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15 November 2022
Tattoo Shop Owner Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Prison for Distributing Heroin and Methamphetamine on the Dark WebRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jason Keith Arnold, 46, of Chandler, Arizona, was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin and methamphetamine on the dark web, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Arnold, along with co-defendants David White, 50, and Alicia McCoy, 31, both of Chandler, operated the vendor accounts “TheSickness” and “SicknessVersion2” on Dream Marketplace. Dream Marketplace was a website on an encrypted part of the internet known as the “dark web” because it is only accessible via sophisticated encryption technology and is not visible to normal search engines such as Google. The encrypted nature of Dream Marketplace provided individuals such as Arnold—who previously owned tattoo parlors in Arizona—with relative anonymity to sell narcotics and other illegal goods and services over the internet.
Through his dark web accounts, Arnold and his co-conspirators conducted thousands of transactions for illegal drugs, including “pure gun powder heroin” and “uncut” methamphetamine. The conspirators used the U.S. Postal Service and other shippers to send these drugs from Chandler to customers throughout the country in packages purporting to contain candy. Arnold and his co-conspirators accepted payment for these narcotics in cryptocurrency, and accounts associated with the conspiracy grossed more than $350,000 during the time that “TheSickness” and “SicknessVersion2” were operational.
On Feb. 17, 2022, White was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Charges against McCoy are pending. The charges are only allegations; she is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, which includes agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The NCIDE Task Force is a federal task force focused on targeting all forms of illicit dark web and cryptocurrency activity in the Eastern District of California and beyond. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki prosecuted the case.
Story County Man Sentenced for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Des Moines, IA – On Thursday, November 10, 2022, Halston Ray Van Westen, age 22, of Story City, was sentenced to five years in prison following his plea to a charge of Possession of Child Pornography. Van Westen must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on or about October 8, 2021, Van Westen knowingly possessed visual depictions of child pornography, including 390 images and 290 videos. Van Westen knew that the depictions were of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, the depictions included minors who had not attained the age of 12 years of age, and the visual depictions had been shipped in interstate or foreign commerce by any means including by computer. Van Westen used his cellphone to commit the crime.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Story County Sheriff’s Department, in conjunction with the Iowa Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigated the case.
This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nationwide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Stearns County Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years for Leading a Meth Trafficking Conspiracy While IncarceratedRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Stearns County man was sentenced to 262 months followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine while incarcerated, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to the evidence presented at his trial, in spring 2019, Robert Edward Maloney, Jr., 39, while incarcerated in a Minnesota state prison, coordinated with others outside the prison to sell methamphetamine. While Maloney was incarcerated, he communicated with his co-conspirators via jail calls. Law enforcement agents obtained recordings of Maloney’s jail calls, which revealed Maloney’s direction and coordination, including arranging meetings and discussing methamphetamine prices and quantities. Maloney also obstructed justice by threatening a witness.
Maloney was sentenced yesterday before Senior Judge David S. Doty. On April 8, 2022, after a four-day jury trial, Maloney was found guilty of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offender Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Joseph S. Teirab.
Sending meth-laced mail into federal detention center lands Corpus woman in prisonRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 54-year-old woman residing in Corpus Christi has been ordered to federal prison for mailing meth-laced papers disguised as mail to the Coastal Bend Detention Center (CBDC), announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gail Hostetter pleaded guilty July 21 to knowingly and intentionally possessing and attempting to provide meth to an inmate.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered Hostetter to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release.
On Jan. 29, 2021, Hostetter mailed a letter purporting to be from a local law firm to an inmate at CBDC. However, facility staff intercepted it and sent it for testing. The mail tested positive for meth. Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant on Hostetter’s residence where they found additional empty envelopes pre-addressed from various local law firms.
The investigation revealed the inmate devised the plan and recruited Hostetter among others to mail meth-laced papers into the detention center. The scheme involved creating envelopes designed to look like legal mail.
At the time of her plea, Hostetter admitted to mailing meth into a jail facility on at least one other occasion.
She 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, The GEO Group, Drug Enforcement Administration, Corpus Christi Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Prisons and FBI Miami Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Christopher Marin prosecuted the case.
Second U.S. Attorney Workshop to Combat Hate Crimes Focuses on LBGTQ+ CommunityRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha on Tuesday held the second in a series of “United Against Hate Workshops” to increase awareness of hate crimes and hate incidents in Rhode Island, and how to report them. More than seventy attendees attended the workshop that focused on identifying and reporting hate crimes and incidents in the LBGTQ+ community.
In June, several dozen members of the Rhode Island faith-based community attended a similar workshop aimed at improving law enforcement training, the reporting of hate crimes and incidents, and community outreach.
The workshops, part of the Department of Justice’s “United Against Hate: Identifying, Reporting and Preventing Hate Crimes” program, continue efforts to: (1) improve reporting of hate crimes by teaching community members how to identify, report, and help prevent those hate crimes; (2) build trust between law enforcement and communities; and (3) create and strengthen alliances to combat hate between the United States Attorney’s Office; federal, state, and local law enforcement partners; and community organizations.
“The enforcement and defense of civil rights- for every American- is at the core of the Justice Department’s mission,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “And carrying out that mission is about more than just bringing cases. It’s about building partnerships, spreading knowledge, and deepening connections between communities and their law enforcement partners. That is exactly what we are striving to do with our United Against Hate initiative, and I am proud that our office has the chance to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in this effort.”
Tuesday’s workshop, held at New England Institute of Technology, included remarks by United States Attorney Cunha and presentations by and discussions with Assistant United States Attorney Kevin L. Hubbard of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Civil Division and FBI Special Agent Pepper Daigler, who, among other matters, investigates allegations of civil rights violations.
Among those in attendance were LBGTQ+ community leaders and members; state, local, university and college law enforcement agencies; health care providers and related service providers; child, parent, and family support service providers and organizations; students; and domestic violence service providers.
United States Attorney Cunha urges individuals who believe they are victims of a hate crime or incident, or may have witnessed one, to contact their local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, or the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Saugerties Woman Sentenced to 72 Months' Imprisonment for Attempted Arson of NYPD Van Occupied by Four Police OfficersRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Samantha Shader was sentenced by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 72 months’ imprisonment for using an improvised incendiary device, commonly known as a “Molotov cocktail,” in an attempt to set fire to a New York City Police Department (NYPD) van occupied by four police officers in Brooklyn on the night of May 29, 2020. Shader pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, NYPD, announced the sentence.
“The constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest is a core democratic value. Over the course of this nation’s history, protests have led to significant positive changes. But, throwing a potentially lethal device at an NYPD van occupied by four officers during a protest was an unacceptable and dangerous act, which put the officers and others present at risk,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office is committed to holding accountable those who, like this defendant, commit crimes that endanger the community and the lives of the dedicated officers of the NYPD.”
“Today, Ms. Shader learned the consequences for choosing to engage in violent criminal actions. Malicious actors who wish to bring mayhem to our community - and those who dutifully serve to protect it - will be held accountable for their behavior by the FBI and our law enforcement partners,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“A violent criminal who crossed a line that is critical to a lawful, civil society has been appropriately held to account,” stated NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that no one may ever commit a despicable act of vandalism, especially one that endangers the lives of police officers – whose mission is to ensure people’s right to demonstrate peacefully. I commend the NYPD officers who arrested her for this criminal act, and I thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District for taking the safety of all New Yorkers – including the police who serve them – seriously.”
On May 29, 2020, Shader traveled from her residence in Saugerties, New York to Brooklyn to participate in a march planned to protest the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Before traveling to Brooklyn, Shader invited co-conspirator Timothy Amerman to “go down to the City to cause some hell,” and after he declined, procured from him numerous glass bottles that Amerman believed Shader would use as projectiles against police and counter-protesters.
On the night of May 29, 2020, amid a large protest march near the Brooklyn Museum, a witness used his phone to record a video of Shader lighting the wick of a Molotov cocktail and throwing it at a marked NYPD van occupied by four police officers who were assigned to crowd control during the protests. As she threw the Molotov cocktail, Shader called out to the protesters around the van to “GET OUT THE MOTHERF---ING WAY!” The Molotov cocktail struck the NYPD van, shattering two of its windows, but did not break and ignite. The police officers exited their vehicle and apprehended Shader, who resisted arrest by biting one of the police officers on the leg.
Following Shader’s arrest, the FBI identified Saugerties, New York resident Amerman as the man who had provided glass bottles to Shader and arrested him on July 3, 2020. Amerman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit civil disorder on March 26, 2021, and is awaiting sentencing. He faces a maximum term of 60 months’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Ian C. Richardson and Jonathan Algor are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
SAMANTHA SHADER
Age: 29
Saugerties, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-202 (DLI)
TIMOTHY AMERMAN
Age: 31
Saugerties, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-126 (DLI)
San Diego Resident Sentenced to 15 Years for His Role in Fatal Fentanyl OverdoseRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Sean Van Demark (619) 546-7657
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY—November 15, 2022
SAN DIEGO—Drug dealer Saul Caro was sentenced in federal court today to 15 years in prison for providing the fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of a 35-year-old business owner who lived in downtown San Diego.
Caro pleaded guilty on June 1, 2022, admitting that he sold powdered fentanyl to a man identified in court records as M.S. on April 11, 2021. The victim overdosed in his apartment and was found two days later.
While investigating his death, federal agents posed as the victim and texted Caro, requesting drugs. They set up a meeting time near a restaurant on July 22, 2021. Caro was arrested there. Officers found a plastic bindle containing a white powdery substance with a green tint that fell out of his left pants leg. It tested positive for fentanyl.
During a subsequent search of Caro’s residence, a loaded, unregistered, semi-automatic privately manufactured firearm with no serial number, or “ghost gun,” was located along with more ammunition, more drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
According to the government’s sentencing memo, the defendant communicated with the victim via text not only about getting the drugs, but also about the strength of the drug or its authenticity. For example, on April 12, 2020, the victim texted Caro about the potency of some drugs he had received.
M.S.: OK lemme know when here
M.S.: Lotttttt stronger! … def need to warn ppl
Caro: I did
M.S.: Yeah thanks otherwise would been bad news for me lol
On November 6, 2020, M.S. informed Caro that the drugs he received were altered in some way.
M.S.: Man, so the shit has real stuff in it no doubt. But they cut it with something that makes ur heart slam like nothing I’ve ever felt. Was worried for a few mins. Heart pounds like a sledgehammer jack hammering out of my chest… ugh why the hell did they have to put that shit in here and ruin it!
M.S.: Literally hands shaking like a leaf it’s crazy
Caro: He told me to be careful cuz its strong
M.S.: Lol yeah
Caro: My bads
“The defendant chose to disregard the significant risk associated with selling fentanyl and other drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “His choices had severe consequences for a family that lost a beloved son and brother. The driving factor for all of us in law enforcement is the human toll that fentanyl is taking. We see the grief and destruction in person every day. We will continue to seek justice for every victim.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.
“There is no place to hide,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. “The DEA and its partners will continue to track down, arrest, and prosecute those who are driving addiction.”
“Today’s sentencing serves not only as a testament to HSI’s commitment to bring to justice those responsible for another overdose death but should also serve as a reminder to people; abusing drugs these days will likely kill you, said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The men and women of HSI, alongside our partnered law enforcement agencies, will stop at nothing to pursue those that deal deadly drugs in our communities.”
Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team (formerly known as Team 10) led the investigation. This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Diego Police Department, and the California Department of Health Care Services to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs—fentanyl in particular—that result in overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration created the Overdose Response Team as a response to the increase in overdose deaths in San Diego County.
DEFENDANT Case Number 21-CR-3100-GPC
Saul Caro Age: 33 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Fentanyl – Title 18, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison
AGENCY
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Homeland Security Investigations
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego Police Department
State of California Department of Health Care Services
Raleigh Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Stephan Grimes, 48, of Raleigh was sentenced today to 236 months in prison for production of child pornography. Grimes pleaded guilty to the charge on September 14, 2021.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in October 2018, the Cary Police Department was investigating a peer-to-peer child pornography distribution on the BitTorrent filesharing network. They identified an IP address from which they were able to download a torrent file containing a large amount of child pornography. Internet service provider records identified the IP address as belonging to the Raleigh home of Stephan Grimes.
Homeland Security agents, Wake County Sheriff’s deputies, and U.S. Marshals executed a search warrant at Grimes’ home on February 20, 2019. Grimes was interviewed and admitted to downloading child pornography. An on-site forensic review of a computer also revealed multiple images depicting a young girl sitting on a couch in the home as Grimes placed a sex toy on her genitals. Grimes identified the girl by name and initially claimed that she was 18. Agents noted wall-mounted surveillance cameras in the living room and in the bedroom that appeared to have been used to produce the images. Agents seized a computer, hard drives, and a USB drive.
Officers interviewed the subject of the photographs, and she described to officers how Grimes made sexual advances that eventually resulted in them having sex when she was 17. Grimes took sexual photos and recordings despite her being a minor and told her that she could make money through pornography once she was 18.
A full forensic examination of Grimes’ electronic devices uncovered 437 images and 5 videos of child pornography. While many files appeared to have been collected from the internet, the great majority were of the then-minor victim. Two long videos depicting the sexual abuse of the victim were filmed in December 2018 and January 2019, using the dual wall-mounted cameras in Grimes’ home.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Department of Homeland Security and Wake County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00019-FL.
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Prison sentences for drug trafficker, two ex-prison guards wrap up meth-distribution conspiracyRead the Press Release
WAYCROSS, GA: A South Georgia man who participated in a widespread drug-trafficking conspiracy and two state prison guards who smuggled drugs behind bars are among the final defendants sentenced to federal prison as a major meth-distribution prosecution comes to a close.
Alexander Reyes Tyson, 45, of Douglas, Ga., was sentenced to 28 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Methamphetamine; Idalis Qua Dazia Harrell, 26, of Douglas, a former guard at Coffee County Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Methamphetamine and Marijuana; and Jessica Azaelae Burnett, a/k/a “The Madam,” 43, of Douglas, formerly a senior guard at Coffee County Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Methamphetamine and Marijuana.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“When the citizens of Coffee County sought relief from rising violent crime and illegal drug activity in their community, our local, state and federal law enforcement partners responded to identify and shut down these gang-driven drug traffickers,” said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “This operation sends a resounding message that we will be relentless in our efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Tyson, Harrell and Burnett are among 48 individuals who were indicted in January 2021 in USA v. McMillan et. al, dubbed Operation Sandy Bottom, an investigation into an extensive drug trafficking conspiracy centered in a Douglas, Ga., area known as “the bottoms.” The lead defendant, Jackie Kayaskia McMillan, 41, is serving a nearly 40-year sentence in federal prison for leading the conspiracy from inside Dooly State Prison, where he was serving a life sentence for murder. His girlfriend, Christina Veronda Alexander 42, of Hazlehurst, Ga., is serving a sentence of nearly 24 years in federal prison for serving as McMillan’s primary contact outside of prison, facilitating deliveries of methamphetamine from Mexico and distributing it to street-level dealers in Coffee, Bacon, Emanuel, Jeff Davis, Pierce and Wheeler counties, along with other parts of Georgia.
The investigation began in 2018 when the Coffee County Drug Unit enlisted the assistance of the FBI and the Coastal Georgia Violent Gang Task Force in the Douglas-area drug trafficking conspiracy. The traffickers, coordinated by a subset of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang, controlled multiple “trap houses” to store and distribute illegal drugs, primarily methamphetamine.
Investigators infiltrated the operation, intercepting multiple kilograms of drugs and nearly two dozen illegally possessed firearms, along with seven vehicles and more than $12,000 in cash identified as drug-trafficking proceeds. They also identified and charged state prison guards who smuggled drugs and cell phones into prisons.
The cases against all 48 defendants are complete, with most serving sentences of up to 200 months in prison after pleading guilty. The final defendant, Amos Tyrone Brantley III, 40, of Ambrose, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Marijuana.
“It is impossible to overstate the enormity of this investigation and the incredible multi-agency teamwork involved to procure the arrests, convictions, and sentences of such a large operation,” said Coffee County Sheriff Doyle Wooten. “Make no mistake: This investigation was a major blow to drug traffickers targeting our area and our penal institutions. We are particularly saddened when those who have sworn to uphold the law become the ones subverting it, but we will not think twice to hold them accountable.”
“The sentencing of these individuals ends an exhaustive investigation and proves that the FBI and our partners will spare no resource when it comes to ending an epidemic in our society that fuels violent crime and kills our citizens,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We want to thank our partners in the Georgia Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force who relentlessly work along our side to dismantle these organized, violent criminal enterprises.”
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.
It was investigated by the FBI and the FBI Coastal Georgia Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coffee County Drug Unit; the Georgia Department of Corrections; the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office; the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office; the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office; the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office; the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office; the Blackshear Police Department; the Nicholls Police Department; the Douglas Police Department; the Alma Police Department; the Glynn County Police Department; the Brunswick Police Department; the Swainsboro Police Department; and the Coffee County Department of Family and Children Services.
The cases were prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Greg Gilluly Jr. and Frank M. Pennington II.
Previously convicted man from Shiprock sentenced to eight months for escaping custodyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Thomas Navaho, 29, of Shiprock New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to eight months in prison. Navaho pleaded guilty on June 13 to escape from custody.
On March 28, 2019, Navaho was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting a man on the Navajo Nation. On Oct. 20, 2021, Navaho was placed at the Dismas Charities Diersen Residential Reentry Center (Diersen RRC) in Albuquerque to serve the last six months of his custodial sentence.
In his plea agreement, Navaho admitted that on March 15, he packed his belongings and left Diersen RRC without permission. U.S. Marshals arrested Navaho on April 1.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall prosecuted the case.
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Previously convicted felon pleads guilty to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Lionel Vallo, 39, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on Nov. 14 to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and failure to update his sex offender registration. Vallo will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, Vallo, who previously was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country in 2003, failed to update his sex offender registration after moving to a new address in Albuquerque. Vallo also failed to update his quarterly registration on July 1, 2020.
On July 26 in Albuquerque, members of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) Task Force initiated a traffic stop on Vallo, who was subject to an arrest warrant for absconding from supervised release. Vallo did not stop immediately, and once stopped, initially was non-compliant with commands to exit the vehicle. After Vallo eventually exited the vehicle and was taken into custody, SWIFT members located loaded firearms in the vehicle.
On August 1, 2020, Vallo was arrested for and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, for which he was on pretrial conditions of release at the time of the July 26 arrest. As a previously convicted felon, Vallo cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Vallo faces up to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and 10 years for failing to update his sex offender registration.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Marshall is prosecuting the case.
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Pike County Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Distribution in the Natchez, Mississippi AreaRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – A Pike County man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III, to 87 months in federal prison for participation in an interstate drug trafficking operation distributing kilogram quantities of illegal drugs in the Natchez area from 2016 through 2018, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Denonta Thadison, 41, of McComb, was indicted by a federal grand jury and subsequently pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Thadison’s sentence includes a penalty for recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person while fleeing from a law enforcement officer. His sentence also includes a penalty for committing the federal offense while he was under a criminal justice sentence for a state drug crime. Court records reflect that Thadison has prior convictions in Lincoln County Circuit Court for possession of cocaine, and in Pike County Circuit Court for possession of cocaine and sale of cocaine.
According to court documents, Thadison conspired with Kevin Singleton, of Natchez, and Sammy Davis Wright, of Woodville. Singleton, as head of the interstate drug trafficking organization, received a 35-year prison sentence in September 2021. Wright is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2022.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This OCDETF case is the result of an extensive investigation targeting illegal narcotics distribution by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force in Atlanta, GA, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Pearl Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Clark prosecuted these cases.
Philadelphia man charged with having large amount of methamphetamine near universityRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Philadelphia man was charged today with having a large amount of methamphetamine near Wheeling University, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
James R. Stewart, 36, was indicted today on one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams of More of Methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a Protected Location.” It is alleged that Stewart had more than 50 grams of methamphetamine near the university in November 2022 in Ohio County.
Stewart faces at least five years and up to 80 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10 million. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Orange County Man and Sacramento Man Sentenced to Prison for Participating in Massive Fraud and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two California men today received prison sentences of up to 11 years for participating in an extensive multimillion-dollar conspiracy – much of it committed by Nigerian nationals – that perpetrated a wide variety of frauds, including business email compromise (BEC) fraud, romance scams, elder fraud and fraud using malware.
George Ugochukwu Egwumba, 47, of Cypress, was sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner to 132 months in federal prison.
At a separate hearing today, Judge Klausner sentenced Princewell Arinze Duru, 33, of Sacramento, to 81 months in federal prison.
At the conclusion of a seven-day trial, a federal jury on June 15 found each defendant guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Egwumba was found guilty of one count of aggravated identity theft. Duru was found guilty of one count of wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft.
Members of the conspiracy – many of whom were based in Nigeria – used middlemen to connect with their fellow co-conspirators located in the United States. The U.S.-based middlemen assisted in receiving and laundering the proceeds of the frauds either through U.S. bank accounts, money transmitting services such as Western Union or MoneyGram, or cryptocurrency.
In exchange, the middlemen and those who assisted with the laundering of illicit proceeds received a percentage of the fraudulently obtained funds.
At the center of the conspiracy were Valentine Iro, 34, of Carson; Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe, 41, of Gardena – both Nigerian citizens – and Chuks Eroha, 42, who is believed to have fled to Nigeria in 2017, shortly after the FBI executed a search warrant in this case. This trio of middlemen connected the fraudsters with the money launderers, sometimes with other middlemen in between, and often reused the same bank accounts for laundering funds.
Egwumba acted as another middleman, receiving bank account information from Iro and Eroha to pass to other fraudsters, and worked to commit fraud himself by using malware and other cybercrime tools. Egwumba exchanged chat messages with Iro and Eroha, in which he asked for and received bank account information that could be used to receive stolen money.
LokiBot and NanoCore remote access trojan malware and other cybercrime tools were found on Egwumba’s computers, along with messages in which he discussed using these tools to attempt to commit fraud.
Duru helped Igbokwe and others in receiving and laundering the fraudulently obtained money, both by opening fraudulent business bank accounts and using money transmitting services and cryptocurrency wallets.
Duru registered a fraudulent business in Sacramento County and then used that company to open two business bank accounts at different banks. Duru gave the bank account information to Igbokwe so it could be used to receive fraud proceeds. One victim was deceived into depositing approximately $25,600 into one of Duru’s business bank accounts.
The conspiracy involved the laundering of at least $6 million in fraudulently obtained funds and the attempted theft of at least an additional $40 million.
Iro and Igbokwe have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in this case. On November 4, Judge Klausner sentenced Igbokwe to 78 months in prison and ordered him to pay $ 920,422 in restitution. The sentencing hearing for Iro, the case’s lead defendant, is scheduled for January 31, 2023.
The indictment in this matter charged 80 defendants. So far, prosecutors have secured 19 guilty pleas in this case. Additional defendants have been arrested in Nigeria, and others are believed to be at large.
The FBI investigated this matter. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) provided substantial assistance during the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Sue J. Bai of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Nigerian National Ordered to Pay Restitution for Role in Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – John Nassy, 29, a Nigerian national living in Dumfries, Virginia, was sentenced to five years of federal probation, including six months on home detention, and ordered to pay $148,000 in restitution for receipt of stolen money in connection with a scheme that defrauded at least 200 victims, many of whom are elderly, of at least $2.5 million. Nassy has already paid $40,000 of the restitution he owes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Nassy participated in the scheme from June 2018 until at least May 2019 while living in Huntington. The scheme targeted individuals through dating websites and other social media platforms. Scheme participants created false personas to contact victims and induce them into believing they were in a romantic relationship, friendship or business relationship. The victims were persuaded to send money for a variety of false and fraudulent reasons for the benefit of the false personas.
Nassy admitted that he let victims transfer at least $148,000 to his bank accounts that he knew was from unlawful activity. Nassy further admitted that after the victims’ funds were deposited in his accounts, he kept some of the money for himself and forwarded some of the money to his co-conspirators via the Zelle digital payments network. Nassy also transferred money to bank accounts located in Nigeria.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), the West Virginia State Police and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson prosecuted the case.
The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams at https://www.ic3.gov/.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-68.
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New Haven Cocaine Trafficker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE L. GERENA, 33, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The package contained $102,450 in cash. The investigation revealed that Gerena was the leader of an extensive drug trafficking organization and supervised the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to Puerto Rico. Gerena was responsible for trafficking more than 100 kilograms of cocaine.
During the investigation, the organization regularly received cocaine shipments at 365 Poplar Street, 206 Exchange Street and other addresses in New Haven. In August 2021, investigators intercepted two parcels, each containing a kilogram of cocaine, that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to 365 Poplar Street and 206 Exchange Street. Gerena was arrested on August 10, 2021, after investigators made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to 365 Poplar Street.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2023, at which time Gerena faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Gerena has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
New Castle Man Charged with Attempted Possession of CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A New Castle man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced.
The one-count Indictment, returned on Nov. 1 and unsealed yesterday following his arrest, named Brandon Leroy McConnell, 34, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about May 14, 2021, McConnell did knowingly attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. McConnell was the intended recipient of a United States Postal Service parcel that contained this controlled substance.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years to a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000. 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Homeland Security Investigations 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.
Minneapolis Woman Indicted for Orchestrating Multimillion-Dollar Accounts Receivable Factoring Scheme, PPP Loan FraudRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury returned an indictment against a Minneapolis woman for orchestrating an accounts receivable factoring fraud scheme and a PPP loan fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Khemwattie Singh, 52, was the chief executive officer of Global Medical Services, a Minnesota-based healthcare solutions company. Between June and October 2018, Singh and others entered into factoring contracts with MD Capital Solutions, a Florida-based investment company, to purchase the accounts receivable of Global Medical Services and Minnesota International Medicine for more than $2.6 million. Factoring is a form of short-term financing in which a business sells its accounts receivable to a third-party at a discount.
According to court documents, Singh defrauded MD Capital Solutions by failing to pay over the receivables as they were collected and falsely represented to MD Capital Solutions that no funds had been received. Instead, Singh pocketed the money, wiring more than $5 million overseas to bank accounts in Morocco and shell companies she controlled.
According to court documents, in September 2019, MD Capital Solutions sued Global Medical Services in state court in Minnesota and Florida. By the end of 2019, Global Medical Services shut down and no longer had any employees on its payroll. In April 2020, Singh submitted a false and misleading application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds in the name of Global Medical Services seeking approximately $383,408. Despite the fact that Global Medical Services was not operational, Singh falsely stated on the application that the average monthly payroll was $153,363 and that the company had approximately 40 employees. As a result of Singh’s material falsehoods and omissions, she received approximately $296,800 in PPP funds. Singh transferred $116,600 to her personal bank account and used the funds to pay for personal expenses, including a home loan and credit card payments.
Singh is charged with seven counts of wire fraud. She made her initial appearance in U.S. District Court yesterday before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Middletown Physician’s Assistant Sentenced to 25 Years for Enticement of MinorsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JONATHAN WEISS, a/k/a “Ian_Jameson,” was sentenced to 25 years in prison by United States District Judge Philip M. Halpern for his enticement of seven minors to engage in sexual activity. The sentencing today followed WEISS’s guilty plea on December 9, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Weiss’s crimes are the nightmare of every parent. Weiss created a false online identity, portraying himself as a young teen, and used this false identity to exploit minors for his own sexual gratification. As today’s sentencing underscores, we will continue to use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who seek to hide behind the wall of the Internet to sexually exploit children.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings:
In September 2019, WEISS communicated online via Snapchat with a 13-year-old minor (“Victim-1”) and directed Victim-1 to take and send sexually explicit photographs of Victim-1 to WEISS. WEISS utilized the Snapchat screen name “Ian_Jameson” and posed as a minor. WEISS told Victim-1 that if she did not send more nude pictures to WEISS, he would send the pictures she had already sent to others. In response to the threats to send her pictures to others, Victim-1 “blocked” “Ian_Jameson” on Snapchat. Shortly thereafter, people began telling her that they had received her nude images.
WEISS engaged in the same type of activity with six other minors: a 13-year-old minor (“Victim-2”) in August 2019, a 13-year-old minor (“Victim-3”) in May 2020, a 14-year-old minor (“Victim-4”) in June 2018, a 16-year-old minor (“Victim-5”) in February 2020, a 13-year-old minor in February 2019 (“Victim-6”), and a 14-year-old minor (“Victim-7”) in June 2019.
At the sentencing today, Judge Halpern underscored that there was “no excuse” for the defendant’s “despicable conduct.”
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In addition to the prison term, Judge Halpern sentenced WEISS, 32, of Middletown, New York, to 25 years of supervised release.
Mr. Williams praised the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Orange Park, Florida, the Orange County Child Advocacy Center, and the Longview Texas Police Department in Longview, Texas, in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.
Michigan Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A Michigan man was charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, commonly known as ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and for being a felon in possession of a destructive device. The charges were set forth in an Indictment that was unsealed today.
The indictment was announced by Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison of the Eastern District of Michigan, and James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The indictment alleges that between 2011 and October 2017, Aws Mohammed Naser, 34, formerly of Westland, Michigan, attempted to provide material support to ISIS, in the form of personnel (including himself) and services, knowing that ISIS was a designated terrorist organization and that ISIS engages in terrorism. In addition, Naser is charged with being a felon in possession of a destructive device in October 2017.
Naser faces up to twenty years in prison for attempting to support ISIS and up to fifteen years in prison for possessing the destructive device.
Naser will be arraigned on the indictment at the federal courthouse in Detroit today at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
"Terrorism poses significant threats to people living in our District and around the world,” U.S. Attorney Ison stated. “We will aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who seeks to aid terrorists.”
“Today’s indictment serves to remind others what can happen if they attempt to provide assistance to a foreign terrorist organization,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI will make every effort to protect Americans at home and abroad and to bring other like-minded criminals to justice.”
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin for the Eastern District of Michigan is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Michigan Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
A Michigan man was charged, in an indictment unsealed today in the Eastern District of Michigan, with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, aka ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and for being a felon in possession of a destructive device.
According to the indictment, Aws Mohammed Naser, 34, formerly of Westland, attempted to provide material support to ISIS, in the form of personnel (including himself) and services, knowing that ISIS was a designated terrorist organization, and that ISIS engages in terrorism. In addition, Naser is charged with being a felon in possession of a destructive device in October 2017.
Naser will be arraigned on the indictment at the federal courthouse in Detroit today at 1:00 p.m. ET. If convicted, Naser faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison for the attempted material support charge and up to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a destructive device.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan and Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca of FBI Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin for the Eastern District of Michigan is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Merrimack Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Leith Sukkar, 22, of Merrimack, pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license and making false statements during the acquisition of firearms, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to statements made in court, between September 2021 to May 3, 2022, Sukkar purchased 22 firearms from four federally licensed dealers in New Hampshire. Sukkar falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms when, in fact, he was purchasing the firearms for other people. On May 3, 2022, Sukkar made a false statement during the purchase of a Glock model 29, 10mm pistol and a Glock model 43, 9mm pistol from Shooter’s Outpost, a federally licensed firearms dealer, located in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Similarly, on April 27, 2022, Sukkar made a false statement during the purchase of a Taurus model G2S, 9mm pistol, from Shooter’s Outpost. Other evidence obtained during the investigation showed that he was charging $900 for firearms and accepted drugs as payment for at least one firearm. Sukkar does not have a license to sell or deal in firearms.
Sukkar is scheduled to be sentenced on February 23, 2023.
The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manchester Police Department Special Investigations Unit, and the New Hampshire State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deb Walsh.
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Mercer County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Bobby Glen Trent, 37, of Princeton, was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 24, 2019, Trent got into an argument with a Highland Avenue resident while walking past the man’s house. Trent admitted that he approached the man, pointed a Diamondback Arms, Model DB9, 9mm pistol at the man and threatened to shoot him. When the man called 911, Trent hid the firearm in some bushes down the street. Law enforcement officers arrived, arrested Trent, and found the hidden firearm.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Trent knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his felony convictions for grand larceny and conspiracy in Cabell County Circuit Court on March 4, 2011.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Princeton Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-138.
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Mercer County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Jermaine Antwon Jones, 34, of Bluefield, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 11, 2022, Jones sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Bluefield. Jones admitted to selling the fentanyl as well as quantities of fentanyl and cocaine to the same confidential informant on two other occasions in Mercer County around the same time period.
On January 19, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence and found approximately 15 grams of fentanyl and 7.94 grams of cocaine. Jones admitted that he planned to distribute the controlled substances.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on March 6, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The task force consists of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Bluefield Police Department, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, and the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-200.
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Maryland man and West Virginia woman charged with fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine distribution operationRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG WEST VIRGINIA – A Maryland man and a West Virginia woman are charged with working together to sell fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for nearly two years in the Eastern Panhandle, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Glenn Caj’mere Civo Watlington, of Parkville, Maryland, was indicted today on one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Heroin, and Fentanyl,” two counts of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl Mixture,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Heroin Mixture,” three counts of “Distribution of Fentanyl,” one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.” Watlington, also known as “Chris,” 28, is accused of selling fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base from August 2020 to July 2022 in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties and elsewhere. Watlington, a person prohibited from having firearms because of a prior conviction, is also accused of having a 9mm pistol in August 2021.
Stephanie Ann Hall, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, was indicted today on one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Heroin, and Fentanyl” and one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl.” Hall, 43, is accused of working with Watlington to sell fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base.
Watlington and Hall each face up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million for the conspiracy charge. Hall also faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million for the distribution charge. Watlington also faces at least five years and up to 40 years in prison for the 40 grams or more of fentanyl charge, and up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1 million for each of the remaining drug charges. He faces up to 10 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms charge, Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Maryland Man Found Guilty of Charges for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers During 2020 DemonstrationRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A Maryland man has been found guilty by a jury of assaulting two police officers during a demonstration that took place in December 2020 in downtown Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Michael Patschak, 31, of Frederick, Maryland, was found guilty on Nov. 10, 2022, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of robbery. He is to be sentenced on Jan. 20, 2023, by the Honorable Jason Park.
According to the government’s evidence at trial, Patschak attended a demonstration at 16th and I Streets NW on Dec. 12, 2020. He was wearing a black military-style helmet, ski goggles, and a backpack with a camera mounted upon it. Amidst the chaos of the demonstration, officers with the Metropolitan Police Department conducted several arrests of protesters who were assaulting officers and other demonstrators. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Patschak observed police officers making an arrest, and he injected himself into the confrontation by shoving the main arresting officer. A fight ensued between Patschak and the police officer, and Patschak ripped the Body-Worn Camera (BWC) from the officer’s chest. The camera fell to the ground, and Patschak quickly snatched it up and put it in his pocket.
Several minutes later, Patschak approached a retreating police line, raising a middle finger and throwing water at the officers. Another MPD officer moved in to arrest Patschak, but Patshak resisted by punching the officer in the head several times. Eventually, officers were able to detain Patschak. During a search at the time of the arrest of Patschak, officers discovered the officer’s still-recording BWC in Patschak’s backpack.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all charges in an indictment.
The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Hall and Alec Levy of the Case Initiation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chip Willoughby, Paralegal Specialists Tonya Queen and Theresa Nelson, and Litigation Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell.
Man from Pueblo of Jemez sentenced to three years in prison for sexual abuse of a minorRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Edward Ray Loretto was sentenced on Nov. 14 to three years and one month in prison for sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country. Loretto, 41, of Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Jemez, pleaded guilty on Aug. 12.
On July 27, 2020, at his girlfriend’s house on the Pueblo of Jemez, Loretto, engaged in sexual intercourse with his girlfriend’s younger sister, who was 15 years old. According to a criminal complaint, Loretto and another individual provided alcohol to the victim prior to the sexual assault.
Upon his release from prison, Loretto will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Pueblo of Jemez Police Department investigated this case. The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Man charged with preparing false joint income tax returnRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A tax preparer is set to appear in court on charges of preparing a false joint income tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Fabrice Mahinga is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m.
The charges allege that in 2018, Mahinga willfully prepared a false tax return listing fake Schedule C loss, Earned Income Tax Credit, American Opportunity Credit, additional child tax credit and a false claim for an income tax refund.
If convicted, Mahinga faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
IRS - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Escher is prosecuting the case.
An information is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Man Admits Participating in Drug-Linked St. Louis MurderRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday admitted participating in a 2017 murder on behalf of a drug gang.
Tremayne Silas, 30, admitted being one of four men who fired more than 100 rounds at Alexander Noodel on May 8, 2017. Silas and the others were responding to a bounty of $5,000 to $15,000 that had been placed on rival gang members by Maurice Herbert Lee II, 34, a dealer of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine, and had learned that Noodel was drag racing in St. Louis, Silas’ plea agreement says.
Silas and Christopher Jerrin Warlick Jr., now 26, Jerome Lamont Fisher Jr., 30, and Charles Dariel Guice, 27, drove to Noodel’s location in two vehicles, jumped out and opened fire, Silas’ plea agreement says. Noodel was struck in the head. His passenger, who returned fire, escaped.
Lee later paid the bounty for killing Noodel, Silas’ plea agreement says.
Silas was arrested by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on Jan. 24, 2018 with the rifle he used in the shooting.
Silas pleaded guilty Tuesday in front of U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White to a charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime resulting in death.
At his February 15 sentencing, he faces up to life in prison for the charge.
Lee and the other three alleged shooters have pleaded not guilty to charges and their cases are still pending.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is prosecuting the case.
Louisiana Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Participating in an Interstate Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Natchez, Miss. – A Vidalia, Louisiana man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette, III, to 14 months in federal prison for his participation in an interstate drug trafficking operation distributing kilogram quantities of illegal drugs in the Natchez area from 2016 through 2018, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Clifford Payne, Jr., 52, was indicted by a federal grand jury and subsequently pled guilty to use of a telephone in furtherance of a drug crime. According to court records, Payne had several telephone conversations with Kevin Singleton to obtain cocaine from Singleton for further distribution. Kevin Singleton was sentenced in 2021 to serve 35 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Payne was previously convicted in 1987 in the Seventh Judicial District Court, Ferriday, Louisiana, of aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, and in 1990 in the same jurisdiction he was convicted of receiving stolen property.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This OCDETF case is the result of an extensive investigation targeting illegal narcotics distribution by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force in Atlanta, GA, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Pearl Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Clark prosecuted these cases.
Leader of Warner Robins Meth Trafficking Organization Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – The leader of a Middle Georgia methamphetamine trafficking network responsible for the distribution of approximately 16 kilograms of the drug pleaded guilty in federal court today resulting from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation centered in Warner Robins, Georgia.
Ontarrio Veal aka Torrie, 32, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III today. Torrie faces a maximum term of 40 years in prison to be followed by at least four years of supervised release and a $5,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2023.
“Armed methamphetamine trafficking poses a grave danger to the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Local and federal law enforcement agencies together have prevented this organization from continuing to push large amounts of a highly addictive and destructive illegal drug into Middle Georgia.”
“This investigation deals a fatal blow to a once-thriving ‘meth’ ring,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “With the leader facing up to 40 years behind bars, the community of Warner Robins and elsewhere can rest assured that their communities are much safer today thanks to the outstanding case work by DEA and our local law enforcement partners.”
“The Warner Robins Police Department is honored to have worked in conjunction with our federal partners through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces which resulted in the outcome of this case,” said Chief Wayne Fisher, Warner Robins Police Department. “It is through such local, state and federal partnerships that impacts such as these can be realized. It was with great work and effort from the men and women of this task force which resulted in these arrests that will have an immeasurable impact for the good of our shared communities.”
According to documents and other evidence admitted into court, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and Warner Robins Police Department officers investigated Veal’s drug trafficking organization based out of Warner Robins from Jan. to June 2020. Law enforcement obtained court orders to intercept the phone calls and text messages from Veal’s and co-defendant Tamara Hall’s cell phones. Agents learned that Veal was a multi-kilogram methamphetamine dealer and surveilled Veal and various co-defendants conducting methamphetamine transactions, including traveling to Atlanta to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine. Veal was taken into custody on June 1 on a return trip from Atlanta. Officers found nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine and a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a 50-round drum magazine. Agents later located open-source images on social media showing Veal with the pistol tucked into his waistband and the 50-round drum magazine hanging out. Agents executed search warrants at various locations in Middle Georgia on June 1, seizing multiple firearms and ammunition, approximately 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than $100,000 cash.
On Dec. 14, 2020, DEA agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Veal using a confidential source (CS). The CS met Veal at a local grocery store, and purchased the methamphetamine from him. Veal now admits his guilt, and admits he is responsible for distributing approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Eight co-defendants have pleaded guilty and/or been sentenced in this case:
Donna Ussery, 31, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 19 and was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison on Oct. 4;
Marquell Gaines aka Paris, 38, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison on Oct. 11;
Reginald Lowe, 41, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 30. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6;
Matthew Kay, 35, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Sept. 6. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6;
Tamara Hall, 39, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 19. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023;
Milton Simmons aka Mann, 40, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 1. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023;
Parsa Ervin, 45, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 30. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10; and
Eddie Linkhorn, 42, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Warner Robins Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Keyes is prosecuting the case.
Leader of Violent Chicago Street Gang Convicted on Federal Racketeering ChargeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal jury today convicted the leader of a Chicago street gang on racketeering conspiracy, firearm, and drug charges for participating in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the West Side of Chicago.
The jury convicted DONALD LEE, 40, of Chicago, after a two-month trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Lee was a leader of the Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang. The jury also convicted TORANCE BENSON, 30, of Chicago, a member of the gang, on racketeering conspiracy and firearm charges.
Lee faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison, while Benson’s convictions carry a maximum potential sentence of life. U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin did not immediately set sentencing dates.
Lee and Benson were among 13 defendants charged as part of a multi-year investigation into the gang’s criminal activities. The other eleven defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial and are awaiting sentencing. The investigation resulted in the seizures of more than 45 firearms, approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine, approximately seven kilograms of heroin, and approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine.
Evidence at trial revealed that the Wicked Town gang engaged in numerous acts of violence, including at least 19 murders, 19 attempted murders, several armed robberies, and assaults. The gang used threats and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement. Wicked Town members regularly promoted their violent enterprise on social media, posting comments, photos, and videos to proclaim membership in the gang, taunt rival gang members, and boast about murders and other acts of violence. The gang operated primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where members maintained “trap houses” to store firearms and illegal narcotics, including cocaine and heroin.
The jury found that Lee committed three murders and supplied the firearms used in three other killings, while Benson committed one murder and three attempted murders.
The jury convictions were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffrey L. Matthews, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Illinois State Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA).
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against alleged criminal networks.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Mitchell, Jimmy L. Arce, Meghan C. Morrissey, and Beth E. Palmer.
Las Vegas Felon Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on January 22, 2021, Brent Matthew Wilson (35) possessed with the intent to distribute over two ounces of heroin — a Schedule I controlled substance. The heroin was packaged in small balloons which is consistent with distribution. Wilson also possessed a scale and a Glock 17 handgun. Wilson has a prior felony conviction in Clark County, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
Wilson pleaded guilty in August 2022 to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.
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Lantana, Fla., Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Sean Christopher Finnell, 51, of Lantana, Fla., has been sentenced to 160 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possessing thousands of images of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM).
A CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children revealed that Finnell had emailed himself CSEM in an effort to send the material from one of his devices to another.
In August 2020, Lantana Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, executed a search warrant at his one-bedroom residence, where he lived alone. During the investigation, law enforcement found more than 11,000 images of CSEM. Evidence showed that Finnell found CSEM online, saved the images by screenshotting them, and sent the images to new electronic devices he later acquired.
He was convicted by jury on March 30, 2022.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and acting Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Buckley, HSI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
HSI, West Palm Beach, and Lantana Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Schiller and Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report online child sexual exploitation, use the electronic Cyber Tip Line or call 1-800-843-5678. The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Kansas Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Falsifying RecordsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN.– A Kansas businessman was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for his involvement in falsifying his company’s financial statements.
In January 2022, K. Kevin James, 65, of, Lenexa pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. James was a co-owner of KC United LLC, a holding company for multiple construction companies in Kansas City, Kansas, including Miller Paving LLC. According to court documents, James admitted that from 2008 to 2010, he coordinated with his accountant to manipulate Miller Paving’s quarterly financial records to falsely reflect profit to maintain the company’s banking and bonding relationships.
Also, James failed to make the payroll taxes payments for three of his companies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) totaling approximately $5,282,509.
As part of his sentence, the court ordered James to pay more than $6 million in restitution to the IRS and the Bank of Blue Valley
“Employment taxes are an essential part of doing business. Business owners and their advisors have a responsibility to collect and turn over all taxes withheld to the IRS,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Murdock. “Mr. James willfully conspired to falsify financial statements to avoid paying his share of his company’s employment taxes. The sentence reinforces the commitment of IRS-CI and its law enforcement partners to bringing tax cheats to justice.”
IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIG-TARP) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble prosecuted the case.
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Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Announces Four New National Law Enforcement Partners as it Enters its Fourth YearRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) welcomed four new national law enforcement partners to the Strike Force, for a total of 34 agencies and offices committed to deterring, detecting, investigating and prosecuting antitrust crimes and related schemes that target government procurement, grants and program funding at all levels of government.
The four entities joining the PCSF are the Offices of Inspector General for the United States Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency. Together, these offices are responsible for overseeing hundreds of billions of dollars in authorized funding that will be distributed to federal, state and local government agencies through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022. The offices have proven to be invaluable partners through their track records of working with the PCSF and the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division.
“Recent legislation will finance billions of dollars for government procurements and grants,” Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said upon announcing the new partners in Washington, D.C. “Expanding the PCSF’s national partnership to include these critical offices will better position the PCSF to protect taxpayer dollars and combat collusion in government spending.”
“The priority at Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General is always to protect the American taxpayer’s investment,” said Inspector General Teri L. Donaldson for the Department of Energy. “Recent legislation established over fifty new programs, along with providing increased funding to existing programs at the Department of Energy. We must take all steps necessary to detect and deter fraud within the Department’s complex and the government. I am proud to be a national partner of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force and to work alongside DOJ and its other partners in this effort. I’d like to thank Assistant Attorney General Kanter for bringing us all together and providing this opportunity.”
“Rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending is at the core of our mission,” said Inspector General Mark Lee Greenblatt for the Department of Interior. “The Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General looks forward to partnering with the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and our law enforcement colleagues on the Strike Force to protect American taxpayers.”
“Those who cheat and collude in procurement place transportation safety at risk and deprive taxpayers of the transportation infrastructure to which they are entitled,” said Inspector General Eric J. Soskin for the Department of Transportation. “By joining this strike force, the DOT Office of Inspector General looks forward to leveraging partnerships with our fellow law enforcement community members to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal contracting and to holding wrongdoers accountable.”
“The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General is pleased to join our law enforcement colleagues as part of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force,” said Inspector General Sean O’Donnell for the Environmental Protection Agency. “We look forward to partnering with others who share our commitment to investigating and combating antitrust and public procurement crimes.”
In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. For more information, visit https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
Justice Department Launches Investigation of Worcester Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Worcester Police Department (WPD). This civil investigation will assess whether WPD engages in a pattern or practice of excessive force or engages in discriminatory policing based on race or sex. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, trainings, investigatory files and data. The investigation will also include a review of WPD’s systems of accountability, including its systems to address misconduct complaints and discipline. The department will also evaluate how WPD officers interact with the public, collect evidence and complete investigations.
“Based on information provided to the Justice Department, we find significant justification to investigate whether the Worcester Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of racially discriminatory and gender-biased policing, and uses excessive force,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Ensuring that our law enforcement officers act in a constitutional and non-discriminatory manner is among the highest priorities of the Department of Justice. Our pattern or practice investigations are a key tool in our efforts to ensure community safety and promote constitutional policing across the country. We look forward to working with officials towards the shared goals of ensuring constitutional, effective policing and fostering greater trust between law enforcement officers and the community members they serve.”
“The City of Worcester is a thriving and vital part of our district and we work closely every day with its Police Department,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “WPD officers have a challenging job of ensuring the safety of the Worcester community. This often means responding to or encountering tense and at times dangerous conflicts and situations. I am well aware that the overwhelming majority of officers serve and do their jobs with honor, pride, restraint and distinction. The purpose of this civil investigation is to determine – through objective and thorough examination – whether or not there is an overall pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution or federal law. This is the beginning of the process. We will go where the facts take us. You will hear from me at the end of the investigation, irrespective of outcome. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that policing in Worcester is constitutional, safe, and effective all while the civil rights of their residents remain intact. We thank the City of Worcester, and specifically Chief Sargent, for their cooperation and collaboration in this matter.”
The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The statute allows the department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. The Justice Department will be assessing law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This is the second investigation of a Massachusetts law enforcement agency conducted pursuant to this statute. In 2018, the Justice Department opened an investigation of the Springfield Police Department, which was resolved by a consent decree in 2022.
Prior to this announcement, department officials informed Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Worcester Acting City Manager Eric Batista and Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent of the investigation. They pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the department officials will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with WPD.
The Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will jointly conduct this investigation. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at community.wpd@usdoj.gov or by toll free phone at 888-221-6023. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: /media/872116/dl?inline.
Justice Department Launches Civil Investigation of Worcester Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Justice Department announced today that it has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Worcester Police Department (WPD). This civil investigation will assess whether WPD engages in a pattern or practice of excessive force or engages in discriminatory policing based on race or sex. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, trainings, investigatory files, and data. The investigation will also include a review of WPD’s systems of accountability, including its systems to address misconduct complaints and discipline. The Department will also evaluate how WPD officers interact with the public, collect evidence, and complete investigations.
“The City of Worcester is a thriving and vital part of our District and we work closely every day with its Police Department. Worcester police officers have a challenging job of ensuring the safety of the Worcester community. This often means responding to or encountering tense and at times dangerous conflicts and situations. I am well aware that the overwhelming majority of officers serve and do their jobs with honor, pride, restraint and distinction," said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “The purpose of this civil investigation is to determine – through objective and thorough examination – whether or not there is an overall pattern or practice of conduct that violates the Constitution or federal law. This is the beginning of the process. We will go where the facts take us. You will hear from me at the end of the investigation, irrespective of outcome. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that policing in Worcester is constitutional, safe, and effective all while the civil rights of their residents remain intact. We thank the City of Worcester, and specifically Chief Steven Sargent, for their cooperation and collaboration in this matter.”
“Based on information provided to the Justice Department, we find significant justification to investigate whether the Worcester Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of racially discriminatory and gender-biased policing, and uses excessive force,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Ensuring that our law enforcement officers act in a constitutional and non-discriminatory manner is among the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice. Our pattern or practice investigations are a key tool in our efforts to ensure community safety and promote constitutional policing across the country. We look forward to working with officials towards the shared goals of ensuring constitutional, effective policing and fostering greater trust between law enforcement officers and the community members they serve.”
The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The statute allows the Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. The Justice Department will be assessing law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This is the second investigation of a Massachusetts law enforcement agency conducted pursuant to this statute. In 2018, the Justice Department opened an investigation of the Springfield Police Department, which was resolved by a consent decree in 2022.
Prior to this announcement, Department Officials informed Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and Worcester Acting City Manager Eric Batista of the investigation. They pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, Department officials will reach out to members of the public to learn about their experiences with WPD.
The Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will jointly conduct this investigation. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at community.wpd@usdoj.gov or by toll free phone at 888-221-6023. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Unit, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt. Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: /media/872116/dl?inline.
Jury convicts local man for possession of a pipe bombRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted a 44-year-old man for possessing an unregistered destructive device, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Elden Don Brannan following a two-day trial.
On Feb. 23, law enforcement responded to reports of a family altercation involving Brannan. His sister informed authorities he had a pipe bomb in his room.
The jury heard from a law enforcement officer who explained how they located and disassembled the device. The item consisted of a fuse inserted into metal pipe wrapped in tape containing 39.7 grams of black powder and pyrotechnic stars, a wax-like substance and five U.S. dimes.
Laboratory analysis determined the powder, stars and fuse to be explosive materials. Testing also confirmed the device was destructive as the law defines. In addition, the bomb was not properly registered to Brannan in the National Firearms Registration and transfer record.
The defense tried to convince the jury Brannan had attempted to construct a firework. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge David Morales presided over trial and set sentencing for Feb. 7, 2023. At that time, Brannan faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Dunn and John Marck prosecuted the case with the help of Paralegal Rachel Gonzales.
Jefferson County Law Enforcement Actions to Combat Gun Crime Lead to Charges Against Seven MenRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seven defendants charged in separate and unrelated gun and drug cases appeared in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Katrina Berger.
Last month a federal grand jury indicted seven individuals in Jefferson County on firearm charges. These indictments are the result of continued collaborative work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to remove drivers of violence from our communities. The majority of these individuals facing gun charges have at least two prior felony convictions. The total number of prior felony convictions among these individuals is 18. Of the seven, there is one individual who has seven felony convictions.
A second superseding indictment charges Cantrell Dehardric Harris, 33, of Birmingham, with two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of illegally possessing a Glock 10mm pistol and two rounds of Barnaul 7.62 caliber ammunition, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to this indictment, Harris persuaded an individual to write an affidavit wherein she falsely claimed ownership of the Glock 10mm pistol that Harris was charged with illegally possessing. ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Alan Baty are prosecuting the case.
A three-count indictment charges that on July 7, 2022, Kiavante Montiez Green, 27, of Birmingham, possessed a firearm, that is, a Glock .40 caliber pistol, after having been previously convicted of a felony. The indictment also charged that he possessed with the intent to distribute a controlled substance containing a detectable about of heroin and carried the Glock .40 caliber pistol in connection with a drug trafficking crime. ATF investigated the case, along with the Trussville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John G. Camp is prosecuting the case.
A two-count indictment charges Elijah Javon Rockette, 19, of Birmingham, with illegally possessing a machine gun, that is, a Glock .40 caliber pistol equipped with a “Glock switch” – an after-market device designed to illegally convert a semiautomatic Glock pistol into a fully automatic machine gun. Rockette was also charged with receipt of an unregistered firearm. ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer is prosecuting the case.
A one-count indictment charges that on July 27, 2022, Dantrell Dujuan Purifoy, 29, of Warrior, illegally possessed a Taurus 9mm, after having been previously convicted of a felony. ATF investigated the case, along with the Warrior Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Royster is prosecuting the case.
A one-count indictment charges that on September 19, 2022, Robert Ivan Salgado, 25, an undocumented individual and unlawfully in the United States, illegally possessed 138 rounds of Aguila ammunition. ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples is prosecuting the case.
A one-count indictment charges that on September 10, 2022, Cedric Rozell Thomas, 33, of Birmingham, illegally possessed a High-Point .45 caliber pistol, after having been previously convicted of a felony. ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene is prosecuting the case.
A one-count indictment charges that on October 3, 2020, Will David Parr, 23, of Birmingham, illegally possessed a Taurus .380 caliber pistol, after having been previously convicted of a felony. ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Simpson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Jake’s Fireworks Owner Sentenced to 15 years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking ViolationsRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas– The owner of Jake’s Fireworks has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Jake Ellis Daughtry, 35, of Nederland, pleaded guilty on Jan. 18, 2022, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a date rape drug over the internet to an unauthorized purchaser. Daughtry was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield.
According to information presented in court, Jake Daughtry was the owner and operator of Right Price Chemicals, a business located in Nederland that sold chemicals nationwide. An investigation of the organization began in 2018 when DEA West Palm Beach, Florida intercepted mail parcels of a chemical identified as 1,4 butanediol, commonly referred to as “BDO.” BDO is a chemical manufactured only for industrial or laboratory use as a floor stripper or vehicle wheel cleaner and is not intended for human consumption. Investigators determined that when BDO is ingested, it immediately metabolizes into GHB (also known as the date-rape drug) with the same effects, causing potential overdoses, addiction, and death. At least two people died after consuming BDO sold by Right Price Chemicals. Toxicology analysis determined that a GHB overdose was the cause of death in each case. Additionally, investigators found two additional victims who injured themselves after overdosing on BDO sold by Right Price Chemicals. Nearly 90 percent of the BDO Right Price Chemicals sold went to residential addresses.
DEA traced the seized parcels to their origination point, Right Price Chemicals, a business located on Twin City Highway in Nederland, Texas, and owned by Jake Daughtry. A seasonal fireworks business called “Jake’s Fireworks” is also operated at that location. Customers from all over the United States were able to order quantities of BDO from the Right Price Chemicals website in small amounts to use for personal consumption. The Daughtry’s continued to sell BDO even after becoming aware that some customers were ingesting the substance for its’ narcotic effect, rather than using it for its intended commercial purpose. Agents determined that since 2016, Right Price Chemicals has distributed approximately 7,000 gallons of BDO over thousands of orders, and that those sales generated $4.5 million. Daughtry and several members of his family who worked for him, were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2020.
In addition, Jake Daughtry, Joe Daughtry, Sandra Daughtry, and Kip Daughtry agreed to the entry of a permanent injunction that prohibits them, or Right Price Chemicals, to ever sell or distribute BDO to anyone, anywhere, at any point in the future.
“After being notified by Florida law enforcement that this dangerous and lethal chemical was being sold to users for a nefarious purpose, East Texas law enforcement agencies took action to protect the public and prevent others from falling prey to the sale and use of this dangerous substance,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “This was a complicated investigation involving numerous investigative agencies and both the criminal and civil divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Their collaborative efforts have made our community and country a safer place to live.”
“This is an important victory for the American public,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus, Jr, IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. “Not only is a criminal going to jail for his crimes, but we stopped the distribution of BDO through Right Price Chemicals from being used nefariously and getting into the wrong hands. IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to help protect the public and work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice.”
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration West Palm Beach, Florida, and Beaumont; U.S. Postal Service; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Essential support and coordination was provided by numerous components of DEA headquarters and the Department of Justice’s multi-agency Special Operations Division (SOD). This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Rapp, Donald Carter and Robert Wells.
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International Fugitive Arrested on 2012 Indictment for Scheme to Import Cocaine to United StatesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Guyanese citizen was arraigned today on drug conspiracy charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Dennis Edwards, aka “Death,” 38, is charged in an indictment returned in 2012 with conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine from St. Maarten into the United States. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court and was detained without bail
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Edwards was part of a criminal conspiracy that arranged to import cocaine into the United States. Edwards was arrested on Nov. 14, 2022, when he arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport after having been deported from the Dominican Republic.
The conspiracy charge against Edwards carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, and deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing Edwards’ arrest. U.S. Attorney Sellinger thanked officials in the Dominican Republic for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Inmate Sentenced to 18 Months for Attempting to Introduce ContrabandRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal inmate was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 months for attempting to introduce contraband, specifically Buprenorphine, a schedule III controlled dangerous substance, into the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina (“FCI Butner II”).
According to court documents, Malcolm Hird, 33, instructed a visitor to bring the Buprenorphine to FCI Butner II during a scheduled visit with him. Hird utilized phone calls and coded speech to instruct the visitor on how to successfully bring and transfer the contraband to him during the institution visit. The visitor, Hird’s co-defendant in this matter, did as instructed; however, she was intercepted by Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) investigators before being able to transfer the contraband. Following a search of her person, BOP staff uncovered a green balloon filled with a substance that later tested positive as Buprenorphine.
Hird pled guilty on May 12, 2021, to a Criminal Information charging him with attempting to obtain a prohibited object, to wit: Buprenorphine, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791(a)(2) and (b)(1).
Michael Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Hird. The Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Brooks Storus prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-CR-00427-FL.
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Inmate Sentenced for Escaping from A Halfway HouseRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Frederick Bush, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced on Monday to 37 months in federal prison after being convicted of escaping from custody at a Tallahassee halfway house, following a jury trial on August 30, 2022. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Whether serving a sentence in a correctional institution or completing the sentence in a halfway house, defendants must abide by the terms of their confinement,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Escaping by scaling a wall or walking away will result in additional prison time, especially for those defendants found to be in engaged in further criminal conduct upon apprehension.”
Evidence introduced during the trial revealed that Bush was serving an 84-month sentence in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance. The Bureau of Prisons placed Bush in a halfway house to complete his sentence, with an estimated release date of September 12, 2021. Bush signed a written acknowledgement of the rules of the halfway house which included notice that he could be prosecuted for escape if he failed to remain at the facility. On June 21, 2021, Bush walked away from the halfway house and was listed as an escapee. Halfway house staff conducted escape procedures which included contacting Bush telephonically and telling him to return to the facility. Bush stated he would not return to the facility. On July 28, 2021, Bush was arrested near Tifton, Georgia on unrelated narcotics charges.
“Any time that a federal prisoner escapes custody, whether by tunneling out of a cell or walking away from a halfway house, the U.S. Marshals Service will immediately investigate, and not stop until the escapee is recaptured.”
Bush’s additional term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release.
This case resulted from an investigation by the United States Marshal Service. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer prosecuted the case.
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 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.
Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing Weapon at FCI McDowellRead the Press Release
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Artemas Roberts, 42, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) McDowell, pleaded guilty today to possession of a weapon by an inmate of a federal prison.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 6, 2022, FCI McDowell staff conducted a random visual search of Roberts. Staff found a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank” and several doses of a substance that Roberts admitted was suboxone. The shank was a sharpened metal medical scalpel with a plastic handle, and was designed and intended to be used as a weapon. Roberts admitted to possessing the shank and the suboxone, and further admitted that he did not have a prescription for the suboxone.
Roberts is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-143.
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Huntington Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Sunshine Amanda Taylor, 40, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 23, 2022, Taylor sold a short-barrel Savage Arms, model 94K, 12-gauge shotgun and approximately 6 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant on Park Drive in Huntington for $1,350.
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2023, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-158.
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Hopkinton Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Hopkinton man pleaded guilty today to federal charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Christopher Leherissier, 34, admitted to a federal judge that, in February 2021, he uploaded video files of child pornography involving prepubescent children using an online messenger application account that he managed and that he stored child pornography on a mobile device.
In April 2021, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reviewed a report from the National Center for Missing and Expolited Children that a Kik platform user possessed and transferred child pornography. An ICAC investigation determined that an IP address, email address, and a Kik screen name untilized by Leherissier had been used to upload the images. During the execution of a court-authorized search warrant, investigators discovered multiple videos of child pornography on Leherissier’s mobile device and evidence that he used his email and Kik account to upload child pornography on February 16, 2021.
Leherissier is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2023.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years of incarceration to be followed by a term of up to lifetime supervised release. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years of incarceration followed a term of up to lifetime supervised release. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.
Homeland Security Investigations assisted the ICAC Task Force in the investigation of this matter.
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Highland County man sentenced to 25 years in prison for creating child pornography of sexual abuse of victim under 5 years oldRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Greenfield, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography.
Nathan Lee Murray, 33, sexually exploited a victim under the age of five for the purpose of creating child pornography. As part of his sentence, he will be on supervised release for the rest of his life.
According to the indictment, in February 2021, when Murray was on parole with the state of Ohio for a prior sex offense, he possessed child pornography on his cell phone.
Further investigation by the FBI revealed that Murray had produced the child pornography by sexually assaulting a young victim. Murray’s left hand can be seen in the images; he has the word “LOVE” tattooed on his hand. In other images, Murray’s reflection is seen in the mirror.
Murray created the images and videos in July 2020 and February 2021.
Murray was sentenced in July 2021 in Highland County for the underlying sex abuse that was depicted in the videos. The local court ordered him to serve an indeterminant term of imprisonment of 15 years to Life. Murry will have to serve a minimum of 15 years before being considered for parole.
Murray will serve 15 years of his federal sentence after he is released from his local term of imprisonment.
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; and Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Oakley are representing the United States in this case.
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Gladstone Woman Sentenced for Arson-for-Hire Attempt of KC BusinessRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Gladstone, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for attempting to hire an arsonist to destroy her commercial building in Kansas City, Mo., which contained several businesses.
Mia Lee Jamison, 70, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to three years in federal prison without parole on both counts to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release.
On June 2, 2022, Jamison pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting a crime of violence – specifically, to maliciously destroy a building by arson – and one count of making a false statement to investigators of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive.
Jamison admitted that she met with an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives at her home on several occasions in April 2019 to discuss hiring him to commit arson. She offered to pay the undercover agent $150,000 to burn her commercial building, Mia Plaza, which is located near the corner of 39th Street and Bell Avenue in Kansas City. Three businesses operated at that location at that time – 39th World of Spirits (a liquor and grocery store), Bob Wasabi Kitchen (a sushi bar), and Sahara Sheesha Lounge (a hookah lounge).
Jamison told the undercover agent that she was going to be losing ownership of the building due to a civil lawsuit, and wanted the building burned before April 29, 2019. She told the agent she had a $1.5 million insurance policy on the building (it was actually $2 million). She agreed to pay him $150,000 and gave him a deposit of $3,500. Jamison wanted the fire to look like an accident, and the undercover agent agreed to set the fire between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. to limit the risk to the tenants.
On April 28, 2019, Jamison met with the undercover agent for the last time. She told the undercover agent she had removed the video surveillance cameras at the building in preparation for the fire and wanted the building to be burned that night. Investigators recorded all the meetings between Jamison and the undercover agent by either audio or video recording equipment, or both.
At approximately 4 a.m. the next morning, federal investigators contacted Jamison at her residence. Investigators asked whether she burned down the building in question or whether she asked someone to burn the building down. On multiple occasions she denied requesting or hiring someone to destroy the building by fire.
Following the interview, they told Jamison her building had not actually been damaged by a fire but was still standing and placed her under arrest.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trey Alford and Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Former Trap House Landlord and Associate of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter SentencedRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former landlord and associate of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today for racketeering and drug offenses.
Robert Avitable, a/k/a “Bobby,” 52, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel time served (approximately four days in prison) and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 10 months in prison. On April 19, 2022, Avitable pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity and one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. As part of the plea agreement, Avitable has agreed to forfeit the three apartment buildings that he owned in the City of New Bedford. These apartment buildings, referred to as “trap houses” by the Latin Kings, were used by the gang in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy.
Avitable was an associate of the Latin Kings enterprise in New Bedford, where he owned several apartment buildings. Avitable partnered with the Latin Kings and his properties became “trap houses” used by the gang to facilitate their crimes. The apartment buildings became centers of power for the Latin Kings and served as primary locations in which gang members resided, stored weapons, dealt drugs and coordinated violence. Avitable rented the apartments to Latin Kings members, knowing that they would be used to sell, store and manufacture drugs. It was from these properties, provided in partnership with Avitable, that the Latin Kings facilitated their campaign of street violence and drug dealing. Avitable was a key player in facilitating the Latin Kings’ expansion in the area, as the apartment buildings provided powerful infrastructure to recruit members and lure vulnerable juveniles to join the gang with the promises of housing and brotherhood.
Avitable directly associated and partnered with Jorge Rodriguez, a/k/a “King G,” who at the time was second in command of Latin Kings leadership in Massachusetts. In doing so, Avitable granted a safe haven to the Latin Kings – allowing crimes to fester and grow more brazen as members operated with a sentence of impunity. Street brawls, beatings, shootings and robberies regularly occurred within, or in front of, the apartment buildings. In October 2019, a juvenile Latin Kings member was murdered steps away from one of the trap houses.
Despite the fact that police executed search warrants in the rental units controlled by the Latin Kings numerous times, Avitable continued to rent the units to the gang and was captured on multiple recordings in discussions with gang leaders. Avitable even was captured on recording discussing the manner of completing a joint real estate deal with Rodriguez. During this recording, Avitabile explains how he would launder Rodriguez’s drug proceeds through the transaction and avoid the bank scrutinizing the source of the funds.
In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. In total, 60 defendants in the case have pleaded guilty. Of the 62 charged defendants in the indictment, two remain in warrant status. All of the remaining 60 defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Avitable is the 56th defendant to be sentenced.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol Head, Chief of Rollins’ Asset Forfeiture Unit, prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The two remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.