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16 June 2022
Salem Man Indicted for Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Kyle Morris, 22, of Salem was indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday and charged with one count of possession of a machinegun, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
Morris was arrested in Salem on Thursday, June 16, 2022 and will have his initial court appearance at 3:45 pm today.
The indictment alleges that on February 16, 2022, Morris possessed two machineguns in violation of federal law.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Hampshire State Police and the Salem Police Department.
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Russian Botnet Disrupted in International Cyber OperationRead the Press Release
Assistant U. S. Attorney Jonathan I. Shapiro (619) 546-8225
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 16, 2022
SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Department of Justice, together with law enforcement partners in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have dismantled the infrastructure of a Russian botnet known as RSOCKS which hacked millions of computers and other electronic devices around the world.
A botnet is a group of hacked internet-connected devices that are controlled as a group without the owner’s knowledge and typically used for malicious purposes. Every device that is connected to the internet is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
According to a search warrant affidavit, unsealed today in the Southern District of California, and the operators’ own claims, the RSOCKS botnet, operated by Russian cybercriminals, comprised millions of hacked devices worldwide. The RSOCKS botnet initially targeted Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT devices include a broad range of devices—including industrial control systems, time clocks, routers, audio/video streaming devices, and smart garage door openers, which are connected to, and can communicate over, the internet, and therefore, are assigned IP addresses. The RSOCKS botnet expanded into compromising additional types of devices, including Android devices and conventional computers.
“The RSOCKS botnet compromised millions of devices throughout the world,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Cyber criminals will not escape justice regardless of where they operate. Working with public and private partners around the globe, we will relentlessly pursue them while using all the tools at our disposal to disrupt their threats and prosecute those responsible.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team, the FBI and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section for their excellent work on this case.
“This operation disrupted a highly sophisticated Russia-based cybercrime organization that conducted cyber intrusions in the United States and abroad,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Our fight against cybercriminal platforms is a critical component in ensuring cybersecurity and safety in the United States. The actions we are announcing today are a testament to the FBI’s ongoing commitment to pursuing foreign threat actors in collaboration with our international and private sector partners.”
A legitimate proxy service provides IP addresses to its clients for a fee. Typically, the proxy service provides access to IP addresses that it leases from internet service providers (ISPs). Rather than offer proxies that RSOCKS had leased, the RSOCKS botnet offered its clients access to IP addresses assigned to devices that had been hacked. The owners of these devices did not give the RSOCKS operator(s) authority to access their devices in order to use their IP addresses and route internet traffic. A cybercriminal who wanted to utilize the RSOCKS platform could use a web browser to navigate to a web-based “storefront” (i.e., a public web site that allows users to purchase access to the botnet), which allowed the customer to pay to rent access to a pool of proxies for a specified daily, weekly, or monthly time period. The cost for access to a pool of RSOCKS proxies ranged from $30 per day for access to 2,000 proxies to $200 per day for access to 90,000 proxies.
Once purchased, the customer could download a list of IP addresses and ports associated with one or more of the botnet’s backend servers. The customer could then route malicious internet traffic through the compromised victim devices to mask or hide the true source of the traffic. It is believed that the users of this type of proxy service were conducting large scale attacks against authentication services, also known as credential stuffing, and anonymizing themselves when accessing compromised social media accounts, or sending malicious email, such as phishing messages.
As alleged in the unsealed warrant, FBI investigators used undercover purchases to obtain access to the RSOCKS botnet in order to identify its backend infrastructure and its victims. The initial undercover purchase in early 2017 identified approximately 325,000 compromised victim devices throughout the world with numerous devices located within San Diego County. Through analysis of the victim devices, investigators determined that the RSOCKS botnet compromised the victim device by conducting brute force attacks. The RSOCKS backend servers maintained a persistent connection to the compromised device. Several large public and private entities have been victims of the RSOCKS botnet, including a university, a hotel, a television studio, and an electronics manufacturer, as well as home businesses and individuals. At three of the victim locations, with consent, investigators replaced the compromised devices with government-controlled computers (i.e., honeypots), and all three were subsequently compromised by RSOCKS. The FBI identified at least six victims in San Diego.
This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan I. Shapiro of the Southern District of California and Ryan K.J. Dickey, Senior Counsel for the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section. The Department of Justice extends its appreciation to the authorities of Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and private sector cybersecurity company Black Echo, LLC for their assistance provided throughout the investigation.
In September 2020, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced the FBI’s new strategy for countering cyber threats. The strategy focuses on imposing risk and consequences on cyber adversaries through the FBI’s unique authorities, world-class capabilities, and enduring partnerships. Victims are encouraged to report the incident online with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) www.ic3.gov.
Romanian National Involved in ATM Skimming Scheme is SentencedRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICOLAE MARIUS BARBU, 50, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment for his participation in an extensive ATM skimming scheme that defrauded banks in Connecticut and elsewhere.
According to court documents and statements in court, between February and June 2017, a Connecticut bank experienced approximately 35 incidents of ATM skimming at locations in Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Greenwich, Fairfield and elsewhere in Connecticut. As part of the scheme, conspiracy members placed skimming devices at the ATMs to capture account numbers and personal identification numbers (“PINs”) from customers who used their ATM cards at the ATMs while the devices were in place. Conspiracy members then used the captured information to make substitute ATM cards, and obtained money and made purchases using those cards. Barbu joined this conspiracy in April 2017.
In addition, in April 2018, Barbu and another individual stole credit cards from an individual’s belongings at a gym in Rockville, Maryland. They then used the cards to make more than $9,000 in purchases at Microsoft and Apple stores in Maryland.
Judge Shea ordered Barbu to pay restitution of $139,533 to the victim bank, and $9,536 to the banks that issued the credit cards used for his fraudulent purchases.
Barbu was arrested in Michigan in September 2020. He subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Michigan for state offenses related to credit card theft and possession of forged identification.
On March 25, 2022, Barbu pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Barbu, who has been detained since his arrest, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
This investigation was conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, U.S. Secret Service, Greenwich Police Department, Monroe Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and several local police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
Richlands Salon Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Federal GovernmentRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Richlands, Virginia woman, who owned and operated a local hair and nail salon, pled guilty this week to defrauding the federal government out of pandemic unemployment assistance benefits and committing mail fraud.
Mandi Dawn Hammond, 36, waived her right to be indicted and pled guilty this week to one count of fraud in connection with a major disaster or emergency benefits program and one count of mail fraud.
“As the world faced a once-in-a-generation global pandemic, Congress and the President passed sweeping legislation to assist businesses and individuals in surviving economic upheaval,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “These programs were designed as a safety net for those in need, not as a get-rich-quick scheme for those looking to commit fraud. I am continually grateful for the work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement for pursuing these important prosecutions.”
“Mandi Hammond continued to fraudulently take taxpayer assistance to enrich herself during a time of national crisis that was meant to help people who truly needed it,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Darrell Waldon, of the Washington, D.C. Field Office. “This is yet another example of IRS-CI’s commitment to work with our partners and pursue those who commit COVID-19 related fraud and bring them to justice.”
According to court documents, Hammond owned and operated Jama Nail Beauty Bar & Gift Shop in Richlands, Virginia. After an executive order signed in March 2020 by the Governor of Virginia closed all close-contact salons, Hammond closed her business for approximately six weeks.
On April 19, 2020, Hammond filed an application for pandemic unemployment assistance via the Virginia Employment Commission website where it was reviewed, processed, and approved. For approximately six weeks, she legitimately received pandemic unemployment assistance as intended by the government.
In May 2020, the executive order closing all close-contact salons was lifted and Hammond reopened her business. However, she continued filing weekly certifications to receive pandemic unemployment benefits from May 2020 through August 2021, each week reaffirming fraudulent representations that she was still unemployed because of COVID-19. Court records indicate Hammond received at least $29,154 in funds to which she was not entitled.
Hammond is scheduled to be sentenced on September 15, 2022. The charges with which she has been convicted carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The IRS-Criminal Investigations Division and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Murphy is prosecuting 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 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.
Owner and Operator of Telemedicine and Telemarketing Companies Sentenced to 14 Years for $20 Million Fraud Scheme and $4 Million Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A Florida man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for health care and wire fraud that cost Medicare more than $20 million dollars, and for evading taxes.
According to court documents, Marc Sporn, 59, of Delray Beach, owned and operated several telemarketing and telemedicine companies, including CPL Media Group Inc. Medipak, LLC, Real Time Physicians LLC, 24 HR Virtual MD LLC, Medtech Worldwide Inc., New World Holdings Inc., and Ins Cov LLC. Sporn used these companies to market medically unnecessary genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries, and to sell prescriptions (i.e., doctors’ orders) for medically unnecessary genetic tests to laboratories in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. Sporn knew these laboratories would use these doctors’ orders to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary goods and services.
Through nominee owners, Sporn also operated and controlled Palm Beach companies Medi Biotech LLC and Walmol Holdings LLC. Sporn used Medi Biotech to market compounded prescription creams to customers with certain health conditions. Pharmacies and laboratories associated with Medi Biotech filled the prescriptions, billed the customers’ insurance companies, and paid Sporn kickbacks. In addition to opening bank accounts for Medi Biotech in nominee names, Sporn opened accounts in the name of Walmol Holdings, a shell corporation, and in 2014 and 2015, avoided paying over $1.6 million in personal income taxes by diverting millions through the company’s accounts. Sporn used these company accounts to purchase luxury items such as high-end watches and diamond jewelry, classic and exotic cars, two yachts, and other items. Sporn also evaded paying over $2.5 million in personal income taxes for other years dating back to 2000. When the IRS attempted to collect back taxes from Sporn, he tried to conceal assets by transferring property to trusts and individuals and by repeatedly opening and closing companies, among other things. In addition to the prison term, Sporn was ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution to the IRS.
U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Luis M. Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office announced the sentence.
The FBI’s Miami Field Office, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aurora Fagan for the Southern District of Florida, along with Trial Attorneys Ligia Markman and Reginald Cuyler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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Owner and Operator of Telemedicine and Telemarketing Companies Sentenced to 14 Years for $20 Million Fraud Scheme and $4 Million Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A Florida man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for health care and wire fraud that cost Medicare more than $20 million dollars, and for evading taxes.
According to court documents, Marc Sporn, 59, of Delray Beach, owned and operated several telemarketing and telemedicine companies, including CPL Media Group Inc. Medipak, LLC, Real Time Physicians LLC, 24 HR Virtual MD LLC, Medtech Worldwide Inc., New World Holdings Inc., and Ins Cov LLC. Sporn used these companies to market medically unnecessary genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries, and to sell prescriptions (i.e., doctors’ orders) for medically unnecessary genetic tests to laboratories in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. Sporn knew these laboratories would use these doctors’ orders to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary goods and services.
Through nominee owners, Sporn also operated and controlled Palm Beach companies Medi Biotech LLC and Walmol Holdings LLC. Sporn used Medi Biotech to market compounded prescription creams to customers with certain health conditions. Pharmacies and laboratories associated with Medi Biotech filled the prescriptions, billed the customers’ insurance companies, and paid Sporn kickbacks. In addition to opening bank accounts for Medi Biotech in nominee names, Sporn opened accounts in the name of Walmol Holdings, a shell corporation, and in 2014 and 2015, avoided paying over $1.6 million in personal income taxes by diverting millions through the company’s accounts. Sporn used these company accounts to purchase luxury items such as high-end watches and diamond jewelry, classic and exotic cars, two yachts, and other items. Sporn also evaded paying over $2.5 million in personal income taxes for other years dating back to 2000. When the IRS attempted to collect back taxes from Sporn, he tried to conceal assets by transferring property to trusts and individuals and by repeatedly opening and closing companies, among other things. In addition to the prison term, Sporn was ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution to the IRS.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Director Luis M. Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge George Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office announced the sentence.
The FBI’s Miami Field Office, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Ligia Markman and Reginald Cuyler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aurora Fagan for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Operation Bear Trap Targets Drug Trafficking in the South Lake Tahoe AreaRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — During a coordinated law enforcement operation this morning, law enforcement agents and officers executed three search warrants and arrested four defendants in South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
The following defendants were arrested today with a criminal complaint for their participation in trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in and around South Lake Tahoe:
Sarah Anderson, 32, of South Lake Tahoe; Fabian Gomez, 33, of South Lake Tahoe; Epifanio Ramirez, 47, of South Lake Tahoe; and
Joaleen Rogers, 53, of South Lake Tahoe.The arrests were made as part of a continuation of Operation Bear Trap that began in 2020 to address the growing problem of methamphetamine distribution in South Lake Tahoe. Four additional defendants were charged last August with multiple drug and gun trafficking crimes as part of the same operation. Over the course of the operation, law enforcement agencies have interdicted methamphetamine, heroin, and numerous firearms, including “ghost” pistols and assault rifles (firearms manufactured without serial numbers, making them harder for law enforcement to trace). Today’s searches resulted in the recovery of a barn owl, which are a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
To date 36 individuals have been arrested in connection to Operational Bear Trap in California and Nevada on state and federal charges related to drug and firearms trafficking.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Oakdale Man Pleads Guilty for His Role in Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – An Oakdale man has pleaded guilty for his role in a multi-million dollar insurance fraud scheme. Okwuchukwu Emmanuel Jidoefor, 38, along with multiple co-conspirators, participated in a scheme to defraud automobile insurance companies by recruiting patients, staging accidents, and receiving illegal kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Jidoefor’s role was a “runner,” someone who solicited individuals who had been in car accidents to attend treatments at co‑conspirator clinics, including Healthcare Chiropractic, Meyer Injury Center, and Morrow Accident Rehabilitation Center.
Jidoefor pleaded guilty on June 14, 2022, before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis to one count of mail fraud. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2022.
This case was a part of a larger investigation that ultimately resulted in charges against 26 individuals across seven separate metro-area chiropractic practices. Including this latest conviction, 24 of those individuals have either pleaded guilty or been found guilty following a trial.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and David J. MacLaughlin are prosecuting the case.
Multi-Kilogram Cocaine Distributor Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Luis Raul Perez Rodriguez (50, Orlando) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Perez Rodriguez had pleaded guilty on March 28, 2022.
According to court documents, on January 21, 2022, Perez Rodriguez had arranged to receive a shipment of three parcels containing 19 kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated $570,000, through a delivery service from an address in Puerto Rico to an apartment in Orlando. On January 19, 2022, security specialists at the delivery service company detected the cocaine shipment and reported the parcels to the Drug Enforcement Administration. On January 21, 2022, an undercover officer, working with the DEA posed as a delivery driver and delivered a fake package to the address listed on the shipment. Perez Rodriguez was in the parking lot of his apartment and identified himself with the fake name associated with the parcels and showed the delivery driver that he was tracking the progress of the shipment on his phone. Perez Rodriguez was apprehended as the driver loaded two of the three packages into Perez Rodriguez’s vehicle. Additional evidence linked Perez Rodriguez to seven suspected kilogram-quantity shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Orlando that were delivered as early as 2018.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
Multi-Agency Investigation Takes Down Meth Distribution RingRead the Press Release
WACO – A multi-agency investigation into a methamphetamine distribution ring has led to multiple defendants being indicted and arrested.
On June 14, 2022, a federal grand jury sitting in Waco handed down five indictments charging a total of 27 defendants.
The following defendants were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. According to the indictments the conspiracy began in January 2021.
Charged in W22CR095: Jason Fletcher, 38, of Belton and Luis Guillermo Martinez, 28, of Waco. If convicted, Fletcher and Martinez face up to life in prison.
Charged in W22CR096: Karen Pendola Bennett, 45, of Waco; Jesus Espinoza Lopez, 33, of Waco; Patricia Nelson, 49, of Waco; Robert Johnson, 46, of Woodway; and Clayton Wilkins, 62, of Waco. If convicted, Bennett, Lopez, Nelson and Johnson face up to life in prison. Wilkins, if convicted, faces up to 40 years in prison.
Charged in W22CR109: Alejandro Solis, 32, of Waco; Jesus Castellanos-Renteria, 39, of Houston; Gustavo Alvarado Guerrero, 29, of Waco; William Charles Herrera, 30, of Waco; Maria Picon, 35, of Clifton; Rogers Anthony Marshall, 49, of Valley Mills; Denecia Alley, 32, of Waco; Jovita Ibarra, 28, of Waco; Lance John Showen, 51, of Waco; Hector Dominguez, 31, of Waco; Nicholas Ray Ramirez, 41, of Waco; Flocelo Mondragon Jr., 35, of McGregor; Alfred Turner, 28, of Waco; Areli Martinez Torrez, 38, of McGregor; Alexxus Briann Arocha, 26, of Waco; Felix Alberto Huezo-Hernandez, 33, of Waco; Sonya Renee Hughes, 44, of Waco; and Steven Merritt, 52, of Bruceville-Eddy. If convicted, Arocha, Huezo, Hughes and Merritt face up to 40 years in prison. All other defendants, if convicted, face up to life in prison.
Marshall and Picon are also charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence they receive.
Not charged with the conspiracy drug count is Able Chavez, 25, of Waco. Chavez is charged in W22CR094 with one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Chavez faces up to life in prison on the drug count and up to five years in prison on the gun count to run consecutive to any other sentence he receives.
Also not charged with the conspiracy drug count is Andrew Ochoa, 36, of Waco. Ochoa is charged in W22CR093 with one count of making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. If convicted, Ochoa faces up to 10 years in prison. Investigation revealed Ochoa was purchasing and delivering firearms to a 13-year-old child.
All defendants have been arrested except for Karen Pendola Bennett who remains a fugitive in this case.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr., San Antonio Division; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux, Houston Division; Waco Police Department Chief of Police Sheryl D. Victorian; McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara; Bell County Sheriff Eddy Lange; and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Regional Director Todd H. Snyder made the announcement.
The FBI; DEA; Waco Police Department; McLennan County Sheriff’s Office; Bell County Sheriff’s Office; and DPS are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting the cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Montana man pleaded guilty today to two counts of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2021, Gary Lee Hodges, 71, of Big Fork, Montana, contacted a woman in Beckley on a social networking website dedicated to individuals interested in sexual fetishes. Hodges learned that the woman had two daughters, ages 11 and 13. Hodges expressed interest in coming to West Virginia to establish a household with the woman and children, where he would engage in sexual activity with both minor females. Specifically, Hodges stated that he planned to engage in sexual intercourse and oral sex on a regular basis with both minor females.
During the next month, Hodges continued to make plans to travel to West Virginia to meet the woman and her daughters. To encourage the children to engage in sexual activity with him, Hodges sent them lingerie and other gifts and booked a trip to take them to Washington, D.C., to visit the zoo. Hodges reserved a hotel room in Beckley to meet the woman and the girls. Hodges flew to Charleston on January 14, 2022, where he was arrested.
Hodges is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2022, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as five years to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald and third-year law student intern Ryan Vick handled today’s plea hearing.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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. 5:22-cr-33.
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Missouri Woman Sentenced to 9 Years for Importing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Connie Sue Lorenzo-Molina, 30, of Slater, Missouri, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker to nine years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Lorenzo-Molina previously pleaded guilty to Importation of Methamphetamine.
On May 26, 2021, Lorenzo-Molina entered the United States at the port of entry in Naco, Arizona with over 50 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in her vehicle. During her interview with federal agents, Lorenzo-Molina also admitted to prior involvement in drug smuggling.
Homeland Securities Investigations (HSI) - Douglas conducted the investigation in this case, with the assistance of HSI Kansas City and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley B. Culver, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-01457-JCH (JR)
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-096_Lorenzo-Molina# # #
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.Michigan Man Convicted of Stalking, Sexually Assaulting 14-Year-Old Lubbock GirlRead the Press Release
The Michigan man who stalked and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old Lubbock girl has been tried and convicted, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
After just an hour of deliberation, a jury convicted Thomas John Boukamp, 22, on all 16 counts: one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct, one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, one count of enticement of a minor, two counts of receipt of child pornography, ten counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, and one count of cyber stalking.
“This man stalked and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old, then had the gall to claim in federal court that their so-called ‘relationship’ was consensual. The child, who bravely faced her abuser in court, asserted in no uncertain terms that his advances were unwelcome. By law, 14-year-olds simply cannot consent to sexual contact with adults. We are immensely proud of this child and hope this verdict brings some solace to her and her family,” said U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham.
"This defendant displayed reprehensible behavior, which was countered by the bravery of the victim that so courageously testified against him," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for victims and their families, hold perpetrators accountable and protect others from harm."
According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Boukamp met the child, identified in court as Jane Doe, on the instant messaging platform Discord when she was just 13 years old.
The pair exchanged a series of messages, in which he threatened to hurt her family if she disclosed their budding “relationship.”
Mr. Boukamp later transported Jane Doe, then 14 years of age, to his home in Michigan, where he sexually assaulted her, forcibly removed her braces with pliers, strangled, and hit her.
The victim’s father testified at trial that when she ran away to Michigan, his terrified daughter brought her baby blanket with her.
The victim herself also testified at trial and described the abuse she suffered at Boukamp’s hands.
Mr. Boukamp now faces up to life without parole in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas and Detroit Field Offices, the Lubbock Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Woolam and Jeff Haag prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix presided over trial.
Michael Avenatti Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud and Tax Charges That Allege He Stole Millions of Dollars from ClientsRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Michael Avenatti pleaded guilty today to five felony offenses and admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud four of his legal clients.
Avenatti, who has been suspended by the State Bar of California, specifically pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud – each related to one of four matters in which he embezzled money that should have been paid to clients – and one count of endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue Code.
United States District Judge James V. Selna scheduled a sentencing hearing for September 19. As a result of today’s guilty pleas, Avenatti faces a statutory maximum sentence of 83 years in federal prison.
Avenatti admitted guilt in each of the four legal matters discussed in a federal grand jury indictment that charged him with embezzling money from clients. Avenatti admitted that he engaged in the conduct charged in the four counts of the indictment, which includes receiving money on behalf of clients into client trust accounts, misappropriating the money, and lying to the clients about receiving the money or, in one case, claiming that the money had already been sent to the client.
The charge of endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue Code is one of 19 tax-related offenses in the indictment. In relation to the tax count he pleaded guilty to today, Avenatti admitted that he corruptly obstructed and impeded the IRS’s efforts to collect unpaid payroll taxes, which the government estimates amount to approximately $5 million and include payroll taxes that he been withheld from the paychecks of employees of the Avenatti-owned company that operated Tully’s Coffee.
After pleading guilty today, Avenatti still faces a total of 31 counts – six wire fraud charges, 18 tax-related charges, two counts of bank fraud related to alleged false statements he made in an attempt to obtain loans from a federally insured financial institution, one count of aggravated identity theft for misusing the name of a tax preparer in relation to the bank fraud scheme, and four counts of bankruptcy fraud related to alleged false statements he made after his law firm was forced into bankruptcy.
The government is reviewing the case to determine how it will move forward after today’s guilty pleas. In the event that the government elects to proceed on the remaining counts, Judge Selna will vacate the September 19 sentencing date.
IRS Criminal lnvestigation conducted the investigation into Avenatti. The Office of the United States Trustee provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Brett A. Sagel of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Ranee A. Katzenstein of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
Miami Man Charged with Committing Involuntary Manslaughter in Special Maritime Jurisdiction of U.S., Off Bimini CoastRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A 36-year-old Miami man made his initial appearance today in federal court to face charges that he committed involuntary manslaughter by crashing a boat at high-speed into a well-chartered rock formation off the coast of Bimini, Bahamas and killing two people over the Fourth of July holiday week in 2020.
According to the allegations of the indictment unsealed today, as well as in-court statements, on July 2, 2020, Josbel Fernandez Echevarria operated a United States-numbered pleasure boat in the waters off the coast of Bimini, Bahamas. Echevarria was driving the boat at high speed when it crashed into a well-charted rock formation known as Turtle Rock. Two people died in the crash.
The indictment charges Echevarria with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1112. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison on each charge.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Zinnia James, Special Agent in Charge, United States Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region, announced the charges.
CGIS, Southeast Region, investigated the case. The Royal Bahamas Police Force assisted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald is prosecuting this case.
An indictment contains mere allegations and a defendant is innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-20256.
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Merrimack Man Indicted for Making a False Statement During the Acquisition of a FirearmRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Leith Sukkar, 22, of Merrimack was indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday and charged with one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
Sukkar was arrested in Manchester on Thursday, June 16, 2022 and will have his initial court appearance at 3:30 pm today.
The indictment filed in court alleges that on May 3, 2022, Sukkar made a false statement during the purchase of a Glock model 29, 10mm pistol and a Glock model 43, 9mm pistol from Shooter’s Outpost, a federally licensed firearms dealer, located in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Sukkar falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms, when, in fact, he was purchasing the firearms for another person.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manchester Police Department Special Investigations Unit and the New Hampshire State Police.
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Medical Director of Baltimore County Pain Management Clinic Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Dispense OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Norman Rosen, age 84, of Towson, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone in connection with his operation of Rosen-Hoffberg Rehabilitation and Pain Management Associates, P.A., where he was Medical Director and part owner.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG); and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, Norman Rosen, is a doctor and was licensed to practice medicine in the State of Maryland. He served as the Medical Director and part-owner of Rosen-Hoffberg Rehabilitation and Pain Management (the “Practice”). Rosen primarily worked at the Practice’s Towson, Maryland locations. Rosen’s partner in the business and the Practice’s Associate Medical Director was Howard Hoffberg.
According to Rosen’s guilty plea, patients at the Practice were often prescribed high doses of oxycodone, and other opioid medications. Some patients were issued prescriptions for opioids after routinely providing aberrant urine toxicology screens, including positive results for cocaine, heroin, and other street drugs; positive results for controlled substances that were not prescribed by the Practice (which indicated the patient was likely buying medications off the street or was doctor-shopping); and/or negative results for the controlled substances prescribed by the Practice (which indicated prescribed substances were either not taken, being consumed too quickly, or sold by the patients). Rosen knew that the Practice received complaints about the behavior of patients, including reports of suspected drug transactions in the parking lots near the Practice. At times, patients were observed "nodding out" in the waiting area of the Practice. Some patients tried to bring in urine that was not theirs in order to pass urine toxicology screens. Some patients of the Practice overdosed and some of these patients required hospitalization and some died. Several major pharmacies refused to fill any prescriptions issued by the Practice because of the high doses being prescribed. Both Rosen and Hoffberg were aware of the conditions at the Practice and yet continued to prescribe medications to these patients.
As detailed in his plea agreement, as the Medical Director, Dr. Rosen established the rules for the Practice. One of his rules was that the customer, i.e. the patient, is always right. Sometimes, when other providers at the Practice discharged certain patients, Rosen continued to treat the patients at the Towson location. At times, if a patient failed a urine toxicology screen because of illicit substances in their system such as heroin or cocaine, Rosen declined to discharge the patient and instead required the patient to return to the Practice more frequently for follow-up, sometimes as much as three times a week.
Rosen admitted that he issued prescriptions to some patients outside the bounds of the usual medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. For example, Rosen prescribed large doses of oxycodone and clonazepam to a patient who had eight toxicology screens that were positive for cocaine and whose children had been taken from her because of her drug problems. Similarly, Rosen ignored the red flags and prescribed oxycodone and methadone to a patient who admitted to illicit drug use; had previously been criminally charged for prescription fraud and drug trafficking; had overdosed; had urine toxicology screens that were positive for heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; and had been accused of selling her pills.
Rosen faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III has scheduled sentencing for November 29, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
In related cases, Rosen’s partner, Howard Hoffberg, age 65, of Reisterstown, Maryland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statutes, in connection with a scheme to accept payments from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for prescribing a fentanyl-based drug. He was sentenced to eight months in federal prison. Also, a physician’s assistant at the Practice, William Soyke, age 69, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, and alprazolam and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the DEA, HHS-OIG and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason D. Medinger, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach and click on the “Save A Life” link.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Election OfficialRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man pleaded guilty today to making multiple threatening posts on an Instagram page associated with an election official.
According to court documents, Travis Ford, 42, of Lincoln, made multiple threats in August 2021 toward the election official, specifically: “Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t. Do you think Soros will/can protect you?” and “Your security detail is far too thin and incompetent to protect you. This world is unpredictable these days….anything can happen to anyone.”
“The Justice Department will not tolerate illegal threats of violence against public officials,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Threats of violence against election officials are dangerous for people’s safety and dangerous for our democracy, and we will use every resource at our disposal to disrupt and investigate those threats and hold perpetrators accountable.”
“Threatening violence against election workers in an attempt to intimidate them while in performance of their duties will not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Threats to election workers have no place in our society, and today’s plea demonstrates the success of our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of the workers we entrust to effectuate the democratic process.”
“We are proud to work with our partners at FBI Denver, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska, and the Justice Department’s Criminal Division to hold this defendant accountable for threatening an election official in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado. “If you make online threats of violence, do not count on remaining anonymous.”
Ford also posted similar messages on Instagram pages associated with the President of the United States and with another public figure.
Ford is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6 and faces up to two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russell for the District of Nebraska, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
FBI Denver is investigating the case, with the assistance of FBI Omaha.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessie L. Smith for the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case. Substantial assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Teitelbaum and Cyrus Y. Chung for the District of Colorado.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Nearly a year after its formation, the Task Force is continuing this work and supporting the United States Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at: tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Colorado Election OfficialRead the Press Release
A Nebraska man pleaded guilty today to making multiple threatening posts on an Instagram page associated with an election official.
According to court documents, Travis Ford, 42, of Lincoln, made multiple threats in August 2021 toward the election official, specifically: “Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t. Do you think Soros will/can protect you?” and “Your security detail is far too thin and incompetent to protect you. This world is unpredictable these days….anything can happen to anyone.”
“The Justice Department will not tolerate illegal threats of violence against public officials,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Threats of violence against election officials are dangerous for people’s safety and dangerous for our democracy, and we will use every resource at our disposal to disrupt and investigate those threats and hold perpetrators accountable.”
“Threatening violence against election workers in an attempt to intimidate them while in performance of their duties will not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Threats to election workers have no place in our society, and today’s plea demonstrates the success of our collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of the workers we entrust to effectuate the democratic process.”
“We are proud to work with our partners at FBI Denver, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska, and the Justice Department’s Criminal Division to hold this defendant accountable for threatening an election official in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado. “If you make online threats of violence, do not count on remaining anonymous.”
Ford also posted similar messages on Instagram pages associated with the President of the United States and with another public figure.
Ford is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6 and faces up to two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russell for the District of Nebraska, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
FBI Denver is investigating the case, with the assistance of FBI Omaha.
Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessie L. Smith for the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case. Substantial assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Teitelbaum and Cyrus Y. Chung for the District of Colorado.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Nearly a year after its formation, the Task Force is continuing this work and supporting the United States Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at: tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
Maine Resident Sentenced to 188 Months for Receiving Child Pornography from Minors and Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jay Scott Cloutier, age 58, of Lyman, Maine, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for child exploitation offenses, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
As part of his guilty plea, Cloutier admitted that between April 2019 and September 2019, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he thought was a 14-year-old child, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him. On September 20, 2019, he was arrested after he traveled from Maine to a prearranged meeting location in Colonie, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old child. Cloutier also admitted to having solicited and received a sexually explicit image of an actual 17-year-old child in November 2019 and a sexually explicit image of an actual 15-year-old child in February 2018.
This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dustin C. Segovia as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Lorain Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Possession of Thousands of Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Charles Allen Nakoff Jr., 34, of Lorain, Ohio, was sentenced on Thursday, June 16, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster to 30 years in prison, a life term of supervised release and ordered to pay $127,500 in restitution after Nakoff pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, transportation of child pornography, possession of child pornography and receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
“There is no tolerance in law enforcement nor society for those who harm, exploit and prey upon children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “This office has placed a high priority on combating sexual exploitation of minors, and we will seek to hold these offenders accountable.”
“Nakoff preyed on the innocent, and our communities are safer with him behind bars,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris III. “It is my hope that today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure to his victims. HSI is just as committed to providing care and support to the victims of these crimes as we are to catching those responsible.”
According to court documents, in April of 2020, law enforcement agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Nakoff after receiving a tip that an online account associated with an individual later identified as Nakoff contained approximately 1,500 files depicting child exploitation material, including some victims as young as toddlers.
In July 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Nakoff’s residence in Lorain and seized three phones and three computers. Authorities then searched Nakoff’s phones and found additional visual depictions of child pornography as well as numerous conversations via a mobile messaging and file sharing application with other users discussing and trading of child pornographic images.
During an analysis of the seized devices, investigators discovered several videos and images depicting Nakoff abusing multiple minor victims. Investigators determined that these videos and images were self-produced by Nakoff and Rosalina C. Dragga, 33, of Lorain.
Dragga was sentenced to 121 months in prison for her role in the matter.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik.
Leader of multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy pleads guilty to drug trafficking, firearms possession, and money laundering chargesRead the Press Release
Seattle – The Arlington, Washington based leader of a prolific and violent drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty this week to federal drug, gun, and money laundering crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Cesar Valdez-Sanudo, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and carrying a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Valdez-Sanudo faces a mandatory minimum ten years in prison and up to life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on October 4, 2022.
The drug ring was indicted in December 2020, following a lengthy wire-tap investigation. Law enforcement seized large amounts of drugs during the investigation including a 49-pound load of methamphetamine that was coming to Washington State from California. All told, law enforcement seized approximately 93 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of heroin, 35,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 24 firearms, approximately $525,000, and a bank account valued at $100,000.
Valdez-Sanudo was the leader of the ring. In messages to his coconspirators, he discussed violence against members of the ring suspected of stealing drug loads. When he was arrested at the Snoqualmie Casino, Valdez-Sanudo had three firearms in his vehicle, one with a homemade silencer. Valdez-Sanudo had told others he planned to confront a member of the ring who owed a debt for drugs.
When law enforcement searched Valdez-Sanudo’s Arlington property, they seized more than 27 kilos of meth, nearly 6 kilos of heroin, and nearly 2 kilos of fentanyl pills, much of it buried underground. On the property, there were 8 firearms.
Digging up drugsLaw enforcement seized cash, checks, and the contents of bank accounts as proceeds of the drug crime. Valdez-Sanudo schemed to launder funds through casinos and through the purchase of property and vehicles. Conspirators sought to avoid banking transaction reporting requirements by making deposits in amounts below the $10,000 threshold.
This case 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 investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tacoma Residence Office in partnership with Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET), Kent Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, SeaTac Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), the Skagit County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Jaquette and C. Andrew Colasurdo.
Drugs fund buried in storage caseKentucky Psychiatrist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Related to Referrals for Drug Testing at Greensburg LabRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Louisville, Kentucky, was sentenced in federal court yesterday for one count of health care fraud, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone sentenced Varanise C. Booker, 67, to 36 months of probation and ordered that she pay restitution totaling $24,217.26 to the Kentucky Medicaid program.
During the defendant’s plea hearing on October 5, 2021, Booker admitted that she was a licensed psychiatrist who operated a medical practice, Family and Children Behavioral Health Services, in Louisville, Kentucky. Between approximately October 2011 and August 2013, the defendant further admitted that she referred patients for drug testing and related services performed by Universal Oral Fluid Labs (“UOFL”), a clinical drug testing and drug screening laboratory located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The court was further advised that the defendant engaged in health care fraud by causing UOFL to bill the Kentucky Medicaid program for testing based on referrals that were outside the ordinary course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Specifically, the defendant acknowledged that she did not document a legitimate justification for ordering certain drug tests and services, failed to document the results of certain drug tests and services performed by UOFL in her medical files, and failed to address the results of certain drug tests and services in the treatment of her patients. The defendant further admitted that she caused UOFL to pay her a certain portion of the reimbursements the laboratory received from Kentucky Medicaid in connection with her referral of unlawful drug tests and related services. As a result, the defendant caused losses to Kentucky Medicaid in excess of $20,000.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Booker.
Jury Convicts Colorado Man of Heroin Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Aurora, Colorado, man has been convicted by a federal trial jury of heroin trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm while traveling through Kansas City, Mo., on a bus bound for Virginia.
Izeall T. Collins, 43, was found guilty on Wednesday, June 15, of one count of possessing a kilogram or more of heroin with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
According to evidence introduced during the trial, law enforcement officers contacted Collins at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on March 4, 2019, during a layover while Collins was traveling from Denver, Colo., to Norfolk, Va. Collins had been acting suspiciously, and admitted to officers that he had some marijuana in his possession. Officers searched Collins and found a large, hard, brick-shaped object in Collins’s pants.
Officers found 1.05 kilograms of heroin, which was packaged in a rectangular bag wrapped in silver duct tape, concealed in the waistband of his underwear. Officers also found a round of 9mm ammunition in his pocket.
Officers retrieved Collins’s backpack and soft-sided cooler from the bus and obtained a search warrant for them. Investigators later found a loaded Keltec 9mm semi-automatic handgun in he soft-sided cooler.
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on both counts to U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, ending a trial that began Tuesday, June 14.
Under federal statutes, Collins is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smith and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bradshaw. It was investigated by the MOWIN (Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics) Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jefferson Parish Felon Pleads Guilty as Charged to Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH WOODS, age 31, of Metairie, Louisiana, pleaded guilty as charged to a three-count indictment. Count 1 charged the defendant with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); Count 2 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and Count 3 charged him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
According to court documents, WOODS was previously convicted of drug trafficking, among other felony firearm and drug offenses in Jefferson Parish. Due to these convictions, it is unlawful for him to possess a firearm. He is now convicted of possessing multiple firearms and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and heroin. On October 4, 2020, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which WOODS was a passenger in Westwego, Louisiana. The officers observed two camouflage bags inside the vehicle before the driver drove off at a high rate of speed. The officers observed as the bags were thrown the side of the road. The bags were later recovered and additional evidence consistent with drug trafficking was found in the center console of the vehicle.
For Count 1 of the indictment, WOODS faces a maximum term of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a minimum of three (3) years of supervised release. For Count 2, he faces a minimum term of five (5) years up to a maximum term of life imprisonment to run consecutive to all other sentences, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to five (5) years of supervised release. For Count 3, he faces a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to three (3) years of supervised release. WOODS faces a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee per count.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Westwego Police department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss is in charge of the prosecution.
Jefferson County Woman Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison for Production and Attempted Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On June 16, 2022, the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, sentenced Shana Coffey, age 42, of Jefferson City, Tennessee, to serve 262 months in federal prison for producing and attempting to distribute child pornography, followed by lifetime on supervised release.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Coffey agreed to plead guilty to a superseding indictment charging her with producing child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e) and attempting to distribute child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2522A(a)(2)(B). Coffey will be required to register with the state sex offender registry in any state in which she lives, works, or attends school.
Coffey admitted that in April 2020 she used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions of such conduct and, in June 2020, she attempted to distribute child pornography to others.
This prosecution was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States in court.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Jacksonville Man Indicted for the Illegal Possession of Multiple FirearmsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida–United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of a three-count indictment charging Michael Christopher Langston (37, Jacksonville) with illegally possessing 11 firearms and a firearm silencer. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Langston that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition traceable to the offense. Langston was arrested on June 15, 2022, in Jacksonville.
According to the indictment, on August 4, 2019, Langston knowingly possessed a machine gun, a firearm silencer, and a Glock .40 caliber firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device. The indictment further alleges that Langston possessed 11 firearms knowing that he was an unlawful user of marijuana and anabolic steroids. He is also charged with possessing firearms after he was committed to a mental institution.
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. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Cannizzaro and Laura Cofer Taylor. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Houston resident sentenced for attempting to bring kilos of deadly fentanyl to Galleria MallRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute approximately 4.65 kilograms of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Alvarado-Vargas pleaded guilty April 5.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a 72-month term of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the prison term, Judge Marmolejo noted that Mexican Fentanyl is extremely dangerous and responsible for deaths all over the United States.
On Oct. 3, 2021, Alvarado-Vargas attempted to drive through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint along U.S. Highway 59 near Freer. During a search of his vehicle, authorities discovered approximately 4.65 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside his car battery.
At the time of his plea, Alvarado-Vargas admitted that smugglers had offered him approximately $4,500 to illegally transport drugs into the United States from Mexico. He further admitted that his ultimate delivery destination was the Galleria mall in Houston.
Fentanyl is a synthetic painkiller drug that has morphine and opioid-like side effects, but works at a mere one-hundredth of the/of a regular dose. Inadvertent exposure to high doses of fentanyl in micrograms can result in respiratory failure, overdose and ultimately death. Remember #OnePillCanKill
Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
Holly Springs Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Child Pornography CaseRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Holly Springs man was sentenced yesterday by Judge Louise W. Flanagan to a total of 140 months followed by 20 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography. On March 9, 2021, Ryan Evers, 28, pled guilty to the charge.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in September 2018, Evers was communicating online via social media with a minor child. During the conversations, Evers discussed wanting to have sexual intercourse with the child and encouraged the child to send sexually explicit images to Evers. The child posed for pictures in the way Evers encouraged and sent the photographs to Evers.
The social media site reported the child pornography images to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC forwarded the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency in the state in which the child lived for investigation. Search warrants were executed on the social media site for the contents of the conversations between Evers and the minor child. Law enforcement officers were able to identify Evers though the IP address used during the online communications with the child and photographs that he sent the child. At the time of the communications, Evers lived in Holly Springs, North Carolina.
The child was identified and later disclosed there had been video calls with Evers during which the child sexually penetrated himself with objects encouraged by Evers.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.
This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00407-FL.
Hartford Man Admits Illegally Possessing Handgun in ManchesterRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL JONES, 25, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 24, 2021, Jones pointed a firearm at another individual outside of a hookah lounge on Broad Street in Manchester. When Manchester Police arrived on the scene, Jones attempted to flee and discarded the firearm in the rear parking lot of the lounge. Jones was apprehended and the firearm, a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, was recovered.
Prior to July 2021, Jones was convicted in state court of criminal possession of a firearm. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for September 7, at which time Jones faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Jones has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Manchester Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick and John T. Pierpont, Jr.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Hardy County man sentenced to 9 years for drug chargeRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Roger Allen See, of Wardensville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 110 months of incarceration for a drug charge, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
See, 32, pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.” See admitted to distributing methamphetamine from September to November 2020 in Hardy County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Harborcreek Resident Pleads Guilty to Sending Ammunition to the Netherlands and Possessing Destructive DevicesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws relating to smuggling goods from the United States, and possessing unregistered firearms, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Donald Robert Witherow, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in September 2019, Witherow, without first obtaining the required approval, sent ammunition and ammunition magazines to the Netherlands. In addition, on March 26, 2020, Witherow possessed unregistered firearms, namely destructive devices.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reductions efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevent and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for October 13, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.Pending sentencing, the court continued Witherow on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Witherow.
Hamden Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARRYL SMALL, 34, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating Small after receiving information that he was distributing heroin and fentanyl in and around New Haven. In December 2020 and January 2021, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Small.
Small was arrested on February 24, 2021. On that date, a court-authorized search of his Hamden residence revealed $24,134 in cash and approximately $165,000 in jewelry. Judge Dooley ordered Small to forfeit the cash and jewelry, and Small’s 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 that was also seized at the time of his arrest.
Small has been detained since his arrest. On March 7, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Small’s criminal history includes felony convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, carrying a pistol without a permit, and first-degree robbery.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force includes officers from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.
Grand Jury Indicts Bank Robbery SuspectRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a man with one count of bank robbery.
According to court documents, Roland K. Vandenberg, 55, allegedly robbed Emprise Bank on South Broadway Street in Wichita on June 2, 2022.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting the case.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Erice Salsbery,63, of Wichita was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of counterfeit currency, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Grand Jury - June 2022Read the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 14 unsealed Indictments charging 15 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
* Abas Yassin Ali, age 19, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Counts I through III charge Ali with bank fraud beginning on or about January 1, 2021 and continuing through May 25, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Miguel Avalos-Diaz, age 25, and Jose S. Perez, age 26, are charged in a five-count Indictment. Count I charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 10, 2021 and continuing to on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Avalos-Diaz with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 3, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Avalos-Diaz with distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine on or about March 22, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about March 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges Avalos-Diaz and Perez with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about March 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ imprisonment and up to a life consecutive to Count IV, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about March 30, 2022.
* Edwin Baez, age 28, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I charges Baez with distribution of cocaine on or about March 22, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than three years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Baez with distribution of cocaine on or about April 27, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, not less than three years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Baez with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on or about May 26, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than a four-year and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Baez with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about May 26, 2022.
* Olegario Bernabe-Ortiz, age 49, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 7, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Jeffrey Bowlin, age 53, of Papillion, Nebraska, is charged in an eight-count Indictment. Counts I through VIII charge Bowlin with theft of mail beginning on or about April 24, 2022 and continuing through on or about May 21, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Joshua David Charter, age 44, is charged with escape from custody on or about May 21, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment for each charge.
* Donnale C. Clay, age 39, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Clay with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about April 27, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten-years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Clay with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on or about April 27, 2022. The maximum penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, not less than six years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Clay with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 27, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Catarino Gonzalez, age 50, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about May 17, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Demetrius Jones Spence, age 53, is charged with bank robbery on or about July 11, 2018. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Jeremy A. Kinney, age 48, of Campbell, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Kinney with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about May 26, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to a life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Kinney with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Kinney with felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about May 26, 2022.
* Marcio Remberto Padilla Villatoro, age 24, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 18, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* David Mark Platt a/k/a Mark Platt, age 56, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Platt with transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity on or about May 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years’ and up to life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Platt with committing a sex offense while on the sex offender registry on or about May 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment consecutive, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.
* Jose Rascon-Escobar, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about May 25, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
* Delmer Sanchez Zuniga, age 41, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony on or about June 8, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Former West Tennessee Healthcare Director Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Melanie Haste, 62, formerly of Trenton, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today.
According to the information presented in court, from 2012 until 2020, Haste served as the
Director of Risk Management at West Tennessee Healthcare and worked at the Jackson-Madison
County Hospital. During her time there, she developed a fraud scheme that allowed her to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization.In May 2020, Haste stole and attempted to deposit a check made out to the organization into her own account. The check was for more than $146,000. After bank personnel became suspicious, they froze her account and alerted West Tennessee Healthcare of her actions. After the matter was referred to law enforcement, it was discovered that beginning in 2017, Haste had stolen and attempted to steal more than $355,000 over a three-year period, using the hospital's money to pay personal expenses, finance vacations, and give to family members.
In January 2022, Haste pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
On June 15, 2022, United States District Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Haste to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The
Court also ordered Haste to pay $209,181.47 in restitution to the organization. In imposing the sentence, the Court noted that Haste had abused the trust of her employer, and the seriousness of her offense warranted a prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.The case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department, Financial Crimes Unit, and the United States Secret Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Matt Wilson prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
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Former University of Arkansas Professor Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Lying to Federal Agents About Patents in ChinaRead the Press Release
An Arkansas man and former University of Arkansas professor was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison followed by one year of supervised release on one count of making a false statement to the FBI about the existence of patents for his inventions in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
According to court documents, Simon Saw-Teong Ang, 64, of Fayetteville, filed 24 patents in the PRC which bear Ang’s name or Chinese birth name. The University of Arkansas, where Ang worked as a professor, required individuals such as Ang to promptly furnish to the university “full and complete” disclosures of inventions, and university policy provided that it, not individual inventors, would own all inventions created by those subject to the policy. This policy was established “in furtherance of the commitment of the university to the widest possible distribution of the benefits of university research, the protection of inventions resulting from such research, and the development of Inventions for the public good.”
Despite this requirement, Ang did not disclose his Chinese patents to the university and, when interviewed by an FBI agent, lied about his involvement in the inventions. Specifically, when asked whether his name would be listed as “the inventor” of numerous patents in China, Ang denied being the inventor, despite knowing he was. In addition, Ang also received numerous talent awards from the PRC government, which he did not list on the university’s annual conflict of interest disclosure forms.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas and Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division made the announcement.
The FBI, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), NASA Office of Inspector General and Air Force Office of Special Investigations investigated the case.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes and Trial Attorney Christine Bonomo from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the case.
Former University of Arkansas Professor Sentenced to One Year in Federal Prison for Lying to Federal Agents About Patents in ChinaRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – An Arkansas man and former University of Arkansas Professor was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison followed by one year of supervised release on one count of making a false statement to the FBI about the existence of patents for his inventions in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Simon Saw-Teong Ang, 65, of Fayetteville, filed 24 patents in the People’s Republic of China bear Ang’s name or Chinese birth name. The University of Arkansas, where Ang worked as a professor, required individuals such as Ang to promptly furnish to the University “full and complete” disclosures of inventions, and University policy provided that it, not individual inventors, would own all inventions created by those subject to the policy. This policy was established “in furtherance of the commitment of the University to the widest possible distribution of the benefits of University Research, the protection of Inventions resulting from such research, and the development of Inventions for the public good.”
Despite this requirement, Ang did not disclose his Chinese patents to the university and, when interviewed by an FBI agent, lied about his involvement in the inventions. Specifically, when asked whether his name would be listed as “the inventor” of numerous patents in China, Ang denied being the inventor, despite knowing he was. In addition, Ang also received numerous talent awards from the PRC government, which he did not list on the university’s annual conflict of interest disclosure forms.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson made the announcement.
The FBI, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), NASA Office of Inspector General and Air Force Office of Special Investigations investigated the case.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas and Trial Attorney Christine Bonomo from the Department of Justice National Security Division prosecuted the case.
Five Indicted for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment today against Jesus Horacio Ramirez Hernandez, 40; Fernando Aldama Tinoco, 48; Walter Garcia-Ruiz, 34; Geovany Espinoza Norzagaray, 33; and Neftali Castillo Montes, 40; charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and unlawful use of a cellphone, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Montes sold an FBI confidential source over 14 pounds of methamphetamine between May 2019 and December 2020. Surveillance, wiretaps, and additional investigation uncovered Garcia-Ruiz, Norzagaray, Tinoco, and Hernandez as higher-level distributors. A search of a storage unit controlled by Tinoco resulted in the discovery of 33 pounds of methamphetamine, 7 pounds of cocaine, and 2 pounds of counterfeit M30 pills containing fentanyl. Tinoco is additionally charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Customs and Borders Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tracy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Felon Faces 20 Years in Federal Prison After Attempting to Rob a Baltimore Convenience Store While on Supervised Release for a Previous Federal ConvictionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Larry Haynes, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to attempt to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, on January 21, 2022, Haynes attempted to rob a convenience store in Baltimore City. After the clerk refused to comply with Haynes’ demands, Haynes showed the clerk a gun tucked within his waistband. Subsequently, the clerk called the convenience store manager who fled to the manager’s office and called 911.
As stated in his plea agreement, off duty Maryland State Police officers responded to the scene and detained Haynes until Baltimore City police officers arrived. MSP officers recovered a 9mm handgun loaded with 9mm cartridges from Haynes’ waistband. The attempted robbery was captured on in-house store security cameras.
Haynes agrees that at the time of the attempted robbery, he was on supervised release for a prior federal firearms offense.
Haynes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by up by three years of supervised release for attempt to interfere with commerce by robbery. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for September 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, MSP, and BPD for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia McLane, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Federal Jury Finds St. Paul Felon Guilty of Methamphetamine Distribution and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury convicted a St. Paul man of methamphetamine distribution and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel, William Howard Proto, Jr., 44, was convicted on two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. During the trial, Proto pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
As proven at trial, on June 29, 2021, officers with the Bloomington Police Department arrested Proto after he was in the driver’s seat of a stolen Cadillac Escalade. Officers searched the vehicle and found nine pounds of methamphetamine, 200 grams of cocaine, digital scales, more than $50,000 in cash, and a loaded firearm. Following his arrest, Proto was indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. On August 19, 2021, pursuant to a federal warrant, agents located Proto at a hotel in Woodbury. Proto was taken into custody in the hotel parking lot. At the time of the arrest, Proto had a handgun in his pocket and, in a black duffle bag, more than five pounds of methamphetamine and an assault-style rifle with no serial number.
Because Proto has multiple prior felony convictions in Dakota and Ramsey Counties, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bloomington Police Department.
This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew S. Dunne and Joseph S. Teirab.
Ex-East Helena police chief sentenced to more than five years in prison for distributing child pornographyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — East Helena’s former chief of police was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography using social media, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
William Daly Harrington, 43, of Helena, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to distribution of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also imposed $7,500 in fines. Harrington was ordered to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons.
“As a career police officer and then as chief of police, Harrington had a duty to protect children, and yet he distributed child pornography. His actions perpetuated the sexual exploitation of children and harm inflicted on vulnerable victims. This sentence holds Harrington accountable not only for his criminal conduct but also for his breach of the public’s trust. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyndee L. Peterson and Wendy A. Johnson and all of our law enforcement partners for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
"Crimes against children are horrific, and this case was aggravated by the fact that William Harrington took an oath to protect and serve," said Dennis Rice, Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI is committed to protecting society's most vulnerable and will hold those who prey on innocent children accountable."
“We appreciate the partnership of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that the FBI leads. We appreciate the City of East Helena assistance with this investigation as well,” said Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo C. Dutton.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, a Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s deputy, who is a member of the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigated a tip that Facebook Messenger had reported one of its accounts distributed child pornography to another account. The investigation determined that the Facebook Messenger account distributing child pornography belonged to Harrington, who was the chief of police for East Helena. Account records showed that on Nov. 17, 2019, Harrington sent 11 images to another account. Some of the images depicted child pornography. Law enforcement served a search warrant on Harrington’s residence and seized his cellular phone. An analysis of the phone found it contained images and videos of child pornography. As part of his investigation, the ICAC detective consulted with a pediatrician who concluded that some of the images depicted prepubescent children or children under the age of 12 years old.
Harrington admitted that he owned and used the Facebook Messenger account that distributed child pornography.
The government further alleged that Harrington was a mandatory reporter of child abuse, and, during the same timeframe, he sought out sexually explicit images of children, saved them to his phone and then distributed them. As chief of police, Harrington attended Child Protection Team Meetings, knew the consequences to the children depicted and, nonetheless, pursued the images at the expense of child victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyndee L. Peterson and Wendy A. Johnson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Bozeman Police Department.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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El Paso Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
EL PASO – Kevin Holguin-Cano, 29, of El Paso pleaded guilty this week to receipt of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, in June 2021, agents executed a search warrant on the residence of Holguin and found materials depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Holguin pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. A sentencing date is not scheduled yet. Holguin faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Frank Burrola, El Paso Division, made the announcement.
The HSI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory Rasmussen is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
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Dublin man pleads guilty to producing and possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Dublin, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to sexually exploiting at least five minors and possessing child pornography.
Timothy W. Wright, 50, faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison.
Wright admitted to placing a hidden camera in the bathroom of his home, thereby producing pornographic images of two minors via that hidden camera. To save videos or images of the minors from the hidden camera to his phone, Wright admitted that he would watch the video feed live. Investigators discovered approximately 27 videos and 152 images from the hidden camera on Wright’s phone.
In addition, Wright admitted he paid three additional minor victims at least $300 on numerous occasions in exchange for those minors lying nude on Wright’s bed while Wright engaged in sex acts or acts of masturbation with the minors. The defendant also admitting to paying for nude images from these three minors and those images were also recovered on Wright’s phone.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio announced the plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
The case was being primarily investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance and cooperation of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which operates under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and, Columbus Division of Police, Dublin Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Unit, Delaware County Drug Task Force, and the United States Marshals Service.
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Dallas County Sheriff’s Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing $250k from Jail’s Commissary FundRead the Press Release
A Dallas County Sheriff’s Office supervisor who embezzled more than $250,000 from the jail’s inmate property fund pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal offense, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
Umeka Treymane Myers, 49, was charged via criminal information on April 28. On Thursday, she pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds.
According to plea papers, Ms. Myers worked as a supervisor at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center’s inmate property vault, which refunds inmates’ commissary account balances upon their release.
When an inmate’s account contains more than $30, property vault employees give them the balance on debit cards generated by software from the Keef Group.
If an employee makes an error processing a debit card, the software generates an error message, which only a lead clerk or supervisor (such as Myers), can clear.
After overriding a debit card error, however, Ms. Myers used released inmates’ book-in numbers to create new and duplicate debit cards, then entered the same amount from the card issued to the released inmate on to the newly created card.
Between 2018 and 2021, she fraudulently issued dozens of debit cards, which she used in Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, Maryland, and New York. (Her spending was confirmed by Winstar, Choctaw, and Margaritaville casino records, Southwest Airlines records, Bank of America ATM surveillance footage, and personal bank records.)
Ms. Myers now faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the full cooperation of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcus Busch is prosecuting the case.
Crownpoint man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Wade Dixon, 33, of Crownpoint, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country. Dixon will remain in custody pending sentencing.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on July 10, 2021, Dixon engaged in a sexual act with the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was 13 years old. The abuse occurred in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation.
By the terms of the plea agreement, Wade faces 13 months in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The Navajo Nation Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the FBI. Special Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea N. Van Deventer is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
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Corrections Officer, Inmate Charged in Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy Inside Stillwater PrisonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Stillwater corrections officer and an inmate have been indicted for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution organization within the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Stillwater, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Faith Rose Gratz, 24, a MCF – Stillwater corrections officer, and Axel Rene Kramer, 34, an inmate who is currently serving a 288-month sentence for second degree murder, conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine within MCF – Stillwater, Minnesota’s largest high security prison facility. As part of the conspiracy, Kramer obtained wholesale quantities of prepackaged methamphetamine from sources of supply outside the prison. After Kramer and another co-conspirator inmate worked with the drug suppliers to arrange meet up times and locations, Gratz would pick up the drug packages. Gratz used her position as a prison guard to smuggle the drugs into the secure facility and then provide the drugs to Kramer while she was on duty guarding him. Gratz did this on approximately six different occasions. Gratz also smuggled into the prison multiple cell phones that she provided to Kramer. Kramer used the cell phones to communicate with people inside and outside the prison and to facilitate his drug distribution network from within the prison.
According to court documents, Gratz and Kramer exchanged hundreds of text messages with each other. The messages included communications about the drug distribution conspiracy as well as discussions about their romantic relationship. Gratz also warned Kramer about upcoming searches of inmates’ cells so that Kramer could hide his phone and drugs to avoid detection.
On April 8, 2022, after recovering Kramer’s cell phone, law enforcement officers confronted Gratz about the drug distribution operation. Officers searched Gratz’s car and recovered a half pound of methamphetamine.
Gratz and Kramer are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Gratz is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court before a Magistrate Judge at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bayport Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Coral Springs Police Officer Charged with COVID Relief Fraud, Using Loan Money to Service and Repair His Vintage CarRead the Press Release
Miami, Florida – A South Florida federal grand jury has charged a Coral Springs police officer with fraudulently applying to the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) for a COVID-19 relief advance grant and low-interest loan.
According to the Indictment unsealed today in federal district court, Jason Scott Carter, 44, of Boca Raton, submitted a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) application and loan agreement on behalf of Jason S. Carter, Inc., a South Florida business he allegedly owned and operated. That application falsely and fraudulently certified, among other things, that during the twelve 12 months prior to January 31, 2020, the business had gross revenues of $100,000, according to the Indictment. In reality, the business had only minimal gross revenues during that period. The Indictment also charges Carter with falsely and fraudulently certifying that he would use the funds only for business expenses to alleviate economic injury that the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the business. In fact, according to the charges, Carter spent more than $21,000 of the SBA loan money at a car repair and detailing company for luxury vehicles and high-end auto parts.
The Indictment charges Carter with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Carter made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart. He was released on bond, pending trial.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Omar Perez Aybar, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office, and David Walker, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Tampa, announced the charges.
HHS-OIG, Miami Regional Office (Tampa) and FBI Tampa investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Laserna is handling asset forfeiture.
Indictments contain mere allegations and defendants are innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.
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.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-80094.
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Convicted Felon Indicted for Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Cedric Durham, Jr. (21, Tampa) with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Durham that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense. Durham was arrested on June 13, 2022, in Tampa. He made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson the following day and was ordered detained pending trial.
According to the indictment, on March 6, 2022, Durham was in possession of a firearm and ammunition. At the time of the incident, Durham had a previous felony conviction for carrying a concealed firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Durham 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 Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and David Chee. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Columbia Man Facing Federal Charges After Resisting Arrest by Franklin Police OfficersRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A federal indictment unsealed yesterday, charges a Columbia, Tennessee, man with drug distribution and firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin.
Roy Gene Nicholson, III, 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Nicholson was arrested yesterday by the United States Marshals Service and is currently in federal custody.
The charges are the result of an incident on April 24, 2022, where Nicholson was stopped on I-65 in Williamson County, Tenn., by an officer with the Franklin Police Department. According to the indictment, when the officer approached the car, he observed a pistol on the front passenger seat and smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer attempted to detain Nicholson and a physical struggle ensued. Nicholson was able to re-enter his vehicle and as two officers attempted to remove him from the car, Nicholson accelerated, dragging both officers for a distance and knocking them to the ground. The legs of one officer were run over by the vehicle as it sped away.
Nicholson was later arrested approximately one mile away and was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, marijuana, and more than $3,600 in cash. A pink backpack found on a sidewalk nearby, contained approximately 200 grams of marijuana and plastic baggies. Officers had observed the pink backpack in Nicholson’s car during the earlier attempt to arrest him.
If convicted, Nicholson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Franklin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Herbert L. Bunton, III is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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