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17 July 2023
Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on Intention to File for Contempt and Seek A Court-Appointed Receiver to Address Conditions on Rikers IslandRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced his Office’s intention to seek the appointment of a receiver to address the ongoing risk of harm to both incarcerated individuals and Department of Correction (“DOC”) Staff.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Rikers Island has been in crisis for years. This is a collective failure with deep roots, spanning multiple mayoral administrations and DOC commissioners. But after eight years of trying every tool in the toolkit, we cannot wait any longer for substantial progress to materialize. That is why my Office will seek a court-appointed receiver to address the conditions on Rikers Island.”
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In 2015, the United States entered into a consent decree with the City of New York and the DOC to address violations of the constitutional rights of incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island (the “Consent Decree”). The Consent Decree required DOC to develop and implement a wide range of reforms to reduce the level of violence in the jails and ensure the safety and well-being of people in custody as well as corrections officers. Over the past eight years, this Office has worked diligently with the Monitor appointed pursuant to the Consent Decree and all parties to address the ongoing unsafe conditions on Rikers Island. After multiple remedial orders and an Action Plan that has been in place for over a year, on July 10, 2023, the Monitor found that despite some progress in certain areas, DOC has not made “substantial and demonstrable progress in implementing the reforms, initiatives, plans, systems, and practices as outlined in the Action Plan” and “there has not been a substantial reduction in the risk of harm currently facing incarcerated individuals and Department staff.” In light of these findings, this Office has decided to pursue contempt proceedings and seek additional relief from the Court, including the appointment of a receiver, to address the ongoing risk of harm to both incarcerated individuals and DOC staff. If appointed, the receiver would report to the Court and have independent authority to take necessary steps to comply with core provisions of the Consent Decree and other Court-ordered relief.
St. Louis County Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for New Child Pornography CaseRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Monday sentenced a St. Louis County, Missouri man who used fake social media accounts to bait people into sending him sexual images to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography.
Christopher D. Gruebbel, then 37, pleaded guilty in February to one count of possession of child pornography and admitted being caught with child pornography by probation officers.
Gruebbel was on supervised release at the time because in 2013, he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography. Part of his sentence included a provision that after his release from prison, he would be on supervised release for life.
On multiple occasions in 2021, Gruebbel’s probation officer was unable to find him at his approved residence, later learning that Gruebbel had been evicted and was living with his mother without permission.
Probation officers then discovered that Gruebbel was in possession of multiple electronic devices without permission, including a laptop, a cell phone, an iPad and an iPod.
A total of 50 images and 14 videos containing child pornography were found on the iPad, as well as 251 images and 117 videos that contained exploitative and/or suspected child pornography on Gruebbel’s electronic devices.
An analysis of the devices also showed that Gruebbel was using fake social media accounts and posing as a young female named “Hannah” to bait people into sending nude pictures and videos of themselves, his plea agreement says. Gruebbel also participated in chat rooms devoted to “baiting” others into providing sexual images.
After his release from the new prison term, Gruebbel will be on supervised release for life.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Probation Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Springfield Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking a Minor He Solicited over FacebookRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man has been convicted by a federal jury for sex trafficking of a minor under 14 years old.
Carlos Casillas, 51, was convicted on July 14, 2023 following a three-day jury trial of one count of sex trafficking of a minor. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court.
In September 2021, an investigation began into Casillas for sex trafficking activity involving a 13-year-old girl living in a group home in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Evidence presented at trial established that Casillas solicited the minor victim using Facebook messenger, picked the minor victim up from her group home and eventually took her to a local motel.
“Carlos Casillas preyed on a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in state custody. His conduct was beyond horrific and now he will face the lengthy sentence of incarceration the law requires for sex trafficking of a minor. This office and the incredibly dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners we work with will never cease in our efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“Casillas preyed upon a child in a vulnerable situation. Now, he has been convicted of trafficking a minor and is facing a significant federal sentence. Homeland Security Investigations works every day to bring predators like Casillas to justice and to help connect victims to assistance to heal and move forward,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Members of the public who believe they, or someone they know, may be a victim of this crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please visit https://polarisproject.org/ for information and resources.
The charge of sex trafficking of a minor under 14 years old provides for a sentence of at least 15 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $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.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; HSI Acting SAC Krol; Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; and West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley and Deepika Bains Shukla of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Schenectady Felon Sentenced to 72 Months for Possessing Fentanyl and Cocaine Base for Distribution, and for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Charles J. Whorley, age 35, formerly of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
In pleading guilty, Whorley admitted to distributing a fentanyl mixture on several dates in June 2020, and to possessing 94 grams of fentanyl and 77 grams of cocaine base, which he intended to distribute, at his residence in Schenectady, on June 25, 2020. Whorley, a previously convicted felon, further admitted to possessing three loaded handguns at his residence to protect drugs and the cash generated from drug sales.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Whorley serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
This case was investigated by the NYSP and ATF with assistance provided by the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Saratoga Man Sentenced for Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael J. Smith, age 62, of Saratoga, New York, was sentenced today to 5 years of probation for conspiring to launder money.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), North East Region; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Boston Division, made the announcement.
In previously pleading guilty, Smith admitted to conspiring with a purported woman he met online and her purported attorney to launder over $200,000 in fraudulently obtained government benefits between June 2020 and May 2022. The benefits mostly came from COVID-19 relief programs and were obtained through fraudulent unemployment insurance applications and fraudulent business loan applications. The benefits were deposited into Smith’s bank account by government entities in several states, including Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Colorado, California, and Pennsylvania, and sent to him by check and on debit cards. To launder the funds after he received them, Smith purchased gift cards with the fraud proceeds, took photographs of the gift cards, and sent the photographs to the purported woman and her purported attorney. He also transferred fraud proceeds to his co-conspirators.
Smith was also ordered to pay $208,263.22 in restitution to the defrauded government entities.
The case was investigated by HSI, USDOL-OIG, USPIS, and the New York State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.
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.
San Diego Couple Charged with Stealing Stimulus Payments During Pandemic and Purchasing Luxury Mercedes-Benz and JewelryRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 17, 2023
SAN DIEGO – An indictment unsealed in federal court today charges Alexandra Crystal McFarland and Demetrius Montre McFarland, a married couple, with participating in a scheme to steal IRS stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic from destitute and vulnerable victims and using the proceeds to purchase a luxury vehicle, jewelry and furniture.
The indictment alleges that between April 2020 and at least September 2020, Mrs. McFarland approached homeless and low-income individuals throughout Southern California for the purpose of soliciting and collecting their personal identifying information (“PII”). Mrs. McFarland then allegedly used that information—along with the PII of detainees at two local detention facilities—to submit applications for Economic Impact Payments (EIP) from the IRS, which are commonly referred to as “stimulus payments.”
For his part, Mr. McFarland allegedly provided Mrs. McFarland with the PII of his fellow detainees at the Vista Detention Center. Mr. McFarland is presently serving a state prison term for attempted murder.
Mrs. McFarland allegedly made false representations to obtain the PII, including that those providing their PII to her could expect to receive an EIP in the mail, when in fact Mrs. McFarland directed payment of the EIP to a bank account that she controlled. Similarly, Mrs. McFarland also allegedly claimed she would assist with the application in exchange for an agreed-upon portion of the EIP, but in fact would keep more than the agreed-upon amount—and sometimes the entire EIP. The indictment further alleges that Mrs. McFarland also used victims’ PII without lawful authority to apply for benefit payments from the State of California Employment Development Department.
The indictment states that Mrs. McFarland used various EDD debit cards to purchase thousands of dollars of jewelry, nearly $9,000 in furniture that she shipped to her Spring Valley residence, and to cover part of a $60,000 down payment for a Mercedes-Benz G-Class 550 SUV that she purchased in the name “Alexa McFarland.” In addition to the conspiracy count, the indictment charges Mrs. McFarland with money laundering based on her purchase of the luxury vehicle, which the IRS has seized.
Mrs. McFarland entered a not guilty plea on July 17, 2023. A detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg is scheduled for July 20, 2023, and a motion hearing and trial setting before U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel is scheduled for August 7, 2023.
Mr. McFarland is expected to make his initial appearance on July 18, 2023. Mr. McFarland will be arraigned on both the indictment and on allegations that he violated the terms of supervised release imposed in his prior federal conviction for Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity (RICO) in Criminal Case No. 17-CR-270-JAH.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23-CR-1098-GPC
Alexandra Crystal McFarland Age: 32 San Diego, CA
Demetrius Montre McFarland Age: 30 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy–Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
Money Laundering–Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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.
Rumford Man Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Rumford man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to willfully evading the payment of employment taxes.
According to court records, between 2013 and 2017, Jeffrey Richard, 48, willfully attempted to evade payment of employment withholding taxes owed by his company, Black Bear Industrial, Inc. Despite being aware of the company’s unpaid employment tax liability, Richard took a variety of steps to evade payment. He regularly used funds from Black Bear’s business bank account to make business and personal purchases, all while making no payments toward Black Bear’s tax liability. He also created two nominee companies and took steps to disguise his ownership of the companies. He falsely represented to an IRS revenue officer that he had anything to do with one of the companies. The other company did business and had over $174,000 of business income in 2017, but none of the money was used to pay the IRS. Richard never informed the IRS about the company, and the company never filed any corporate or employment tax returns.
Richard faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
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Recidivist Sex Offender Sentenced to Time Served After Pleading Guilty to Possession Child Pornography in Two Separate CasesRead the Press Release
ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico announced today that Thomas Crosby was sentenced to 5 days in prison or time served. Crosby, 29, of Irwin, Pennsylvania, pled guilty in federal court to the possession of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct in two separate cases on Sept. 14, 2022.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on June 20, 2018, PayPal reported seven accounts potentially selling child pornography and numerous accounts purchasing content from the noted sellers. One such buyer was identified as Crosby. PayPal identified various IP addresses utilized by Crosby and provided them to the FBI. Special Agents from the FBI checked the IP addresses in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) database and were able to determine that they were actively downloading child pornography on the BitTorrent network around the same dates Crosby logged into PayPal.
At the time of the offense, Crosby was a member of the United States Air Force assigned to Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, NM. On November 14, 2018, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on Crosby’s address in Clovis. Crosby was subsequently interviewed by agents of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI and admitted to downloading child pornography via BitTorrent. Crosby was administratively discharged from the Air Force as a result and returned to the Pittsburgh area in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Crosby was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of New Mexico on Sept. 23, 2020. After Crosby was indicted in the District of New Mexico in September 2020 for possessing child pornography, the FBI executed an arrest warrant near Monroeville, Pennsylvania. At the time of his arrest, Crosby admitted to continuing to view child pornography after leaving New Mexico despite law enforcement intervention. A search of Crosby’s phone uncovered additional items of child pornography. As a result, Crosby was federally indicted on Feb. 1, 2022, in the Western District of Pennsylvania for the additional child pornography offenses.
On Sept. 19, 2022, after the Pennsylvania case was transferred to New Mexico, Crosby pled guilty in federal court to the possession of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct in both cases. The United States Sentencing Guideline range for Crosby’s offense was 78-97 months in prison, supervised release for 5 years to life, and a requirement to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
On July 13, 2023, Crosby appeared in District Court for sentencing in both cases. The United States recommended that he receive a sentence of 78-months incarceration. Crosby was sentenced to time served, or 5 days in prison, 15 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,000. One of the conditions of Crosby’s supervised release is that he be on GPS monitoring with home detention, which allows him to leave his residence for work, appointments, and with the express permission of his Probation Officer for five years. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The New Mexico case was investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations with assistance from the New Mexico Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory.
Pinellas County Man Sentenced for Wire and Bank Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle has sentenced James John Melis (54, Largo) to four years and three months in federal prison for bank fraud and wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $439,177, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. The court also ordered Melis to pay $684,000 in restitution, which represents the loss amount of the offenses. Melis had pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023.
According to court documents, Melis was involved in two fraud schemes. In the first, Melis abused his position as business manager at a private school in Hillsborough County by fraudulently attaching his personal bank account to one of the school’s financial accounts. When parents made tuition payments, Melis initiated fraudulent electronic funds transfers to his personal account. He then spent the stolen funds on travel and luxury items, including jewelry.
In the second scheme, Melis carried out a mortgage origination fraud against a financial institution for two properties that he owned. To deceive the lender into believing that he was a qualified borrower, Melis used the personal identification information of another person on loan applications, and prepared and submitted false and fraudulent IRS income tax returns, fictitious satisfactions of mortgages falsely representing that his properties had equity, and bogus lease agreements falsely showing he received substantial rental income. Based on Melis’s misrepresentations, the financial institution approved and funded both mortgage loans. The mortgage loans were purchased and guaranteed by Fannie Mae.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor. Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench is handling the forfeiture.
Orange County Man Sentenced to 4.25 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin in Bakersfield and FresnoRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Luis Noe Hernandez Rojo, 34, of Orange, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Hernandez participated in a well-established heroin and methamphetamine drug trafficking organization based in Mexico by agreeing to deliver fentanyl and heroin on two occasions in Bakersfield on behalf of the organization. On Aug. 7, 2019, Hernandez delivered approximately 2,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl to an undercover agent. On Dec. 13, 2019, Hernandez was arrested while transporting to the same undercover agent in Fresno approximately 60,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, 4.2 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 17.6 pounds of black tar heroin.
Co-defendant Donis Ariel Maldonado, 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was arrested last year for his involvement in the drug conspiracy and is scheduled for a status conference in federal court in Fresno on Sept. 20, 2023.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the High Impact Investigation Team (HITT) with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. HIIT is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative, which consists of personnel from the FBI, the California Department of Justice, the California Highway Patrol, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
North Carolina man charged with abusive sexual contact on Delta Airlines flight from AtlantaRead the Press Release
Seattle – A- 69-year-0ld Andrews, North Carolina resident is in federal custody tonight charged with abusive sexual contact on board an aircraft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jack Allen Roberson was arrested at Sea-Tac airport Sunday evening and will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
According to records filed in the case, Roberson was seated next to the 15-year-old victim who was traveling with her guardian. According to the criminal complaint, while Roberson appeared to be sleeping, he allegedly slipped his hand onto the victim’s thigh and ran in up under her skirt and towards her genitals. The victim reported the unwanted touching to her guardian who contacted the flight attendant. Roberson was moved to a different seat. Law enforcement was contacted and met the plane on arrival. Roberson was arrested and taken to the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac.
Abusive sexual contact on an aircraft is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sanaa Nagi.
Nigerian National Extradited from South Africa for Cyber Fraud Scheme Targeting Tulsa CompanyRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Sunday Daniel Ganyo, 37, a Nigerian national, made his initial appearance in federal court Friday, after being extradited from South Africa pursuant to a 2020 federal criminal complaint alleging his involvement in a cyber fraud scheme targeting companies in Tulsa and North Carolina. Ganyo faces charges for conspiracy; transportation of stolen goods; means of identification fraud; trafficking in false means of identification; identity theft conspiracy and attempt; aggravated identity theft; mail fraud; wire fraud; and attempt and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
“Identity theft and computer fraud have a lasting impact on the financial health of the victims and society,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “We are committed to bringing cyber criminals that target Oklahoma companies to justice, even when they hide behind stolen identities across the world and operate in the shadows of cyberspace.”
“The FBI has a long tradition of protecting American companies from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice, no matter where they are located,” said FBI, Oklahoma City, Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “I’m grateful for the dedicated partnership of the South African authorities to find and arrest Mr. Ganyo, so that he may face charges here in Oklahoma.”
According to court documents, Ganyo is alleged to have sent a computer services company in Tulsa a spoofed email using a fraudulently acquired identity and arranged for the purchase of approximately $400,000 worth of Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets. The fraudulent email was successful, and an order was processed and shipped to a company in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ganyo is alleged to have sent a second spoofed email to the North Carolina company, impersonating the Tulsa company, claiming the order was in error and that someone would retrieve the shipment. The shipment was then retrieved from the North Carolina company, repackaged, and prepared for shipment to South Africa by an unknown coconspirator. However, the FBI was able to intercept the shipment in Memphis, Tennessee, and replace the contents with dummy goods and a tracking device. A controlled delivery was then executed in Johannesburg, South Africa and the defendant was arrested by partners with the South African Police Service. Investigation continues into Ganyo’s possible involvement in similar cyber fraud schemes in other parts of the country.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in South Africa to secure the arrest and extradition of Ganyo. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Nassar and Thomas Buscemi are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Members of the public are reminded to be extremely cautious while conducting business on the internet. Check sender emails and URL addresses for irregularities. Use a full-service internet security site that protects your information. Use strong passwords by incorporating at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. Keep your software updated because criminals exploit known software flaws. Manage your social media settings and be careful what you share. For instance, if you share your pets name or reveal where you and your spouse met, you might expose the answers to two common security questions. Secure your home network and public networks by using a virtual private network (VPN). Finally, don’t provide personal information to unsolicited individuals or messages. Most business won’t reach out and ask for personal information by phone or email. If they do, tell them you will call them back. Then call the main number to inquire about the request. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud report it to your local police.
Nashua Man Sentenced to over Seven Years in Prison for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man was sentenced in federal court for attempting to rob Bank of America and East Hollis Variety in Nashua, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Shawn Soucy, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 89 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On March 9, 2023, Soucy pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery and interference with commerce by threats or violence.
“People who threaten others and attempt to steal from businesses in our communities will be held accountable and significantly punished for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe. No one should have to go to work and have their safety and security jeopardized by another person.”
“Shawn Soucy is a dangerous criminal who threatened innocent victims, bank tellers and bystanders, during the commission of his violent crimes,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case should be a warning to others that if you commit a bank robbery or any other violent crime in New Hampshire, you will face serious consequences. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force is committed to taking violent criminals off the street and stopping them from continuing to victimize others.”
On January 18, 2022, Soucy entered Bank of America and threatened to shoot the teller if that individual did not give him money. He then went to East Hollis Variety, where he held his hand in the shape of a gun and demanded money from the clerk. He did not take any money from either establishment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske and Anna Dronzek prosecuted the case.
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Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jacob Matthew Staton, age 28, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On July 28, 2022, Staton pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On May 17, 2022, the Muskogee Police Department attempted to stop Staton when he took off running and threw a backpack he was carrying. When the backpack was recovered, a loaded handgun was found on the ground next to the backpack. At the time Staton possessed the firearm, Staton was a convicted felon.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Jacob Matthew Staton will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Mobile Man Sentenced in Firearms CaseRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 37 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents, Frederick Oneal Knight, Jr., 34, was arrested by Mobile police officers on August 12, 2022, following a traffic stop of a car that he was driving. Knight admitted that there was a personal-use amount of marijuana in the car, which officers could smell. In a holster on Knight’s waistband, police recovered a Glock .40-caliber pistol equipped with a loaded extended magazine. Officers also removed two loaded magazines from Knight’s pocket. Knight admitted to police that he was a convicted felon, having previously pled down a first-degree murder charge to a felony reckless manslaughter conviction in Mobile County Circuit Court in November 2021. Knight also admitted that he was on probation for the manslaughter conviction at the time he possessed the pistol and ammunition in August 2022. Knight’s prior conviction rendered his possession of any firearms or ammunition illegal under federal law.
In addition to the 37-month prison term, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Knight to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge DuBose ordered Knight to pay $100 in special assessments and forfeited his pistol and ammunition to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Manchester Man Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDUARDO COLON, 34, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 3, 2022, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made a controlled purchase of 1,000 wax sleeves of fentanyl from Colon in front of his Manchester residence on Buckland Hills Road. Later that day, a court-authorized search of Colon’s residence revealed a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun, approximately 2,100 sleeves of fentanyl, approximately 230 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, a money counter, and approximately $11,000 in cash.
Colon’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Colon has been detained since June 3, 2022. On March 27, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Local Men Sentenced in Connection with Jung Hotel ShootingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TREJON HOWARD, age 20, of New Orleans, and TIQUAN EVERSON, age 26, of Avondale, were sentenced on July 12, 2023 by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
HOWARD was sentenced to 330 months imprisonment, five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.
EVERSON was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment, five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, HOWARD and EVERSON previously pled guilty to attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute quantities of marijuana, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Co-defendant, CHRIS ROSS, age 22, of St. Bernard Parish, was sentenced on June 5, 2023 by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle. ROSS was sentenced to 355 months imprisonment. In addition, ROSS received five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, along with a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, ROSS previously pled guilty to attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute quantities of marijuana, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This prosecution stems from a shootout that occurred at the Jung Hotel in New Orleans, on December 28, 2020. HOWARD and EVERSON, along with four other co-defendants, entered the Jung Hotel and attempted to rob drug dealers (hotel occupants) of significant amounts of marijuana. During the attempted robbery, a shootout ensued during which over 80 shots were fired and three people wounded. These events were documented by Jung Hotel security cameras footage that was introduced as evidence at the sentencing hearing for co-defendants DARIUS DANNEL and TERRELL MOORE.
DARIUS DANNEL, age 28, and TERRELL MOORE, age 25, both of New Orleans, were sentenced on June 28, 2023 by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle. DANNEL was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment, while MOORE received a 330-month sentence. In addition, both defendants received five years of supervised release following imprisonment, along with a $400 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, DANNEL and MOORE previously pled guilty to attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute quantities of marijuana, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Three of the marijuana distributors involved in the shootout, CLARENCE SANTIAGO, BRIAN JACOB, and MALIK FERNANDEZ, pled guilty to similar crimes before United States District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry. On March 7, 2023, Judge Guidry sentenced SANTIAGO to 360 months in prison and on July 11, 2023, he sentenced FERNANDEZ to 350 months in prison. BRIAN JACOB will be sentenced on October 31, 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit and Elizabeth Privitera, Chief of the Violent Crime Unit are in charge of the prosecutions.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David Jefferson Womack, 45, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to theft of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2022, Womack stole a Kel-Tec, model P-32, .32-caliber pistol from a Kanawha County pawn shop. Womack admitted to the theft when he was arrested by law enforcement officers on April 4, 2023.
Womack is scheduled to be sentenced on October 18, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the St. Albans Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Troy D. Adams is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-45.
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Jury Convicts Former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General Manager of Felony Bribery and Bank Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury today convicted Harlan Kelly, the former General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of charges that he accepted bribes and gifts from a local businessman in a scheme to provide confidential information about the city public bidding process and steer city contracts to that person’s businesses, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Robbins, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian. The verdict follows a two-week trial before United States Chief District Judge Richard Seeborg.
Kelly, 61, of San Francisco, was arrested on a criminal complaint in November 2020, and he was tried on charges contained in a May 31, 2022, superseding indictment that included charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. The superseding indictment also included charges of false statements to a bank, conspiracy to make false statements to a bank, bank fraud, and bank fraud conspiracy, related to a scheme to defraud Quicken Loans in connection with a $1.3 million mortgage refinance loan obtained by Kelly.
Kelly was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, one count of honest services wire fraud, and all four counts related to the bank fraud scheme. The jury found Kelly not guilty of two honest services wire fraud counts.
The charges against, and prosecution of, Kelly grew out of a years-long investigation into bribery and public corruption in San Francisco city government, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and IRS-CI. To date, 13 individuals have been charged in connection that larger set of investigations, including Mohammed Nuru, former director of the San Francisco Public Works department, and multiple city contractors and other facilitators of bribes and corruption.
The evidence at trial showed that Kelly, appointed in 2012 as General Manager of the San Francisco PUC, had access to confidential information about city contract bidding processes, and the ability to influence the awarding of some city contracts. Documents and testimony showed that Kelly had a close personal and professional relationship with San Francisco business owner and contractor Walter Wong, and that during the time Wong both conducted business with the city and sought additional lucrative contracts to supply the PUC with LED streetlights. While he was doing business with the city and seeking contracts, Wong provided numerous gifts, benefits, and bribes to Kelly. These bribes including discounted construction work on Kelly’s personal residence and a lavish international trip hosted by and in part paid for by Wong. Evidence showed that Wong paid travel and personal expenses for Kelly and his family during a March 2016 Kelly family vacation to Hong Kong, Macau, and China, and that Wong paid for hotel expenses and incidentals such as meals and luxury excursions. Wong has previously pleaded guilty to charges that he engaged in an honest services fraud conspiracy in connection with his interactions with Kelly and others.
The evidence at trial showed that as part of the bribery conspiracy, Kelly provided confidential information and documents about the details of bids submitted by other contractors, including proprietary pricing and cost information, and information and documents with internal notes about how city employees in the PUC were evaluating and rating the bidders. The evidence showed that Kelly delivered these documents to Wong and his associates in violation of Kelly’s fiduciary obligations to the city and its residents, and that the confidential information assisted Wong and his company in improving Wong’s chances to obtain the contract award.
Trial evidence also showed that Kelly defrauded Quicken Loans, a financial institution, in a $1.3 million dollar real estate mortgage loan provided to Kelly. The evidence at trial showed that Kelly worked with an associate, prominent city businessman and property manager Victor Makras, to mislead the bank. According to the evidence, in the application for the loan Kelly falsely represented that he had a $915,000 mortgage and concealed the true nature of his debts from Quicken. According to the trial evidence, these misrepresentations were material to the bank’s evaluation of the borrower and the loan. The outstanding debts that Kelly concealed from Quicken included a construction debt owed to the contractor, Walter Wong that amounted to about $89,000. Another debt concealed from the company was a $70,000 unsecured personal loan made by Makras to Kelly, a result of Makras directly paying Kelly’s credit card debt in order to conceal the fact that Kelly received this loan from Makras.
Co-defendant Makras, 64 of San Francisco, was also charged in the May 31, 2022 superseding indictment, and was convicted of making false statements to a bank and bank fraud at a separate trial in August 2022.
The federal jury today convicted Kelly of the following:
• One count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, and 1349, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain or gross loss
• One count of honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1346, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or the greater of twice the gross gain or gross loss
• One count of making false statements to a bank in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine
• One count of conspiracy to make false statements to a bank in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000
• One count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344(1),(2), which carries a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000, or not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or gross loss
• One count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344(1),(2) and 1349, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000, or not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or gross lossAs part of any sentence, the court also may order the defendant to serve an additional period of supervised release to begin after any prison term, to pay additional penalties, and to pay restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Defendant Kelly remains out of custody pending sentencing. No future date has yet been set.
The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ward and Kristina Green prosecuted the case at trial with the assistance of Tina Rosenbaum. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the IRS-CI.
Janesville Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Multiple Armed Robberies & Brandishing a FirearmRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Devonti Wilson, 38, Janesville, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 13 years in federal prison for armed robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. This prison term will be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. Wilson pleaded guilty to these charges on March 21, 2023.
On September 8, 2020, Wilson robbed a Lion’s Quick Mart in Janesville. During the robbery, Wilson pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money and cigarettes; he also told the clerk to “hurry up or you’ll die.” Wilson then left the store with money and cigarettes. Over the next three hours, Wilson committed similar armed robberies at a Kelley Williamson Mobil in Fitchburg, Wisconsin and a 7-Eleven in Madison, Wisconsin. He also attempted a fourth armed robbery at a BP in Madison.
On September 10, 2020, Wilson committed four more armed robberies in Janesville. Within one hour, he robbed a Kwik Trip, a second Lion’s Quick Mart, a Tigermart Exxon, and a Walgreens. In each robbery, Wilson brandished a gun at an employee. Shortly after the last robbery, police found Wilson in a vehicle near his home and arrested him. Inside the vehicle officers found bait bills from one of the convenience stores, cash, cartons of cigarettes, and a loaded 9mm firearm.
At the time of these offenses, Wilson had been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was also on active state supervision in connection to a 2018 conviction for committing a robbery with use of force.
In sentencing Wilson, Judge Conley remarked that the amount of money Wilson took from each store paled in comparison to the terrorism he imposed on each employee. Judge Conley stated a significant sentence was warranted in this case as no prior sentence had deterred Wilson from committing additional crimes.
The charges against Wilson were the result of an investigation conducted by the Janesville, Fitchburg, and Madison Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted this case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Iowa Man Sentenced to Nearly 11 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and Methamphetamine in Northwest IllinoisRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — An Iowa man has been sentenced to nearly eleven years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in northwest Illinois.
CORDERO DAVIS, 36, of Dubuque, Iowa, pleaded guilty earlier this year to knowingly and intentionally possessing nearly 900 grams of methamphetamine and more than 50 grams of heroin with the intent to distribute. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston on Thursday sentenced Davis to 130 months in federal prison.
On June 28, 2022, an officer with the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office stopped Davis’s vehicle. Davis failed to produce any identification and then provided a false name and date of birth to the officer. The officer confirmed Davis’s true identity and discovered that Davis’s driver’s license was suspended. The officer also discovered an arrest warrant pending against Davis from Cook County, Ill. The officer arrested Davis and discovered the controlled substances during a search of his vehicle.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Maveus.
International Cyber Fraudster Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A resident of the United Arab Emirates who orchestrated an $8 million cyber fraud scheme targeting several United States-based companies has been sentenced to more than eight years in a U.S. prison.
OLALEKAN JACOB PONLE, also known as “Mr. Woodbery,” and “Mark Kain,” 31, was living in the UAE in 2019 when he worked with co-schemers to engage in numerous business email compromise schemes. The co-schemers used phishing links to gain unauthorized access to email accounts and then created false instructions directing employees of the victim companies to wire money to bank accounts opened by money mules at Ponle’s direction. The fraudulent emails often claimed to be from the company or a known business contact and were nearly identical to prior legitimate emails sent over the company’s email account. After unwitting employees wired money, in some cases millions of dollars, to the bank accounts, Ponle instructed the money mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and send them to him.
As a result of Ponle’s scheme, victim companies suffered more than $8.03 million in actual losses and more than $51.3 million in intended losses. One of the victim companies was based in Chicago, while others were located in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New York, California, and elsewhere.
Ponle is a Nigerian national who was arrested in June 2020 by law enforcement in the UAE. He was subsequently expelled from the UAE into the custody of the FBI and arrived in Chicago the following month. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal wire fraud charge.
U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman on July 11, 2023, sentenced Ponle to eight years and four months in federal prison. Ponle was ordered to pay more than $8.03 million in restitution to the victim companies and forfeit numerous luxury items purchased with proceeds traceable to the fraud scheme, including a Rolls Royce Cullinan, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, and Rolex and Patek Philippe watches. Ponle previously forfeited to the government 151 bitcoin, which were also derived from proceeds traceable to the fraud scheme.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Dubai, UAE Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Wells of the Northern District of Illinois represented the government.
Independence Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to uploading videos of child pornography to his online storage accounts.
Joshua M. Rodgers, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of transporting child pornography.
Rodgers uploaded hundreds of images and videos of child pornography to his cloud storage online Google account, particularly in his Google Drive file, as well as to Dropbox, an online cloud file storage program, from Dec. 4, 2017, to Feb. 27, 2019. In particular, on November 23, 2018, Rodgers uploaded two videos depicting child pornography to Dropbox through the internet.
During the course of the investigation, the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force received four CyberTip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a total of 548 videos of child pornography uploaded to Rodgers’s Google accounts. Investigators then identified 728 images and 771 videos of child pornography in Rodgers’s Google account. Of those, roughly 101 files involved infants or toddlers. An additional 1,022 images and 124 videos depicted “age difficult” persons and child erotica.
On Oct. 22, 2019, federal agents executed a search warrant at Rodgers’s residence. They seized his computer, which contained 658 videos and 139 images of suspected child pornography, including prepubescent victims, sadomasochistic behaviors, and bestiality.
Rodgers also admitted to previously communicating with a female from Ohio, beginning when she was 15 years old, and he admitted to sharing images and videos with her. Rodgers repeatedly asked her to send him pornographic images and videos of herself. He even bought her a sex toy, and had it sent to her to use in videos she could create for him. Rodgers also sent her videos of child pornography.
Under federal statutes, Rodgers is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
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.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Independence Man Pleads Guilty to Dealing Firearms Without a LicenseRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 11, 2023, RICHARD LUDWIG II, age 74, of Independence pleaded guilty for dealing firearms without a license in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(a)(1)(A) and 924(a)(1)(D), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans .
LUDWIG faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. He will be sentenced on October 17, 2023.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.
Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime and Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Zachary Scott Whitmore, 32, of Huntington, was sentenced today to four years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl and violating his supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 19, 2022, Whitmore sold 7 grams of suspected heroin to a confidential informant near 25th Street in Huntington for $700. Whitmore also admitted to arranging the sale of 7 grams of suspected heroin to a confidential informant at a 9th Avenue residence in Huntington on October 24, 2022.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Mid-Atlantic Laboratory confirmed the controlled substances from both transactions was fentanyl.
At the time of this offense, Whitmore was serving a term of federal supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on August 12, 2019. Today’s prison sentence includes two years for committing a crime while on supervised release.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 3:23-cr-1 and 3:19-cr-137.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jeremy Adam Bartram, 31, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 30, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Bartram in Huntington. Officers searched Bartram’s vehicle and arrested him. Bartram admitted that when he was taken to the Huntington Police Department, a bag containing approximately 172 grams of methamphetamine fell out of his shorts as he got out of the police cruiser.
Officers later searched Bartram in a holding cell and found approximately 10.4 grams of fentanyl hidden in his person. Bartram admitted that he intended to sell the methamphetamine and the fentanyl.
Bartram is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-86.
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Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – MARIO HERNANDEZ-MARIN, a/k/a “Jose Hernandez-Marin,” a/k/a “David Hernandez-Marin,” a/k/a “Jose G. Hernandez,” a/k/a “Daniel Enrique-Polanco,” a/k/a “David Hernandez-Enrique,” age 50, was sentenced on July 13, 2023 for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) on July 13, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents , MARIO HERNANDEZ-MARIN (“HERNANDEZ-MARIN”) admitted reentering the United States after being previously deported on June 23, 2011. HERNANDEZ-MARIN was sentenced by Judge Wendy B. Vitter to (3) three years of probation with eight (8) months home curfew with location monitoring. He was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit was in charge of the prosecution.
Hartford Man Who Possessed Loaded Guns and Drugs While on State Parole Sentenced to 32 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to approximately 32 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made, on November 19, 2020, Rodriguez’s state parole officer, with the assistance of Hartford Police, conducted an unannounced search of Rodriguez’s Hartford residence and found distribution quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl, two loaded semi-automatic handguns, and $9,436 in cash. One for the handguns had been reported stolen in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Rodriguez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for larceny and burglary offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Rodriguez has been detained since November 19, 2020. On May 9, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gresham.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Former San Francisco Senior Building Inspector Sentenced to Prison Term for Accepting Illegal GratuitiesRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Bernard Curran, a former San Francisco Senior Building Inspector, was sentenced today to serve a year and a day in prison in connection with charges that he accepted cash payments and charitable donations from developers and property owners whose projects Curran had responsibility for approving, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by United States Senior District Judge Susan Illston.
Curran, 62, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to the charges on December 9, 2022. According to his plea agreement, Curran acknowledged that he was a Building Inspector for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (“DBI”) in 2005, and in approximately 2009, was promoted to Senior Building Inspector. As a Senior Building Inspector, Curran was responsible for conducting physical inspections of buildings and construction sites in San Francisco to verify that construction or renovation work had been completed according to approved permits and plans. Curran admitted that after he became a Senior Building Inspector, he received improper financial benefits in connection with his employment.
“San Francisco government officials must always work with the public’s best interest in mind and rebuff invitations for corrupt personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “Curran is not the first, and he will not be the last, defendant sentenced in rooting out corruption in San Francisco. Today’s sentence makes clear that officials who abuse the public trust will serve time in federal custody.”
“Bernard Curran chose to line his own pockets instead of performing his duties with integrity,” said Special Agent In Charge Robert K. Tripp. “That’s not a small lapse: building inspectors ensure our new construction is safe, and play a key role in creating new housing and businesses that make San Francisco a vibrant place to live and work. Curran’s time in prison should be a stark warning to all that if you’re a public servant who takes a bribe, you will be held to account.”
According to his plea agreement, Curran admitted that he received cash payments from a San Francisco developer “in connection with and as rewards for” the inspections that he conducted or for the approvals that Curran granted as an inspector. In addition, Curran admitted that he accepted what amounted to a $260,000 interest-free loan from the same developer, $30,000 of which was never paid back. Curran admitted that he understood the developer never required the outstanding $30,000 balance to be repaid, “in part due to our friendship, but also in connection with and as a reward for conducting past and future inspections,” on the developer’s projects. Further, Curran admitted that in 2021, the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office investigated potential conflicts of interest related to his employment and, in response, Curran falsely certified that the loan he received was not from the developer, but rather was from a relative and had been issued at a 6% interest rate. Curran admitted that he submitted this false statement in an effort to deceive the City officials.
In addition to the improper gifts from the developer, Curran also admitted in his plea agreement that he accepted illegal gifts from co-defendant Rodrigo Santos. Santos, a licensed civil engineer, worked with project owners and contractors seeking building permits in San Francisco. Curran admitted that between May of 2017 and April of 2020, Santos asked some of his San Francisco clients to make “charitable” donations in connection with inspections that Curran conducted. Specifically, Curran was a volunteer for, and supporter of, a non-profit organization and Santos instructed his clients to write checks for the organization. Curran admitted that on several occasions Santos discussed with Curran the checks that his clients donated while also asking for official action to be taken on specific projects. Curran admitted that the government could prove that between May of 2017 and April of 2019, Santos’s clients wrote $9,600 in donations from 13 clients and that Curran took at least one official action for all 13 of the donors.
On November 28, 2022, Curran was charged by superseding information with two counts of accepting illegal gratuities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(B). Curran pleaded guilty to both counts.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston sentenced Curran to two years of supervised release following his prison term. The court set a further hearing on September 8, 2023, to determine the amount of restitution that Curran must pay to DBI to compensate the agency for the costs of an internal audit of projects that Curran inspected. DBI initiated the audit after the charges in this case
The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the IRS-CI.
Former Employee of Taste of Brazil Restaurant in Woburn Sentenced for Transferring False Identification DocumentsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salvadoran man and former employee of the Taste of Brazil – Tudo Na Brasa restaurant in Woburn was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for providing false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization.
Marcos Chacon Gil, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately 10 months in prison) and two years of supervised release. On May 23, 2023, Chacon Gil pleaded guilty to one count of transferring false identification documents.
Chacon Gil worked at Taste of Brazil for three years beginning in 2014. Beginning in approximately 2018, Chacon Gil provided false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization in the United States. Chacon Gil did so in order for the employees to secure work authorization. In one instance, on Feb. 20, 2020, Chacon Gil met with an employee and provided the employee with a fake green card and a fake social security card.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Acting Special Agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Harry Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr. made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James D. Herbert, Kelly Lawrence and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.Former Aroostook County Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A man formerly from Aroostook County was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Andrew Adams, 31, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Adams, along with others, trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties. His participation in the conspiracy resulted in contacts with local law enforcement that led to the seizure of drugs, firearms, drug paraphernalia and other items.
Adams is the sixth participant involved in the northern Maine conspiracy to be sentenced. To date, nine of the remaining 15 defendants related to the case have pleaded guilty.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Chester Randall Dunican, 69, of Fort Pierce, Florida, has been sentenced to 78 months months in prison for his role as the leader of a conspiracy to commit wire fraud causing losses to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of over $1.1 million. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker also ordered Dunican to spend three years on supervised release, to pay restitution of $1,124,290 and to forfeit $430,350, representing proceeds he personally received from his fraud.
“Every member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was impacted by this fraudulent scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Instead of using the funds for the benefit of all tribal members, Dunican and his co-defendant, attorney Britan Douglas Groom, lied to the tribe and used the money for their personal benefit. Mr. Dunican’s conduct is particularly egregious given that he served in a fiduciary capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of the Tribe’s economic development corporation. My office is committed to holding fraudsters fully accountable for their crimes, especially those that exploit a position of public trust.”
Dunican pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. From December 2015 to December 2016, Dunican served as the CEO of GTB LLC, a tribal entity focused on the development of economic opportunities for the benefit of all members of the Tribe. Dunican represented to the Tribe that he obtained exclusive distributorship rights with a proprietary water filtration company, R.O. Distributors, and that the Tribe would benefit by investing in R.O. Distributors and leasing water coolers that used this proprietary technology to various businesses in Michigan and Florida. In reality, R.O. Distributors was a shell company created and controlled by Dunican and Groom.
The Tribe invested nearly a million dollars in R.O. Distributors. Dunican directed other individuals to send most of the Tribe’s investment to another shell company, Evergreen Distributors LLC, before that entity transferred over $700,000.00 of the proceeds to the personal bank accounts of Dunican and Groom. Dunican then told the Tribe that he expected the business to grow and needed additional funding to continue acquiring inventory. When the Tribe resisted, Dunican told the Tribe that a company named High Sierra Distributors, LLC, acquired R.O. Distributors and that High Sierra was a multi-billion-dollar business that could expand the water filtration business nationwide. Dunican asked Groom to recruit someone to pretend to be a corporate representative of High Sierra at a meeting with the Tribe to pitch the additional $2 million in funding. Groom recruited a friend from Illinois who did attend the meeting pretending to be a corporate official of High Sierra. Shortly after the meeting, and before any additional funds were distributed, the Tribe discovered that this individual was actually a schoolteacher form Illinois, uncovered the fraud scheme and fired Dunican.
“Mr. Dunican and his co-defendant stole money earmarked for investment opportunities, the income from which is designed to provide various forms of assistance to members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “His behavior was an affront to those who trusted him to act in the Tribe’s best interest and is precisely why the FBI works with our partners to investigate those who knowingly defrauds organizations and bring them to justice.”
“Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and our law enforcement partners are diligent in unraveling the fraudulent actions of those, such as Chester Dunican, who scheme to defraud victims,” said Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. “Today’s sentencing is a reminder that there are detrimental consequences for this type of criminal behavior.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Lansing, and Traverse City offices. The FBI was assisted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Police Department and the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ronald M. Stella prosecuted the case.
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Felon in Possession of Gun Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Robertsdale, Alabama, man was sentenced to 25 months in prison for his illegal possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
According to court documents, Justin Shea Ulrich, 44, was implicated in a drug investigation when an informant reported that Ulrich was selling methamphetamine. Agents from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arranged to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Ulrich at his residence. Agents conducted surveillance to document the drug deal.
Agents then obtained a search warrant for Ulrich’s house. They seized additional methamphetamine and a firearm, described as a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Ulrich pled guilty to the drug charges in state court, and the gun charge was brought against him in federal court in Mobile. Ulrich pled guilty to the gun charge in March of 2023.United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 25-month sentence and ordered that Ulrich would also serve three years on supervised release following his imprisonment. As conditions of his supervision, Ulrich will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, and he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion. No fine was imposed but the judge ordered that Ulrich pay $100 in special assessments. The firearm used during the commission of the offense was ordered forfeited to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.Farmington Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Oxycodone PillsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY HARRIS, 53, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally distributing oxycodone.
According to court documents and the evidence disclosed during a trial in this matter, Harris, who was prescribed oxycodone for a medical condition, unlawfully sold hundreds of oxycodone pills to another individual approximately every three weeks over the course of more than three years. The individual who purchased the pills sold them to customers in the Bristol area.
The investigation revealed that Harris sold a total of approximately 9,000 oxycodone pills prescribed to him in exchange for approximately $200,000.
Harris was arrested on June 3, 2021. On November 9, 2022, a jury found him guilty of four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone, and not guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone.
Harris has been detained since November 17, 2022.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Bristol Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad included officers from the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury, and Watertown Police Departments. Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and Nathaniel J. Gentile.
Detroit Man Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Sylvester Roosevelt McNeil, also known as “Juan,” 50, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 11 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 27, 2022, McNeil sold approximately 1.3 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a location on Nickel Plate Road in Huntington.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-165.
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Heroin, Fentanyl, Firearms, and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lebanon man pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms crimes, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Marshall Dimick, 32, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for October 30, 2023. The defendant was previously charged on March 9, 2021.
On July 9, 2020, an officer of the Lebanon Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by the defendant. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a handgun in the center console with a loaded magazine, 540 small bags containing approximately 10g of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, over $2,000 in cash, and a cell phone. The phone contained texts of drug activity between the defendant and others, as well as a conversation between the defendant and his mother referencing the gun in the car. The defendant is a convicted felon and cannot legally possess a gun.
The charging statute for the drug offense provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release of at least three years, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The charging statute for the felon in possession offense provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. The charging statute for offense of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking provides a sentence of up to life in prison, and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a term of supervised release of not more than five years, and a maximum 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 Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Lebanon Police Department led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.
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Convicted Felon Indicted and Behind Bars for Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Southern Utah returned an indictment charging a Washington County man, and convicted felon, with possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents, Daniel Demetrio Vigil, 62, of Hurricane, Utah, was taken into custody on June 27, 2023, after Hurricane Police Officers responded to a 911 call at the defendant’s residence. Upon officers’ arrival, Vigil, a convicted felon, was allegedly found in possession of a fully loaded firearm, intoxicated, and was noncompliant with officers. Additionally, as Vigil was being handcuffed, an officer retrieved a fully loaded and cocked Smith & Wesson revolver, which could have been easily discharged from Vigil’s back pocket.
Hurricane City Police Department (Hurricane, Utah)On Monday July 17, 2023, Vigil was ordered detained by a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Utah in St. George. He was arraigned on the indictment on July 13, 2023.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Washington County Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brady Wilson for the District of Utah is prosecuting 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Connecticut Dentist Admits Evading TaxesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that BOULOS HANNA, also known as “Paul Hanna,” 66, of East Lyme, waved his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hanna is the sole owner of Paul Hanna DMD PC, a dental practice in New London. Hanna takes fees from dental patients in the form personal checks, cash, and credit card payments. Hanna owns the building where his dental practice is located and the practice pays rent to Hanna individually.
For each of the 2000 through 2009 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for himself and his wife, and paid the tax due and owing for those years, typically by having withholdings during the year sufficient to cover his tax liability. For the 2010 through 2012 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040 for himself and his wife, but did not pay the tax due and owing. As a result, from approximately April 2012 through 2017, Hanna was subject to IRS collections enforcement for the 2010 through 2012 tax years, including forced collection activity, such as liens placed on property and seized payments taken by way of levy.
From 2013 through 2020, Hanna earned approximately $1.6 million in taxable income from his work as a dentist and from rental income. However, he failed to file tax returns for any of those years, resulting in a loss to the IRS of $244,541. In addition to failing to file personal federal income tax returns, Hanna attempted to evade the assessment of tax by paying himself “management fees” instead of a reasonable wage, operating in cash by self-endorsing business checks to himself and cashing these checks to keep money out of his personal bank accounts, and paying personal expenses directly from his business accounts without reflecting those payments as income.
Judge Williams scheduled sentencing for October 18, at which time Hanna faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Hanna is released pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.
Colorado Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
Davin Daniel Meyer, 18, of Castle Rock is charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and made his initial appearance in federal court today.
According to court documents, Meyer was arrested on Friday, July 14, as he attempted to board an international flight at the Denver International Airport. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Meyer pledged an oath of allegiance to the leader of ISIS, and intended to travel to serve as a fighter for ISIS in Iraq.
The FBI Denver Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman for the District of Colorado is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Canadian National Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in ‘Operation Denial’Read the Press Release
FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, along with United States Attorney Natalie K. Wight, District of Oregon, and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that Xuan Cahn Nguyen, age 43, Point-Au-Tremble, Quebec, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Peter Welte, to 22 years imprisonment for his role in ‘Operation Denial’ and 3 years of supervised release.
Nguyen was extradited from Canada to the United States on January 6, 2021, with significant assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
On May 31, 2022, Nguyen pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Import Controlled Substances and Controlled Substance Analogues Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Death and Money Laundering Conspiracy. As part of that plea, Nguyen acknowledged assisting Daniel Vivas Ceron and Jason Berry with their international fentanyl and fentanyl analogue distribution operation that they were running from inside Drummond Correctional Institution in Drummondville, Quebec.
Jason Berry is scheduled for sentencing on July 24, 2023, in Fargo. Daniel Vivas Ceron is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, 2023, in Fargo.
This case is part of “Operation Denial,” an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into the international trafficking of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and was significantly aided by the national and international coordination led by the multi-agency Special Operations Division (S.O.D.) near Washington, DC, as part of “Operation Deadly Merchant.” The investigation started in North Dakota on January 3, 2015, with the overdose death in Grand Forks, ND, of Bailey Henke.
Operation Denial has led to thirty-one (31) defendants charged in North Dakota and three (3) defendants charged in Oregon. The investigation has resulted in nearly one million in cash and property forfeited from members of the organization.
On August 31, 2021, the U.S. Department of State offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of People’s Republic of China (PRC) national Jian Zhang, a fugitive in this transnational investigation.
This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; IRS Criminal Investigation – Fargo Field Office; Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Portland Oregon Police Bureau – Drugs and Vice Division, Portland HIDTA Interdiction Task Force; Oregon State Police; and the Grand Forks Police Department.
The prosecutors for this case are Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers, District of North Dakota; Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin, District of Oregon and as a Special Assistant U.S Attorney in North Dakota; and Kaitlin Sahni, Assistant Deputy Chief, and Imani Hutty, Trial Attorney, Criminal Division Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Justice Department.
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Buffalo Man Charged with Assaulting A Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jenay Cepeda-Nieves, 22, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer, which carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 6, 2023, United States Customs and Border Protection intercepted a parcel containing approximately 463 grams of cocaine mailed from the U.S. Virgin Islands to a residence on Koons Avenue in Buffalo, bearing both a fictious sender and receiver. On July 11, 2023, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel, replacing the cocaine with “sham” cocaine. After the parcel was accepted and taken inside the residence, a federal search warrant was executed, during which Cepeda-Nieves refused to follow commands and attempted to fight with investigators and abscond. When he was taken into custody, Cepeda-Nieves bit a Customs and Border Protection Taskforce Officer, on the leg, causing pain and bruising.
The complaint plea is the result of an investigation by United States Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations, Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Border Enforcement Security Taskforce, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Brandon Man Sentenced to over 16 Years in Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Brandon man was sentenced to 195 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Michael E. Patton, 36, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Jackson. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Patton was ordered to pay $30,000 in court assessments. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court records, on June 29, 2021, agents with the Jackson FBI received information that Michael E. Patton was producing images of child pornography in Brandon, Mississippi. On March 4, 2022, FBI agents arrested Patton and found several images of child pornography on his cellular telephone. Patton had actively been uploading and sharing images of child pornography via the internet to receive more images. Patton was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 22, 2022. He pled guilty on March 13, 2023, to attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Glenda R. Haynes prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Beaumont Man Sentenced for Federal Violations in Animal Cruelty CaseRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas - A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for animal cruelty violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Decorius Mire, 24, pleaded guilty to animal crushing and aiding and abetting and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.
Animal crushing is defined under federal criminal law as, “actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians, is purposely crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
According to information presented in court, on October 15, 2021, Mire and a co-defendant encountered a live domestic cat in the parking lot of a Beaumont apartment complex. The co-defendant, encouraged by Mire, kicked the cat as if kicking a football field goal, propelling the cat approximately 15 to 20 feet through the air. Mire filmed the event with his cellular telephone and posted the video on his social media accounts where it was commented on and shared with others.
Mire was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 28, 2022, and prosecuted under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. Signed into law in November 2019, the PACT Act bans the intentional crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impalement or other serious harm to “living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians.” The law also bans “animal crush videos,” meaning any photograph, motion picture film, video or digital recording or electronic image that depicts animal cruelty.
This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte.
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18-Year-Old Castle Rock Man Arrested for Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
DENVER – A Castle Rock man was charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2339B, and made his initial appearance in federal court today.
Davin Daniel Meyer, 18, was arrested on Friday, July 14, 2023, as he attempted to board an international flight at the Denver International Airport. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Meyer pledged an oath of allegiance to the leader of ISIS and intended to travel to serve as a fighter for ISIS in Iraq.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman of the District of Colorado is prosecuting on behalf of the government with the assistance of Jennifer Levy of the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The case is being investigated by the FBI Denver Field Office with assistance provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
The charge in the complaint is an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Case number: 23-mj-00121
14 July 2023
Yukon Man Sentenced to Serve Five Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, DUSTIN MICHAEL BUTLER, 34, of Yukon, was sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison yesterday for possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On October 5, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment charging Butler with receipt and possession of child pornography. On February 7, 2022, Butler pleaded guilty to the possession count. At the plea hearing, Butler admitted to downloading and possessing images of child pornography. According to the Indictment, Butler possessed two hard drives containing images of child pornography.
At a sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Butler to serve 60 months in federal prison. In announcing the sentence, Judge Friot noted the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense, including the “horrific” child abuse depicted in the large volume of images and videos that Butler possessed. This term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release.
In addition to the prison sentence, the Court ordered Butler pay a total of $15,000.00—$ 3,000.00 to each of his five identified victims—in restitution, in addition to a total of $10,100.00 in special assessments.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations – Dallas Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Barry.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AARON THOMPSON, 50, last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2010, Thompson was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 168 months of imprisonment for his leadership of a Danbury-area crack cocaine distribution ring. He was released from federal prison in May 2020 and began serving a four-year term of supervised release.
On May 5, 2021, Danbury Police arrested Thompson for risk of injury and sexual assault offenses. On April 28, 2022, while Thompson’s state case and federal supervised release violation matter were pending, Danbury Police arrested Thompson for narcotics distribution offenses. He has been detained since that date.
Thompson subsequently pleaded guilty nolo contendere in state court and, on March 20, 2023, received an effective sentence of approximately five years of imprisonment. Thompson will begin serving his four-year federal sentence when he completes his state sentence, which is currently due to end in April 2027.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
Washington County Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in federal court to 84 months’ imprisonment followed by 4 years of supervised release on his conviction for conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Patrick Ellis, 49, of Washington, Pa.
According to the information presented to the court, in November of 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police began investigation a drug trafficking organization that operated in Washington County, Pennsylvania, of which Ellis was a member. Beginning in April of 2020 and continuing into November of 2020, the FBI received authorization to conduct a Title III wiretap investigation into the organization. Ellis was intercepted discussing the distribution of cocaine. In addition to the intercepted communications, agents seized cocaine, heroin-fentanyl mixtures, firearms, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and bulk United States Currency from members of the organization. They seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine from Ellis.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark V. Gurzo and Jerome A. Moschetta prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ellis. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Summer Anti-Violence InitiativeRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – As temperatures continue to rise across the state, violent crime rates tend to also rise. U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah and federal law enforcement partners are aiming to decrease violent crime through a new Summer Anti-Violence Initiative.
Last month, during a meeting with 93 U.S. Attorneys and the heads of the Department of Justice’s law enforcement components, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland discussed ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and combat that which fuels it. Efforts include, continuing to work alongside state and local partners to implement district-specific violent crime strategies.
“Among other things, we will be reinforcing the importance of identifying, investing, and prioritizing the prosecution of those who are responsible for the greatest violence in our communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. See full remarks here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-meeting-us-attorneys-violent-crime
In the District of Utah, our federal partners have been working in tandem with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify, investigate, and bring charges against the most violent offenders. the Summer Anti-Violence Initiative will focus on investigating and prosecuting individuals who create a danger to our communities through violence, repeated criminal activity, and weapons offenses. Additionally, the USAO is hiring new Assistant U.S. Attorneys, who will provide additional resources to target violent crime in our state, including, robberies, carjackings, illegal use, trafficking, possession of firearms, and drug trafficking.
Just last month, 63,000 fentanyl pills were taken off Utah streets and two alleged drug dealers were indicted and taken into custody. See full release https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/63000-fentanyl-pills-removed-utah-streets-and-alleged-drug-dealers-indicted-and-custody. In May, multiple men were indicted in Utah for firearm offenses, including allegedly attempting to smuggle 34 guns into Mexico. See full release https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/multiple-men-indicted-utah-firearm-offenses-including-allegedly-attempting-smuggle-34.
“Our citizens deserve to feel safe,” said U.S. Attorney Higgins. “Through this initiative we will continue working closely with our federal partners to enforce federal law and prosecute those who commit acts of violence in our communities.”
Federal law enforcement agencies partnering to combat violent crime in Utah through this initiative include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman Announces DepartureRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 14, 2023
SAN DIEGO – Randy S. Grossman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California, today announced his resignation, effective at the end of the day on August 4, 2023. Grossman plans to return to the private sector.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as U.S. Attorney alongside our office’s talented and selfless public servants and our exceptional agency and community partners,” Grossman said. “I am very proud of what we accomplished together for our nation, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of the Southern District of California. I will leave with the utmost confidence in the future success of the office.”
Grossman, who previously served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, began serving as Acting U.S. Attorney on February 28, 2021. Attorney General Merrick Garland then appointed Grossman to be the interim U.S. Attorney, effective December 26, 2021. After Grossman served in that role for 120 days, United States District Judges in the Southern District of California voted to appoint him as U.S. Attorney, effective April 25, 2022.
As the chief federal law enforcement official for San Diego and Imperial counties, Grossman prioritized criminal prosecutions that address the most significant public safety challenges to our district and nation. Together with federal, state and local agency partners, the office successfully prosecuted cases involving national security and cybersecurity; violent crime and illegal firearms; human smuggling and human trafficking; crimes against children; and drug trafficking, including an all-in strategy to dismantle every level in the fentanyl supply chain - from the Sinaloa Cartel leaders to the street level dealers.
Grossman also prioritized the prosecution of fraud and corruption during his tenure, including COVID-related fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, securities fraud, and elder fraud. Grossman oversaw significant civil matters, including successful defensive litigation on behalf of the United States, and the recovery of millions of dollars against individuals and companies for fraud and civil rights violations.
During Grossman’s tenure, the United States Attorney’s Office focused on community outreach and grant programs that strengthened relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. These include education programs on hate crimes and hate incidents, reentry initiatives and other grant-funded programs to reduce violent crime, and programs to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths.
Grossman continued the collaborative work of multiple stakeholders in the Southern District of California through two highly successful criminal diversion programs led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office - the Alternative to Prison Solutions Diversion Program and the Veteran’s Diversion Program.
As the United States Attorney for one of the largest districts in the nation, Grossman led significant regional and nationwide initiatives for the Department of Justice. For example, the office co-led Joint Task Force Alpha, which was established by the Attorney General in June 2021, to combat human international human smuggling and human trafficking. Grossman also served on subcommittees for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), which consists of a select number of U.S. Attorneys who advise the Attorney General on policy issues impacting federal prosecutors’ offices across the country. Grossman served as the co-chair of the Border and Immigration Law Enforcement Subcommittee and a member of the White-Collar Fraud and Violent Crime Subcommittees of the AGAC.
Grossman is a graduate of California Western School of Law (J.D.) and the University of Arizona (B.B.A.). For more information on Grossman’s background, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/meet-us-attorney.
Two More Dublin Federal Correctional Officers to Plead Guilty to Sexually Abusing Multiple Female InmatesRead the Press Release
OAKLAND - As part of its ongoing investigation into Bureau of Prisons officials at FCI Dublin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office today announced charges against two more federal prison correctional officers (CO), Nakie Nunley and Andrew Jones, for sexually abusing multiple female inmates. The two officers were each charged by Information with multiple counts of sexually abusing female inmates and then lying about the abuse to federal investigators. Both Nunley and Jones were employed as federal correctional officers at the time of the abuse. Both have agreed to plead guilty in written plea agreements, which were filed concurrently with the charging documents.
“The sexual abuse charges and guilty pleas announced today are the result of the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to rooting out sexual misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “As these guilty pleas reflect, we will continue to hold accountable correctional officers who abuse their positions of trust and fail to humanely care for those in their custody.”
“This Office’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin has revealed significant findings of wrongdoing by multiple correctional officers at that facility,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey of the Northern District of California. “The Department of Justice has repeatedly warned that criminal misconduct in the care and safety of incarcerated persons will not be tolerated. Correctional officers have an obligation to ensure the safety of incarcerated persons and all Bureau of Prisons employees should view these latest two prosecutions as confirmation that the Department of Justice will do its part to ensure that those who stray from these obligations are held accountable.”
“Nunley and Jones are the seventh and eighth individuals charged with sexually abusing inmates at FCI Dublin. Five individuals, including the Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexual abuse of inmates. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is continuing to investigate these heinous allegations at FCI Dublin and is aggressively pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of rogue BOP employees," said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.
“Incarcerated individuals should be able to serve their sentences without fear of being sexually assaulted by correctional institution staff,” said FBI San Francisco Special Agent In Charge Robert Tripp. “Nakie Nunley and Andrew Jones abused their positions and will be held accountable. Protecting civil rights stands among the FBI’s highest priorities, and we will continue to investigate such claims as they come to light.”
Nunley, 48, of Fairfield, was charged with engaging in sexual acts and sexual contacts with five women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin at the time of the abuse. He was also charged with lying to federal investigators about the sexual abuse and writing sexually explicit notes with one of his victims. Jones, 35, of Pleasanton, was charged with engaging in sexual acts with three women who were serving prison sentences at FCI Dublin, as well as lying to federal investigators about sexually abusing one of these victims.
Nakie Nunley
Nunley was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in UNICOR, a trade name for the federal prison industries. All of Nunley’s victims worked at the UNICOR call center at the time of his abuse. According to his plea agreement, Nunley admits that between March 2020 and November 2021, he engaged in sexual acts with two prisoners, including having oral and vaginal sex with one victim and digitally penetrating another victim on multiple occasions. He also admitted that he engaged in illegal sexual contacts with three other prisoners and that he lied to federal investigators about sexually abusing his victims and about sending one of his victims sexually explicit notes.
In addition to the five victims he is charged with abusing in the Information, Nunley also admitted in his plea agreement that he sexually abused two other prisoners who worked at UNICOR. Nunley admitted that he digitally penetrated one victim’s vagina and caused her to touch his penis under his pants, resulting in him ejaculating in her hand. Nunley admitted that he caused another victim to perform oral sex on him.
Nunley also admitted that he engaged in other inappropriate behavior. For example, Nunley agreed that he wrote sexual notes to one of his victims and made sexual comments to multiple victims. Moreover, when one of his victims approached him about his conduct towards another victim, Nunley threatened her by raising with her the potential that she could be transferred to another facility and that she could lose her job. Similarly, Nunley admitted that he told another victim that if she wanted to keep her job at UNICOR, she needed to pull down her underwear and bend over. When she complied, Nunley slapped her buttocks several times.
Andrew Jones
Jones was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners who worked in the Food Services Department. According to his plea agreement, between July 2020 and June 2021, Jones admitted that he received oral sex from, or had sexual intercourse with, three female prisoners who worked for him in the FCI Dublin kitchen. Jones admitted that he sexually abused these prisoners in multiple places near the FCI Dublin kitchen, including a staff bathroom, a warehouse, and a room where kitchen utensils were kept. In addition, like Nunley, Jones admitted in his plea agreement that he engaged in improper conduct in addition to the conduct for which he was charged in the Information. Specifically, Jones admitted that he also had sexual intercourse and received oral sex from an additional victim on multiple other occasions between July and December 2020, and that he had sexual intercourse with yet another victim multiple times between March and June 2021.
FCI Dublin Investigation
As part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin, eight FCI Dublin correctional officers, including the former Warden, have been charged with crimes related to the sexual abuse of the female prisoners at the facility. In December of 2022, former Warden Ray J. Garcia was convicted by a jury of sexually abusive conduct against three female victims and was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his crimes. To date, the tally of correctional officers (“COs”) charged with misconduct as part of the Department of Justice’s investigation are as follows:
NAME
CASE NUMBER
STATUS
Warden Ray J. Garcia
4:21-cr-00429-YGR
Convicted on all counts by jury on December 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months in prison
CO John Bellhouse
4:22-cr-00066-YGR
Convicted on all counts by jury on June 5, 2023; sentencing scheduled for October 27, 2023
Chaplain James Highhouse
4:22-cr-00016-HSG
Pleaded guilty on February 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months in prison
CO Enrique Chavez
4:22-cr-00104-YGR
Pleaded guilty on October 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months in prison
CO Ross Klinger
4:22-cr-00031-YGR
Pleaded guilty on February 10, 2022; sentencing scheduled for December 13, 2023
CO Darrel Smith (a/k/a “Dirty Dick Smith”)
4:22-cr-00110-YGR
Indicted on April 13, 2023; status conference scheduled for August 3, 2023
CO Nakie Nunley
4:23-cr-00213-HSG
Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13, 2023
CO Andrew Jones
4:23-cr-00212-HSG
Information and Plea Agreement filed on July 13, 2023
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, Christine Tian, Claudia Hyslop, Leeya Kekona, and Kay Konopaske. The prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the DOJ-OIG and the FBI.
4-23-cr-00212-hsg_information_2023_07_13.pdf 4-23-cr-00213-hsg_information_2023_07_13.pdf