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29 June 2023
Pittsburgh Resident Indicted on Charges of Assault of a Federal Employee, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of forcible assault of a federal employee, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The three-count Indictment named Martinel Humphries, age 28, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on January 5, 2023, Humphries used a firearm in assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. Because of his prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Humphries was not permitted to have a firearm.
The law provides for a ten year minimum sentence on the charge that Humphries used a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison on the forcible assault charge and not more than 15 years in prison on the felon in possession charge, a fine of not more than $250,000 on each count, a term of supervised release of not more than five years on the forcible assault and use of a firearm counts and not more than three years on the felon in possession count, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney William B. Guappone is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case, with assistance from the Pittsburgh Police Department and Ross Township Police Department.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
PillPack by Amazon to Pay $300,000 to Settle Alleged Controlled Substances Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces today that PillPack, LLC dba PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy (PillPack) will pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances.
In 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating PillPack for potential violations of the CSA, and in October of 2020 conducted an audit of PillPack, which revealed recordkeeping deficiencies. Specifically, DEA investigators found that PillPack’s records did not accurately reflect its inventory for ten Schedule III-V substances: Codeine #4, Tramadol, Zolpidem, Butalbital, Alprazolam, Acetaminophen with Codeine #3, Clonazepam, Lorazepam Carisoprodol, and Lyrica.
“PillPack’s failure to maintain accurate records risked the diversion of drugs that are often abused in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “As a pharmacy, they have a responsibility to safeguard these controlled substances, and their penalty for failing to do so, serves as a warning to other entities handling medications improperly.”
“The DEA is committed to ensuring that all registrants are in compliance with the required regulations, which are enforceable through the Controlled Substances Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “When a pharmacy like PillPack fails to comply, that increases the potential for diversion and puts the safety of the public in jeopardy. DEA pledges to work with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules are followed.”
The CSA deters the illegal distribution, possession, dispensing, and improper use of controlled substances. The CSA requires the accurate inventorying, tracking and recordkeeping of each controlled substances to prevent misuse.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation leading to the settlement agreement. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
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Phoenix Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Alien Smuggling and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – John Edward Crenshaw, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Rosemary Márquez to 40 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On January 19, 2023, Crenshaw pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.
On March 3, 2022, Crenshaw was encountered at a United States Border Patrol checkpoint, which he approached while erratically driving a Ford Fusion. After he stopped, Border Patrol agents discovered that he was transporting five passengers, who were determined to be undocumented noncitizens that Crenshaw was smuggling further into the country. Four of the passengers were in the rear of the vehicle, which did not have seats or seat belts. Crenshaw was in possession of a knife and a loaded .380-caliber pistol. He was later determined to be a convicted felon who could not legally possess a firearm.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 22-CR-00595-TUC-RM (JR)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-102_Crenshaw# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Philadelphia Business Owner Charged with Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Philadelphia returned a superseding indictment today charging a Pennsylvania man with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and three counts of tax evasion. He was previously charged with the wire and mail fraud counts in an indictment unsealed on Jan. 3, 2023.
According to the superseding indictment, John Griffin of Philadelphia was the principal and founder of Second Story Farming, Inc., doing business as Metropolis Farms, a business purportedly involved with developing and manufacturing sustainable vertical farming technologies. Between approximately 2016 to 2018, Griffin allegedly made misrepresentations, promising to provide two entities with the equipment necessary to create indoor vertical farms. In total, both entities allegedly paid Griffin $760,000 to purchase the equipment, yet Griffin allegedly used only a fraction of that money to purchase equipment. The remainder was allegedly used to operate Griffin’s own business and pay his personal expenses.
The superseding indictment further alleges that from 2016 through 2018, Griffin received at least $420,000 in gross income from his work for Second Story Farming and did not report it on his federal tax returns, and allegedly did not to file a personal tax return since at least 2014. Griffin allegedly attempted to evade his income taxes by making personal withdrawals from business bank accounts and transferring funds from business bank accounts to his wife and entities he controlled.
If convicted, Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire and mail fraud count and 5 years in prison for each of tax evasion count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Catriona Coppler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pensacola Sex Offender Found Guilty of New Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Frank P. Knight, 59, of Pensacola, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury for receiving and possessing images and videos of child pornography. The guilty verdict returned yesterday afternoon, at the conclusion of a three-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they no longer have the opportunity to exploit any child again. Due to their efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.”
Between October 1, 2018, and October 12, 2022, Knight received, and attempted to receive, material containing child pornography. Also, between September 1, 2021, and October 12, 2022, Knight possessed, and attempted to possess, material containing child pornography. Knight is a previously convicted federal sex offender for similar crimes spanning 2002 – 2009. He served over six years in federal prison for those crimes but was released in 2015.
“This convicted felon once again showed no respect for the law by possessing child sexual abuse materials while on probation,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Thanks to the vigilance of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Probations Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, this repeat offender will now be behind bars, making our communities safer for our children.”
On October 5, 2022, one of the United States Probation Officers who was supervising Knight conducted a random check at Knight’s place of business and discovered electronic devices that had not been reported by Knight to his supervising officer. On October 11, 2022, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the United States Probation Office seized additional electronic devices at Knight’s location that he also had not reported. At that time, a Smart TV was located in Knight’s personal living area within the business. All the accounts on the Smart TV were logged in under Knight’s name and email address, and the browser history revealed child pornography websites had been recently accessed. The electronic devices that were seized were analyzed by forensics examiners with the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous images and videos of child pornography were located on multiple seized devices. The devices all contained Knight’s log-in information, email accounts, credit card accounts, photographs, and other identifying information belonging to Knight. The devices also contained browser history searches and link files for child pornography dating back to 2018.
Sentencing is currently set for September 25, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Based on his prior child pornography convictions, Knight faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 40 years.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it 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.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Pecos Gun Thieves Sentenced for Selling Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
ALPINE, Texas – Two Pecos men were sentenced in a federal court in Pecos Tuesday for crimes related to the theft and subsequent selling of firearms.
According to court documents, Nathaniel Elijah Saenz, 19, and Raul Ivan Duarte, 31, were part of a local ring of criminals that were breaking into vehicles and stealing firearms from vehicles. After stealing the firearms, they would sell them to various buyers. Texas Department of Public Safety special agents and Pecos Police Department investigators conducted multiple undercover purchases throughout the investigation. On March 8, 2022, DPS and the Pecos Police Department executed search warrants and arrested Saenz and Duarte.
Saenz was sentenced Tuesday to 63 months in prison for one count of sale of a stolen firearm. Duarte was sentenced to 30 months for one count of possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
“This case is a clear reminder of our commitment to collaborate with our law enforcement partners at every level to stop the illicit selling of stolen firearms and to hold firearm traffickers responsible,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas.
A third defendant, Juaquin Osbaldo Munoz, 20, was sentenced on May 22 to 57 months in prison for one count of sale of a stolen firearm. Munoz has been in federal custody since his arrest on April 10, 2022.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division and Pecos Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis prosecuted the case.
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Papillion Man Sentenced to 132 Months for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jason Stoolman, 51, of Papillion, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distributing child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Stoolman to 132 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Stoolman will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Stoolman must also pay $18,000 in restitution.
On September 20, 2020, Stoolman distributed child pornography online via Kik. Between February of 2021 and April 2021, Stoolman uploaded child pornography to Kik. On March 23, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stoolman’s Omaha residence. Officers obtained Stoolman’s iPad and located approximately 1,421 files of child pornography involving prepubescent children on it. Stoolman was knowingly in possession of this child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Owasso Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A man who was caught downloading and viewing child pornography was sentenced in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Gregory Allen Kirk, 63, of Owasso was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography. He was further ordered to pay $21,500 in restitution to several victims and $10,100 in fines and penalties.
“My office is committed to the prosecution of those who possess, distribute, or produce child pornography,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “I am thankful for the thorough work of our law enforcement partners for bringing these cases out of the shadows and into federal court.”
According to the plea agreement, Kirk admitted that from about May 2018 through January 2020, he received at least 600 images of child pornography on his computer, which consisted of visual depictions of minor children, under 12 years old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cymetra Williams and Vani Singhal prosecuted the case.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Oklahoman convicted of kidnapping estranged wife by gunpointRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been found guilty of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the crime, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The federal jury sitting in Corpus Christi deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Joshua Anthony Wallin on both counts following a four-day trial.
“Joshua Wallin’s maniacal decision to kidnap and torture his estranged wife and one-year-old son and later point a gun at the baby’s head caused two days of terror from places in Oklahoma to Texas,” said Hamdani. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of first responders, the child and mother were able to survive their frightening nightmare, and now Wallin will pay the price for his actions.”
In the early morning hours of June 23, 2021, Wallin confronted his estranged wife at her home in Crescent, Oklahoma, holding her at gunpoint and subjecting her to a two-day ordeal. The jury heard how he took her and their one-year-old son on an arduous journey that culminated at a Corpus Christi restaurant.
The victim provided testimony describing her fear and how she was sexually assaulted before they left Oklahoma and again along the way. She also told the jury that at one point during the trip, Wallin said “at the end of the day someone is going to die.”
As they traveled though Texas, Wallin was aware of law enforcement, called 911 and began a series of conversations with them. He repeatedly made threatening statements about killing his wife and child, telling authorities they should not get too close. His driving became erratic, and law enforcement was able to use a tire deflation device to flatten a rear tire. He eventually crashed into a local restaurant.
They eventually arrived in Corpus Christi, at which time Wallin grabbed his son from the mother’s arms and carried him into the restaurant while pointing a gun at his son’s head. Upon entry, Wallin fired one shot into the ceiling and ordered the occupants out of the restaurant.
A two-hour stand-off then ensued. Wallin did speak with negotiators, but became increasingly agitated. As authorities gained entry, Wallin shot himself. The child was unharmed. Wallin recovered from his self-inflicted wound.
At trial, testimony revealed Wallin had performed internet searches on his phone the day before the kidnapping in an attempt to locate his estranged wife and to learn how people react when kidnapped.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that Wallin and the victim were on a vacation when things went horribly wrong. The jury did not believe those claims and found Wallin guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 20. At that time, Wallin faces up to life in prison for the kidnapping as well as another seven years for brandishing the firearm which must be served consecutively.
Wallin has been and will remain in federal custody pending that hearing.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Hess and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Participating in Business Email Compromise ScamsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHIBUNDU JOSEPH ANUEBUNWA, a citizen of Nigeria who was previously extradited from the United Kingdom, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with his participation in fraudulent business email compromise scams that targeted thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. In connection with the same conspiracy as ANUEBUNWA, co-defendant DAVID CHUKWUNEKE ADINDU was previously sentenced to 41 months in prison, and co-defendant ONYEKACHI EMMANUEL OPARA was previously extradited from South Africa and sentenced to 60 months in prison.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he has now admitted, Chibundu Joseph Anuebunwa participated in a conspiracy to trick thousands of business employees located all around the world into wiring millions of dollars to overseas bank accounts by sending bogus emails that appeared to be legitimate. This case should serve as a reminder to cyber criminals located around the globe that we will track them down and hold them responsible.”
According to publicly filed court documents and statements made at public court proceedings:
Between 2014 and 2016, ANUEBUNWA, OPARA, and ADINDU participated in business email compromise scams (“BEC scams”) targeting thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. As part of the BEC scams, emails were sent to employees of various companies directing that funds be transferred to specified bank accounts. The emails purported to be from supervisors at those companies or third-party vendors that did business with those companies. The emails, however, were not legitimate. Rather, they were either from email accounts with a domain name that was very similar to a legitimate domain name, or the metadata in the emails had been modified so that the emails appeared as if they were from legitimate email addresses. After victims complied with the fraudulent wiring instructions, the transferred funds were quickly withdrawn or moved into different bank accounts. In total, the BEC scams attempted to defraud the victims of millions of dollars.
ANUEBUNWA and others carried out BEC scams by exchanging information regarding: (i) bank accounts used for receiving funds from victims; (ii) email accounts used for communicating with victims; (iii) scripts for requesting wire transfers from victims; and (iv) lists of names and email addresses for contacting and impersonating potential victims.
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ANUEBUNWA, 40, a citizen of Nigeria, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. ANUEBUNWA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on October 2, 2023, at 3:30 p.m.
The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked United Kingdom authorities and the Yahoo E-Crime Investigations Team for their assistance in the investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the United Kingdom.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew K. Chan is in charge of the prosecution.
Nicaraguan sentenced for smuggling conspiracy resulting in deathRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Nicaraguan citizen illegally in the United States has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Arling Antonio Gutierrez-Garcia pleaded guilty March 10.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña ordered him to serve 72 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Gutierrez-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court considered the conditions inside the trailer, law enforcement efforts in the heat and prior statements four of the aliens had made. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Gutierrez-Garcia was lucky that more persons did not die. She also added that he could have stayed and assisted the aliens not able to exit and offered assistance to those in distress, instead of running away into the brush.
“Transporting dozens of human beings in a vinyl-covered all metal trailer in the South Texas summer heat demonstrates the callousness and indifference of smugglers to human life,” said Hamdani. “The sweltering heat that built up in this vehicle which was designed not for people, but for hauling sand, rock and other materials maximized the potential for injury and the eventual and tragic death of one of the victims. Gutierrez-Garcia will now pay the price for his inhumane crime.”
On June 6, 2022, Gutierrez-Garcia drove a semi-tractor pulling a belly-dump trailer with 63 citizens from Mexico and Guatemala. The metal trailer was covered with a vinyl tarp, thereby eliminating air circulation and increasing temperatures which led to the aliens’ distress.
Gutierrez-Garcia noticed them jumping out the trailer from a tear in the tarp they had made. He then stopped the semi-tractor in west Webb County on a private ranch road where law enforcement saw him standing by the cab.
Law enforcement and medical personnel provided assistance to the individuals located in the trailer and brush. One alien was found at the bottom of the trailer’s pit and pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities apprehended Gutierrez-Garcia in the brush, at which time he claimed he was being transported with the others. However, the investigation revealed he was the driver of the vehicle.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol, Sheriff’s Offices in Webb and Dimmit Counties, Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Springfield to drug trafficking charges involving fentanyl.
Chanty Reynoso Vasquez, 28, of Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20, 2023. Reynoso Vasquez was indicted by a grand jury in May 2022.
On March 30, 2022, in Springfield, Reynoso Vasquez possessed 400 grams or more fentanyl intended for distribution.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, up to six years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. 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 United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Levy’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – EDDIE HARRIS, age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on June 28, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Jane T. Milazzo to 92 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, along with a mandatory $200 special assessment fee, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, HARRIS admitted to possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic weapon after being previously convicted of several state felony offenses, including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm. HARRIS also admitted to possessing 25 baggies of cocaine with the intent to distribute them.
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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit handled the prosecution.
New Britain Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS JAVIER LOPEZ, 24, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 26, 2022, Hartford Police attempted to stop a car that Lopez was driving, and which was reported to be involved in two shots fired incidents in the weeks prior. After Lopez fled, police deployed tire deflation devices during the pursuit to disable Lopez’s car. Lopez continued to drive his disabled car for several miles before he crashed into a vehicle stopped at a red light on the Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield. Lopez ran from his car and was arrested in the vicinity of a motel on Arrow Road.
At the time of his arrest, Lopez possessed a high-capacity magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Officers also located a 9mm firearm on the other side of a fence where Lopez had been running, and two spent 9mm shell casings by Lopez’s car. Analysis of the firearm and recovered shell casings via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected them to each other, and to the two shots fired incidents involving his car.
Lopez was previously convicted in state court of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance. 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.
Lopez has been detained since his arrest. On February 16, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Angel M. Krull through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Navajo Woman Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Mariah Chapo pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Chapo, 26, an enrolled member of Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending sentencing
According to court records, on the night of February 11, 2022, Chapo was driving her vehicle at a high rate of speed while intoxicated with her eight-month-old son unsecured in the backseat. Chapo failed to assess a lazy turn and rolled the vehicle she was driving up a dirt embankment. Her son was ejected from the vehicle through an open window and died at the scene. Chapo’s blood alcohol content registered at .12 and .11 and first responders found an empty 375-milliliter bottle of Importers Vodka in the vehicle.
At sentencing, Chapo faces up to eight years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case.
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Muscatine Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, IA – A Muscatine man was sentenced on June 23, 2023 to 136 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Mackenzie Jacob Belnap, 31, was identified by law enforcement as a distributor of “ice” methamphetamine in eastern Iowa. In May 2022, a package linked to Belnap was intercepted by federal authorities. The package contained nearly a pound of methamphetamine and was shipped to Iowa from California. In all, Belnap was responsible for more than 4,500 grams of ice methamphetamine.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Belnap will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Muscatine County Drug Task Force.
Multiple Defendants Charged in Federal Methamphetamine Conspiracy and Related Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returned a six-count indictment on April 12, 2023, charging six defendants with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and seven total defendants with methamphetamine trafficking related offenses.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force made the announcement.
According to the indictment, the following six defendants were each charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine between June 1, 2022, and March 7, 2023:
Leroy B. Riggsbee, 38, of Bowling Green, KY,
Shantaja S. Hutchins, 46, of Bowling Green, KY,
Jeffery W. Glass, 50, of Bowling Green, KY,
Tyler P. Houchens, 28, of Glasgow, KY,
Brandon T. Trent, 24, of Bowling Green, KY, and
Joseph A. Raby, 40, of Bowling Green, KY.
Each defendant also faces additional charges. Riggsbee and Glass are charged with aiding and abetting each other in the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on June 28, 2022. Riggsbee is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on August 24, 2022. Riggsbee and Houchens are charged with aiding and abetting each other in the possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on September 22, 2022. Trent, Raby, Riggsbee, and Hutchins are all charged with aiding and abetting each other in the possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on January 4, 2023.
Antoine Bass, 40, of Bowling Green, who was not charged in the conspiracy, was charged with Hutchins for aiding and abetting each other in the distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine on March 7, 2023.
Riggsbee, Hutchins, Glass, Houchens, Trent, and Raby all face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Bass faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
The ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Multi-Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Terrence Thompson (42, Sarasota) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Thompson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, on December 9, 2022, deputies from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (“SCSO”) received a 911 call about a disturbance involving Thompson at a residence in the area of Lalani Boulevard and Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. The SCSO Aviation Unit tracked Thompson from the residence and with its infrared camera recorded Thompson stopping his vehicle and throwing a small pistol-shaped object in the bushes near Crescent Ridge Road and Bee Ridge Road. SCSO deputies searched the area and recovered the loaded Bersa Thunder 380 pistol that Thompson had discarded.
Thompson was arrested a short time later. During an interview with ATF agents, Thompson admitted to being a convicted felon and possessing the pistol. He further admitted to discarding the pistol when the helicopter spotted him. As a convicted felon Thompson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
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.
This case was investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.
Movement Mortgage to Pay $23.7 Million to Resolve Allegations it Caused the Submission of False Claims to Government Mortgage ProgramsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Movement Mortgage, LLC, has agreed to pay the United States $23.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with material program requirements when it originated and underwrote mortgages insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman announced today. Movement Mortgage is headquartered in Indian Land, South Carolina, with loans underwritten across the United States, including in upstate New York.
“Lenders participating in mortgage programs backed by taxpayers must follow rules designed to protect both program integrity and homeowners,” said United States Attorney Freedman. “Today’s settlement holds Movement Mortgage accountable for its past violations, while acknowledging that it has taken steps to strengthen its internal controls to ensure future compliance with FHA and VA requirements.”
Participants in FHA insurance and VA guarantee programs, like Movement Mortgage, have the authority to originate and underwrite mortgages without first having the government review the loans for compliance with the agency’s underwriting and origination requirements. If an FHA insured or VA guaranteed loan defaults, the holder of the loan may submit a claim to the United States for certain losses. Lenders are therefore required to follow FHA and VA rules designed to ensure that only mortgages that meet key credit and underwriting criteria are insured or guaranteed by the government.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Movement Mortgage failed to comply with material program rules that require lenders to maintain quality control programs to prevent and correct underwriting deficiencies, self-report any materially deficient loans that they identify, and ensure that the underwriting process is free from conflicts of interest.
As part of the settlement, Movement Mortgage admitted that it certified for FHA mortgage insurance and VA home loan guarantees a material percentage of loans that did not meet applicable requirements and, therefore, were not eligible under those programs, despite inaccurately representing to HUD and the VA that such loans complied with applicable program requirements. Movement Mortgage also acknowledged that HUD and the VA would not have insured or guaranteed the loans but for its submission of false certifications. Movement Mortgage further admitted that it failed to adhere to HUD and the VA’s applicable self-reporting requirements.
The covered conduct stretched back as far as July 2008, including a period of rapid expansion by the company. As Movement Mortgage took significant measures to stop the practices, both before and after being notified of the United States’ investigation, it received credit for doing so in connection with the settlement.
“HUD is committed to protecting public funds by ensuring that lenders follow the rules for origination of FHA-insured mortgages,” said Damon Smith, General Counsel for HUD. “Through this settlement, Movement Mortgage is accepting responsibility for its past actions by fully repaying the FHA insurance fund for its losses on defaulted loans that should not have been issued.”
“The integrity of the FHA loan program is essential to helping hard working citizens realize the American dream of homeownership,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark T. Kaminsky with HUD OIG Office of Investigation. “This case demonstrates HUD OIG’s enduring commitment to working with the Northern District of New York USAO to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to jeopardize this program and the health and stability of our nation’s housing market.”
“VA’s Home Loan Guaranty program provides valuable assistance to our nation’s veterans when purchasing or repairing their homes, and vendors must adhere to critical quality standards in order to maintain the integrity of the program,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners throughout this important investigation.”
This investigation was triggered by a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private persons, known as “relators,” to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The relators in this case, two former employees of Movement Mortgage, will receive a total of $4,037,566 of the settlement proceeds. The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York under number 18-cv-848.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, HUD-OIG, HUD, and VA OIG. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hoggan, with significant assistance from Adam E. Cearley, Deputy Assistant General Counsel in HUD’s Office of Program Enforcement.
Missouri Man Sentenced on Machine Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on Wednesday sentenced a Dunklin County, Missouri man to two years in federal prison for selling a device that can convert a Glock pistol into a machine gun.
On Oct. 12, 2022, Cole Johnathan Campbell, now 22, of Kennett, Missouri, sold an auto sear, also known as a “Glock switch,” to a confidential informant working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The auto sear converts a semi-automatic Glock pistol into a fully automatic firearm. Glock switches alone, even if not attached to a firearm, are defined as a machine gun under federal law.
Campbell said he had removed the device from his own gun, knew it worked and had a video of it in operation. He also offered to sell more of the devices, his plea agreement says.
Campbell pleaded guilty in March to one felony count of unlawfully transferring a machine gun.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis prosecuted the case.
Member of White Supremacist Group Charged for Allegedly Defacing Synagogue with Neo-Nazi SymbolsRead the Press Release
A Michigan man was indicted for conspiring with others and allegedly defacing Temple Jacob – a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, Michigan.
According to the court documents, Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, and co-conspirators Richard Tobin, of New Jersey, and Yousef Barasneh, of Wisconsin defaced Temple Jacob with swastikas and symbols associated with The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist group.
In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base – allegedly used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan, “Operation Kristallnacht,” which in German means “Night of Broken Glass” and is in reference to the events that took place on Nov. 9 – 10, 1938, in which Nazis murdered Jewish people and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools and places of business. Weeden allegedly carried out this plan on Sept. 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.
Weeden is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of damage to religious property. Weeden faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, respectively. Weeden was arrested on June 29.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Hancock Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler for the Western District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Weeden IndictmentMember of White Supremacist Group Charged for Allegedly Defacing Synagogue with Neo-Nazi SymbolsRead the Press Release
Defendant, a Member of “The Base,” Allegedly Painted Swastikas and Other Symbols on Temple Jacob in Hancock, Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan today announced the indictment of Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, Michigan for conspiring with others and allegedly defacing Temple Jacob – a Jewish synagogue in Hancock, Michigan – with swastikas and symbols associated with The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist group.
“We are fully prepared to make our case against Mr. Weeden,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “No one should be the target of hate because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. When hateful words become hateful acts, in violation of federal civil rights laws, my office will use every tool we have to protect the public and ensure accountability. With the rise of antisemitism across the United States and here in Michigan, everyone must do their part to stand united against hate.”
VIDEO MESSAGE: U.S. Attorney Mark Totten
In the attached indictment issued against Weeden, along with other public documents filed in cases against alleged co-conspirators Richard Tobin of New Jersey (see here and here) and Yousef Barasneh of Wisconsin (see here and here), support the following allegations.
According to the indictment, in September 2019, Weeden, Tobin, and Barasneh – all members of The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist organization – allegedly used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan, “Operation Kristallnacht,” which in German means “Night of Broken Glass” and is in reference to the events that took place on November 9th and 10th of 1938 in which Nazis murdered Jewish people and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools, and places of business. The indictment alleges that Weeden carried out this plan on September 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.
Weeden is charged with two counts. The first count is for Conspiracy Against Rights under 18 U.S.C. § 241, a civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights. The maximum penalty under this statute is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The second count is for Damage to Religious Property under 18 U.S.C. § 247, also a civil rights statute that makes it a crime to intentionally deface, damage, or destroy religious property because of the race or ethnic characteristics of individuals associated with that religious property. The maximum penalty under this statute is 1 year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.
“The FBI will not tolerate crimes motivated by hate, which are meant to intimidate and isolate the targeted groups,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “People of all faiths deserve to feel safe in their communities and this office, in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively pursue these types of cases to ensure there are consequences for crimes like those alleged in this indictment.”
The grand jury issued its two-count indictment against Nathan Weeden on June 27, 2023. The indictment was unsealed on June 29, 2023, after the defendant was arrested by the FBI. He remains in custody at this time. The court will schedule Weeden’s arraignment, detention hearing, and trial at a later date.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. It is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hancock Police Department.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Click here to view a copy of the indictment.
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Medford Contractor Charged with Tax Evasion and Filing False Loan ApplicationsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a local excavation and plowing company has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a multi-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns and to obtain loans based on false loan applications.
Peter Tufts, 55, of Medford, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of tax evasion and two counts of submitting false loan applications. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging document, Tufts, the owner of Tufts Construction, Inc. underreported income on his corporate and personal tax returns for tax years 2015 through 2021, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $465,000. In addition, Tufts used the proceeds of his income tax evasion scheme to fund an off-the-books cash payroll that Tufts used to avoid employment taxes, causing a payroll tax loss of more than $539,000.
It is further alleged that, while perpetrating his tax evasion scheme, Tufts obtained loans from a local community bank and from the Small Business Administration (SBA) based on false loan applications. In his loan applications, and associated loan documents, Tufts falsely told the bank and the SBA that he had never declared bankruptcy, owed no back taxes, and was not involved in litigation. In fact, as alleged, Tufts was involved in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings when he obtained his loans and was engaging in a multi-year income and employment tax evasion scheme.
The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of false loan applications provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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 United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service in Boston made the announcement today. The United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Criminal Investigations Bureau; and the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Levy’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron Announces Results of Strategies to Reduce Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced today that, because of the crime reduction efforts led by his office, homicides and non-fatal shootings in Baltimore are continuing to trend down significantly. As of the half year mark in 2023, homicides are down 22.2% and non-fatal shootings are down 12.6%.
At a press conference on August 24, 2022, U.S. Attorney Barron announced the establishment of a new Violent and Organized Crime Section along with expanded collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement. State funds supported the hiring of additional Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, whose sole focus has been on violent crime, along with investigators, and other legal support personnel. Additionally, U.S. Attorney Barron has encouraged prosecutors to use all available resources and any legal means necessary to investigate and prosecute repeat violent offenders—specifically for any wrongdoing that meets office priorities, especially pandemic-related fraud, and utilizing a federal school zone statute that makes it a crime to possess a gun within 1000 feet of a school.
In August 2022, immediately before implementation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s collaborative violent crime strategy, homicides were up approximately 7% and nonfatal shootings were up more than 12%; the next month (September 2022), however, saw a record-low since 2015 in violence and, since implementation of the office’s strategy, homicides are down approximately 20% and nonfatal shootings are down approximately 10%.
“We have much more work to do, but law enforcement and community collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based initiatives are making neighborhoods safer,” said U.S. Attorney Barron. “We will continue to lead a coalition of law enforcement, community and public service partners, as our model of working together at the local, state and federal levels is making a difference in the fight against violent crime.”
Since September 2022, State-funded Special Assistant United States Attorneys have indicted 30 defendants for federal gun crimes, including charging 10 defendants for illegal possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of Baltimore schools, including Sandtown-Winchester Achievement Academy, Calverton Elementary and Middle School, Green Street Academy, Frederick Elementary School, Cherry Hill Elementary School, Maree G. Faring Elementary School, Curtis Bay Elementary and Middle School and Belaire-Edison Elementary School. Of those school zone defendants nine have pleaded guilty and seven have been sentenced to between six months and 12 years in federal prison. Additionally, every Criminal Division prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been assigned a gun case, marking the most significant officewide investment in combating violent crime in the office’s history.
The office’s “Al Capone” prosecution model for repeat offenders has also been successful in the violent crime strategy. For example, defendants have been charged with CARES Act fraud and gun crimes, including the illegal possession of privately manufactured firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office created a CARES Act Strike Force and, as part of that effort, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General Special Agents are now co-located in the office to coordinate and screen all new violent crime and illegal firearms defendants for potential pandemic fraud. The success of this Strike Force’s effort has led U.S. Attorney Barron to also establish the Maryland Financial Intelligence Task Force (“MD FIT”), a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement and financial institutions, working collaboratively to uncover financial crimes, including crimes committed by violent repeat offenders.
U.S. Attorney Barron stated, “MD FIT is another tool to add to our arsenal of proactive and innovative measures to combat violent crime. We will do everything we can to remove the violent criminals who wreak havoc in our neighborhoods. I am grateful that our law enforcement partners joined our office’s strategy to try new and innovative ways to reduce violent crime.”
While strategic enforcement is key to U.S. Attorney’s Office’s violent crime efforts, community-based prevention and intervention is a core principle—embraced more than ever—by the office. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are especially supporting and teaming up with nonprofits focused on reaching at-risk youth and young adults.
In September 2022, three Baltimore community-based organizations, ROCA Inc., the Living Classrooms Foundation, and the Black Mental Health Alliance, were awarded U.S. Department of Justice grants totaling more than $5 million to help reduce gun crime and other violence. ROCA Baltimore received $1,998,807 to expand its violence intervention programming and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has instituted monthly community walks with ROCA to reach out to youth and young adults to provide resources and needed services. Since November 2022, this collaboration has directly serviced over 130 individuals and approximately 20 young people have been referred for services, including the job training and education services provided by ROCA.
Since September, the office has also sponsored or cosponsored a variety of other community-based violence intervention and prevention initiatives as part of a comprehensive strategy. Six reentry resource fairs, focused on federal returning citizens and those soon to return, have provided healthcare assistance, employment opportunities, financial literacy services, and more. The office has also participated in multiple meetings with community leaders and serious at-risk individuals, to encourage potential reoffenders to take a better path to success. Additionally, since last November, U.S. Attorney Barron, along with leadership from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, have participated in “knock and talk” home visits of parolees with teams of probation officers and social workers, to provide resources and services to parolees and their families.
These efforts are part of Project Safe Neighborhood Program (“PSN”), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN combines federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and community service providers to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The office is working comprehensively to build trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community, to support community-based intervention and prevention, and to strategically enforce the law against those most responsible for the violence in our communities.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Marine Corps Lance Corporal Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice A 13-Year-Old Child to Produce and Send Him Sexually Explicit Photos of HerselfRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced David Wayne Hogle, Jr. (30, Cherry Point, NC) to 15 years and 10 months in federal prison for attempting to entice an individual whom he believed was a 13-year-old child to produce sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him over the internet. Hogle was also ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release, pay $26,500 in restitution to child victims, forfeit his electronic devices, and register as a sex offender. Hogle was arrested on July 29, 2022, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in North Carolina and was transported to Jacksonville for prosecution. Hogle had pleaded guilty on March 23, 2023.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2022, an FBI agent in Jacksonville began an undercover investigation to identify individuals who were using the internet to engage in the sexual exploitation of children. This FBI agent (UC) posted a message in a public chat room on a particular social media application (“app”) posing as the “mother” of a 13-year-old child. Using the screen name “Kaligula,” Hogle responded, “Interested in domination, degrading, breeding, inc’est, and very young girls.” When asked about his age preference for children, Hogle responded, “No lower age limit.” The UC explained that her daughter was 13 years old, and Hogle replied, “Typically [I] like younger …” After exchanging phone numbers, Hogle texted the UC, “So when do I get to see … your daughter?” Hogle sent the UC a hyperlink to a cloud storage account that contained 28 photos of infants and toddler-aged children being sexually abused.
Two days later, Hogle texted the UC, who was also portraying the “child.” Hogle typed, “I understand your only 13, so there is going to be a lot of things you still need to learn. I [am] happy to teach you about them.” Hogle then requested that the “child” take a “naughty pic” of “her” genitalia for him. The following day, Hogle texted the “child,” asking again for an explicit photo of “her.” To demonstrate what kind of picture that he wanted the “child” to take, Hogle sent the “child” a photo of his own genitalia.
The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) confirmed that Hogle was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps stationed at MCAS Cherry Point. Hogle accessed the internet during his online conversations with the UC while onboard MCAS Cherry Point.
On July 29, 2022, Hogle was arrested by FBI agents onboard MCAS Cherry Point. During an interview, Hogle admitted, among other things, that he had sent the UC a hyperlink containing child sexual abuse materials to show to the “child,” that he directed the “child” to take a picture of her “privates,” and that he was sexually interested in children. A search of Hogle’s computer revealed that it contained 162 images and 45 videos, many of which depicted infants, toddlers, and young children being sexually abused.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville, Florida and Greenville, North Carolina, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran handled the forfeiture of Hogle’s electronic devices.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man admits making harassing calls to African American woman employed at Billings churchRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A man accused of making harassing telephone calls to African American woman who works at a Billings church and provided him assistance admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joshua Leon Hiestand, 41, a transient, pleaded guilty to harassing telephone calls, a felony. Hiestand faces a maximum of two years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Oct. 26. Hiestand was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 12, 2020, a white male, who identified himself as Leon Hiestand, went to a church in Billings looking for assistance. Jane Doe, an African American who works at the church, provided him with a gift card. Several days later, the church received a voicemail from a caller, who, using a derogatory term, stated that he would give more money to the church if it did not employ an African American. In Dec. 4, 2020, the church’s caller ID identified Hiestand as using the same number as in the voicemail. Jane Doe answered the phone, and the caller referenced his white friends and that he would have given more money if the church did not employ a black pastor. Hiestand left another voicemail that stated, “Nobody wants you here.” In January 2021, Hiestand left a voicemail and referenced the African American receptionist at the church. Jane Doe contacted the Billings Police Department. An officer contacted the number dialed to the church in January, and the caller identified himself as Hiestand. Hiestand then changed his name later in the conversation. Hiestand admitted to leaving the voicemails and apologized for his behavior. The officer advised Hiestand not to have further contact with the church.
Hiestand then left another voicemail in which he appeared upset and apologized for the previous calls. However, over the next 19 months, Hiestand called and left a series of voicemails at the church that, at times, were threatening and racially hostile. The investigation determined that Hiestand placed the calls from outside of Montana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Los Angeles Resident Indicted on Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Los Angeles, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of conspiring to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Seyed Hamed Razavi Rahmani, also known as Hamed Ramni, age 39, who resides in Los Angeles, California, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Rahmani was part of the Insure Nutrition enterprise that provided bariatric patients with free nutritional shakes as an inducement to get patients’ medical insurance information in order to market expensive medications that were of questionable medical value to those patients. In the process, Insure Nutrition gained access to the purchasers’ personal information and insurance coverage, thereby allowing them to bill insurance companies for these products. As a part of the scheme in which Rahmani was an active participant, Insure Nutrition did not collect co-payments on the excessively expensive medications and fabricated procedures to mislead auditors concerning the critical issue of co-payments.
Pursuant to previous Indictments associated with this scheme, other defendants who have entered guilty pleas have forfeited more than $54,000,000 in fraudulent proceeds that have been sent to the victim insurance carriers as partial reimbursement for losses they sustained.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Change from Coin-Cashing MachinesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Las Vegas man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for impersonating an employee of a coin-cashing company to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in change from coin-cashing machines in multiple states.
Richard Anthony Pena, 34, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Pena was also ordered to pay approximately $582,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, from approximately January 1, 2021, and continuing until his arrest on December 22, 2021, in Clark County, Washington, Pena engaged in an elaborate scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in change from coin-cashing machines located in grocery stores and other commercial establishments in multiple states.
To carry out his scheme, Pena would disguise himself as an employee of a coin-cashing company, walk into various stores, act as if he was servicing the location’s coin-cashing machine, break into the machine, and walk out with the machine’s coin vault. Pena’s repeated this ruse dozens of times in stores en route from his home in Las Vegas to a grocery store in Vancouver, Washington where an alert employee observed Pena and notified law enforcement.
After his arrest, sheriff deputies from Clark County, Washington searched Pena’s rented vehicles and local hotel room. They located clothing Pena wore to disguise himself, tools he used to break into the coin-chasing machines, and laundry baskets and bags filled with millions of coins. Investigators seized approximately 1.5 million stolen coins totaling more than $133,000. In total, Pena cost his victim coin-cashing company more than $715,000 in losses and damage to coin-cashing machines.
On March 10, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Pena with conspiring with others to transport and transporting stolen money. On March 10, 2023, he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Clark County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Quinn P. Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Kansas Man Charged for Stealing from U.S. GovernmentRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man on two counts of theft of government money or property, and one count of engaging in illegal monetary transactions.
According to court documents, Jack Crowder, 34, of Wichita is accused of stealing $17,688.00 from the U.S. Department of Labor on September 7, 2022, and $5,412.00 from the U.S. Department of Labor on September 8, 2022.
The defendant made his initial court appearance on June 28, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
The IRS- Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Barnett and Ola Odeyemi are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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KC Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing false tax returns.
Godwin Omoregie, 71, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to a federal information that charges him with one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false and fraudulent tax return and one count of filing a false tax return.
Omoregie owned and operated Quality Property Management and Tax Services, an income tax return preparation business located in Raytown, from 2012 through 2022.
By pleading guilty today, Omoregie admitted that he prepared federal income tax returns that contained materially false and fraudulent items for at least 10 individuals, resulting in at least 42 false income tax returns from 2017 through 2021. By including fraudulent items on his client’s tax returns, Omoregie was able to manufacture substantial refunds to his clients that they would not have been entitled to if the returns had been accurately prepared. The tax loss associated with those false returns is approximately $178,702.
Omoregie also admitted that he filed a federal income tax return in March 2022, which did not include at least $20,883 from his tax preparation business. The total tax loss associated with Omoregie’s false returns from tax year 2017 through 2021 totaled $62,891.
Under federal statutes, Omoregie is subject to a sentence of up to six 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 Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
“To improve public safety in Indian country, we must break down the barriers to criminal justice information that Tribal communities have faced for years,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department is expanding Tribal communities’ access to national crime databases that enhance law enforcement efforts and coordination through the Tribal Access Program.”
“The Tribal Access Program has strengthened Tribal criminal justice agencies,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By using TAP, participating Tribes have shared information about missing persons, apprehended fugitives, registered sex offenders, enforced protection orders, and have made hundreds of entries into the FBI’s NICS Indices database to prevent prohibited persons from illegally obtaining access to firearms. The efficient and effective sharing of criminal justice information has improved public safety in Indian country and beyond.”
“The Justice Department is committed to supporting Tribal law enforcement and protecting Tribal communities,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “TAP empowers participating Tribes to take advantage of information from across the country to better investigate and prosecute crime, carry out background checks for potential foster parents, and keep their communities safe and secure from domestic violence and child abuse.”
The program provides training as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 123 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 3 to Sept. 1. Tribes selected to participate will be notified later in September.
“The TAP program has allowed the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department to have cost-effective access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system,” said Chief Chris Rutherford of the Poarch Creek Tribal Police. “Now our officers have full NCIC access from their patrol vehicles, desk, or through our Emergency Tribal Dispatch Center. The value of this program to our reservation far exceeds the minimal effort required to be a participating partner in the TAP program.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“We cannot say enough about the efforts that have been made to get the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) ready for this program,” said Director Cristina Collett-Jensen of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Legal Department. “Through these efforts, KTTT will have access to information that will substantially improve the KTTT Police Department’s operations, and thereby allow us to better protect and serve the KTTT community.”
The Department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
Washington: The Justice Department is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
“To improve public safety in Indian country, we must break down the barriers to criminal justice information that Tribal communities have faced for years,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department is expanding Tribal communities’ access to national crime databases that enhance law enforcement efforts and coordination through the Tribal Access Program.”
“The Tribal Access Program has strengthened Tribal criminal justice agencies,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By using TAP, participating Tribes have shared information about missing persons, apprehended fugitives, registered sex offenders, enforced protection orders, and have made hundreds of entries into the FBI’s NICS Indices database to prevent prohibited persons from illegally obtaining access to firearms. The efficient and effective sharing of criminal justice information has improved public safety in Indian country and beyond.”
“Information is power, and TAP is a way to put information in the hands of tribes and their law enforcement partners to keep people safe,” United States Attorney, District of North Dakota, Mac Schneider said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with our tribal partners to increase public safety in Indian Country.”
“The Justice Department is committed to supporting Tribal law enforcement and protecting Tribal communities,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “TAP empowers participating Tribes to take advantage of information from across the country to better investigate and prosecute crime, carry out background checks for potential foster parents, and keep their communities safe and secure from domestic violence and child abuse.”
The program provides training as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 123 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 3 to Sept. 1. Tribes selected to participate will be notified later in September.
“The TAP program has allowed the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department to have cost-effective access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system,” said Chief Chris Rutherford of the Poarch Creek Tribal Police. “Now our officers have full NCIC access from their patrol vehicles, desk, or through our Emergency Tribal Dispatch Center. The value of this program to our reservation far exceeds the minimal effort required to be a participating partner in the TAP program.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“We cannot say enough about the efforts that have been made to get the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) ready for this program,” said Director Cristina Collett-Jensen of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Legal Department. “Through these efforts, KTTT will have access to information that will substantially improve the KTTT Police Department’s operations, and thereby allow us to better protect and serve the KTTT community.”
The Department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
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Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – WASHINGTON – The Justice Department is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
“To improve public safety in Indian country, we must break down the barriers to criminal justice information that Tribal communities have faced for years,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department is expanding Tribal communities’ access to national crime databases that enhance law enforcement efforts and coordination through the Tribal Access Program.”
“The Tribal Access Program has strengthened Tribal criminal justice agencies,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By using TAP, participating Tribes have shared information about missing persons, apprehended fugitives, registered sex offenders, enforced protection orders, and have made hundreds of entries into the FBI’s NICS Indices database to prevent prohibited persons from illegally obtaining access to firearms. The efficient and effective sharing of criminal justice information has improved public safety in Indian country and beyond.”
“The Justice Department is committed to supporting Tribal law enforcement and protecting Tribal communities,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “TAP empowers participating Tribes to take advantage of information from across the country to better investigate and prosecute crime, carry out background checks for potential foster parents, and keep their communities safe and secure from domestic violence and child abuse.”
The program provides training as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 123 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 3 to Sept. 1. Tribes selected to participate will be notified later in September.
“The TAP program has allowed the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department to have cost-effective access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system,” said Chief Chris Rutherford of the Poarch Creek Tribal Police. “Now our officers have full NCIC access from their patrol vehicles, desk, or through our Emergency Tribal Dispatch Center. The value of this program to our reservation far exceeds the minimal effort required to be a participating partner in the TAP program.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“We cannot say enough about the efforts that have been made to get the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) ready for this program,” said Director Cristina Collett-Jensen of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Legal Department. “Through these efforts, KTTT will have access to information that will substantially improve the KTTT Police Department’s operations, and thereby allow us to better protect and serve the KTTT community.”
The Department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
“To improve public safety in Indian country, we must break down the barriers to criminal justice information that Tribal communities have faced for years,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department is expanding Tribal communities’ access to national crime databases that enhance law enforcement efforts and coordination through the Tribal Access Program.”
“The Tribal Access Program has strengthened Tribal criminal justice agencies,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By using TAP, participating Tribes have shared information about missing persons, apprehended fugitives, registered sex offenders, enforced protection orders, and have made hundreds of entries into the FBI’s NICS Indices database to prevent prohibited persons from illegally obtaining access to firearms. The efficient and effective sharing of criminal justice information has improved public safety in Indian country and beyond.”
“The Justice Department is committed to supporting Tribal law enforcement and protecting Tribal communities,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “TAP empowers participating Tribes to take advantage of information from across the country to better investigate and prosecute crime, carry out background checks for potential foster parents, and keep their communities safe and secure from domestic violence and child abuse.”
The program provides training as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 123 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 3 to Sept. 1. Tribes selected to participate will be notified later in September.
“The TAP program has allowed the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department to have cost-effective access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system,” said Chief Chris Rutherford of the Poarch Creek Tribal Police. “Now our officers have full NCIC access from their patrol vehicles, desk, or through our Emergency Tribal Dispatch Center. The value of this program to our reservation far exceeds the minimal effort required to be a participating partner in the TAP program.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“We cannot say enough about the efforts that have been made to get the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) ready for this program,” said Director Cristina Collett-Jensen of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Legal Department. “Through these efforts, KTTT will have access to information that will substantially improve the KTTT Police Department’s operations, and thereby allow us to better protect and serve the KTTT community.”
The Department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
Justice Department Launches Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach ProgramRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – The Department of Justice announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.
“This new program mobilizes the Justice Department’s resources to combat the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has shattered the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities.” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to accelerate our efforts, in partnership with Tribes, to keep their communities safe and pursue justice for American Indian and Alaska Native families.”
“These new positions represent the Justice Department’s continuing commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis with urgency and all of the tools at our disposal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “MMIP prosecutors and coordinators will work with partners across jurisdictions and alongside the Tribal communities who have been most devastated by this epidemic.”
“These additional resources are a significant step toward strengthening our work with our Tribal communities,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. “One of these new MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) will be placed in Minnesota. This position is in addition to four new AUSAs in our office that will focus on advancing public safety and engagement with our Tribal communities across Minnesota. For the first time, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota will have a dedicated section to support the needs of our Tribal communities.”
The MMIP regional program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to United States Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022.
The national program will dedicate five MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five MMIP coordinators to provide specialized support to United States Attorneys’ offices across the country to address and combat the issues of MMIP. This support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions, and MMIP personnel will be located within host United States Attorneys’ offices in the Districts of Alaska, Arizona, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Western Michigan. Programmatic support will be provided by the MMIP Regional Outreach Program Coordinator at the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.
“The Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the United States Attorney community are committed to preventing and responding to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. To that end, we will work together with all relevant federal, Tribal, state and local law enforcement partners to locate missing persons and solve crimes where they have occurred,” said Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson. “This new program will allow the Department to build upon the work done by individual United States Attorneys’ offices and ensure continued support to those offices by coordinating outreach regionally on MMIP matters.
More broadly, this MMIP Program will complement the work of the Justice Department’s National Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who is helping amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. Further, the MMIP Program will liaise with and enhance the work of the Department’s Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys throughout Indian Country, the Native American Issues Coordinator, and the National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator to ensure a comprehensive response to MMIP.
Joseph Dale Hale Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession of A Firearm and EscapeRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On June 29, 2023, Joseph Dale Hale, 31, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. During the sentencing proceeding, Judge Corker found Hale to be an Armed Career Criminal based on his prior criminal history. Following his imprisonment, Hale will be on supervised release for five years.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Hale agreed to plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and escape from custody while confined for a felony offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 751(a).
According to the filed plea agreement, on July 29, 2021, an officer with the Greeneville Police Department identified Hale as the operator of a stolen vehicle. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Hale fled. Eventually, Hale stopped in the area of North Hill Street in Greeneville. When he exited the vehicle, he fired three rounds at the officers and then fled on foot into the nearby woods. Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers assisted in a search for Hale, who was located and apprehended later that day. Law enforcement recovered the firearm Hale used to shoot at the police officers, which contained ammunition that matched casings found at the scene of the shooting. Hale was indicted federally and ordered detained for the felony offense of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense.
On October 7, 2021, while being housed in the Greene County Detention Center, Hale, assisted by another inmate, obtained a set of trustee clothes. Hale then used a ruse to be removed from his cell to a shower area, then donned the trustee clothes. He was then able to get access through two security doors and gained access to an unsecured area of the jail. Once outside, he fled the jail and stole a vehicle. He was apprehended by law enforcement later that day after crashing the vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Greeneville Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This investigation was led by ATF Special Agent Bryan Williams.
Assistant United States Attorneys B. Todd Martin and Luke McLauren represented the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to 37 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Darius Dudley, 30 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Dudley was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release
According to documents in the case, in July 2021, law enforcement responded to shots fired call in the 4800 block of Northcote Avenue in East Chicago, Indiana. Upon arrival, Dudley was observed in possession of a semi-automatic pistol. The pistol had an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device attached to it. The machinegun conversion made the pistol capable of firing multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger. Dudley’s criminal history revealed that he has prior felony convictions for burglary, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and as such is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.
This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the East Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
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.
Houstonian sent to prison for supporting terrorismRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to provide material support to Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani and Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen.
Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya attempted to join and support ISIS from August 2017 until his arrest in December 2017. He pleaded guilty July 8, 2019.
U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen ordered him to serve 165 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
“Damlarkaya wanted to kill in the name of ISIS,” said Hamdani. “He slept with a machete by his bed, ready to use on law enforcement, provided instructions on how to make a bomb to ISIS supporters, and prepared to travel overseas and become a martyr for our enemies. Today’s sentence insures that Damlarkaya will spend many many years away from machetes and explosives, making everyone in the Southern District of Texas a lot safer.”
In addition to wanting to join ISIS, Damlarkaya also provided information to ISIS supporters about the use of machetes, homemade construction of an automatic weapon and how to build and use explosive materials.
“Preventing a terrorist attack remains the FBI’s number one priority, but the threat of terrorism has morphed significantly from the sophisticated, externally directed plot to the individual, inspired attack,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI Houston Field Office. “Fortunately, for us and the public, Damlarkaya was stopped before he was able to carry out his terrorism plan. He dreamed of being a martyr. The reality is that he’s now a federal prisoner and will be one for years to come. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to gather and share information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to protect our communities.”
As part of his plans to join ISIS overseas, starting in approximately early August 2017, Damlarkaya had numerous conversations online with many individuals he believed to be fellow ISIS supporters. During these discussions, he described his intentions to travel overseas to fight for ISIS in Syria or Afghanistan. Damlarkaya added that if he was unsuccessful in joining ISIS overseas, he would conduct an on attack on non-Muslims in the United States and that it was his “dream” to be a martyr.
Damalarkaya also provided information to other ISIS supporters, on at least two separate occasions, about ways to manufacture a bomb. Specifically, he described how to make explosives formula using triacetone triperoxide and cautioned the others to “take safety seriously while you make this” to be “useful until you can strike.”
Damlarkaya further illustrated to ISIS supporters ways to construct an automatic weapon. He claimed he could buy a “GIANT machete for $15” and stated “a lot of us are poor… or we don't have experience. So not all of us can get a gun or make explosives, but we can afford to buy a $15 knife.” He claimed he slept with a machete under his pillow ready to use if law enforcement raided his house.
When agents arrested Damlarkaya, they executed a search warrant at his residence and found a machete by his bed.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Jones is prosecuting the case along with DOJ Trial Attorneys Kevin Nunnally and Gregory Gonzalez of National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegal reentry.
Blas Antonio Celaya-Padilla, 41, of Chelsea, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 45 months in prison. His sentence will be served concurrently with a 37 month federal sentence he is currently serving for conspiracy to commit alien smuggling in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Padilla was previously deported from the United States on five prior occasions between 1999 and 2015 and has three prior federal convictions for illegal reentry: a 2004 conviction in the Western District of Texas; a 2011 conviction in the District of Arizona; and a 2012 conviction also in the District of Arizona. Sometime after his 2012 deportation, Padilla illegally reentered the United States. Padilla’s criminal conduct in North Carolina occurred after his three prior illegal reentry convictions.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith E. Houghton made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Government Contractor Settles False Claims Act Allegations Based on Violations of the Trade Agreements ActRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – OMNI Business Systems, Inc., located in Alexandria, has agreed to pay $80,944.00 to settle a civil fraud case alleging that OMNI violated the Trade Agreements Act and the False Claims Act by fraudulently misrepresenting the country of origin for certain products on federal supply schedules.
The settlement arises in connection with a lawsuit filed by an OMNI competitor under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act: United States ex rel. Vogel v. OMNI Business Systems, Inc., et al. The settlement resolves allegations that OMNI violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently misrepresenting the country of origin for over a dozen toner products manufactured by HP, Inc., and offering them for sale, as Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant, through a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and an Air Force Blanket Purchase Agreement. Despite Omni being told to remove the non-TAA compliant items, the settlement resolves allegations that the products remained available for purchase—and sales were made of the items—through GSA and the Air Force.
A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual, known as a “relator,” filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court, and providing a copy of the complaint and other evidence to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery. The relator here will receive a share of the False Claims Act settlement.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the GSA Office of Inspector General, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Starr. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Georgia Woman Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Role in International Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of “Boiler Room” FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Rachael Maia Winslow (55, Roswell, GA) to 11 years and 3 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Winslow was also ordered to forfeit $747,608.81 of victim-investors’ funds seized from two bank accounts she had used during the conspiracy. A federal jury had found Winslow guilty in November 2022.
According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, Winslow was a member of an international conspiracy to launder funds generated via boiler room fraud. The boiler rooms sold to foreign victims what they were led to believe were legitimate investments, primarily shares or stock in reputable companies such as Facebook, Chesapeake Energy, or Toys R Us. In fact, the investments were worthless, and the boiler rooms defrauded the victims of more than $14 million during the period when Winslow was involved, at least $4.7 million of which passed through accounts controlled by Winslow.
Winslow formed shell companies in various states and then opened bank accounts in the names of those shell companies for the purpose of receiving fraud proceeds from victim-investors. Fraud proceeds were then wired back overseas and used to pay expenses and boiler room workers and otherwise perpetuate the scheme. Fraud proceeds were also wired to accounts controlled by co-conspirators in the money laundering operation in the United States and overseas, including to Winslow’s overseas accounts, to compensate them for their roles in the conspiracy and otherwise for their personal enrichment. Winslow participated in this scheme while living in Barcelona, Spain, and in Miami, Florida.
The testimony and evidence presented at trial also proved that certain assets that the United States is forfeiting from Winslow, specifically, $525,595.62 seized from an account in the name of Guardian Holdings, LLC, and $222,013.19 seized from an account in the name of First Assured Contact, LLC are traceable to proceeds of the offense.
“This elaborate international money laundering conspiracy scheme defrauded many victims of their hard-earned money to the tune of more than $14 million dollars,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Dumas. “This conviction sends a message that HSI, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alongside our many law enforcement partners, will not be deterred in their pursuits of these fraudsters.”
“This case illustrates the complex international schemes con artists will design and employ to defraud and enrich themselves from unsuspecting victims,” said Brian Payne, special agent in charge IRS Criminal Investigation, Tampa field office. “IRS-CI and our interagency partners are laser-focused in our commitment to use our technology and financial investigation expertise to find these criminals and bring them to justice, no matter where they may operate.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle DesVaux Bedke and David W.A. Chee.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Misuse of a Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity Theft in an Attempt to Steal the Identity of a Syracuse University GraduateRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Gregory William Hill, age 38, of Georgia, whose many aliases include Gregory Allen Davis, Gregory William Davis, Gregory Davis Dutton, and John Martin Hill, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to misuse of a social security number and aggravated identity theft. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Hill admitted that in 2018 he impersonated a graduate of Syracuse University and fraudulently attempted to obtain copies of the victim’s final transcript and diploma from Syracuse University. In furtherance of his scheme, Hill sent the university a copy of a Virginia driver’s license displaying Hill’s picture and the victim’s name. Hill also fraudulently presented his own social security card as the victim’s and attempted to convince Syracuse University officials that the university needed to update its files with respect to the victim’s social security number. Hill also admitted that he applied for a job with a non-profit health care company based in Virginia while posing as the victim and falsely claiming to be a Syracuse University graduate. Hill never attended Syracuse University, and he is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Georgia for a serial romance fraud scheme that led some news outlets to describe him as the “Sweetheart Swindler.”
The felony charges to which Hill pled guilty carry a maximum sentence of up to 7 years in prison, including up to 5 years for the social security fraud count, followed by a mandatory consecutive two-year term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count. Hill also faces a fine of up to $500,000 and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The defendant will be sentenced on November 2, 2023, by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, who presides over the case.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
Former Uniontown Resident Pleads Guilty to Distributing Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A previous resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distributing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
William Kenneth Bosley, Jr., age 53, who is currently incarcerated at the Somerset State Correctional Institution on a previous felony conviction, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Bosley sent a sexually explicit photograph of a minor via text message.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2023. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered the defendant be detained.
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 (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of William Bosley.
Former Sewerage and Water Board Official Pleads Guilty to TheftRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAMES ARNOLD pleaded guilty yesterday to Theft from an Agency Receiving Federal Funds, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
ARNOLD admitted to engaging in a theft scheme while he was employed as a Utility Services Administrator for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB). Beginning in approximately 2012 and continuing until in or about November 2021, ARNOLD stole S&WB funds by causing the S&WB to issue plumbing permits when it had not received the fees required for the issuance of those permits. ARNOLD did this by instructing plumbers to provide him with payments for the fees. ARNOLD would then keep the payments for his personal use and cause the S&WB to issue the permits without the S&WB having received the required fees. By engaging in this scheme, ARNOLD caused a loss to the S&WB of approximately $108,290.
The offense to which ARNOLD pled guilty is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment followed by up to three years’ supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo scheduled ARNOLD’s sentencing for October 11, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Former Santa Fe Priest Indicted on Sexual Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Daniel Balizan was arrested on criminal charges of coercion and enticement of a minor, related to his alleged persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child under the age of 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.
According to court documents, Balizan, 61, of Springer, a former priest at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico and St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raton, New Mexico, allegedly used text messages to coerce and entice a minor victim, identified as John Doe in court documents, to engage in sexual activity with him.
“Abusing children under the veil of religious authority is an attack on the faith itself,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “I am humbled by the bravery of John Doe. With our partners, we will vigorously pursue justice for him and all of our children.”
“We have and will continue to do everything we possibly can to protect our children from predators who seek to do them harm by abusing their inherent positions of trust.” said Raul Bujanda, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
If convicted, Balizan faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.
Balizan is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s 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 information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Starting today, information about the federal prosecution of Balizan, including the indictment, will be available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/priest-prosecution. Also starting today, individuals may provide any information related to Balizan’s contact with minors by calling the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
Below is a timeline of Balizan’s assignments from 1989 to 2022:
FBIAn indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Ohio House Speaker sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading racketeering conspiracy involving $60 million in bribesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, 64, of Glenford, Ohio, was sentenced in federal court here today to 240 months in prison for leading a racketeering conspiracy to receive nearly $61 million in bribes to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout. The Court remanded Householder to the custody of the U.S. Marshals at the conclusion of sentencing.
"Larry Householder led a criminal enterprise responsible for one of the largest public corruption conspiracies in Ohio history," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Elected officials owe a duty to provide honest services to their constituents – transparency, integrity and accountability are foundational principles of democracy. Householder once held one of the three most powerful offices in the State of Ohio. Now, because of his corruption, he will serve a substantial prison sentence.”
“The people of Ohio are the true victims of Larry Householder’s corrupt scheme to increase his power and pass a billion-dollar corporate bailout,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “While we hope this sentence clearly demonstrates that corruption does not pay, the FBI will continue to investigate and pursue those who abuse their positions and take advantage of the public.”
A jury found Householder and former Ohio Republican Party chair Mathew Borges, 50, of Bexley, Ohio, guilty of participating in a racketeering conspiracy. The verdict was announced in March, following a six-week trial that included more than 1,000 exhibits and 25 witnesses.
The government proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Householder and his enterprise conspired to violate the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering.
Householder and his conspirators exploited the lack of transparency in 501(c)(4) entities to bury their corrupt and complex scheme to accept nearly $61 million in bribes to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout.
According to court documents and trial testimony, from March 2017 to March 2020, the enterprise traded millions of dollars in bribery campaign donations in exchange for Householder’s and the enterprise’s help in passing House Bill 6. The defendants then also worked to corruptly ensure that HB 6 went into effect by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the legislation.
In March 2017, Householder began receiving quarterly $250,000 payments from the related-energy companies into the bank account of his 501(c)(4), Generation Now. Team Householder spent millions of the company’s dollars to support Householder’s political bid to become Speaker, to support House candidates they believed would back Householder, and for their own personal benefit.
The United States detailed that Householder spent more than half a million dollars of the dark money to pay off his credit card balances, repair his Florida home and settle a business lawsuit.
Borges used approximately $366,000 for his personal benefit.
Borges was budgeted $25,000 to bribe an Ohio Republican operative to try to save House Bill 6. Borges gave the man a $15,000 check in exchange for information on the number of signatures collected on the anti-House Bill 6 ballot referendum. Borges is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow.
Householder’s longtime campaign and political strategist, Jeffrey Longstreth, and lobbyist Juan Cespedes, both of Columbus, Ohio, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy. FirstEnergy Corp. signed a deferred prosecution settlement in July 2021, agreeing to pay a $230 million penalty for conspiring to bribe public officials and others. Longstreth and Cespedes await sentencing; their hearings have not yet been scheduled.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew C. Singer, Megan Gaffney Painter and Timothy S. Mangan represented the United States in this case.
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Former CFO Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $3 Million from EmployerRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after embezzling more than $3 million from his employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, David Efrem Katz, 56, was the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Durand and Associates (“D&A”), a property management company that specialized in servicing homeowner associations (“HOAs”). Between 2012 and 2017, Katz embezzled over $3 million from D&A and its client HOAs.
Katz worked for D&A from approximately 1998 to 2017, starting as an accountant and eventually becoming CFO. As CFO, Katz had authorization to open credit cards in D&A’s name and use those credit cards for business expenses. However, Katz was not authorized to charge personal expenses to the cards, take out loans on D&A’s behalf without the owner’s approval, or use funds belonging to D&A or its HOA clients to pay his personal expenses.
Beginning in at least 2012 and continuing into 2017, Katz embezzled over $3 million from D&A and its HOA clients. Katz, who as CFO of D&A was responsible for payroll, paid himself significantly more than his agreed upon salary. Between 2011 and 2017, Katz paid himself $6,500 every two weeks as a salary despite his base salary never being more than $47,500 annually.
Katz also reimbursed himself for personal expenses and business expenses he never actually incurred. Katz paid himself between approximately $6,000 and $10,000 in reimbursements every two weeks. He labeled these payments as miscellaneous earnings and reimbursements, “recovery loans,” bonuses, and commissions. Katz never loaned or invested money in D&A that he was entitled to “recover.” To the extent he earned bonuses and commissions, they were in amounts significantly less than what he paid himself. And although Katz incurred some legitimate business-related expenses, they were in amounts significantly less than what he reimbursed himself.
Katz pleaded guilty on June 26, 2023, in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M Menendez to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Matthew S. Ebert are prosecuting the case.
Former Bosnian Combatant Pleads Guilty to Passport FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Winthrop man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport, and then using it to enter the United States from Istanbul, Turkey in 2021.
Azem Gigo Zebic, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a fraudulently obtained passport. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Nov. 30, 2023. Zebic was arrested by information and subsequently waived his indictment in May 2023.
Zebic was admitted to the United States from Croatia in 1997 after falsely claiming that he had been the subject of persecution by Serb forces during the Bosnian War. Zebic falsely claimed, among other things, that Serb forces had captured, interrogated, beaten him and forced him to pull wounded soldiers from the front lines. Further, once in the United States, Zebic continued to make false statements about his past, including that he had never assisted anyone else enter the country illegally. However, Zebic had, in fact, assisted another alleged Bosnian combatant – Kemal Mrndzic – enter the United States unlawfully by falsely claiming that he was Mrndzic’s half-brother. Mrndzic, who was recently indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston, allegedly engaged in the persecution of Serbs while a supervisor of guards at the notorious Celebic prison camp before he fraudulently applied for refuge in the United States. Zebic used this false history and his additional false statements, to obtain lawful permanent residency, American citizenship and a United States passport.
The use of a fraudulently obtained passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey of Levy’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.
Former Army Training Manager Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption ChargeRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Earlier this week, ALFRED PALMA, 64, of Duncan, pleaded guilty to bribery charges, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On May 3, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a twelve-count indictment against Palma and co-defendant Candy Hanza. Palma was charged in Count 2 with accepting a bribe as a public official.
According to public record, Palma, a United States Army employee and public official, was the manager of the Institutional Training Directed Lodging and Meals (“ITDLM”) program at Fort Sill, through which he booked hotel rooms for soldiers who attended on-post trainings. According to the Indictment, Hanza, then the general manager of a local hotel in Lawton, paid Palma to direct soldiers to the hotel.
At a hearing before United States District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick on Monday, Palma admitted that he received cash and checks totaling $103,200.00 from Hanza in return for favoring the hotel at which Hanza was a general manager when Palma booked soldiers for off-post trainings. Palma further admitted that he used the cash to purchase money orders from Walmart in $1,000.00 increments, which he then deposited, along with the checks that Hanza gave him, into his personal checking account.
At sentencing, Palma faces up to fifteen years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000.00 or three times the monetary value of the bribes, and up to three years of supervised release.
Hanza has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. The public is reminded that charges against Hanza are merely allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case.
Florida Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Peterson Jean-Baptiste, 23, of Palm Bay, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and placed on lifetime supervision for his role in disseminating child pornography.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that, while on probation in Florida for a drug distribution conviction, Jean-Baptiste targeted teenage girls on Snapchat. After establishing a relationship with his victims, Jean-Baptiste requested nude photographs. Once in possession of nude images, Jean-Baptiste threatened to post the images on the internet if the victims did not provide more images. Jean-Baptiste would then direct the victims on how to pose and forced some victims to involve an animal in the pictures.
This matter came to the attention of law enforcement when one victim informed her parents of the sextortion, and the sextortion was reported to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation and requested assistance from the Department of Homeland Security once it became apparent that the crime involved multiple states.
Law enforcement was able to locate the defendant in Florida, seize his mobile device, and search the device. A search of the phone showed that the defendant regularly used FaceTime video to chat with young girls, and he had them film their bodies while he watched, usually only showing his forehead or part of his face. On one occasion he mistakenly showed his entire face, and this further confirmed the defendant’s identity.
Two victims—one 14 years old and the other 15 years old—resided in South Carolina. Additional images of young girls were found on the phone, but law enforcement did not have enough information to identify them.
“Sextortion has been on the rise in recent years and presents an extreme danger to our children,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We are grateful to the young victim and parents that first reported this crime to law enforcement. We will continue to dedicate resources to identifying victims of this predatory conduct and ensuring that offenders face serious consequences for sextortion.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the case. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.
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