed over 17,000 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including 20 images of child pornography that Bryant produced himself.
Bryant told the officers that he downloaded and distributed child pornography on various internet platforms and websites for several years. Bryant admitted that the digital media devices were his and contained images and videos showing prepubescent minor male children subjected to sexually explicit conduct. Bryant further admitted that the child pornography he possessed included a video of a male toddler being sexually assaulted by an adult male.
A photograph on one of the seized cell phones depicts Bryant naked with a minor male child who was asleep and in underwear. Bryant admitted to taking the photograph and further admitted that the minor male child was younger than 12 years old.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force, the West Virginia State Police, and the FBI Baltimore field office.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe and Julie M. White prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-112.
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