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16 August 2023
Man Sentenced for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material of Approximately 72 VictimsRead the Press Release
A Virginia man was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, Anthony Benton, 21, formerly of Manassas, came to the attention of law enforcement when he bought child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of children who appear to be as young as 5 years old, over Telegram. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and discovered that Benton had used Omegle, a live-streaming video application, to regularly produce child sexual abuse material for about three years beginning in 2020. Benton engaged in sexual conversations in live video calls with approximately 1,000 girls ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old. In some of those calls, he enticed the girls to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He screen-recorded and saved approximately 72 videos without the minor victims’ knowledge. One of the videos shows Benton texting a 10-year-old minor to deceive her into believing that he was 15 years old. When she revealed her age, Benton promised their conversation was “just between us.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to his illegal reentry into the United States after being deported twice, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Luis Aragon-Lara, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of reentry after deportation. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023. Lara was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 29, 2023.
On October 26, 2022, the Keene Police Department arrested the defendant in connection with the passing of counterfeit currency at retail stores in the area. A subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant was again illegally in the United States, after having been previously deported on or about June 9, 2009 and April 3, 2020.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Keene Police Department and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward.
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Luzerne County Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton has indicted a Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, man for bank robbery.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 14, 2023, Damen Drakeford, age 29, committed a robbery of the M&T Bank located at 900 North Ninth Street in Stroud Township, Monroe County.
The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
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.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Under federal law, Drakeford faces a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Louisville Man Sentenced to over 9 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday to 9 years and 7 months in prison after having been convicted by a jury in November 2022 of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and one count of receiving a firearm while under felony indictment.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Antonio D. Williamson¸ 35, received a CZ-USA Scorpion Evo 3 9mm handgun in February 2020 from an individual. On May 22, 2021, Williamson was in possession of this handgun, and was captured on surveillance video at a local restaurant drive-thru pointing it at another person while he was driving a stolen vehicle. In September 2021 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williamson’s residence where they located and seized additional ammunition and firearms, including a Romarm/Cugir, 7.62 caliber rifle, an American Tactical M1911, .45 caliber pistol, and an Eagle Arms, 5.56 caliber rifle. Williamson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of two felony burglary charges in Jefferson Circuit Court in December 2008. He was also under indictment beginning in 2019 in Jefferson Circuit Court on multiple felony charges, including being a persistent felony offender. Williamson was released on bond for the 2019 indictment when he received the 9mm handgun in February 2020.
Following the 9-year and 7-month prison sentence, Williamson was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release. He was also fined $25,000. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Strategic enforcement is a core principle of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “We will continue to execute targeted enforcement efforts in partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as we work to make communities throughout the Western District safer for all.”
“Mr. Williamson is a persistent re-offender who will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons is critical to keeping our communities safe, and the FBI will stop at nothing to do so.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, the ATF, and the Louisville Metro Police Department with assistance by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Judd and Christopher Tieke prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department 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.
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Louisville Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday to 8 years and 4 months in federal prison for two counts of distributing fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents, on September 15 and 22, 2021, Johnny Williams, Jr., 33, distributed 28 grams of a fentanyl mixture. In Jefferson Circuit Court, Williams had previously been convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree cocaine on June 5, 2008, in case number 08-CR-32189; trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree on October 12, 2009, in case number 10-CR-322; and trafficking in a controlled substance first degree cocaine on March 21, 2011, in case number 11-CR-1875.
Following the 8-year and 4-month prison sentence, Williams was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI and LMPD.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter prosecuted the case.
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Kyle Man Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.
Scotty Old Horse, 28, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Old Horse was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023.
The conviction stems from Old Horse killing another man on November 2, 2022, at Kyle, when Old Horse struck him with his vehicle.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.
Old Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
KC Chiefs ‘Superfan’ Indicted for Bank Theft, Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A man popularly known as Kansas City Chiefs superfan “ChiefsAholic” was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing several financial institutions and laundering the proceeds through area casinos.
Xaviar Michael Babudar, 29, was charged in a 19-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Babudar on May 24, 2023, and includes additional charges.
Babudar, who lived a nomadic existence at various locations around the Kansas City metropolitan area, enjoyed a robust social media presence as Kansas City Chiefs superfan Twitter user @ChiefsAholic, attending most games dressed as a wolf in Chiefs clothing. According to the indictment, Babudar’s ability to attend these games and sustain this lifestyle was funded by his perpetration of a string of bank and credit union robberies throughout 2022. Babudar laundered the robbery proceeds through area casinos, and used the robbery proceeds to attend numerous Chiefs home and away games. He also placed various wagers on the outcomes of Chiefs games. During this time, the indictment says, Babudar did not report any wages earned in the states of Missouri or Kansas.
Today’s indictment charges Babudar with three counts of armed bank robbery, one count of bank theft, 11 counts of money laundering, and four counts of transporting stolen property across state lines.
Babudar allegedly stole $70,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of Great Western Bank on March 2, 2022. He then carried this money to Missouri, depositing it in two separate transactions into his personal savings account.
Babudar allegedly stole $170,860 from the Omaha, Nebraska, branch of First National Bank of Omaha on April 28, 2022. Omaha police officers recovered $163,560 following the theft.
Babudar allegedly stole $303,845 from the West Des Moines, Iowa, branch of First Class Community Credit Union on July 13, 2022. In the course of this robbery, Babudar allegedly brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, jumped over the teller counter, and demanded that the bank employees open the bank vault. He carried this money back to Missouri, and the next day deposited $23,000 into his savings account. He used some of the proceeds to make various casino chip purchases over the next three months at casinos in Missouri and Illinois, then cashed out his winnings and deposited them into his savings account.
Babudar allegedly stole $125,900 from the Nashville, Tennessee, branch of The Tennessee Credit Union on Nov. 17, 2022. In the course of this robbery, Babudar allegedly brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, climbed over the teller counter, and demanded that the bank employees take him to the bank vault. A few days later, he used some of the stolen money to purchase $20,000 in casino chips in multiple transactions from a local casino.
Babudar allegedly stole $25,000 from the Clive, Iowa, branch of First Interstate Bank on Nov. 30, 2022. Following two unsuccessful robberies of the Wings Financial Credit Union in Savage, Minn., and the Royal Credit Union in Apple Valley, Minn., on Nov. 29, 2022, the indictment says, Babudar returned to Clive, Iowa. The Great Western Bank that he had robbed on March 2, 2022, had become a branch of First Interstate Bank. In the course of this robbery, Babudar allegedly brandished what appeared to be a silver and black firearm, jumped over the teller counter, and ordered the bank employees at gunpoint to open the bank vault. Babudar then carried the stolen money back to Missouri, where he deposited a portion of it into his personal checking account.
Babudar was charged in Tulsa County, Okla., with the robbery of the Tulsa Teachers Federal Credit Union on Dec. 16, 2022. Babudar was released on bond in February 2023.
Months earlier, the indictment says, Babudar had placed two winning bets at the Argosy Casino in Alton, Ill. On June 10, 2022, Babudar bet $5,000 that Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes II would win the Most Valuable Player at Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $45,000 should that occur. Babudar also bet $5,000 that the Kansas City Chiefs would win Super Bowl LVII, which would pay out $55,000 should that occur. When the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023, and Mahomes won the Most Valuable Player award, Babudar won $100,000. Argosy Casino mailed Babudar a $100,000 check in early March 2023.
Days later, the indictment says, Babudar cut his ankle monitor and fled from Oklahoma. Babudar evaded law enforcement until his arrest in Sacramento on July 7, 2023. He remains detained in federal custody without bond.
Following Babudar’s arrest in Oklahoma last December, FBI investigators began reviewing bank records, casino transaction records, and sensitive financial reporting to determine the breadth and scope of additional potential criminal activities. According to the affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Babudar purchased and redeemed more than $1 million in chips from various casinos in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois between April and December 2022. Investigators also reviewed previously unsolved bank robberies throughout the Midwest during that time frame. Babudar’s cell phone was placed in the same cities and locations for these previously unsolved bank robberies and attempted robberies, the affidavit says.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick D. Daly and Stephanie C. Bradshaw. It was investigated by the FBI. The Placer County, Calif., Sheriff’s Department and the Lincoln, Calif., Police Department assisted in the arrest.
Jenison Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Michael John Batt, age 36, of Jenison, Michigan, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for creating and distributing pornographic images of a three-year-old child he abused. In imposing the maximum permitted sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff emphasized the “abhorrent” nature of Batt’s offense, as well as his “extensive collection” of child sexual abuse material. Batt will be on supervised release for 10 years when he gets out of prison, and was also ordered to pay $19,000 in restitution to victims depicted in his child pornography stockpile and over $15,000 in special assessments.
“It is difficult to imagine a crime more heinous than the sexual abuse of a child,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “These are among the most sensitive and serious cases my office takes, and we will continue to prioritize finding and prosecuting child sexual predators.”
Batt was caught after creating child pornography and sending five pornographic images to an undercover police officer. Leading up to his sentencing, Batt admitted the “egregious” nature of his conduct and that his victims would “never fully heal.” Batt also acknowledged his role in “increas[ing] the demand for child pornography with further and future victimization of children.”
“Our community is safer with this predator behind bars,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “We will continue to prioritize the safety and security of children by investigating online sexual offenses involving minors and working with our partners to hold offenders accountable for the severe harm they cause.”
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan; county prosecutor’s offices; HSI; ICAC; the West Michigan Based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX); and federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. Anyone with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Childhood in West Michigan, including resources for children and parents, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/project-safe-childhood.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Castle.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to 145 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Bryon Fisher, 42 years old, of Huntington, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Fisher was sentenced to 121 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. The Court also revoked Fishers’ supervised release on his prior conviction for mail theft and sentenced him to an additional 24 months in prison. The Court ordered these sentences to be served consecutively for a total term of 145 months in prison.
According to documents in the case, from about July 2022 through August 2022, law enforcement conducted 6 controlled buys of methamphetamine from Fisher. A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of evidence indicating drug trafficking, including a drug ledger. In total, Fisher delivered and possessed with intent to deliver over 244 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Huntington Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.
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Honduran National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States After Aggravated Felony OffenseRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Honduran national, who was arrested after stabbing a man with a broken beer bottle, was sentenced in federal court on Monday, August 14, 2023, for illegally reentering the United States after committing an aggravated felony.
Jose Borjas-Gutierrez, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 30 months in federal prison without parole.
On March 2, 2023, Borjas-Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry by an alien previously convicted of an aggravated felony. The defendant was initially arrested in 2022 after an argument resulted in Borjas-Gutierrez stabbing another man with a broken beer bottle. For that crime, Borjas-Gutierrez pled guilty to a state-level charge of assault in the second degree.
Prior to his arrest in this case, Borjas-Gutierrez had been deported from the United States on three separate occasions and had been convicted of illegally carrying a weapon and aggravated robbery in the state of Texas. In his robbery case, Borjas-Gutierrez pointed a gun at a convenience store clerk and took approximately $20,000 from a cash register and safe.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry of Deported AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARTIR PERDOMO CHAVEZ (“PERDOMO”), age 44, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty to one-count indictment charging him with illegal reentry of deported alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to the indictment, PERDOMO was encountered in the United States on or about January 5, 2023, after having been previously deported from the country in 2008. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance scheduled sentencing in the matter for November 15, 2023.
At sentencing, PERDOMO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Hickory, N.C. Woman Is Charged with Embezzling More Than $900,000 from EmployerRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has returned a criminal indictment, charging Michelle Wilshire, 48, of Hickory, N.C., with multiple counts of wire fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering, for allegedly embezzling more than $900,000 from her employer, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
U.S. Attorney King is joined in making today’s announcement by Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte.
According to allegations in the indictment, from 2016 to 2021, Wilshire was employed by a family-owned business located in Conover, N.C., identified in court documents as Company A. During the relevant time, Wilshire was in charge of Company A’s Comdata account – a third-party payment processing and debit card issuing service – which Company A used for fleet management and payment services for its drivers. The indictment alleges that Wilshire executed a scheme to defraud her employer by issuing multiple Comdata prepaid debit cards in her name and in the names of other individuals, including former employees, fictitious employees, and current employees who were not aware the cards existed. Wilshire allegedly caused Comdata to load funds onto the prepaid debit cards, which the defendant then withdrew via ATM cash withdrawals. Between November 2017, and July 2021, Wilshire allegedly withdrew more than $528,000 from prepaid Comdata debit cards.
In addition to the debit card scheme, Wilshire allegedly embezzled Company A’s funds by using Comdata’s Comchek and Comchek Mobile services to issue checks in the defendant’s name and to make multiple wire transfers into Wilshire’s personal bank account, totaling over $315,000. Wilshire also allegedly caused more than $58,000 of Company A’s funds to be transferred through Comdata into the bank account of a former company employee.
According to allegations in the indictment, Wilshire also prepared and filed individual income tax returns for tax years 2017 through 2021, which did not include the additional funds Wilshire received through her embezzlement scheme.
Wilshire is charged with six counts of wire fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; five counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, which carry a statutory maximum term of one year in prison per count; and two counts of money laundering which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wilshire’s initial court appearance in Charlotte has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 10:15 a.m.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked IRS-CI and USPIS for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Savage and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
Hardin man admits assault of woman on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Hardin accused of striking a woman in Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Sergio Antonio Lopez, 33, pleaded guilty to assault by striking, beating or wounding, a misdemeanor, as charged in a superseding information. Lopez faces a maximum of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for Dec. 15. Lopez was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Aug. 20, 2022 in Lodge Grass, bounty hunters, accompanied by Lopez, arrested an individual with outstanding state warrants at the home of the victim, identified as Jane Doe. The arrest occurred sometime after midnight. Jane Doe heard knocking at her door and it was Lopez. During the arrest, the individual was resisting, and Jane Doe assisted the individual in trying to stop the arrest. Lopez assaulted Jane Doe by pulling her hair, hitting and kicking her.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Georgia man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 relief fraud two years after being sentenced by the same court for mortgage fraudRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Maurice Lawson has been sentenced to federal prison for obtaining nearly a half a million dollars by submitting multiple fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) applications.
“Congress enacted the Paycheck Protection Program to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawson took advantage of a federal program that depended on self-reporting to get relief in the hands of American businesses as fast as possible,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His crimes make it harder for the United States to provide disaster relief during the next large-scale emergency. This office, in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, is dedicated to holding individuals who sought to exploit this critical economic safety net accountable for their conduct.”
“Lawson used his position during an unprecedented national pandemic to steal critical taxpayer money intended to provide relief to legitimate small businesses and employees who desperately needed it,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jerome Winkle with the HUD Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD and other federal programs.”
“We remain committed to combatting fraud within the Paycheck Protection Program,” said Edwin Bonano, Special Agent in Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Southeast Region. “FHFA-OIG will pursue criminals who created fraudulent schemes to divert PPP funds from those it was meant to aid until they are held fully accountable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Between April 2020 and March 2021, Lawson applied for at least seven PPP or EIDL loans for six different businesses. The applications contained an assortment of false information, including false Tax Forms 940 and 941, fake social security cards, fraudulent addresses, falsified average monthly payroll claims, and false claims of employing between five and 12 employees. In total, Lawson sought $537,120, and received $419,020, in loan proceeds. Among the businesses used to seek these loans was Coastal Drape, LLC – the same company that Lawson used during his mortgage fraud conspiracy, for which he was sentenced in March 2021 to three years of federal probation. Lawson received funds from one of the fraudulent COVID-19 loan applications days after being sentenced for mortgage fraud.
Maurice Lawson, 39, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, has been sentenced to one year, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $437,870.07. Lawson was convicted on these charges on May 16, 2023, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Prout prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Garner Man Who Shot a Pregnant Woman in the Head in Road Rage Incident Sentenced to 10 years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. –Tyler Mack Kirby, 27, of Garner who shot a pregnant woman in the head on New Bern Avenue in August of last year was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of ammunition by a felon. Kirby pled guilty on May 11, 2023.
“This felon shot a pregnant woman in the back of the head in an act of senseless violence while she simply rode in a car,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Make no mistake, this U.S. Attorney’s Office will take action against any felon who engages in gun violence in Raleigh or beyond. We are partnering with law enforcement to prioritize prosecutions against dangerous trigger-pullers who illegally use and carry guns.”
“I am proud that our ongoing partnership with the VCAP initiative continues to remove dangerous offenders from our community," said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson. "This arrest should send a message to all violent offenders that the Raleigh Police Department is working closely with our federal partners to prosecute those who inflict harm on our community. As one of my priorities, making Raleigh the safest city in the country requires constant collaboration with the community and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. This arrest is yet another example of the impact of collaboration to end violence caused by firearms.”
According to documents and other information presented in court, on August 25, 2022, Kirby was traveling in a vehicle on New Bern Avenue. Occupants of Kirby’s vehicle began arguing with occupants of a second vehicle over perceived driving errors. After the argument ensued, Kirby fired a single gunshot into the back of the second vehicle where a pregnant woman was a passenger. The bullet traveled through the headrest and struck the passenger in the head. After firing the single shot, Kirby fled from law enforcement and destroyed evidence prior to being taken into custody by the Garner Police Department. The shooting victim survived the incident. State charges related to the shooting, including Discharging a Weapon Into Occupied Property, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, Fleeing or Eluding Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, are still pending.
The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department
investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00341-D.
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Four Sentenced for Multi-Kilogram Crack Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The last four men in a six-man crack cocaine conspiracy were sentenced on August 8, 2023, before Chief District Court Judge Sara L. Darrow. The conspiracy covered a period of time from 2017 until mid-2020, and occurred in and around Rock Island County, Illinois. In addition to the conspiracy, some men were charged with individual counts of distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. All six defendants involved in the conspiracy pleaded guilty and were sentenced as follows.
- Rasheem Damonte Bogan, a/k/a “Sheem”, 31, of the 1800 block of West 8th Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Raheem Jacques Houston, a/k/a “Heem”, 30, of the 800 block of 21st Street, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Devell Carl Lewis, 35, of Brown Court Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 126 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release;
- Christopher William Pullman, a/k/a “Dime”, 35, of the 2700 block of 6th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment and ten years of supervised release. Based on Pullman’s prior criminal history, his statutory penalties were enhanced to a mandatory minimum term of fifteen years up to a maximum of life in prison, followed by at least ten years of supervised release.
- Two other co-defendants had previously been sentenced in March of 2022 for their involvement in the conspiracy.
- Brandon Jerome Pullman, a/k/a “Tall B.” a/k/a “B”, 32, of the 2700 block of 6th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced to 120 months’ of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
- Cortez Deangelo Cooper, Jr., a/k/a “Tez”, 29, of the 900 block of West 14th Street, Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
The statutory penalty for conspiracy to distribute at least 280 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, “crack” is a mandatory minimum term of ten years, and up to a maximum of life in prison, followed by at least five years of supervised release. The statutory penalty for distribution of at least 28 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, “crack” is five years to 40 years in prison, followed by at least five years of supervised release. The statutory penalty for distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine or cocaine base, “crack” is up to 20 years in prison, followed by at least three years of supervised release. Each charge also carries a $100 special assessment.
At the sentencing hearing, the government presented commentary about the multi-year nature of the conspiracy and the impact that the drug distribution had on the Quad Cities community.
Additionally, three of the men, Rasheem Bogan, Devell Lewis, and Raheem Houston, were also charged in May of 2023, by federal indictment in the Southern District of Iowa, Davenport Division, for a Racketeering Conspiracy. It is alleged that the three men and others, were members of a criminal organization known as the “Arsenal Courts Posse, a/k/a Zone Fifth, a/k/a, Fifth Street Mafia, a/k/a Rock Town Money Getters, a/k/a Money Team. According to that indictment, the organization’s purpose was to distribute controlled substances, obtain money and things of value, and earn and maintain respect in the Quad Cities. It is alleged that Bogan, Lewis and Houston, as well as the other members of the organization, conspired to engage in a years-long pattern of violence, including murder, attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. Additional information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/defendants-charged-joint-federal-state-and-local-investigation-firearms-trafficking
The Rock Island Police Department, and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Mathew and former Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Raya represented the government in the prosecution.
This case was brought as 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
Former Pittsburgh Resident Pleaded Guilty and Was Sentenced for Conviction of Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release on his conviction of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Christopher Pelzer, 33, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to information presented to the court, Pelzer knowingly possessed 11 images and 13 videos containing child sexual abuse material, some of which depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct involving minors as young as 5 to 7 years old.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Colville noted the seriousness of the offense and its impact on minor victims. Judge Colville further ordered Pelzer to pay a $5000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and a $1000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Homeland Security for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pelzer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former NYPD Officer Charged with Accessory After the Fact to Murder, Obstructing A Federal Gang Investigation, and Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging GINA MESTRE, a former NYPD Officer, for her participation in a racketeering conspiracy with members of the Shooting Boys gang, including her involvement in obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the Shooting Boys gang. MESTRE was arrested last night and will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, to whom the case is assigned, later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Gina Mestre shamelessly exploited her position of public trust to assist gang members in her own NYPD precinct that were terrorizing the Bronx by committing robberies, murders, drug trafficking, and other acts of violence. The Indictment unsealed today alleges that the defendant abused her position as an NYPD police officer by, among other things, obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the gang and assisting the gang’s leader in evading capture for a cold-blooded murder committed in broad daylight. The defendant’s alleged conduct violates the oath she swore to protect the public – as well as her fellow NYPD officers – from the type of criminal activity she helped the gang commit. This Indictment makes clear that my Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in fighting all forms of police corruption.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “There is no place for corruption of any kind in the NYPD. The arrest today of a former police officer is built upon the steadfast work of our Internal Affairs Bureau, a team driven to root out such betrayals of public trust. I thank IAB, all of our partners, and everyone from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their sustained collaboration in this important case.”
As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:[1]
The Shooting Boys gang is a criminal organization based in the University Heights section of the Bronx. Since at least 2017, gang members sold drugs, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence against members of rival gangs. The gang’s territory and base of operations fell within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct. The recognized leader of the Shooting Boys was Andrew Done, a/k/a “Caballo.”
MESTRE was an NYPD police officer from July 2013 to May 2022 assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit. In the summer of 2020, a major focus of the precinct and the Public Safety Unit was the reduction of gun violence, much of which was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys.
In or about June 2020, MESTRE began communicating with Done through secret social media accounts and phone numbers. MESTRE and Done began an intimate relationship, during which MESTRE provided Done and other gang members with confidential non-public law enforcement information about the federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys. For example, MESTRE warned Done, and other gang members, that federal investigators were preparing to bring a federal indictment against the Shooting Boys. MESTRE also warned Done about impending law enforcement operations, enabling Done and other gang members to conceal their criminal activity. In addition, MESTRE disclosed the identity of a witness cooperating with law enforcement and providing information about the gang, which allowed Done and other Shooting Boys to assault and intimidate the witness in an effort to prevent the witness from further cooperation.
On or about November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member (“Victim-1”) as Victim-1 sat in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx. NYPD Detectives investigating the murder recovered security camera video (the “Video”) capturing Done’s commission of the murder. Several members of the 52nd Precinct were called upon to assist in the identification of the person captured on the Video. MESTRE was one of several officers who identified Done as the perpetrator.
During the manhunt to apprehend Done, of which MESTRE was a part, MESTRE sent Done a copy of the Video to his phone and secretly communicated with Done the day of the murder and in the weeks afterwards. MESTRE warned Done about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, allowing Done to eventually flee from the United States.
In March 2022, 10 members of the Shooting Boys were charged in a 15-count indictment with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder. Done was charged with the murder of Victim-1 and was apprehended in the Dominican Republic several months later.
On November 17, 2022, Done pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Victim-1. On February 22, 2023, Done was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
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MESTRE, 33, of Mohegan Lake, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25; HSI; and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Gentile and James Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. v. Mestre IndictmentFormer Mayor of Anaheim Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Stemming from Attempted Sale of Angel StadiumRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The former mayor of Anaheim has agreed to plead guilty to federal felony charges for obstructing an FBI public corruption investigation by destroying evidence and for making false statements to FBI agents, the Justice Department announced today.
In court documents filed today in United States District Court, Harish “Harry” Singh Sidhu, 66, of Anaheim, also admits cheating California tax authorities and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration in relation to his purchase of a helicopter.
Federal prosecutors today filed a criminal information charging Sidhu with one count of obstruction of justice, one count of wire fraud, and two counts of making false statements to the FBI and the FAA. In a plea agreement also filed today, Sidhu agreed to plead guilty to the four offenses.
According to his plea agreement, Sidhu – a longtime member of the Anaheim City Council who was elected mayor in 2018 – admitted that while the City of Anaheim was negotiating the sale of Angel Stadium to the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball club, he sought out and became a member of the city’s negotiating team for the stadium sale. While on the negotiating team, Sidhu provided confidential information belonging to the city to people working for the Angels, so that the Angels could buy Angel Stadium on favorable terms for the baseball club. After secretly providing the information he had received in his position as mayor, Sidhu later was recorded saying he expected a $1 million campaign contribution from the Angels after the baseball club purchased Angel Stadium, the plea agreement states.
“While serving as Anaheim’s mayor, Mr. Sidhu took a series of actions that compromised the city’s negotiating position by providing confidential information and secretly working to influence the city’s decision-making process – all of which had a detrimental effect on the city and its residents,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “Public confidence in the integrity of public officials is critical to our society. This office will continue to root out public officials who compromise their integrity.”
“Mr. Sidhu was elected by and pledged to work for the residents of Anaheim, but he violated that pledge and their trust on numerous occasions to look out for special interests,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Sidhu deceived his colleagues and weakened the city’s official strategy by divulging intellectual property, then lied to the government when his corruption was discovered. I’m proud of the hard work put in by agents and prosecutors which resulted in today’s plea agreement.”
“The public places a lot of trust and confidence in elected officials, which Mr. Sidhu violated,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we were able to prevent Mr. Sidhu from causing greater harm to the Anaheim community.”
Sidhu admitted that he knowingly destroyed evidence by deleting multiple email messages and documents with the intent to impede and obstruct the FBI’s investigation of public corruption related to the city’s attempted sale of Angel Stadium. In the plea agreement, Sidhu specifically admitted he deleted an email message he had sent on July 21, 2020, with an attachment drafted by lawyers for the city, which contained confidential negotiation information related to the potential sale of Angel Stadium, including a discussion of issues related to price.
Sidhu also admitted in his plea agreement that he deleted a September 2020 email message about secret mock Anaheim City Council meetings involving Sidhu, two other City Council members and representatives of the Angels – including the team president and a team lawyer. Those mock City Council meetings would precede the scheduled public City Council meeting about the city’s proposed sale of Angel Stadium. The deleted email message had an attachment titled “Angels Council Debate Prep,” which detailed the topics on which each participant of the mock City Council meetings should focus, and it added “[Angels] team available to help develop ‘zingers’, responses, and other points to improve performance.”
Sidhu also admitted he had provided a confidential appraisal range to the Angels in 2019, months before the appraisal was made public.
During the investigation, FBI agents secretly recorded multiple statements by Sidhu about the $1 million campaign contribution that he expected to receive after the City of Anaheim sold Angel Stadium to the Angels, the plea agreement states.
Sidhu also admitted that he lied about the Angel Stadium sale negotiations and related matters when FBI agents interviewed him on May 12, 2022. For example, during that interview, Sidhu falsely stated that he was expecting “nothing” from the Angels after the Angel Stadium sale, when in truth, he was expecting to receive a $1 million campaign contribution for his election after the sale. Sidhu also admitted to lying about using his personal email for city business. “Not only did [Sidhu] conduct City business using his personal email, but he also communicated with some City staff using that staff’s personal email, purposely avoiding using the staff member’s official City email address,” the plea agreement states.
In his plea agreement, Sidhu also admitted that in late 2020, he tried to defraud the State of California of approximately $16,000 in sales tax revenue by using an Arizona address to register a helicopter he had just purchased, even though he lived in Anaheim. Sidhu admitted that he fraudulently used a mailing address in Scottsdale, Arizona that actually belonged to an Anaheim businessperson.
Sidhu also admitted that he provided false information for the helicopter to the Federal Aviation Administration when he submitted an “Aircraft Registration Application” that he signed and certified as true, but which falsely claimed his permanent mailing address was in Arizona.
Sidhu is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in Santa Ana later this month.
Once Sidhu enters his guilty pleas, he will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice count, up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud count, and up to five years in federal prison for each false statements count.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are conducting the ongoing investigation in this matter. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations – Riverside Air Unit, provided substantial assistance in the investigation of Sidhu’s helicopter tax fraud.
Assistant United States Attorneys Charles E. Pell and Melissa S. Rabbani of the Santa Ana Branch Office are prosecuting this case.
Former D.C. Government Employee Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Stealing from Project Empowerment ProgramRead the Press Release
Defendant Previously Served Prison Sentence for Different Theft Scheme
WASHINGTON – Rhayda Barnes Thomas, 52, of Washington, D.C., a former employee of the D.C. Department of Employment Services’ Project Empowerment Program, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for stealing more than $350,000 from the Project Empowerment Program between May 2015 and April 2018.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, District of Columbia Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, and Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
On May 17, 2023, Barnes Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon ordered restitution in the amount of $356,110.64, three years of supervised release, 360 hours of community service, and ordered Thomas be liable for a forfeiture money judgment totaling $318,415.
The D.C. government’s Project Empowerment Program provides employment services to D.C. residents who have multiple barriers to employment, such as a history of substance abuse, a history of job cycling (not maintaining steady employment), and either a felony conviction or previous incarceration. One phase of the program consists of subsidized employment, which involves the D.C. government paying the wages of participants while they work at worksites. During this phase, worksites were responsible for entering participants’ work hours into an electronic system used by Project Empowerment. In turn, the D.C. government would then have payments corresponding with those hours issued to accounts associated with participants, usually in the form of pre-paid bank debit cards.
In 2011, Barnes Thomas pleaded guilty, in federal court in the District of Maryland, to theft involving a federal government program in connection with a scheme to use federal funds received by her school employer to buy technology for herself, her family, and friends. She was sentenced to 27 months in prison for that offense.
In August 2013, following her release from prison, Barnes Thomas participated in the Project Empowerment Program. She ultimately was hired by the program as a Program Support Assistant in February 2014. From May 2015 through April 2018, she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the program by reviving 16 former Project Empowerment participants’ profiles and modifying entries in a database to falsely show them as working for a non-profit organization, which was not true. She also used the name of a former employee from the non‑profit organization to enter and approve time in the database showing individuals as working when they were not. In addition, she ordered or caused to be ordered replacement and new prepaid debit cards on behalf of the former Project Empowerment participants whose profiles she fraudulently revived. As a result of her conduct, she caused the D.C. government to request that Wells Fargo Bank load funds onto those prepaid debit cards, which she controlled.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Inspector General Lucas, and Inspector in Charge Wood commended the work of those who investigated the case from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Criminal Investigations Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also acknowledged the efforts of individuals from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kondi Kleinman and David Gorman, Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart, Mariela Andrade, and Amanda Rohde, and former Paralegal Specialists Brittany Phillips and Aisha Keys.
Florida Real Estate Broker Agrees to Pay over $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Fraudulent Cares Act LoansRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Real Estate Broker Chad Wade, 41, of Panama City, Florida, along with his companies Ideal Property Holdings, LLC; Grand Panama Resort Properties, LLC; Beach Life Properties PCB, LLC; First Texas Mortgage, LLC; PCB Limousine, LLC; South Houston Vending Company, LLC; and Emerald Oak Stables, LLC, have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of multiple Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”) loans. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The theft of any amount of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “However, the defendant’s deceptive acts of diverting millions of dollars in emergency financial assistance from small businesses during the pandemic is beyond the pale. This civil resolution and the forthcoming criminal sentence will punish the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would steal from hardworking taxpayers to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in acts of COVID-related fraud.”
The United States alleged that from in or about April 2020, through June 2021, Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent applications and documents to obtain four EIDL loans and fourteen PPP loans totaling $1,506,803. Wade submitted numerous false documents, including false federal tax documents, false state tax documents, and false employee wage reports. The United States further alleged that Wade used the EIDL and PPP funds to grow his real estate businesses by purchasing and paying off properties; purchasing a vacation villa in Mexico; buying a red 1981 Ferrari (among other luxury items); paying personal expenses; and otherwise funding a lavish lifestyle, in direct violation of the terms of the EIDL and PPP programs. The United States also alleged that Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent forgiveness applications wherein he falsely certified that the entire loan amounts were used to pay eligible business costs.
“Falsifying information to gain access to vital federal funds intended to support American small businesses is deplorable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Today’s settlement sends a strong message that those responsible will be held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
On July 7, 2023, Wade plead guilty to three criminal counts in connection with the fraudulent EIDL and PPP loans: (1) Wire Fraud; (2) Money Laundering; and (3) Bankruptcy Fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023.
Wade agreed to pay $4,027,804.69 in damages and penalties under the FCA, of which $1,579,531.25 is restitution.
The civil matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle and the criminal matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, with assistance from the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of General Counsel and the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of Inspector General.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Florida Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing a Gun in Valdosta PSN CaseRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – An armed Orlando, Florida, convicted felon who was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and terroristic threats when he led Georgia deputies on a high-speed chase to evade arrest was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday afternoon of illegally possessing a firearm resulting from a Project Safe Neighborhoods case.
Joshua Granger, 34, of Orlando, Florida, was found guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at the conclusion of a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Aug. 15. Granger faces a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.
“Our office will hold repeat offenders accountable at the federal level when they illegally possess guns, especially when they lead law enforcement on a high-speed chase that endangers innocent civilians,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our trial team was supported by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office to help bring this defendant to justice.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Granger for a traffic violation while he was traveling on Highway 401 on May 26, 2021. Granger attempted to evade arrest, leading law enforcement on a chase at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, crossing into Florida. Officers performed a PIT maneuver, and Granger was apprehended following a foot chase. Officers found a 9mm handgun with a 33-round magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition inside Granger’s car. At the time of his arrest, Granger was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, burglary, terroristic threats and extortion. Granger has prior felony convictions, to include delivery of cocaine and burglary of a dwelling.
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.
Florida Business Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Medicare of More Than $11 MillionRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY CRACCHIOLO was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the Medicare Program and for illegally possessing an automatic weapon as a convicted felon. CRACCCHIOLO’s fraud conviction related to his involvement in a scheme to pay and receive kickbacks in connection with illegally buying and selling signed orders for durable medical equipment (“DME”), such as leg, arm, and back braces, and then using those orders to file fraudulent Medicare claims for more than $11 million, as well as selling such orders to other DME supply companies so that those companies in turn could also file fraudulent Medicare claims. CRACCHIOLO previously pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Anthony Cracchiolo faced justice today for illegally trafficking in signed orders for durable medical equipment and thus seeking to defraud Medicare of more than $11 million. Such fraud schemes do real harm to the Medicare program — a vital, taxpayer-funded program that provides affordable health care to people over 65 or with disabilities.”
According to statements made in court and publicly filed documents in this case:
From at least July 2019 through October 2020, CRACCHIOLO and a partner (“Partner-1”) engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare in at least three ways. First, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 illegally paid kickbacks of more than $565,000 to purchase fraudulent DME orders, including orders purportedly “signed” by doctors who never, in fact, signed or authorized those orders and were unaware that their names and identities were being so used. These DME orders were for such equipment as braces for ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and backs. Second, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 resold some of the fraudulent orders to other DME suppliers — receiving more than $425,000 in criminal proceeds — so that those suppliers, in turn, could fraudulently bill Medicare for the DME. Finally, in May and June 2020, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 acquired five of their own fraudulent DME supply companies and themselves used fraudulent DME orders to file more than $11 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, seeking payment to the DME suppliers that CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 controlled. Ultimately, Medicare paid out more than $5.5 million to CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1, along with a substantial sum to the DME suppliers to whom CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 sold fraudulent DME orders.
When arrested at his residence in Parkland, Florida, on March 1, 2022, CRACCHIOLO was found to be illegally in possession of a semiautomatic firearm, a Palmetto State Armory PA-15, as well as an extended ammunition clip and approximately 130 rounds of ammunition, despite being a previously convicted felon who was not allowed to possess such a firearm.
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In addition to the prison term, CRACCHIOLO, 43, of Parkland, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $5,595,968 to the Medicare program. He was also ordered, on March 15, 2023, to pay forfeiture of $2,399,817, including forfeiting his Florida residence and the seized automatic weapon.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raymond Lewis is in charge of the prosecution.
Federal Jury Convicts Oklahoma Man for Role in Nationwide Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
Defendant is Last of Seven Defendants Convicted in this Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, a federal jury convicted KE’ANDRE DEWAYNE WILSON, 25, of Oklahoma City, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On May 18, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a 12-count Indictment against seven defendants, including Wilson, for their roles in a drug-trafficking organization (DTO). Wilson was charged with two counts: Count 1 alleged conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and Count 2 alleged possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The trial began on August 8, 2023, and the jury returned its guilty verdict on August 10, 2023, after a few hours of deliberation.
According to evidence presented at trial, in June 2020, law enforcement began investigating Wilson and several other defendants for their role in a DTO which distributed methamphetamine throughout the United States. The DTO stored methamphetamine in various locations across Oklahoma City, including approximately 133 kilograms of methamphetamine at Low Life Body Shop located in southwest Oklahoma City. On April 28, 2021, Wilson and his co-defendants planned to transport approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine to Chicago. As Wilson and his co-defendants were preparing for the trip, law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered the methamphetamine.
The jury convicted Wilson with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, as alleged in Count 1 of the Indictment. The jury acquitted Wilson on Count 2. At sentencing, Wilson faces up to life in federal prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The other six defendants in the case have been previously sentenced to serve collectively more than 600 months of imprisonment:
- Arnulfo Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison.
- Juan Benigno Vazquez Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison.
- Liliana Padron-Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison.
- Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez III pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison.
- Cesar Maximino Franco Morales pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison.
- Emily Rios pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, and was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison.
Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 139 kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 firearms, and $6,000.00 in cash.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. It is also a part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Anderson and Nick Coffey prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Federal Court Sentences Key Players in Large-Scale Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – One of the main sources of supply in Southwest Virginia for a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy, and one of the conspiracy’s dealers, were each sentenced to long federal prison terms this week.
Payton Lee Farris, 26, of Castlewood, Virginia, the supplier of approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine that was sold throughout Wise County and surrounding areas, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison. Farris pled guilty in March 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Jamie Lynn Johnson, 46, of Coeburn, Virginia, a repeat offender with multiple felony convictions who was widely known to trade methamphetamine in exchange for firearms, regularly purchased methamphetamine from Farris. Over a period of six months, Farris purchased one pound of methamphetamine for $4,000 every two days and then sold Johnson, his primary customer, one pound of methamphetamine every three days for $5,000.
Johnson was sentenced today to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in January 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Holston River Drug Task Force, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.
Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled SubstanceRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
Larry Chavez, age 26, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Chavez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.
Beginning in January of 2021, Chavez and co-defendant Regina Maynard conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around Central South Dakota and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Maynard was previously sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.
Chavez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.
District Man Charged with Murdering a 57-year-old Tree TrimmerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamari Payne, 21, of Washington, D.C., was presented in Superior Court today on the charge of second-degree murder while armed, stemming from the homicide of 57-year-old Bacilio Villatoro, on September 22, 2022, in the Gateway neighborhood, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves announced.
Mr. Payne was arraigned before Judge Shelly Mulkey in D.C. Superior Court, today, where he entered a plea of not guilty. The defendant is accused of firing multiple shots striking the victim in the back. The court heard arguments and found probable cause to believe that the defendant committed second degree murder while armed. The court held the defendant without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 31, 2023, before Judge Maribeth Raffinan.
An arrest on a complaint is merely a formally charged allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
In announcing the charge, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
District Man Arrested for Multiple Stranger Sexual AssaultsRead the Press Release
Defendant Accused of Sexually Assaulting Multiple Victims in Golden Triangle
WASHINGTON – Christopher Sharp, 31, of Washington, D.C., has been arrested on sexual assault charges against three different victims. Sharp is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia with assault with intent to commit first degree sexual abuse; kidnapping; and misdemeanor sexual abuse. He made an initial appearance in the District of Columbia on August 16, 2023. The Honorable Shelly A. Mulkey has ordered that Sharp be detained pending a preliminary hearing on August 22, 2023. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
According to court documents, on August 15, 2023, at approximately 9:40am, Sharp left the George Washington University Hospital. Upon the leaving the building, he encountered an individual standing near the exit. Sharp is accused of smacking the individual’s buttock. Sharp then walked away in the direction of Washington Circle. Around five minutes later, at approximately 9:50am, Sharp encountered an individual walking in the 2100 block of K Street, Northwest. As Sharp and the individual passed each other, Sharp is accused of grabbing the individual’s buttock.
Around five minutes later, at approximately 9:55am, Sharp encountered an individual near the intersection of 19th Street, Northwest and Eye Street, Northwest. Sharp is accused of approaching the individual from behind, touching the individual’s vagina, and lifting the individual into the air. Sharp then walked several feet forward before sitting down on the pavement, still carrying the individual. Once on the ground, Sharp is accused of pinning the individual to the ground, pulling up her dress, and attempting to sexually assault the individual. The assault ended when bystanders intervened, causing the defendant to release the individual.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Sharp was on release in a pending case in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in which he was charged with misdemeanor sexual abuse against three additional victims.
A complaint is merely a charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Denver Woman Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for CARES Act FraudRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that DeJane Reaniece Lattany was sentenced to four years in federal prison for receiving more than $3.3 million of fraudulent COVID-19 loans.
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which provided emergency assistance to small business owners suffering adverse economic effects caused by the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. Two sources of funding for small businesses were the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) program. The CARES Act mandated that only businesses in operation on February 15, 2020, for PPP, or before February 1, 2020, for EIDL, were eligible under the programs. In addition, the CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration to issue advances of up to $10,000 to small businesses, known as Economic Injury Disaster Grants (“EIDG”). The amount of the EIDG was determined by the number of employees the applicant certified having. The EIDGs did not need to be repaid.
According to court documents, beginning in June 2020, and continuing through January 2022, the defendant prepared and submitted fraudulent EIDL applications to the Small Business Administration on behalf of business entities that she purportedly owned. In these fraudulent EIDL applications, Lattany made false statements regarding the entities’ number of employees, gross revenues, and cost of goods sold; she further falsely certified that the information provided in the EIDL applications was true and accurate and that the funds would be used to pay payroll and other permissible expenses when, in fact, she used the bulk of the proceeds for her personal benefit. The Small Business Administration approved and funded five EIDL applications and three EIDGs for a total of $430,000 in EIDLs and $20,000 in EIDGs. From June 2020 through December 2021, Lattany submitted fraudulent PPP applications to participating lenders on behalf of business entities that she purportedly controlled and obtained $2,887,976.94 in PPP loans as a result of the scheme. These PPP applications contained a number of false and fraudulent certifications and representations regarding Lattany’s ownership of other businesses, as well as the businesses’ average monthly payroll and number of employees. Lattany falsely represented that all PPP funds would be used to pay eligible business expenses, when, in fact, the bulk of the proceeds were used for her personal benefit. She also submitted false and fraudulent documentation in support of the PPP applications to the participating lenders. Lattany also sought loan forgiveness for PPP loans by submitting loan forgiveness applications. In total, $3,337,976.94 of PPP, EIDL, and EIDG proceeds were paid out as a result of the scheme.
“Taxpayers were generous during the pandemic, saving struggling businesses with loans and grants provided by the Small Business Administration,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “This defendant stole from the taxpayers, cheating them out of millions. For these crimes she’ll now pay with years of her life in federal prison, and she’s been ordered to pay every penny back with interest.”
“Federal CARES Act dollars were meant to keep families, businesses, and the economy afloat during the pandemic. Instead, this fraudster lied in her applications and used more than $3.3 million to live the high life,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “The FBI continues to investigate those who so eagerly defrauded the government and we’re committed to holding each and every one accountable.”
United States District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang sentenced the defendant on August 15, 2023. In addition to the period of incarceration, the defendant was ordered to pay $3,437,072.81, plus interest, in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole C. Cassidy and Rebecca S. Weber.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Case Number: 23-cr-00074-NYW
Dade City Man Arrested for Unlicensed Possession of A Machine GunRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Stewart Walter Bachmann (55, Dade City) with one count of unlicensed possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). If convicted, Bachmann faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on August 5, 2023, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call from Bachman who told the dispatcher that he was being held hostage and was going to be “put under” by people who were able to walk through the “5th dimension.” As the call progressed, Bachmann also stated there was “going to be something like 9/11,” and there was currently an invisible person in the backseat of his vehicle. Deputies from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office made contact with Bachmann near the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall. Bachmann told the deputies that the CIA was planning a politically motivated mass shooting at the mall. When deputies asked Bachmann if he was going to be the one committing the shooting, he indicated he didn’t know or hadn’t been told that yet.
The Pasco Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a search warrant of Bachmann’s home and located several firearms that had been registered in the NFRTR. However, another firearm, an RAK15 AR-15 type rifle, was also located. This rifle had been modified to be able to house an automatic sear, making the firearm capable of being fired as a fully automatic weapon. ATF found no records for this weapon in the NFRTR, indicating Bachmann was unlawfully in possession of the device.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
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.
Corvallis Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Orchestrating Fraud Scheme Claiming to Support Christian Missionaries and OrganizationsRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Corvallis, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for orchestrating an investment fraud scheme that falsely claimed to support various Christian missionaries and organizations.
Erik J. Hass, 53, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $1.75 million in restitution to his victims.
According to court documents, in January 2013, Hass founded Simply Gains, Inc., an organization he claimed supported Christian missionaries and organizations while offering significant returns for investors. Hass solicited members of his church, coworkers, and other acquaintances to invest in the organization via self-directed retirement and cash accounts. In exchange, he gave investors unsecured promissory notes and promised compounded annual returns of up to 30%.
Hass also claimed he would only profit from the investment scheme if monthly returns were higher than 2%. Yet, from the start, Hass began taking a salary drawn from investors’ funds and used the proceeds to pay for personal expenses. Throughout the scheme, Hass sent investors account statements showing fictitious gains and account balances and false IRS 1099-INT forms.
Hass continued accepting investments well into 2018, knowing he could not honor his investment claims. Instead, these new investments were used to fund Ponzi payments to older investors who had requested withdrawals from their accounts. In total, at least 20 investors lost more than $1.75 million combined investing in Hass’ scheme.
On June 9, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an 8-count indictment charging Hass with wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. On February 21, 2023, he pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images and VideosRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Patrick James Sperber (45, Apopka), a registered sex offender, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. Sperber had pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023.
In 1999, Sperber was convicted of lewd and lascivious assault on a child. As a result, he is registered and designated as a sexual offender.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, an Electronic Service Provider (ESP) submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This NCMEC referral indicated that an individual with the username “P.J. Sperber” had uploaded several videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors while using a messenger application of the ESP. Further investigation traced the Internet Protocol (IP) address used to upload the videos to Sperber’s residence.
On April 15, 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant for Sperber’s residence and seized his cellphone. A forensic review of Sperber’s cellphone revealed child sex abuse imagery and videos. Sperber admitted to viewing child sex abuse imagery and videos using a chat app account on his cellphone. Several of the child sex abuse videos found on Sperber’s cellphone depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually abused.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Cecil County Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for His Repeated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Lawrence Aquilla Colby, IV, a/k/a “Buddy,” age 35, of Elkton, Maryland, yesterday to 50 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for his participation in a conspiracy to sexually abuse a child from the age of approximately four months to two years old, for producing and receiving images documenting the sexual abuse of the child, and for possession of child pornography.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer; and Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams.
At his plea hearing, Colby admitted that he and his co-conspirator, Summer McCroskey, sexually abused a child, starting at the time the victim was approximately four months of age through at least October 2021, when the victim was two years old, and produced videos and images of the abuse. Both Colby and McCroskey participated in the abuse. Additionally, Colby received files documenting the sexual abuse of the child, which were sent to him by McCroskey.
On May 18, 2023, Judge Bennett sentenced co-defendant Summer McCroskey, age 25, also of Elkton, to 80 years in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Colleen E. McGuinn who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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California Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Guns in Eastern IdahoRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Ramon Morales Jr., 41, of Compton, California, was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison for importing and distributing methamphetamine in Eastern Idaho in exchange for firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit today.
According to court records, Morales was initially arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when he was caught attempting to smuggle two pounds of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on April 7, 2021.
While Morales was pending those charges, he supplied large amounts of methamphetamine, along with other drugs, to local drug distributors Lynne Marie Boswell, 52, of Pocatello, and Jenny June Manzanares, 40, of Rexburg.
In exchange for methamphetamine, Boswell and Manzanares obtained firearms on Morales’s behalf by using a network of straw purchasers. A straw purchaser is an individual who knowingly purchases firearms intending to provide them to someone else in violation of federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) estimates at least 250 firearms were trafficked through this illegal drug trafficking organization. Firearms purchased by these straw purchasers have been recovered at crime scenes in Idaho and states across the region.
On July 27, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, and local agency task force officers learned that Morales arranged to purchase 12 firearms from a gun store in Idaho Falls using a straw purchaser. Investigators were able to intercept the firearms during the transaction. After further investigation, law enforcement seized 15 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested Jonathan Ramirez-Gutierrez, 29, of Los Angeles, for drug trafficking. There was evidence Morales directed Ramirez-Gutierrez to transport the methamphetamine to Idaho and to return to California with firearms.
On August 14, 2023, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Morales to over 26 years in federal prison. In January 2023, Judge Winmill sentenced Boswell to over 15 years in federal prison for her role in the drug and gun trafficking conspiracy. In March 2023, Manzanares was sentenced to 10 years for her role in the offense. In August 2022, Ramirez-Gutierrez was sentenced to over 8 years in federal prison.
“This series of cases, and the resulting sentences, reflect success in our ongoing battle to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and illegally-obtained firearms into and out of Idaho,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am grateful for the work of our many law enforcement partners in this investigation, which led to dismantling a very dangerous criminal operation.”
Specifically, U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the following law enforcement agencies for their collaboration on this investigation: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Idaho State Police, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Fort Hall Police Department, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Falls Police Department. Many of these agencies are members of the BADGES Task Force.
The BADGES Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. The BADGES Task Force is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Idaho State Police, Pocatello Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Department, Chubbuck Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane prosecuted these cases, including during her prior role as the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially-deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho.
The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction. The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts.
This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 200 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 146 have been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 10,525 months (approximately 877 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 57.6 months (4.8 years). Defendants indicted for drug trafficking offenses serve, on average, approximately 64 months (5.33 years) in federal prison.
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Burlington County Man Admits $4 Million Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted today that he illegally laundered the proceeds of a mail fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Pablo Estrada, 26, of Florence, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of money laundering.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From August 2020 through January 2023, Estrada received money from victims of various scams, including a lottery scam – an advance fee fraud which begins with victims receiving an unexpected notification that they have won large sums of money in a lottery, but are required to pay various fees and expenses before their winnings can be released to them. Estrada deposited the money into various bank accounts that he maintained for purposes of receiving criminal proceeds. He transferred the funds to other bank accounts, keeping a percentage for himself. Estrada laundered more than $4 million in this manner.
The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Burlington County Prosecutors Office under the direction of LaChia L. Bradshaw and the Florence Township Police Department under the direction of Brian Boldizar for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
estrada.information_.pdfBrowning man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for raping girl on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who was convicted by a jury of raping a girl in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, was sentenced on Aug. 15 to eight years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
After a two-day trial in March, the jury found William Ronald Blackman, 31, guilty of attempted sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Blackman sexually abused the victim, identified as Jane Doe, on three occasions when she was physically incapable of declining participating in a sexual act. Jane Doe, who was approximately 15 years old at the time, had passed out from alcohol intoxication and woke up to Blackman sexually abusing or having intercourse with her. The assaults occurred in 2019 and 2020. The victim ultimately reported the sexual abuse to a counselor.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Bradenton Man Arrested for Robbing Tampa Business with FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Devon Floyd (31, Bradenton) with one count of Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, Floyd faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the complaint, on August 10, 2023, Floyd robbed a business in Tampa. He asked the clerk for a free water, which she did not have, before walking behind the counter and lifting his jacket to show the clerk a firearm. Floyd then ordered the clerk to empty the register, took the cash, and fled the scene in a dark colored Mazda. The complaint further alleges that Floyd is suspected of committing additional robberies in the area and that those robberies are still being investigated.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, and the North Port Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
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.
Bloomfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENSTON HARRY, 42, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for drug trafficking offenses.
This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley, also known as Yung, of Norwalk. The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired with Harry and others to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana throughout Connecticut.
Harry was arrested on June 9, 2021. In association with his arrest, investigators searched his Bloomfield residence and his Hartford business, Action Audio. The search of his residence revealed more than one kilogram of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, and kilogram presses and other items used to process and package narcotics for distribution. The search of Harry’s business resulted in the seizure of marijuana and other items.
On October 18, 2022, a jury found Harry guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana; one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Harry, Wiley and six others were charged as a result of this investigation.
On July 26, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of multiple offenses. On December 28, 2022, he was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.
Harry, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 25.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty, Robert S. Dearington, Margaret M. Donovan and Elena L. Coronado through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Austin Pharmacy to Pay $200,000 in Civil Penalties for Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – People’s Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
People’s Pharmacy Inc., doing business as Peoples Rx, operates five retail pharmacies and one compounding laboratory in the Austin area. During a routine inspection of a Peoples Rx location in June 2022, DEA diversion investigators determined that the pharmacy had violated certain regulatory recordkeeping provisions, improperly dispensed controlled substances to practitioners for office use, and issued prescriptions without authorization.
During their inspection, DEA diversion investigators also learned that Peoples Rx had sold pseudoephedrine products without self-certifying as required by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA). The CMEA regulates over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products, which are common ingredients in cough, cold, and allergy products that serve as precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine or amphetamine. Retail provisions of the CMEA include daily sales limits and 30-day purchase limits, placement of product out of direct customer access, sales logbooks, customer ID verification, employee training, and self-certification of regulated sellers.
The Diversion Control Unit in DEA’s San Antonio District Office led the investigation of this matter. The primary goal of the DEA’s diversion control program is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled substances from their lawful purpose into illicit drug traffic. In furtherance of this goal, DEA conducts inspections of pharmacies and other DEA registrants to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements relating to drug security and recordkeeping.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Arsonist Pleads Guilty to Fire Bombing Donut HoleRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. - A Tulsa man who firebombed a popular donut shop with a Molotov Cocktail pleaded guilty today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Coby Dale Green, 24, pleaded guilty to malicious use of explosive materials.
In his plea agreement, Green admitted that in the early morning hours of Halloween, 2022, he broke the glass front door, lit the wick of the Molotov Cocktail, and then threw the Molotov Cocktail through the broken front door, into the Donut Hole.
“The Molotov Cocktail that Green threw into the Donut Hole was fueled by bias and had the power to burn down several businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the prosecution team for holding the defendant accountable for his actions.”
Green faces between 5 and 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. A federal district court judge will determine sentencing after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A date for sentencing has not been set.
Green has been and will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency with assistance from Tulsa Police and Fire Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan E. Michel and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
After a Six-Day Trial, Federal Jury Convicts Holy Health Care Services, LLC Program Administrator for a Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury yesterday convicted Lambert Mbom, age 50, of Riverdale, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and for conspiracy to make false statements relating to health care matters in connection with a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid. The defendant’s conviction stems from a scheme involving services purportedly provided by Holy Health Care Services, LLC (“Holy Health”), a mental health services provider with locations in Washington, D.C. The jury acquitted Mbom of conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.
The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS OIG”); and Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia.
According to evidence presented at Mbom’s six-day trial, he was a program administrator at Holy Health. Holy Health entered into Medicaid Provider Agreements with the District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (“DHCF”), to provide healthcare services to D.C. Medicaid recipients and was certified by the District of Columbia’s Department of Behavioral Health (“DBH”) to provide mental health services as a freestanding clinic and as a Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services (“MHRS”) provider. As a certified MHRS provider, Holy Health had authority to provide and bill for a variety of mental health services including “community support” – a service for which community support workers (“CSWs”) provide rehabilitative and educational support to mental health patients both in clinical settings and in the community.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mbom and his co-conspirators paid to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit Holy Health for mental health services. As detailed in trial testimony, Mbom and his co-conspirators caused claims to be submitted by Holy Health to Medicaid for services, including community support services, purportedly provided to Medicaid beneficiaries.
As detailed in trial testimony, Mbom and his co-conspirators paid individuals to come into the office and then used their personally identifiable information (“PII”) to bill Medicaid for services that were not rendered or were not rendered as billed. The evidence proved that Mbom made up fake Holy Health employees who were purportedly Community Support Workers so that he could bill Medicaid for services provided by these fake employees. Witnesses testified that during the investigation, sources posing as mental health patients were sent to Holy Health to obtain community support services. Not only did the sources not receive the services as billed, but Holy Health billed for CSW services for those patients for visits that never happened.
Mbom faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud; and a maximum of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to make a false statement regarding health care matters. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has not yet scheduled sentencing.
The owners of Holy Health, Julius Bakari, age 45, and Mboutchock Kabiwa a/k/a “Eugenie Bakari” or “Eugenie Kabiwa,” age 45, both of Silver Spring, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to pay bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit their company. Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Bakari on November 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. and for Kabiwa on November 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the HHS OIG, and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Sarma, Jessica C. Collins, and Megan S. McKoy, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao/md.
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Aberdeen Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited PersonRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023.
Tujuane Leno Lowry, age 46, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Lowry was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 18, 2022, in Aberdeen, when Lowry was observed on video holding a handgun he had pulled from a white tube sock. He was also observed on the video using methamphetamine. Lowry is a felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The firearm was later recovered by law enforcement and determined to have been a stolen firearm.
This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department 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.
Lowry was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
22-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Sleeping VictimRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kason Cline, 22, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 15, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for one count of sexual abuse of an incapable victim. Cline was sentenced to 54 months in prison and will serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was initiated in July of 2022 by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services after receiving a call from Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in Winnebago, Nebraska regarding a patient who wished to report a sexual assault. The Omaha Nation Tribal Police responded and spoke with the victim who relayed she had been drinking with Cline on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, when she passed out and fell asleep in Cline’s bed. When she woke up, Cline was sexually assaulting her. Because the victim was asleep at the time the sexual act occurred, she was unable to consent or decline participation in the conduct. A search warrant was executed at Cline’s residence to recover evidentiary items related to the assault. Cline was interviewed and ultimately admitted to the sexual assault.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
14 Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with Possession of Machine Guns, Fentanyl Trafficking, and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Fourteen members of Minneapolis-based street gangs have been charged in federal court for various crimes including illegal possession of firearms, possession of machine guns, and fentanyl trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“These charges present a chilling picture of the violence inflicted by the Highs, the Lows, the Bloods and other gangs on our city’s streets,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Violent crime levels in Minneapolis have begun to come down and I believe our strategy is playing a role in the reduction, but we still have more work to do, and we will continue to charge violent offenders.”
Fourteen members of the Minneapolis-based street gangs are charged in federal criminal complaints with firearms violations, possession of machine guns, and fentanyl trafficking.
The following defendants are alleged members of the Lows gang:
- Michael Marshawn Dalton, 29, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Marquez Demar Hill-Turnipseed, 21, is charged with possession a firearm as a felon and possession of a machine gun.
- Shannon Aaron Kapriece Jackson, 31, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Cartrell Ismail Smith, 27, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Kaprice Richards, 22, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Ohagi Charles Walker, 27, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Clenest Demon Wells, Jr., 26, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
The following defendants are alleged members of the Highs gang:
- Jermaine William Jackson, Jr., 26, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Adrion Kelley, 19, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Joe Lee Rudolph-Meeks, 28, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- James Edward Hollman, Jr., 32, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
The following defendants are alleged members of the 10z/20z gang:
- Devon Lamont Holt, 33, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
- Marvin Miller, Jr., 35, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a machine gun.
The following defendant is an alleged member of the Bloods gang:
- Dante Joseph Tyus, 29, is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.
These cases are the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar, Tom Calhoun-Lopez, David Green, Harry Jacobs, Rachel Kraker, Will Mattessich, Esther Mignanelli, Mary Riverso, Jordan Sing, Ruth Shnider, Joseph Teirab, and Melinda Williams.
These charges are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
15 August 2023
법무부 자원 및 프로그램 접근 확대에 관한 언어 접근 계획 발표Read the Press Release
워싱턴 – 법무부는 오늘 모든 사람이 그들이 사용하는 언어와 관계없이 부서의 프로그램, 활동 및 서비스에 접근하고 완전히 참여할 수 있도록 하기 위해 부서 차원의 업데이트된 언어 접근 계획을 발표했습니다. 언어 접근 계획은 영어 능력이 제한적인 지역 사회의 요구 사항을 이해하고, 번역 및 통역 서비스를 개선하며 또한 그러한 서비스의 질적 보증을 촉진하고 대중이 사용 가능한 도구의 범위 확대 등을 포함하는 언어 접근 계획을 모든 부서들이 강화할 수 있는 지침을 제공합니다.
“언어 장벽이 정부 서비스 이용에 방해가 되어서는 안 됩니다. 이 업데이트된 언어 접근 계획은 모든 사람들이 범죄를 신고하고, 중요한 자원에 접근하며, 필요할 때 법무부의 도움을 요청할 수 있도록 하는 중요한 단계입니다,” 라고 메릭 비. 갈랜드 법무장관은 말했습니다.
“확대된 언어 접근은 법치주의를 수호하며, 국가의 안전을 유지하고, 또한 민권을 보호하려는 법무부의 사명을 더욱 강화합니다. 법무부가 언어 장벽을 격고있는 개인을 포함한 모든 미국인에게 더 나은 서비스를 제공하기 위해 우리의 언어 자원 및 정책을 현대화하고, 간소화 하고,개선하기 위해 진행하고 있는 작업이 자랑스럽습니다,”라고 리사 오. 모나코 법무차관을 말했습니다.
“미국에 있는 모든 사람은 정부가 제공하는 서비스 및 프로그램에 유의미한 접근을 할 권리가 있습니다. 이 업데이트된 정책은 많은 지역 사회가 그들 자신의 권리를 이해하고, 범죄를 신고하며 또한 법무부 자원에 완전하고 동등한 접근을 할 수 없도록 하는 언어 장벽을 제거하려는 법무부의 의지를 반영합니다,”라고 바니타 굽타 법무 부차관은 말했습니다.
업데이트된 언어 접근 계획은 법무부 민권부가 다른 연방 기관과 협력하여 유의미한 언어 접근을 보장하고 그에 따른 언어 접근 계획 및 정책을 수정 및 업데이트하는 노력을 개선하도록 지시한 갈랜드 법무장관의 2022년 11월자 연방 기관장, 민권부장, 법률 고문을 위한 언어 접근에 관한 연방 정부의 의지 강화에 관한 통지문에 따라 발표되었습니다. 그것은 또한 연방 기관이 제한된 영어 구사 능력을 가진 사람들이 그들의 서비스에 유의미한 접근을 할 수 있도록 하는 시스템을 개발하고 시행할 것을 요구하는 행정명령 13166, 영어 능력이 제한된 사람을 위한 서비스 접근 개선에 관한 명령 (2000년 8월 16일)의 23주년 기념이기도 합니다.
사법제도 접근 관리국이 부서의 언어 접근 실무 그룹 및 민권부과 협력하여 부서의 업데이트된 계획의 개발을 주도했습니다. 이 작업은 사법제도 접근 관리국 (ATJ)과 실무 그룹의 폭넓은 지도력의 일환으로, 언어 접근 자원을 확대하고, 언어 접근 문제에 대한 인식을 개선하며 DOJ 내 및 연방 정부 전반에 걸친 다른 부서에 해당 교육 및 기술 지원을 제공합니다.
“사법제도 접근이란 곧 언어 접근을 뜻합니다. 언어 접근 계획의 업데이트된 정책을 통해, 부서의 모든 프로그램 및 활동의 중심 구성 요소로서 언어 접근을 확대할 것을 재확인합니다,”라고 레이첼 로시 ATJ 국장은 말했습니다.
민권부는 또한 갈랜드 법무장관의 통지문 및 행정명령 13166 그리고 1964년 민권법 타이틀 VI에 대한 정부 차원에서의 일관되고 조율된 준수를 보증하는 책임에 따라 외부 이해관계자와 협력하여 법무부 및 기타 연방 기관이 그들의 언어 접근 계획을 업데이트하고 수정할 수 있도록 심도 있는 기술적 지원을 제공했습니다. 민권부는 자격을 갖춘 이중언어 직원의 효과적인 사용, 다국어 언어 디지털 콘덴츠 구축 방법, 토착어를 사용하거나 장애가 있는 사람의 고유한 언어 접속 요구 사항 등을 파악하기 위해 전문가와 연방 직원이 참여한 모임에 35개 이상의 연방 기관의 참가를 유도했습니다. 현재, 이 부서는 또한 언어 데이터를 수집하고 다국어 콘텐츠를 www.LEP.gov의 언어 접근 자원 카탈로그에 게시하려는 기관의 노력을 지원하기 위한 새로운 가이드를 추가했습니다.
“이 수정된 언어 접속 계획은 우리 자체 프로그램 및 활동에 있어서의 언어 접속에 대한 법무부의 지속적인 의지를 강조합니다. 모든 이해 관계자가 연방 정부와 업무를 할 때 유의미한 언어 접근 방법을 확실히 알 수 있도록 수정된 기관 언어 접속 계획을 www.LEP.gov에 게시하기를 기대합니다,”라고 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 민사부 차관보는 말했습니다.
이 업데이트된 계획은 여러 언어로 번역되며 법무부의 최근 출시된 언어 선택 도구를 사용하여 법무부 웹사이트에서 보실 수 있습니다.
司法部發布語言無障礙計劃，擴大司法部資源和項目的使用範圍。Read the Press Release
華盛頓特區—司法部今天發布了更新的全部門語言無障礙計劃 (Language Access Plan)，以幫助確保所有個人，無論使用何種語言，都可以使用並充分參與司法部的各種項目、活動和服務。語言無障礙計劃將為司法部各個部門提供專業指導，以增強司法部對英語能力有限社區的理解和需求，改善筆譯和口譯服務，促進這些服務的質量保證，並擴大為公眾服務的工具範圍。
司法部長梅里克·加蘭(Merrick B. Garland) 表示,“語言障礙不應成為人們無法獲得政府服務的原因。 這項更新後的語言無障礙計劃旨在確保每個人都可以舉報犯罪、獲取重要資源以及在需要時向司法部尋求幫助的重要一步。“
“加強我們的語言服務有助於進一步履行司法部維護法治、維護國家安全和保護公民權利的使命。“司法部副部長麗莎.摩納哥(Lisa O. Monaco) 表示，“司法部正在努力實現語言資源和政策的現代化、簡化和改進，以更好地服務於所有美國人，包括面臨語言障礙的個人，對此我深感自豪。”
副司法部長瓦尼塔·古普塔(Vanita Gupta) 表示, “在這個國家，每個人都有權享受有意義的政府服務和計劃。這些更新的政策反映了司法部消除語言障礙的承諾。這些語言障礙可能阻擋了許多社區了解自己的權利或報告犯罪行為，如果這些語言障礙減少，這些社區可以充分且平等地獲取司法部的資源“。
本次更新的語言無障礙計劃和政策呼應了司法部長梅里克·加蘭於2022年11月題為《致聯邦機構負責人、民權辦公室負責人和總法律顧問的關於加強聯邦政府對語言獲取承諾的備忘錄》，並因此指示司法部的民權分部與其他聯邦機構合作，共同改善和確保語言資源的有效擴展。今年也是行政令第13166號《改善英語能力有限人士獲得服務的機會(2000年8月6日)》成立的23週年，該行政令要求聯邦機構開發和實施各種系統，使英語能力有限者也能夠有意義地獲得服務。
此次更新由司法救助辦公室牽頭（Office for Access to Justice），與語言無障部門和民權司合作，制定了該部的最新計劃。這項工作是司法救助辦公室（ATJ）和工作組更廣泛地領導司法部努力擴大語言無障礙資源、提高對語言無障礙問題的認識，以及向司法部內其他辦公室和整個聯邦政府提供培訓和技術援助的一部分。這項工作是司法救助(ATJ) 的一部分，該工作組更廣泛地領導司法部擴大語言獲取資源、提高對語言使用問題的認識以及向司法部內其他辦公室和整個聯邦政府提供培訓和技術援助的一部分。
“訴諸司法意味著語言無障礙，“ 司法救助辦公室主任雷切爾-羅西（Rachel Rossi）表示。 “通過本《語言無障礙計劃》中的最新政策，我們再次承諾將擴大語言無障礙作為司法部所有計劃和活動的核心組成部分”。
為響應司法部長梅里克·加蘭備忘錄中提出的計劃，民權司除了負責確保各機構能否就行政命令13166號和1964年《民權法》第六章及其實施條例規定下有關提供實質性語言協助的職責，還提供了深入的技術援助，並與外部利益相關者合作，以協助司法部和其他聯邦機構更新和修訂其語言資源訪問計劃。民權司召集了35多個聯邦機構，並邀請專家和聯邦工作人員參與，以確定如何有效利用合格的雙語工作人員、如何構建多語種數字內容，以及講土著語言或有殘疾的個人對語言資源獲取的獨特需求。如今，民權司還增加了一份新指南，以支持各機構收集語言數據並在其網站www.LEP.gov 的語言資源訪問資源目錄中上發布多語種內容。
司法部民權司助理司法部長克里斯汀-克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示， “更新後的《語言無障礙計劃》強調了司法部在自身計劃和活動中對語言使用的持續承諾。我們非常期待在www.LEP.gov 上發布修訂後的機構語言無障礙計劃，以幫助確保所有利益相關者了解如何在與聯邦政府合作時獲得有意義的語言無障礙服務。“
更新後的計劃將被翻譯成多種語言，並將使用該部門最近推出的語言選擇工具在該部門的網站上提供。
司法部发布语言无障碍计划，扩大司法部资源和项目的使用范围。Read the Press Release
华盛顿特区——司法部今天发布了更新的全部门语言无障碍计划 (Language Access Plan)，以帮助确保所有个人，无论使用何种语言，都可以使用并充分参与司法部的各种项目、活动和服务。 语言无障碍计划将为司法部各个部门提供专业指导，以增强司法部对英语能力有限社区的理解和需求，改善笔译和口译服务，促进这些服务的质量保证，并扩大为公众服务的工具范围。
司法部长梅里克·加兰 (Merrick B. Garland) 表示,“语言障碍不应成为人们无法获得政府服务的原因。 这项更新后的语言无障碍计划旨在确保每个人都可以举报犯罪、获取重要资源以及在需要时向司法部寻求帮助的重要一步。”
“加强我们的语言服务有助于进一步履行司法部维护法治、维护国家安全和保护公民权利的使命。”司法部副部长丽莎.摩纳哥 (Lisa O. Monaco) 表示，“司法部正在努力实现语言资源和政策的现代化、简化和改进，以更好地服务于所有美国人，包括面临语言障碍的个人，对此我深感自豪。”
副司法部长瓦尼塔·古普塔 (Vanita Gupta) 表示, “在这个国家，每个人都有权享受有意义的政府服务和计划。这些更新的政策反映了司法部消除语言障碍的承诺。这些语言障碍可能阻挡了许多社区了解自己的权利或报告犯罪行为，如果这些语言障碍减少，这些社区可以充分且平等地获取司法部的资源”。
本次更新的语言无障碍计划和政策呼应了司法部长梅里克·加兰于2022 年 11 月题为《致联邦机构负责人、民权办公室负责人和总法律顾问的关于加强联邦政府对语言获取承诺的备忘录》，并因此指示司法部的民权分部与其他联邦机构合作，共同改善和确保语言资源的有效扩展。今年也是行政令第13166号《改善英语能力有限人士获得服务的机会 (2000年8月6日)》成立的23周年，该行政令要求联邦机构开发和实施各种系统，使英语能力有限者也能够有意义地获得服务。
此次更新由司法救助办公室牵头（Office for Access to Justice），与语言无障部门和民权司合作，制定了该部的最新计划。这项工作是司法救助办公室（ATJ）和工作组更广泛地领导司法部努力扩大语言无障碍资源、提高对语言无障碍问题的认识，以及向司法部内其他办公室和整个联邦政府提供培训和技术援助的一部分。这项工作是司法救助 (ATJ) 的一部分，该工作组更广泛地领导司法部扩大语言获取资源、提高对语言使用问题的认识以及向司法部内其他办公室和整个联邦政府提供培训和技术援助的一部分。
“诉诸司法意味着语言无障碍，” 司法救助办公室主任雷切尔-罗西（Rachel Rossi）表示。“通过本《语言无障碍计划》中的最新政策，我们再次承诺将扩大语言无障碍作为司法部所有计划和活动的核心组成部分"。
为响应司法部长梅里克·加兰备忘录中提出的计划，民权司除了负责确保各机构能否就行政命令13166号和1964年《民权法》第六章及其实施条例规定下有关提供实质性语言协助的职责，还提供了深入的技术援助，并与外部利益相关者合作，以协助司法部和其他联邦机构更新和修订其语言资源访问计划。民权司召集了35多个联邦机构，并邀请专家和联邦工作人员参与，以确定如何有效利用合格的双语工作人员、如何构建多语种数字内容，以及讲土著语言或有残疾的个人对语言资源获取的独特需求。如今，民权司还增加了一份新指南，以支持各机构收集语言数据并在其网站 www.LEP.gov的语言资源访问资源目录中上发布多语种内容。
司法部民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀-克拉克（Kristen Clarke）表示， “更新后的《语言无障碍计划》强调了司法部在自身计划和活动中对语言使用的持续承诺。我们非常期待在 www.LEP.gov 上发布修订后的机构语言无障碍计划，以帮助确保所有利益相关者了解如何在与联邦政府合作时获得有意义的语言无障碍服务。”
更新后的计划将被翻译成多种语言，并将使用该部门最近推出的语言选择工具在该部门的网站上提供。
“Wrecking Ball” lands LPR in federal prisonRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas - A 44-year-old legal permanent resident from the Dominican Republic has been sentenced in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
A federal jury convicted Emilio Ramon Torres following an 11-day trial in August 2022. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilograms of heroin as well as possession with intent to distribute 16 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown has now ordered him to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison. He could also lost his status to reside in the United States.
The investigation focused upon a group of distributors and their associates, primarily citizens of the Dominican Republic, who used common sources of drugs in Mexico to supply their customers in numerous states other than Texas. This group of distributors sold cocaine and heroin throughout the United States but operated out of the Houston area.
Torres worked within the drug trafficking organization by stashing cocaine at his apartment in Houston. He received shipments of cocaine and held them at his residence until instructed about how much to make available for delivery to customers.
The defense attempted to convince the jury Torres was an honest person who would not engage in drug distribution. The jury did not believe those claims and found Torres guilty as charged.
He 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 and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation dubbed “Wrecking Ball” with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
تصدر وزارة العدل خطة الوصول إلى اللغة لتوسيع نطاق الوصول إلى موارد وبرامج الوزارةRead the Press Release
أصدرت وزارة العدل اليوم خطة محدثة للوصول إلى اللغة على صعيد الوزارة للمساعدة في ضمان وصول جميع الأفراد، بغض النظر عن اللغة المستخدمة، إلى برامج وأنشطة وخدمات الوزارة وأن يكونوا قادرين على المشاركة فيها بشكل كامل. توفر خطة الوصول إلى اللغة إرشادات لمكاتب الوزارة لمساعدتهم على تعزيز تخطيط الوصول إلى اللغة، والذي يتضمن فهم احتياجات المجتمعات ذات الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية وتحسين خدمات الترجمة والترجمة الشفوية الفورية وتعزيز ضمان جودة تلك الخدمات وتوسيع نطاق الأدوات المتاحة لخدمة الجمهور.
قال وزير العدل ميريك بي. جارلاند: "يجب ألا تقف حواجز اللغة في طريق الوصول إلى الخدمات الحكومية". "تعد خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المحدثة هذه خطوة مهمة نحو ضمان تمكّن الجميع من الإبلاغ عن الجرائم والوصول إلى الموارد المهمة وطلب المساعدة من وزارة العدل عندما يحتاجون إليها."
قالت نائبة وزير العدل ليزا أو موناكو: "يعزز الوصول الواسع للغة مهمة وزارة العدل في المزيد من دعم سيادة القانون والحفاظ على أمن بلدنا وحماية الحقوق المدنية. أنا فخورة بالعمل الذي تقوم به الوزارة لتحديث وتبسيط وتحسين مواردنا وسياساتنا اللغوية لخدمة جميع الأمريكيين بشكل أفضل، بما في ذلك الأفراد الذين يواجهون حواجز لغوية."
قالت المساعدة المشاركة لوزير العدل فانيتا جوبتا: "يستحق كل شخص في هذا البلد وصولا فعالا إلى الخدمات والبرامج الحكومية. تعكس هذه السياسات المحدثة التزام وزارة العدل بإزالة الحواجز اللغوية التي تمنع العديد من المجتمعات من فهم حقوقها أو الإبلاغ عن الجرائم أو الوصول الكامل والمتساوي إلى موارد الوزارة."
تم إصدار خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المحدثة وفقا لإصدار وزير العدل جارلاند في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني 2022 لمذكرة لرؤساء الوكالات الفيدرالية ورؤساء مكاتب الحقوق المدنية والمستشارين العامين فيما يتعلق بتعزيز التزام الحكومة الفيدرالية للوصول إلى اللغة، والتي وجهت قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل للعمل مع الوكالات الفيدرالية لتحسين الجهود لضمان وصول هادف للّغة ومراجعة وتحديث خطط وسياسات الوصول إلى اللغة وفقا لذلك. كما أنه يصادف الذكرى السنوية الثالثة والعشرين للأمر التنفيذي رقم 13166، تحسين الوصول إلى الخدمات للأشخاص ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية (16 أغسطس/آب 2000)، الأمر الذي يلزم الوكالات الفيدرالية تطوير وتنفيذ أنظمة تمكن الأشخاص ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية من الوصول إلى خدماتهم بشكل هادف.
قاد مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة عملية تطوير الخطة المحدثة للإدارة بالعمل مع الفريق العامل المعني بإتاحة اللغات ومع شعبة الحقوق المدنية التابعين للوزارة. هذا العمل هو جزء من مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة ويمثل القيادة الأوسع لمجموعة العمل لجهود الوزارة لتوسيع موارد الوصول إلى اللغة وتحسين الوعي بقضايا الوصول إلى اللغة وتوفير التدريب والمساعدة الفنية للمكاتب الأخرى داخل وزارة العدل وعبر الحكومة الفيدرالية.
قالت راشيل روسي، مديرة مكتب الوصول إلى العدالة: "الوصول إلى العدالة يعني الوصول إلى اللغة. من خلال السياسات المحدثة في خطة الوصول إلى اللغة هذه، نجدد الالتزام بتوسيع نطاق الوصول إلى اللغة كمكون مركزي لجميع برامج وأنشطة الوزارة."
كذلك، قدم قسم الحقوق المدنية، وفقا لمذكرة وزير العدل جارلاند ومسؤولية القسم بضمان الامتثال المنتظم والمنسق على مستوى الحكومة التزاما للأمر التنفيذي 13166 والباب السادس من قانون الحقوق المدنية لعام 1964، مساعدة فنية متعمقة، كما شارك قسم الحدود المدنية مع جهات خارجية من أصحاب المصلحة لمساعدة الوزارة والوكالات الفيدرالية الأخرى في تحديث ومراجعة خطط الوصول إلى اللغة الخاصة بهم. جمع القسم أكثر من 35 وكالة فيدرالية معا لجلسات شارك فيها الخبراء والموظفون الفيدراليون لتحديد الاستخدام الفعال للموظفين المؤهلين ثنائيي اللغة وكيفية بناء محتوى رقمي متعدد اللغات والاحتياجات المميزة للوصول إلى اللغة للأشخاص الذين يتحدثون لغات بلادهم الأصلية أو الذين لديهم إعاقة. اليوم، يضيف القسم أيضا دليلا جديدا لدعم جهود الوكالة لجمع بيانات اللغة ونشر محتوى متعدد اللغات إلى كتالوج موارد الوصول إلى اللغة على www.LEP.gov.
قالت مساعدة وزير العدل كريستين كلارك التي تترأس قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "تؤكد خطة الوصول إلى اللغة المنقحة هذه التزام الوزارة المستمر بالوصول إلى اللغة في برامجنا وأنشطتنا. نتطلع إلى نشر جميع خطط الوصول إلى اللغة المنقحة للوكالات على الموقع www.LEP.gov للمساعدة في ضمان مقدرة جميع أصحاب المصلحة على كيفية الحصول على وصول فعّال للغة عند التعامل مع الحكومة الفيدرالية."
ستتم ترجمة الخطة المحدثة إلى عدد من اللغات وستكون متاحة على الموقع الإلكتروني للوزارة باستخدام أداة اختيار اللغة التي أطلقتها
Worcester Dental Office Manager Sentenced for Role in Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester woman was sentenced today for her participation in a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Medicaid program, commonly known as MassHealth.
Robin Cronin, 61, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to two years’ probation. In September 2020, Cronin pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud.
Cronin was indicted by a grand jury and arrested in January 2020 along with co-conspirators Dr. Anthony DiStefano III and Dr. Scott Cale, dentists practicing in Worcester. DiStefano was barred from participating in the MassHealth insurance program because of concerns regarding the substandard and dangerous dental care DiStefano delivered to patients. In order to circumvent his exclusion from the MassHealth provider network, DiStefano recruited another co-defendant, Cale, to join his practice.
From 2014 to 2018, dental services that DiStefano personally delivered were billed to MassHealth using Cale’s provider identification credentials. Cronin, DiStefano’s office manager, was aware of the arrangement and personally billed MassHealth for services that were not reimbursable, knowing that the claims were false. The purpose of this arrangement was to deceive MassHealth into paying for dental services that were not reimbursable as DiStefano had previously been terminated from the MassHealth provider program over concerns regarding the quality of care he provided to patients. As a result of this scheme, multiple MassHealth patients were harmed and received dangerously poor care from DiStefano.
Cale also pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and, on Aug. 10, 2023, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Charges against DiStefano were dismissed.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Panich and Chris Looney of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Lownds, detailed from Campbell’s office, prosecuted the case.