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17 October 2022
Five Individuals Charged in Federal Probe into Thefts of Postal Keys and MailRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Five individuals in the Chicago area have been charged with unlawfully possessing U.S. Postal Service keys or stealing from the mail. The indictments were brought as part of “Operation Broken Arrow,” an ongoing federal investigation into the thefts of postal keys and mail.
Indictments recently unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago allege that the defendants unlawfully possessed the keys or stole from the mail in Chicago this year and last year. Charged with unlawfully possessing a U.S. Postal Service key are SAVANNAH S. SHANDOR, 29, of Chicago, JOSEPH T. SOLOMON, 37, of Norridge, Ill., THADDEUS J. HARPER, 42, of Chicago, SHAUN A. WHITE, 25, of Chicago, and JORDAN J. MCPHEARSON, 31, of Chicago. Shandor, Solomon, and Harper are also charged with stealing pieces of mail.
The indictments and arrests were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kai Pickens, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance was provided the Central Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Madriñan.
“It is illegal under federal law to possess a stolen or reproduced key suited to a U.S. Postal Service lock,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “We will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who unlawfully possesses such a key or steals from the mail.”
“A critical mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail and to protect postal customers,” said USPIS Acting Inspector-in-Charge Pickens. “Strong collaboration with our law enforcement partners led to the successful investigations and arrests of these individuals who compromised the postal system. We will continue to build on these efforts to investigate alleged criminals who damage trust in the U.S. mail.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Unlawfully possessing a Postal Service key is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison, while theft of mail carries a maximum sentence of five years. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Tampa-Area Clinic from Distributing Opioids and Other Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced.
In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United States alleges that the individual defendants, Dr. Vivian Herrero, Christopher Ferguson and Patricia Ferguson, used Phoenix Medical Management Care Centers Inc., a Tarpon Springs, Florida, pain clinic, to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleges that two Phoenix patients died soon after receiving opioid prescriptions issued by Dr. Herrero, and further alleges that drug toxicity played a role in those deaths.
“Medical clinics that facilitate the unlawful use of opioids and other controlled substances cannot continue to operate,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all available tools to stop the illegal distribution of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
“Medical professionals who abandon their oath to protect patients from harm and violate the law compromise the health and safety of patients and must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The illegal distribution of opioids continues to cause great harm to people in our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put an end to this devastating crisis.”
“As communities across Florida are facing the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, we need to be doing everything we can to prevent prescription opioid misuse,” Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains steadfast in our mission of working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who jeopardize the safety and health of our communities.”
The complaint alleges that the Fergusons operate Phoenix Medical, where Dr. Herrero, a licensed pediatrician, writes prescriptions for powerful opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical basis and despite obvious signs of abuse or diversion. The complaint further alleges that Phoenix operates with unqualified physicians and issues prescriptions to patients with only limited interaction or evaluation. According to the complaint, Christopher Ferguson previously was convicted on state drug trafficking charges, and he currently faces state extortion charges based on alleged conduct at Phoenix.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted the temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks civil penalties as well as a permanent injunction against the defendants.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay S. Griffin and Kelley Howard-Allen for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Prohibiting Tampa-Area Clinic from Distributing Opioids and Other Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – A federal court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting a Tampa-area clinic, its operators and a doctor from administering, dispensing or distributing any controlled substances, including issuing prescriptions for opioids, the Department of Justice announced.
In a complaint filed on Oct. 11 and unsealed Oct. 14, the United States alleges that the individual defendants, Dr. Vivian Herrero, Christopher Ferguson and Patricia Ferguson, used Phoenix Medical Management Care Centers Inc., a Tarpon Springs, Florida, pain clinic, to unlawfully issue controlled substance prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The complaint alleges that two Phoenix patients died soon after receiving opioid prescriptions issued by Dr. Herrero, and further alleges that drug toxicity played a role in those deaths.
“Medical clinics that facilitate the unlawful use of opioids and other controlled substances cannot continue to operate,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will use all available tools to stop the illegal distribution of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.”
“Medical professionals who abandon their oath to protect patients from harm and violate the law compromise the health and safety of patients and must be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The illegal distribution of opioids continues to cause great harm to people in our communities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put an end to this devastating crisis.”
“As communities across Florida are facing the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, we need to be doing everything we can to prevent prescription opioid misuse,” Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA Miami Field Division. “The DEA Miami Field Division remains steadfast in our mission of working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who jeopardize the safety and health of our communities.”
The complaint alleges that the Fergusons operate Phoenix Medical, where Dr. Herrero, a licensed pediatrician, writes prescriptions for powerful opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical basis and despite obvious signs of abuse or diversion. The complaint further alleges that Phoenix operates with unqualified physicians and issues prescriptions to patients with only limited interaction or evaluation. According to the complaint, Christopher Ferguson previously was convicted on state drug trafficking charges, and he currently faces state extortion charges based on alleged conduct at Phoenix.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted the temporary restraining order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The pending complaint seeks civil penalties as well as a permanent injunction against the defendants.
DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Tampa District Office is conducting the ongoing investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay S. Griffin and Kelley Howard-Allen for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Thomas S. Rosso and Scott B. Dahlquist of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are handling the case.
The claims made in the complaint are merely allegations that the United States must prove if the case proceeds to trial. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Father-And-Son Owners of Orange County Car Dealership Sentenced for FraudRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SAAED MOSLEM and his father MEHDI MOSLEM were sentenced today to 96 months in prison and 40 months in prison, respectively, for defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The defendants were previously found guilty of multiple offenses following a two-and-a-half-week jury trial in June 2021. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel imposed the sentence in White Plains federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This father and son duo spent nearly a decade lying about their finances to get millions of dollars in fraudulent loans while hiding their income from the IRS and, in Saaed Moslem’s case, evading his creditors through a fraudulent bankruptcy filing. Today’s sentences send a strong message that perpetrators of fraud will be held accountable and brought to justice for their actions.”
According to statements in the Indictment, evidence presented at trial and sentencing, other public filings, and statements in court:
From 2009 through 2018, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM conspired to defraud the United States by concealing profits relating to their car dealership, Exclusive Motor Sports, and other businesses from the IRS. To falsely lower their business income, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM, among other things, caused their accountant to prepare partnership tax returns that significantly understated Exclusive Motor Sports’ inventory. The fraudulent business income figures passed through to MEHDI MOSLEM’s and SAAED MOSLEM’s personal tax returns, contributing to a nearly $1 million underpayment in federal and state taxes.
From 2011 through 2019, MEHDI MOSLEM and SAAED MOSLEM also conspired to commit bank fraud by providing falsely inflated net worth statements and fabricated tax returns in connection with loan applications, including for a $1.5 million mortgage on the Exclusive Motor Sports property in Central Valley. SAAED MOSLEM then made numerous false statements to conceal his assets from financial institutions and other creditors when he filed for bankruptcy in 2015. As a result, more than half a million dollars of unsecured debt was fraudulently discharged in the proceedings. In 2019, SAAED MOSLEM committed aggravated identity theft by using a customer’s personal identifying information in connection with a fraudulent car loan application.
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In addition to their prison terms, MEHDI MOSLEM, 73, and SAAED MOSLEM, 39, both of Central Valley, New York, were sentenced to three years of supervised release. MEHDI MOSLEM was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,040,685.58 and a $100,000 fine. SAAED MOSLEM was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $1,927,303.25 and a $200,000 fine.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI and IRS-CI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas S. Bradley, Daniel Loss, and James McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.
Fast food robbery results in prison for Houston manRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his role in a series of robberies in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Marco Ruelas pleaded guilty Aug. 9, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ordered Ruelas to serve 234 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Ruelas apologize to the court and the victims of his robberies and accepted responsibility for his crimes.
On Dec. 10, 2019, law enforcement responded to a robbery at a McDonalds on Westheimer Road in Houston. Witnesses reported that Ruelas rushed into the restaurant and pointed a shotgun at workers and bystanders. He said “I want the money, all the big bills or I will shoot all of y’all.”
Shortly after, he took cash from the registers and fled in a maroon sedan. Witnesses said they heard Ruelas fire shots in the parking lot as he fled.
Ruelas had a tattoo over his right eye which was later used to identify him.
The investigation led to the connection of Ruelas to a previous robbery of a MetroPCS store that occurred Nov. 29, 2019, on Magnum Road in Houston. At that time, Ruelas produced a handgun and told an employee “give me everything and nothing is going to happen to you.” The employee told authorities Ruelas stole money and cell phones before running out of the store. Later, they described the tattoo over his eye.
Ruelas will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Houston Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAlister prosecuted the case.
Exeter Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steve Russell announced that Spencer Lile, 42, formerly of Exeter, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography. Lile was sentenced to 7 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is no parole in the federal system. Liles was additionally ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
On August 4, 2021, Spencer Lile was arrested on state charges of theft and possession of a controlled substance. A search warrant for the search of Lile’s cellphone related to those offenses was received by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. On August 5, 2021, a download of the cellphone was completed, and child pornography was located on the device. Based on the discovery of apparent child pornography on the phone, a federal search warrant to search the phone for child pornography evidence was received on September 27, 2021. A review of Lile’s cellphone revealed 424 files of child pornography which included 302 of video files.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Ex-Housing Authority Official Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Pamela McDaniel, 68, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to alteration of a postal money order, and admitted she used her position at the Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority (CKHA) to obtain the money order and embezzle more than $28,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McDaniel had been employed by CKHA since 2006 and was serving as a housing manager in 2018. As a housing manager, McDaniel’s duties included collecting tenant rental payments and forwarding them to the CKHA accounts clerk. On January 10, 2018, McDaniel received a $235 postal money order from a CKHA tenant intended for rental payment. McDaniel admitted to adding her own name to the postal money order to make it appear as though McDaniel was the intended beneficiary of the payment. McDaniel deposited the postal money order into her personal checking account.
McDaniel further admitted that from 2007 to 2018, she used her position as a CKHA housing manager to embezzle $28,523.30. As part of this scheme, McDaniel altered money orders she received from tenants attempting to pay dues that they owed CKHA and deposited the altered money orders into her personal checking account. McDaniel offset some of the money she stole by repaying a portion of the embezzled funds.
McDaniel is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. McDaniel agreed to pay $17,543.92 in restitution.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Blackwell is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-157.
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Dentist Pleads Guilty and Gets Probation for Refusing to Keep Proper RecordsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Monroeville, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of refusing to make and keep adequate records related to prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Daniel Garner, 50, of the Monroe Heights area, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from July 2011 to August 2015, Garner failed and refused to make, keep, or furnish records required to substantiate the legitimate medical purpose for prescriptions he issued to his dental patients for Schedule II controlled substances, primarily Oxycodone in the form of Percocet. Dr. Garner’s treatment notes often did not contain any reference to the patient’s pain when he prescribed oxycodone, and did not state why a narcotic was needed rather than a non-controlled substance pain reliever.
Immediately after the entry of the guilty plea, Judge Bissoon sentenced Garner to a term of probation of 18 months; a fine of $1,000.00 and a special assessment of $25.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen R. Kaufman and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The DEA, the FBI and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Garner.
Deatsville Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for the Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Ala. – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that a 34-year-old man from Deatsville, Alabama, Matthew Aaron Windsor, received a 210-month prison sentence for the sexual exploitation of a 5-year-old child. Following his sentence, Windsor will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to Windsor’s plea agreement and other court records, this case arose from an April 2020 tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that obscene images of a minor had been uploaded from an online account. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency began an investigation and that investigation revealed that Windsor was linked to the images. During his plea hearing in July of 2022, Windsor specifically admitted to enticing a five-year old to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of recording and creating images of the exploitation. In his plea agreement, Windsor also admitted to possessing at least 600 illegal images.
This case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, and the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center in Montgomery and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney J. Patrick Lamb prosecuted the case.
Cumberland Man Admits to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Cumberland man whose email and IP address were used to access and view child pornography pleaded guilty today in federal court to a charge of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Patrick K. Newton, 27, was found on March 30, 2022, by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to be in possession of child pornography stored on electronic media storage devices belonging to him.
In January 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided HSI with information they obtained from a Canadian-based online messaging and chat service that, on multiple dates, an IP address and email, later determined by law enforcement to belong to Newton, was used on multiple dates to access and view child pornography.
At the time of the court-authorized search of Newton’s residence in March 2022, a preliminary forensic audit of a thumb drive belonging to Newtown was found to contain videos depicting child pornography.
Newton is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2023. The defendant’s sentence 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 Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Convicted Fugitive Who Escaped Justice for 30 Years Extradited from Singapore to United States to Serve Sentence for Bank Fraud, EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
A man who fled to Taiwan to escape a 33-month prison sentence has been returned to the U.S. after 30 years as a fugitive, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
In February 1992, Jack Hsu, 74, was convicted at trial in Dallas of five counts of bank fraud and five counts of embezzlement from a bank. He was sentenced in April 1992 to 33 months in federal prison, but allowed to remain free on bond pending his prison designation.
On May 21, 1992, Mr. Hsu allegedly failed to report to his designated prison facility in Boron, California, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. U.S. authorities later determined Mr. Hsu allegedly fled to Taiwan.
At the request of the United States, the Singapore Police Force arrested Mr. Hsu on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Following court proceedings in Singapore, Mr. Hsu consented to his extradition, and the Singaporean Minister for Law ordered his surrender on October 11. He was returned to Texas by plane on Friday, October 14, and appeared in court on Monday, October 17.
He will immediately begin serving his 33-month bank fraud and embezzlement sentence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. The extradition from Singapore was secured by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The FBI and the Justice Department expressed appreciation to Singaporean authorities for their cooperation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua D. Detzky is prosecuting the case.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Dartis Cobb (35, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Cobb faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on August 13, 2022, Cobb knowingly possessed 9mm Luger ammunition. Cobb has previously been convicted of two felonies – robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon – therefore he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Colombian National Sentenced to over Eleven Years for Trafficking Narcotics on the High Seas and Endangering the Lives of U.S. Coast Guard MembersRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell has sentenced Billy Rengifo Saaverda (44, Medellin, Colombia) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 464 kilograms of cocaine and 217 kilograms of marijuana – approximately 1,500 pounds of narcotics. Saaverda had pleaded guilty on June 6, 2022.
According to court documents and information offered in open court, on February 21, 2022, in the middle of the night, Saaverda and his two co-conspirators were trafficking narcotics on the high seas in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 70 miles south of Panama. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Legare was patrolling in the vicinity and deployed its helicopter and 26-foot small boat to interdict the suspected drug traffickers. When the Legare’s small boat team approached Saaverda’s 30-foot boat, a high-speed pursuit commenced in rough waters with both vessels travelling at speeds over 30 knots. Saaverda was behind the helm of the drug-running vessel, leading the chase. Given it was the middle of the night in the Pacific Ocean, the only lighting in the immediate area was the USCG vessel’s blue, flashing law enforcement lights, yellow spotlights, and mast light. The defendants failed to heed the USCG’s repeated verbal directives to halt. Warning shots were fired from both the USCG’s helicopter and its small boat; this did not deter the drug traffickers. Rather than stop, for over 20 minutes Saaverda continuously attempted to ram his vessel into the USCG’s small boat, seriously endangering the lives and safety of the five United States servicemembers on board.
Undeterred, and after an hours-long pursuit, the USCG successfully interdicted the defendant’s vessel, which was laden with over $14,000,000 of cocaine and marijuana.
This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force comprised of agents and analysts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Southern Command's Joint Interagency Task Force South. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pardo.
Colombian Drug Kingpin and Paramilitary Leader Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Daniel Rendon Herrera, also known as “Don Mario,” a citizen of Colombia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 35 years’ imprisonment for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise as a leader of the paramilitary, multibillion dollar drug organization known as the “Clan del Golfo” (CDG), and 15 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). The sentences will run concurrently. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered Rendon Herrera to pay $45,750,000 million in forfeiture. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2021.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA); Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Steven A. Nigrelli, First Deputy Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP), announced the sentence.
“Once the most feared narco-terrorist in Colombia, today marks the end of the criminal career of Rendon Herrera, responsible for importing tons of cocaine, fueling violence, perpetuating drug abuse leaving a wake of destruction from Colombia to the United States, and stained with the blood of rival drug traffickers and civilians who were tortured and killed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Our Office remains committed to cooperating with our international partners to dismantle transnational criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo.”
“Daniel Rendon Herrera was one of the most prolific drug traffickers to ever operate in Colombia,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino. “As leader of the AUC and Clan del Golfo, Don Mario was responsible for not only importing multi-ton quantities of cocaine into the United States, but also for terrorizing the citizens of Colombia for financial gain. Today’s sentencing underscores DEA’s commitment to bringing to justice drug traffickers at the highest levels who cause the most harm throughout our communities.”
“These paramilitary drug cartels may seem to be a world away, but they have a deadly impact on communities here in New York City. Today’s sentencing demonstrates we and our partners remain committed to pursuing the leadership of these organizations and will hold them accountable for the devastation they cause,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“Starting in the late 1990’s, Rendon Herrera was the leader and mastermind behind a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially-Designated Global Terrorism Organization. Under his leadership, Clan del Golfo (CDG) was responsible for heinous acts of violence, often leaving death and destruction in its wake to further the organization’s global cocaine trafficking network,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “Today’s sentencing and ordered forfeiture demonstrates the weight of Rendon Herrera’s crimes. HSI will continue to work ceaselessly alongside our partners to protect Americans by dismantling and disrupting transnational criminal organizations and bring their leaders to justice.”
“Today’s sentencing reinforces the NYPD’s tireless work to rid our city of illegal narcotics and ensures meaningful consequences for one of the world’s most notorious narcotics traffickers,” said NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “The drugs and violence linked to this case knew no borders – but neither did the combined efforts of our NYPD officers and law enforcement partners as we collaborated on the local, state, federal, and international levels to achieve justice. For their sustained dedication, I am proud to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, and everyone else who contributed to this successful outcome.”
As set forth in the court filings and proceedings, since the late 1990’s, Rendon Herrera was a leader of the designated foreign terrorist organization, the AUC, and founder and leader of the CDG, formerly and also referred to as Los Urabeños and Clan Usuga, effectively the successor organization to the AUC.
The AUC, founded in 1997, was a Colombian paramilitary and drug-trafficking organization, designated in 2001 by the United States Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially-Designated Global Terrorism Organization. The AUC engaged in armed conflict with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia (FARC), Colombia’s main guerilla group, and sought to remove FARC sympathizers from positions of power and influence in Colombia. To support its political and terrorist objectives, the AUC imposed “taxes” on cocaine trafficked through AUC-controlled areas and engaged in violent attacks including murders and kidnappings. By 2006, many members of the AUC demobilized as part of the Colombian government’s Justice and Peace process – a process under which paramilitary members surrender to the Colombian government and relinquish their criminally-derived assets in exchange for reduced sentences and amnesty from extradition. Rather than submit to the peace process, Rendon Herrera re-mobilized the AUC as the CDG.
The CDG, like the AUC, continued to finance their paramilitary and drug trafficking by imposing a “tax” on multi-ton shipments of cocaine that transited through areas in Colombia controlled by the organization, which shipments – more than 80 tons of cocaine – were ultimately destined for importation into the United States. The CDG also employed “sicarios,” or hitmen, who carried out various acts of violence, including murders, assaults, kidnappings, and assassinations to collect drug debts, maintain discipline, control and expand drug territory and to promote and enhance the prestige, reputation and position of the organization. By 2009, when Rendon Herrera was captured by the Colombian National Police, he commanded 16 “bloques,” or territories, across Colombia and thousands of armed paramilitary fighters. Additionally, since 2009, Rendon Herrera has been designated by the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Rendon Herrera’s successor as leader of the Clan del Golfo, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, also known as “Otoniel,” was extradited to the Eastern District of New York in May 2022 to face charges of leading a continuing criminal enterprise and participating in an international cocaine manufacturing and distribution conspiracy, and is awaiting trial.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Francisco J. Navarro, and Andrew D. Grubin are in charge of the prosecution and Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters, with assistance provided by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Li of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Elisabeth Poteat of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs handled the extradition in this matter and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) Judicial Attaché Office in Bogotá, Colombia was instrumental in supporting the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The Defendant:
DANIEL RENDON HERRERA (also known as “Don Mario”)
Age: 57
Antioquia, ColombiaE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 14-CR-625 (S-3) (DLI) / 20-CR-569 (S-6) (DLI)
S.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 04-CR-962 (LAP) / 08-CR-659 (SAS)
Central Pennsylvania Man Charged with Hobbs Act Robbery and Brandishing A Firearm During A Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Jaden Morales, age 20, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 12, 2022, by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery of a business engaged in interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), brandishing and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and related firearm offenses.
According to United States Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on March 10, 2022, Kyle Jaden Morales entered a Sheetz convenience store in Dauphin County, approached the cashier, brandished a 9mm black handgun with gold barrel and fluted slide, instructed the cashier to open the cash drawers, and took the cash by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury. The indictment further alleges that on March 22, 2022, the defendant possessed two loaded firearms – the un-serialized 9mm pistol used during the March 10, 2022, robbery, along with a 9mm Taurus G2c pistol.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charged offense is up to life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Carriere Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Firearm by an Unlawful User of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – A Carriere man was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jacob Whitehead, 35, was sentenced on October 13, 2022, in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court documents, in January of 2022, DEA task force officers were called to a residence in Lumberton, Mississippi due to a suspected overdose death. An investigation into the death revealed that the decedent had recently purchased narcotics from Jacob Whitehead. A search warrant was obtained for the home of Whitehead and three firearms were recovered as part of the search. Small amounts of narcotics were also found in the residence. Whitehead admitted to being an unlawful user of narcotics and to possessing the three firearms.
Whitehead was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 23, 2022. He pled guilty on June 28, 2022, to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
Canton Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Canton man was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for armed carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.
Cordelro DeSean Shoulders, 30, was sentenced on October 13, 2022, in U.S. District Court in Jackson. Shoulders was further ordered to a five-year term of supervised release following his prison term.
According to court documents, during the evening of April 28, 2019, at a Jackson gas station, Shoulders and an unknown man pulled up next to a car occupied by three young women and initiated a conversation. The women agreed to meet Shoulders and the other man at a party nearby. Once the women arrived, and while still in their car, the men approached and pointed guns at the women. The women were ordered out of their car and were made to remove their clothes. Shoulders and the other man took the women’s phones, wallets, and the keys to their car. Shoulders then left in the women’s car while the other man followed. Shoulders was captured and identified on the following day, April 29, after he led police on a pursuit and crashed while avoiding a roadblock. Shoulders was driving the car he had taken from the women.
Shoulders was indicted by a federal grand jury and pled guilty on July 7, 2021, to armed carjacking.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Police Department, and Clinton Police Department investigated the case.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway.
Burlington Man Charged with Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated Leon Delima, 34, of South Burlington, Vermont appeared in United States District Court today on charges related to his possession of a firearm and controlled substances. According to documents filed in the case, Delima, a multi-time felon, possessed over 30 grams of cocaine and discharged a firearm in Burlington on July 2, 2022. Following a brief appearance today, Delima was detained pending further proceedings in the case.
If convicted of the charges, Delima would face maximum sentences of up to 15 years for knowing possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense and up to 20 years for possessing cocaine with an intent to distribute it. Any actual sentence would be determined in consultation with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The indictment is an accusation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The United States Attorney’s Office credited the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force for their work in investigating the case and arresting Delima.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles represents the United States. Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls represented Delima at the arraignment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn
Burlington Man Arraigned on Charges of Enticing a Minor as well as the Receipt and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on October 14, 2022, Deyquan Martin, 21, of Burlington, Vermont, appeared in United States District Court in Burlington for an arraignment on a three-count indictment charging him with enticement of a minor as well as the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material. Martin had previously appeared before in United States District Court in Burlington on September 23, 2022, and after a detention hearing on September 27, 2022, Martin was released on conditions requiring home detention, location monitoring, and monitored electronics use, among other items.
According to court documents, Martin met a twelve-year old minor through an online video game and, using an online messaging platform, induced the minor to send him sexually explicit photographs and videos of herself. Martin later threatened the minor that he would publish the sexually explicit material already received unless the minor sent him additional sexually explicit photographs and videos of the minor.
On September 22, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Burlington Police Department, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police, executed a search warrant at Martin’s Burlington residence. In searching Martin’s residence, law enforcement found sexually explicit photographs of the twelve-year old minor as well as child sexual abuse material of another minor on Martin’s computer. Following the search, law enforcement placed Martin under arrest.
If convicted of the charges, Martin would face maximum sentences of up to life imprisonment for enticement of a minor, up to 10 years for receipt of child sexual abuse material, and up to 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. Any actual sentence would be determined in consultation with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. The indictment is an accusation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The United States Attorney’s Office credited Homeland Security Investigations, Burlington Police Department, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New Jersey State Police for their work and collaboration on this case.
Martin is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven L. Barth. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represents the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Burlington County, NJ, Bookkeeper Charged with Stealing from Former EmployerRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Bonnie Sweeten, 51, recently of Delanco, NJ, was charged by Information with two counts of wire fraud related to her scheme to steal from her former employer by forging checks and making fraudulent purchases with the company credit card.
According to the Information, in September 2017, the defendant was hired as a bookkeeper for a Doylestown-based excavating company because the president of the company had known her for many years. As the bookkeeper, Sweeten had access to company bank accounts, company checkbooks, the company mail, and other sensitive personal information belonging to the president and to the company. The defendant allegedly abused the trust of the president of the company by using her position to steal company funds: using her access to the company’s checking account to issue dozens of company checks to herself; using her access to the company mail to steal checks that had been mailed to the company, which she then fraudulently endorsed over to herself; and using her access to the company credit card to make tens of thousands of dollars of personal purchases.
“As an employee of the company, Bonnie Sweeten was well aware of her obligation to act in the best interest of the company, but instead she allegedly chose to take advantage of the opportunity offered to her to work as a bookkeeper for this company,” said U.S. Attorney Romero.
“Bonnie Sweeten’s alleged actions are the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Defrauding one’s employer is both a bad career move and a federal crime, for which violators must be held accountable.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Mannion.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Barre Man Sentenced to 2 Years of Imprisonment for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that David Tom, 38, of Barre, Vermont, was sentenced to serve 2 years of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. United States District Court Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered Tom to serve a two-year term of supervised release after his incarceration.
According to court records, Tom was in a vehicle that was stopped by Vermont State Police on January 28, 2022, in Barre. The stop occurred because of a suspected invalid registration and an inoperable taillight. After officers observed drug paraphernalia, a K9 alerted on the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of a Hi Point .380 ACP semi-automatic handgun from inside Tom’s backpack. At the time of the traffic stop, Tom was subject to conditions of release in multiple pending State of Vermont criminal matters and was subject to a 24-hour curfew.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Montpelier Police Department. He also thanked the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
The prosecutor was Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. Tom was represented by Mary Nerino, Esq., of the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn
Avon Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL FERRO, 36, formerly of Avon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by nine years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 18, 2021, Ferro, using the Kik social media application, began chatting in a Kik group with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a father of a 12-year-old girl. After Ferro determined that the OCE was engaging in sexual activity with his “daughter,” he sent the OCE a photo depicting the genitals of a child. Ferro then stated that he had more pictures to share, and expressed an interest in meeting the OCE’s daughter to engage in sexual activity. After confirming Ferro’s identity, investigators traveled to Ferro’s Avon residence late in the evening of August 18, informed him of the investigation, and seized his cell phone.
Ferro was arrested on a criminal complaint on September 29, 2021. On March 1, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. He is currently detained.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Avon Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Arizona Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Role in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. today sentenced Tymane D. Hamilton (30, Phoenix, Arizona) to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Hamilton had pleaded guilty on April 19, 2022.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Hamilton was involved in a drug conspiracy with accomplices in Lake County, Florida, that imported more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, over 50 kilograms of cocaine, over 1 kilogram of heroin, and over 50 kilograms of marijuana that were distributed in central Florida. Between 2018 and 2019, Hamilton agreed with others to ship 49 parcels containing illegal narcotics to Florida from source states, including Arizona and California. Once they arrived, the drugs were distributed to other dealers in the Middle District of Florida. Hamilton was responsible for acquiring the drugs and packaging them in parcels. On at least two occasions, he also personally shipped packages from California containing several kilograms of methamphetamine and marijuana.
In addition to Hamilton, three other conspirators have pleaded guilty and were sentenced by Judge Dalton as follows:
Defendant (Age, Residence)
Pleaded Guilty:
Sentenced:
Term of Imprisonment:
Devonne L. Walker (36, Lady Lake, FL)
7/28/21
11/16/21
25 years
Chauncy Stackhouse (30, Leesburg, FL)
3/25/21
5/16/22
8 years
Kanisha D. Savage (29, Phoenix, AZ)
11/10/21
4/19/22
5 years, 10 months
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, with support from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Postal Service Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
Anchorage Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography.
According to court documents, Timothy Swensen, Jr., 30, sent sexually explicit text messages, including a series of images depicting his ongoing sexual abuse of a female toddler, to a vulnerable young adult whom he had previously sexually assaulted. During the interview with detectives, the adult victim shared the texts and images. Following an investigation, Swensen was arrested by the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force in May 2021. Swensen was previously convicted of sexual assault in the second degree by the State of Alaska in 2011.
“Swensen is a predatory danger to society who will now spend 45 years behind bars for actively and directly exploiting some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Although nothing can erase the indescribable trauma inflicted on the victims and their families, we hope this sentence will bring some accountability for his actions. It is also a signal to others that we will use all means at our disposal to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit and harm children.”
“This sentence reflects the severity and depravity of the defendant’s crimes, which have no place in our society,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Protecting the most vulnerable, and removing child predators from our community, will always be a priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners.”
As part of the sentence, Swensen was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution and will be on supervised release for the rest of his life.
The FBI and APD, as part of the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted the investigation leading to Swensen’s arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.
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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Airline Mechanics Sentenced for Conspiracy to Purchase Private Jet to Transport Cocaine InternationallyRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Jesus Enriquez Pimentel (41, Mexico) to five years and six months in prison and Tomas Borjas Mendez (38, Texas) to four years and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine internationally. Pimentel and Mendez had pleaded guilty on June 28, 2022, and July 5, 2022, respectively.
According to information revealed during the sentencing hearings, on May 28 and December 8, 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) used an undercover agent (UC) and a confidential source (CS) to negotiate with Pimentel and Mendez to purchase a private passenger jet for users in Mexico. During recorded conversations, Pimentel and Mendez told the UC and the CS that they needed to purchase the airplane in order to transport approximately 2,500 kilograms of cocaine. They explained that they would only be able to use the airplane once or twice. Then, the buyers would destroy the plane by intentionally crashing it in a jungle or the ocean. Pimentel and Mendez also attempted to bribe an individual, who they thought was an airport customs official, in order to allow cash and drugs to pass through the airport. The airport customs official was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.
To conclude the purchase of the airplane, Pimentel and Mendez traveled around the Southeastern United States over a one-month period and gathered more than $600,000 in cash and provided it to the undercover law enforcement officers. Shortly after providing the final payment for the airplane Pimentel and Mendez were interviewed and arrested.
“These criminals sought to exploit their abilities as mechanics by acquiring an aircraft to figuratively fly under the radar and smuggle drugs intercontinentally, as well as move physical cash globally,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David J. Pezzutti. “The sentencings of these individuals demonstrate HSI’s commitment to stand on the frontlines fighting to disrupt the flow of illicit narcotics into our communities.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn P. Napier.
54-Year-Old Tucson Man Sentenced to 18 Months Plus Fined $5000 for Alien SmugglingRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Donald Douglas Scarlett, III, 54, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced on October 3, 2022, by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 18 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. In addition to his prison sentence, the government argued for, and the court ordered, Scarlett to pay a fine of $5000. Scarlett previously pleaded guilty in May 2022 to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit.
On March 19, 2022, United States Border Patrol agents observed Scarlett making U-turns and otherwise driving erratically while traveling near the Arizona-Mexico border and proceeded to conduct an immigration stop. During the stop, agents discovered six undocumented noncitizens from Mexico inside Scarlett’s vehicle.
Custom and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, Sonoita Station conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-741-TUC-CKJ-MSA
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-181_Scarlett# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
15 October 2022
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sentenced on October 11, 2022, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange.
Jordan Traversie, 32, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Traversie was indicted for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on June 24, 2022.
Traversie was previously convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. As a result of this conviction, Traversie is required to register his address in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Traversie was living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and failed to properly register his address as required.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Traversie was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux Falls Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Adrian Fast Dog, age 42, was indicted in August of 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on October 14, 2022, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about between June 21, 2022, and July 26, 2022, in the District of South Dakota, Adrian Fast Dog, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under federal law, knowingly failed to register and update his registration.
The charge is merely an accusation and Fast Dog is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler is prosecuting the case.
Fast Dog was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
14 October 2022
York County Woman Sentenced for Fraud Related to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance BenefitsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tami Mateljan, age 47, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 11, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to two years of probation for conspiring to commit wire fraud. Mateljan was also ordered to pay $8,427 in restitution.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Mateljan previously admitted that between October 2020 and December 2020, conspirators obtained pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits from Colorado and Ohio by using the names and personal information of other individuals without authorization. The states transferred the fraudulently obtained PUA benefits to accounts owned by Mateljan. She then used some of the money for her own benefit and transferred the remaining money to conspirators in other countries, including Nigeria.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Worcester Man Sentenced for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Kevin Jean, 31, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 30, 2022, Jean and co-defendants Junior Melendez and Juan Rodriguez were convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine.
From March 2019 through early June 2019, intercepted communications revealed that Jean, Melendez and Rodriguez conspired with Angel Cordova, Antoine Mack, Carlos Richards and others to buy and sell multiple kilograms of cocaine. Melendez and Rodriguez purchased powder cocaine from Cordova, cooked a portion of that powder cocaine into cocaine base (crack cocaine), and then allegedly distributed the cocaine – using Jean and Mack as their runners – to their primary buyer, Richards in Manchester, N.H.
On Oct. 3, 2022, Rodriguez was sentenced to 52 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2020, Mack was sentenced to 54 months in prison. Cordova is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2022. Melendez is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 29, 2022. Richards remains a fugitive.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; Shrewsbury Police Department; Athol Police Department; Winchendon Police Department and the Pawtucket, R.I. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm, Chief of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Winston-Salem Man Sentenced to 151 Months for Trafficking MethRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Israel Ramos Ponce, 24, of Winston Salem was sentenced to yesterday 151 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine. On May 18, Ponce pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winston-Salem Police Department received information that Ponce was part of a large-scale drug trafficking organization in 2018. The organization operated in Winston-Salem, and it distributed significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine to the Goldsboro area. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Ponce was a courier who assisted co-defendant Kelvin Vincente Noyola, a/k/a “Tripp,” in the distribution of significant quantities of methamphetamine to customers of the organization. Over the course of the conspiracy, Ponce was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 933.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Co-defendant, Kelvin Vicente Noyola, a/k/a “Tripp,” was also charged and convicted in this investigation. Noyola pled guilty on July 25, 2022, to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine, aiding and abetting. Noyola’s sentencing is pending.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winston-Salem Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:22-CR-00010-D.
Wake County Man Sentenced to more than 17 Years in Prison for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Wake County man was sentenced yesterday to 210 months imprisonment followed by 20 years of supervised release for transporting and possessing child pornography. Spencer Charles Thomas Crocker, 23, of Cary, North Carolina pleaded guilty on February 16, 2022 to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received twelve Cyber Tips regarding the uploading of child pornography to Google accounts. The IP address was being leased to Crocker’s father with an associated address in Cary. Other information included with the Cyber Tips led law enforcement to believe the person uploading the child sexual abuse material was Crocker.
Law enforcement received a search warrant for the Google account associated with the Cyber Tips. Within the Google account, they found more than 2,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. They identified the account belonged to Crocker by photos of himself and various receipts for online purchases with his information included within that account.
Based on evidence from the Google account, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Crocker’s residence. Crocker was present when the search warrant was executed and admitted he was intentionally seeking out child pornography on the dark web. Law enforcement learned Crocker had Mega, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive accounts and executed search warrants for content of all the accounts. They discovered over 4,500 additional images and videos of child sexual abuse material in those accounts.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III presided over the sentencing. Cary Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:21-CR-00429-D.
U.S. Department of Justice selects Southern District of Texas office to advance “United Against Hate”Read the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Department of Justice, law enforcement and community-based organizations assembled to further advance a nationwide initiative known as “United Against Hate,” announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
On Sept. 15, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland introduced the program to contest unlawful acts of hate. He selected the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) as one of the 16 cohorts to expand strategies on this initiative.
On Oct. 13, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) hosted a Community Organizations and Agency Forum which included academic professionals, community organizations representing groups most often targeted by hate crimes, community associations created to combat hate, law enforcement agencies and county, state and federal-level prosecution agencies.
“Hate crimes not only impact the individuals who are directly targeted, but there is community victimization,” said Lowery. “We must take a collaborative and proactive, versus reactive, approach in addressing hate speech and hate crimes in order to make our communities safer.”
The groups reviewed statistical data regarding hate crimes in and around the Houston metroplex and assessed past hate crimes investigations and prosecutions.
An interactive panel including the Anti-Defamation League – Southwest Region, Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance – Rice University, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Montrose Center (an agency servicing the LGBTQ+ community) and USAO-SDTX welcomed audience members to participate in difficult conversations. They held in-depth discussions on issues such as lack of reporting by victims, cultural biases, sensitivity issues that may be exhibited when encountering hate crime victims, re-victimization, community awareness and training.
They further considered potential solutions to mitigate these issues including the development of a formal alliance with community partners to outline the process of educating the community, training law enforcement, increasing victim advocacy and prosecuting offenders.
The forum is the beginning of a collaborative community effort to minimize hate crimes in the SDTX through extensive awareness campaigns, thorough investigations and vigorous prosecutions.
Additionally, attendees were provided information regarding the Department of Justice’s United Against Hate Crimes website for reporting hate crimes, resources and federal grant opportunities.
U.S. Attorney’s Office to Open a Staffed Branch Office in Tri-Cities, WashingtonRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, today announced that a fully-staffed branch of the United States Attorney’s Office will be opening in Richland, Washington. At a press event earlier today, U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “The number of cases prosecuted by the Richland Division of my office has risen significantly over the last two decades. As the number of cases continued to grow, it became clear that we need dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys, who live and work in the Tri-Cities area, to support our federal, state, and local partners and ensure that criminal defendants who commit federal crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
After learning that the U.S. Attorney’s Office would opening a staffed Richland Office, Senior United States District Court Judge Edward F. Shea stated, “I am pleased to join in celebrating the expansion of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Richland. This expansion will strengthen the ongoing Federal-Local law enforcement efforts in Southeastern Washington for the benefit of all who live here.”
The Richland Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is in the Richland Courthouse and Federal Building, which is located at 825 Jadwin Avenue in Richland, Washington. Since 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted an average of approximately 70 cases each year arising in the Richland Division. While the U.S. Attorney’s Office has continued to prosecute a large volume of cases in Richland, the federal prosecutors handling these cases have been traveling from Spokane and Yakima to appear for hearings in Richland’s federal courthouse.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington represents the United States in federal litigation, both criminal and civil, in the twenty Washington counties east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The Eastern District is home to approximately 1.5 million people, of which approximately 400,000 live in the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for enforcing federal criminal, civil, administrative, and tax laws. The Office works closely with federal, state, and local partners with one primary purpose: To ensure that justice is done in each individual case. The Richland Office, when it is fully staffed, is expected to have two fulltime Assistant United States Attorneys and one legal assistant.
“Many of the most significant federal cases and crimes we prosecute involve conduct in the Tri-Cities area,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. She continued, “When I became the United States Attorney a little over a year ago, one of my top priorities was to build upon the work that the Department of Justice has been doing in the Tri-Cities. Today’s announcement is a realization of our goal to ensure the United States Attorney’s Office has a permanent and staffed presence serving Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties. We are fortunate to already have Special Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland, who has prosecuted state and federal cases in the Tri-Cities area since 2009. In the coming months, we anticipate that two additional AUSAs and will be joining SAUSA Holland in our Richland Office to pursue justice on behalf of the Tri-Cities area and throughout all of Eastern Washington.”
The following are some of the significant recent federal cases prosecuted out of the Tri-Cities area:
• Ayoola Taiwo Adeoti, 4:22-CR-06005-SAB, indictment for business email compromise, money laundering, and bank fraud conspiracy involving fraud of approximately three quarters of a million dollars from the Benton County government;
• HPM Corporation; 4:22-MJ-07038-JPH, global criminal and civil fraud settlement in March 2022 recovering $3 million from Hanford Site prime contractor for fraudulent COVID-19 relief claims under the Paycheck Protection Program;
• Ali Abed Yaser, et al., 4:21-CR-6042-SMJ, twenty-three people indicted in January 2022, for an alleged staged automobile accident scheme;
• Cody Easterday, 4:21-cr-06012-SAB, sentenced to 11 years and $244 million in restitution in October 2022 for a massive fraud scheme involving fictitious cattle;
• U.S. ex rel. Avila v. Sunrhys, LLC, 4:21-cv-05013-TOR, civil prosecution involving civil rights violations and housing fraud, resulting in July 2022 recovery of significant civil penalties and other remedial measures for a landlord in Walla Walla that was overcharging tenants and fraudulently obtaining federal subsidies intended to assist homeless veterans;
• U.S. ex rel. Yam v. Providence Health and Services; 4:20-CV-05004-SMJ, civil fraud prosecution and recovery in April 2022 of over $22.7 million for fraudulent billing of medically-unnecessary neurosurgery procedures to Medicare and Medicaid at Providence St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla;
• Trent Drexel Howard, 4:19-CR-06036-SMJ, sentenced to 23 years in federal prison in January 2022 for child pornography offenses after being extradited from Kazakhstan;
• Julio Leal Parra et. al., 4:19-CR-06061-SAB, sentenced to 16 years for a large drug-trafficking conspiracy involving ties to the Sinaloa cartel – Parra was one of five charged defendants in the case;
• Dr. Janet Sue Arnold, 4:18-CR-6044-EFS-1, sentenced to four years in federal prison in April 2022, for conspiring to distribute medically unnecessary fentanyl patches, opioid pills and other controlled substances out of her medical practice;
• Dale Gordon Black, 4:18-CR-6029-EFS, sentenced to 30 years in prison in July 2019, for producing child pornography;
• Hector Medina, 4:18-cr-06024-SMJ, sentenced to 15 years for in an overdose death and drug-trafficking conspiracy;
• Reynaldo Perez Munoz, 4:18-CR-6008-EFS, sentenced to 26 years in transnational conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and to launder money gained from illegal drug distribution;
• Josue Medina-Perez and Francisco Delgado, 19-CR-06018-EFS, ten-defendant transnational drug conspiracy, which was one of the first fentanyl conspiracies involving prosecution of an Arizona-based source of supply;
• Sami Anwar, 4:18-cr-5064-EFS, sentenced to more than 28 years in October, 2020, after a three-week trial for falsifying human clinical research data;
• Rosalio Emmanuel Sanchez, 4:17-CR-06014-WFN-6, sentenced to 22 years in prison in May 2019, for distributing illegal narcotics in the Tri-Cities area after a five day jury trial in Richland;
• Bechtel Corporation et al., 4:17-CV-5074-SMJ, civil fraud prosecution and recovery in September 2020 of $57.75 million from Hanford Site prime contractor for fraudulent overbilling on radioactive waste treatment plant project;
• Miles Barton Nichols, 4:16-CR-6033-EFS-1, sentenced to life in prison in 2018 after being convicted in two separate jury trial of drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
• U.S. ex rel. Savage v. CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company; U.S. ex rel. Savage v. Washington Closure Hanford, et al; 4:14-CV-5002-SMJ and 4:10-CV-5051-SMJ; recoveries of approximately $10 million between 2017 and 2021 from Hanford Site contractors for use of fraudulent small business front companies on Hanford Site subcontracts.
• Bechtel National Inc., 13-CV-5013-EFS, civil fraud prosecution and $125 million recovery in November 2016 from Hanford Site contractor for use of substandard materials, quality assurance violations, and improper use of federal funds for lobbying activity.
• CH2M Hill Hanford Group, 09-CV-5038-EFS, civil and criminal prosecutions of time charging fraud at the Hanford Site, resulting in twelve criminal convictions and recovery of more than $18.5 million in damages and penalties between 2012 and 2015.
Currently the Tri-Cities area is served by several federal judges: U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Salvador Mendoza, Jr.; Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward F. Shea, U.S. District Court Judge Mary K. Dimke, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Alexander C. Ekstrom. Relatedly, many federal law enforcement agencies – to include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Customs and Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; Department of Energy Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Marshal’s Service to name a few – have staffed offices, agents, and task force officers in the Tri-Cities area.
Regarding the federal presence in the area, U.S. Attorney Waldref added, “We will continue to support our federal, state, and local partners who have a long-established presence in Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties. We have been working closely with our law enforcement partners in Southeast Washington for years, and are thrilled to build even stronger relationships to make our growing communities in this region safer and stronger.”
United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Eastern District of Washington. She leads an office of 29 Assistant United States Attorneys: 23 in Spokane and 6 in Yakima. In the near future, that number is anticipated to grow by at least 2 in the new staffed Richland Office.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana Observes Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. joins the U.S. Department of Justice, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), advocates, survivors, victim service providers, justice professionals, police and first responders, and communities across the U.S. in observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes; however, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with disabilities. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for our Office to remind the community that we are here and available to support victims and survivors of the Middle District of Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney Gathe. “Often times, the community may not know we are here to assist in these matters. We look forward to working with our local partners to strengthen our community’s awareness of available resources.”
Keeping guns out of the hands of violent offenders is a priority both locally and nationwide. Statistics indicate that domestic violence offenders who have access to firearms are five times more likely to kill their partners than those who do not have access to a firearm. Under federal law, it is unlawful for anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or subject to a protective order to buy a gun. It is also against the law for offenders to possess, carry, or shoot firearms. The penalty for violating Federal firearms prohibitions is up to ten years imprisonment.
In September 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana developed a screening and referral process to identify domestic violence cases appropriate for federal prosecution. Through this initiative, our office works closely with state and local agencies to prioritize the prosecution of offenders subject to federal firearms prohibitions, and to train law enforcement on these and other federal domestic violence crimes.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces over $1 Million in Justice Department Grants to Ute Mountain Ute TribeRead the Press Release
DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced grant awards of $1,194,246.00 to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Towaoc, Colorado, to fund community projects and improve services for victims of crimes. The awards are administered through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at the Department of Justice.
“Our partnership with tribal leaders to strengthen public safety, improve victim services, and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts is a key objective for our office, and funding programs that support victims and promote public safety is a priority”, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Cole Finegan. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to making tribal communities safer and ensuring access to justice for all.”
OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe $784,000.00 under the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program to establish a law enforcement presence in the White Mesa community in Utah. The White Mesa officers will lead the Community Response Team to address suicide prevention, domestic violence, human trafficking, child abuse, and substance use challenges, and offer quarterly awareness and education events for the public. These funds will support benefits and salaries for the officers, support the purchase of patrol vehicles, officer uniforms, and gear.
OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awarded the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe $410,246.00 under the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Grant Program, part of more than $246 million in grants to American Indian and Alaska Native communities to improve public safety and serve crime victims. The program is open only to federally recognized Indian tribes and is administered via a formula. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will use the award to implement services for victims of crime that meet needs identified by the community and reflect tribal community values and traditions.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney's Office's Statement on D.C. Criminal Code ReformRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today released the following statement about legislation to change the D.C. Criminal Code:
When the D.C. Criminal Code Reform Commission (CCRC) indicated that it was ready to submit its final recommendations to the D.C. Council, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, which was a member of the CCRC advisory group, voted to move those recommendations forward. The recommendations comprised a once-in-a-century effort to modernize the D.C. Criminal Code. We voted to move forward—even though we had serious concerns about a number of recommendations—because the modernization was sorely needed, and we expected that we would have the opportunity to continue to engage on those recommendations that gave us concerns. We testified in great detail about those concerns before the D.C. Council as summarized here (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/us-attorneys-office-testifies-hearing-revised-criminal-code-act-2021), and we have raised those concerns with our fellow community members and community leaders, including elected officials.
The bill that is being moved forward today in the D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety represents an improvement over what the CCRC recommended and addresses several of our most significant concerns. We thank all of the D.C. elected officials who listened to our concerns, particularly Council member Charles Allen, whose leadership has been critical to moving this once-in-a-century effort forward.
We still have concerns with multiple aspects of this bill and believe that some provisions, while well-intentioned, could undermine community safety and impede the administration of justice in our courts. Despite these concerns, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia supports this bill proceeding to mark-up. Once again, our support for this bill moving forward does not mean that we agree with every provision in the massive overhaul. To the contrary, there are provisions with which we strenuously disagree, including the provisions referenced in our comprehensive testimony that continue to appear in this version of the bill. But the D.C. Criminal Code is in dire need of an update, and there is much in this bill that would help. We also recommend that the bill move forward because it is our hope that Councilmembers will continue to listen to our concerns as this bill moves forward—just as they did before introducing today’s version of the bill.
It is our sincere desire that, as this bill progresses, the provisions that give us the greatest concerns from a community safety perspective will be addressed.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee Announces $166,027 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $166,027 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The PSN grant was to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is pleased to be able to make this announcement today,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “The PSN program and continued collaboration with all of our law enforcement partners is key to the ongoing efforts to address the violent crime issues in our communities.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention, and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Justice Department Grant to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded more than $198,000 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Oregon. The grant funds—administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs—will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in Oregon.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“The Justice Department’s grants provide resources for our state and local law partners to help protect individuals and communities from violent crime,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department is taking a comprehensive approach, recognizing that we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem—the resources in these grants will help our state and local partners reduce gun violence through increased community trust and investments in community-based initiatives like violence intervention programs.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced today are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Young Announces $88,528 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $88,528 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of New Hampshire. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“Today’s grant award will hopefully be a step toward preventing violence from occurring in the future,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “It is only by a dedicated and sustained collaboration between law enforcement and community partners that we can truly address gun violence that strikes every corner of our communities.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.S. Attorney Weiss Announces $92,013 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
Wilmington, Del. – U.S. Attorney Weiss announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $92,013 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Delaware. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and other violent criminal activity in the district. The grant, issued to the Criminal Justice Council, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated, “Project Safe Neighborhoods is the cornerstone for my district’s Community-Based Violence Intervention initiative. This funding will support continued efforts to enhance community safety by disrupting and de-escalating violent crime. I wish to thank our PSN community stakeholders and federal, state, and local law enforcement for their continued support.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. Announces $91,149 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $91,149 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Middle District of Louisiana. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Baton Rouge Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation (Foundation), is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
U.S. Attorney Gathe stated, “The Project Safe Neighborhoods grants have been an important resource in the fight against violent crime in Baton Rouge. It has provided funding for manpower and technical resources which have aided the apprehension of violent criminals.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Luger Announces Justice Department Grant to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $236,111 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of Minnesota. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“My office has taken a strategic approach to address violent crime in our communities, an approach that recognizes the importance of prevention, intervention and enforcement. Leveraging these Project Safe Neighborhood grant funds is another step towards breaking this trend of violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. In the District of Minnesota, PSN funds are awarded from the Department of Justice to the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs, which serves as the fiscal agent. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Leary Announces $128,947 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $128,947 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Middle District of Georgia. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence. This grant is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“Reducing gun violence in our communities will only be achieved through collaborative and strategic efforts unique to each community across the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The Project Safe Neighborhoods program has been a strong bridge-builder between law enforcement and citizens, funding popular programs like the Teen Police Academy, paying for gang deterrent counseling for young people and providing hundreds of free gun locks. PSN has also provided the money necessary for important investigative tech like NIBIN to trace the criminal use of firearms and bring repeat violent offenders to justice. Through PSN, violent crime reduction ideas have become reality as we all continue to work together for safer neighborhoods.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.S. Attorney Evans Announces $134,999 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $134,999 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to the City of New Orleans, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“Unfortunately, we continue to deal with the negative effects that violent crime brings to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Evans. “The announcement of this award highlights the steadfast commitment from the Department of Justice to give our state and local community partners the tools needed to enhance public safety and combat violent crime through programs that address an array of public safety initiatives.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.s. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe Announces $91,731 in Justice Department Grants to Support Local Project Safe Neighborhoods ProgramsRead the Press Release
Fairview Heights, Ill. – U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced today that the Department of
Justice has awarded $91,731 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Southern
District of Illinois. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive
Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The
PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.“Partnering with organizations like Hoyleton Youth and Family Services is vital to our efforts to combat the scourge of gun violence that plagues so many of our local communities and we are proud to have a role in financially supporting the great work it does,” said U.S. Attorney Crowe. “Strong collaboration between our law enforcement agencies and community groups and organizations is the best means of fostering the safe communities which all of this district’s residents deserve.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen
Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S.
Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
U.s. Attorney Dawn N. Ison Announces $348,836.00 in Justice Department Grants to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
SAGINAW – U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $348,836.00 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the Eastern District of Michigan. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grant, to Saginaw Community Foundation, Inc., is one of a number of awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
“By focusing on the most violent offenders and the most violent places, Saginaw has the opportunity to greatly improve the quality of life for the residents of Saginaw who are most acutely affected by gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “This award is great news for Saginaw as it will provide the funding needed to help reach our goal of reducing gun violence.”
“Reducing violence and sustaining those reductions will require strong partnerships between criminal justice agencies and community stakeholders and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of every community member,” said OJP Deputy Assistant Attorney General Maureen Henneberg. “The investments we are making through Project Safe Neighborhoods will enable every stakeholder to play a part in building safer and healthier communities.”
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.
“Over its two-decade history, Project Safe Neighborhoods has evolved to meet the complex challenges of community violence by enlisting the insights and expertise of local partners and by relying on the latest evidence,” said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. “We are proud to support our U.S. Attorneys and their allies in their critical work to curb violent crime and build the mutual trust necessary to ensure lasting success.”
The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Two Oklahoma City Men Sentenced to Serve Fifty Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation and Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Two Oklahoma City men have been sentenced to serve 50 years collectively in federal prison for child exploitation and child pornography offenses, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 2, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment charging CHRISTOPHER JAMES LAFEVER, 36, of Oklahoma City, with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography. LaFever later pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography. On January 6, 2022, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced LaFever to serve 20 years in federal prison, followed 20 years of supervised release. LaFever has been in federal custody since February 9, 2021.
While investigating LaFever, law enforcement uncovered his association with DAKOTA ALLEN KIDWELL, 27, of Oklahoma City. Specifically, they discovered a video in LaFever’s possession that Kidwell had created. On October 8, 2021, Kidwell was charged in a two-count Complaint with Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distribution of Child Pornography. On November 1, 2021, Kidwell pleaded guilty to a one-count Information, charging him with Sexual Exploitation of a Child. At today’s sentencing, Judge Goodwin sentenced Kidwell to serve 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Kidwell has been in federal custody since October 7, 2021.
In announcing both LaFever and Kidwell’s sentences, Judge Goodwin noted the nature and circumstances of the offenses. Both men will be required to register as sex offenders upon their release from prison.
These cases are the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Noble and Brandon Hale prosecuted Kidwell, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Stoneman prosecuted LaFever.
These cases are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Tucson Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Abusive Sexual Contact with a ChildRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On October 6, 2022, Norris Jose, 40, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 87 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Jose previously pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child.
Between May 24 and May 29, 2019, Jose, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and a registered sex offender, engaged in sexual contact with the victim, who was 8 years old at the time. The offense occurred on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation in the village of Topawa.
The Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances M. Kreamer Hope, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-0881-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-179_Jose# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Texas Man Sentenced for Threatening to Shoot People at McCook Wal-MartRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Rogelio Salas, Jr., 26, of Weslaco, Texas, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 33 months’ imprisonment for threatening to shoot employees and a specific victim who worked at the McCook, Nebraska Wal-Mart. After Salas, Jr.’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On January 8, 2022, Salas, Jr. indicated he was outside the Wal-Mart with firearms and explosives and stated that he was going to enter the store with the weapons to kill the victim. Salas, Jr. made multiple threatening calls to the store, and the store evacuated all employees and customers as a result of the threats. Investigation revealed that Salas, Jr. was, in fact, in the State of Texas at the time that the threatening calls were made to the Nebraska retailer.
Salas, Jr. began a campaign of threatening and harassing the victim that started when the victim refused to play online video games anymore with Salas, Jr. because Salas, Jr. was using homosexual slurs during the video game sessions that offended the victim. Once the victim stopped playing online games with Salas, Jr., Salas Jr. began to contact the victim on social media and determined the victim’s specific workplace at the McCook area Wal-Mart. Salas, Jr. pled guilty to transmitting threats in interstate commerce on July 21, 2022.
For this conduct, Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Salas, Jr. to a term of 33 months in federal prison, the longest sentence authorized by Salas, Jr.’s plea of guilty. Judge Gerrard noted the disturbing frequency of threat cases coming before him recently and issued the sentence in part because of the fear that the defendant caused in all of the individuals at the Wal-Mart store that day and because it was all unnecessarily done over a video game dispute.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
This case was investigated by North Platte FBI and the McCook Police Department.