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24 October 2024
Whittier Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Illegal Firearms Business and Arranging the Armed Robbery of Confidential InformantRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Whittier man pleaded guilty today to arranging the armed robbery of a confidential federal informant and running an unlicensed firearm dealing business that, in part, sold so-called “ghost guns,” or guns lacking serial numbers.
Salvador Lopez, 24, a.k.a. “Chava,” pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery of money of the United States using a dangerous weapon and one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license.
“This defendant not only sold guns illegally, putting firearms on the streets where they could be used to hurt others, but he also directed a minor to engage in violent crime,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Now, this defendant will be held accountable. Those who would engage in violent gun crime should be aware that my office is laser focused on protecting our community by bringing violent criminals to justice.”
According to his plea agreement, Lopez conspired with his codefendants to conduct firearms transactions. Lopez both sold firearms himself, sent pictures of firearms for sale to others who sold the firearms, and directed associates to sell firearms for him. In total, Lopez sold or helped to sell a total of 15 firearms to law enforcement agents and those working for them. Neither defendant Lopez nor his co-defendants are federal firearms licensees.
Later, Lopez agreed to sell firearms to a confidential informant working for federal law enforcement. Instead of following through with the transaction, Lopez messaged a minor with instructions to rob the informant at gun point. The minor and his coconspirators not only robbed the informant of $5,000, but they also robbed the informant’s personal cellphone and vehicle. Lopez then received a share of the robbery proceeds.
As part of the plea agreement, Lopez admitted that he instructed minor to threaten the informant with a firearm during the robbery.
United States District Judge Percy Anderson scheduled a January 6, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Lopez will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment.
Ivan Quintos, 27, of Azusa, another defendant charged in this case, also pleaded guilty today to one count of firearms trafficking. He will face up to 15 years in federal prison at his February 3, 2025, sentencing hearing.
The two remaining defendants charged in this case – Mark Perez, 22, of Henderson, Nevada; and Zachary Dry, 23, also of Henderson, Nevada – are scheduled to plead guilty to criminal charges in this case on October 25 and October 30, respectively.
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Baldwin Park Police Department; and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney William M. Larsen of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Waterbury Felon on Supervised Release Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GLENN JAMISON, 43, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 39 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release that followed a prior firearm possession conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, Jamison was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 25 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
On July 24, 2023, while he was on supervised release, Jamison ran from Waterbury Police officers toward a vacant lot, holding his waistband. After Jamison was apprehended, a search of his person revealed fentanyl, carfentanil, and crack cocaine. Officers also found a loaded handgun that Jamison discarded as he ran.
In addition to his prior federal firearm conviction, Jamison’s criminal history includes numerous state convictions. 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.
Jamison has been detained since his arrest. On July 1, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Judge Chatigny sentenced Jamison to 33 months of imprisonment for the July 2023 offenses, and a consecutive six months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Waterbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.
This prosecution was brought through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
United States Attorneys Breon Peace and Damian Williams announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) will lead the efforts of their Offices in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024 general election. AUSA Erik Paulsen has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of New York, and AUSA David J. Kennedy has been appointed to serve as the DEO for the Southern District of New York. In their capacity as DEOs, these AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the Districts’ handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“A free election is the cornerstone of our democracy and every citizen in the Eastern District of New York must be able to vote and have their votes counted fairly and without interference, discrimination or threat of violence,” said United States Attorney Peace. “Election officials and their staff also must be able to perform their duties without being subjected to unlawful threats of violence or intimidation. My Office will defend those rights with the full force of federal law.”
United States Attorney Williams said, “Free, fair, and accessible elections are critical to democracy, and every voter in the Southern District of New York deserves to cast their vote with confidence in the integrity of our electoral process. It is the responsibility and privilege of this Office to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers are able to exercise their right to vote free of unlawful intimidation or hindrance. We encourage anyone who finds their civic voting protections subject to any attempted undue interference to please contact the numbers below.”
The Department of Justice plays an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or individuals who are limited English proficient).
United States Attorneys Peace and Williams stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.”
In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 5, 2024, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the United States Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers through Tuesday, November 5, 2024:
(646) 369-4739 (for Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties) and (718) 254-6085 (for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (212) 384-1000.
In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
The United States Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on Election Day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
New York City Board of Elections
Main Office (866) 868-3692
TTY #: 212-487-5496
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571-8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Orange (Spanish language) (855) 331-2444
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
United States Attorneys Available to Receive Election ComplaintsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (“AUSAs”) will lead the efforts of their Offices in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA David J. Kennedy has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (“DEO”) for the Southern District of New York, and AUSA Erik Paulsen has been appointed to serve as the DEO for the Eastern District of New York. In their capacity as DEOs, these AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the Districts’ handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Free, fair, and accessible elections are critical to democracy, and every voter in the Southern District of New York deserves to cast their vote with confidence in the integrity of our electoral process. It is the responsibility and privilege of this Office to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers are able to exercise their right to vote free of unlawful intimidation or hindrance. We encourage anyone who finds their civic voting protections subject to any attempted undue interference to please contact the numbers below.”
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said: “A free election is the cornerstone of our democracy and every citizen in the Eastern District of New York must be able to vote and have their votes counted fairly and without interference, discrimination or threat of violence, Election officials and their staff also must be able to perform their duties without being subjected to unlawful threats of violence or intimidation. My Office will defend those rights with the full force of federal law.”
The Department of Justice plays an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
U.S. Attorneys Damian Williams and Breon Peace said: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.”
In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 5, 2024, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the U.S. Attorneys said that their Offices will be available to receive complaints at the following numbers through Tuesday, November 5, 2024:
(646) 369-4739 (for Manhattan, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, and Westchester counties) and (718) 254-6790 (for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, and Suffolk counties).
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (212) 384-1000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/
In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
The U.S. Attorneys also noted that the following additional telephone numbers are available on Election Day for citizens to call for routine inquiries, such as where to vote or how late the polls are open, or to register complaints that may concern violations of New York State election laws:
IN NEW YORK CITY
New York City Board of Elections
Main Office (866) 868-3692
TTY #: 212-487-5496
IN COUNTIES OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY
County Boards of Elections
Dutchess (845) 486-2473
Nassau (516) 571-8683
Orange (845) 360-6500
Orange (Spanish language) (855) 331-2444
Putnam (845) 808-1300
Rockland (845) 638-5172
Suffolk (631) 852-4500
Sullivan (845) 807-0400
Westchester (914) 995-5700
U.S. Reaches Settlement for over $100M in Civil Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel That Destroyed the Francis Scott Key BridgeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the Motor Vessel DALI, have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The settlement resolves the United States’ claims for civil damages for $103,078,056 under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law. The settlement monies will go to the U.S. Treasury and to the budgets of several federal agencies directly affected by the allision or involved in the response.
“Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”
“This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”
In the early morning hours of March 26, the Motor Vessel DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. While navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained power, and then lost power again before striking the bridge. The bridge collapsed and plunged into the water below, tragically killing six people. In addition to this heartbreaking loss of life, the wreck of the DALI and the remains of the bridge were left to obstruct the navigable channel, bringing all shipping into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill. The loss of the bridge also severed a critical highway in the transportation infrastructure and blocked a key artery for local commuters.
The United States led the response efforts of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to remove about 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt from the channel and from the DALI itself. While removal operations were underway, the United States set up temporary channels to start relieving the bottleneck at the port and mitigate some of the economic devastation caused by the DALI. The Fort McHenry Channel was cleared by June 10, and the Port of Baltimore was once again open for commercial navigation.
On Sept. 18, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking over $100 million in damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy. The Department’s claim was part of a legal action that the vessel companies filed shortly after the tragedy, in which they seek exoneration or limitation of their liability to approximately $43.7 million. Today’s settlement is in addition to $97,294 recently paid by Grace Ocean to the Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Center for costs incurred to abate the threat of oil pollution arising from the incident.
The settlement does not include any damages for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, and attorneys on the state’s behalf filed their own claim for those damages. Pursuant to the governing regulation, funds recovered by the State of Maryland for reconstruction of the bridge will be used to reduce the project costs paid for in the first instance by federal tax dollars.
The resolution of the civil matter was handled by attorneys from the Civil Division’s Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
U.S. Reaches Settlement for over $100m in Civil Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel That Destroyed the Francis Scott Key BridgeRead the Press Release
Washington – The Justice Department announced today that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the Motor Vessel DALI, have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The settlement resolves the United States’ claims for civil damages for $103,078,056 under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law. The settlement monies will go to the U.S. Treasury and to the budgets of several federal agencies directly affected by the allision or involved in the response.
“Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”
“This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”
In the early morning hours of March 26, the Motor Vessel DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. While navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained power, and then lost power again before striking the bridge. The bridge collapsed and plunged into the water below, tragically killing six people. In addition to this heartbreaking loss of life, the wreck of the DALI and the remains of the bridge were left to obstruct the navigable channel, bringing all shipping into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill. The loss of the bridge also severed a critical highway in the transportation infrastructure and blocked a key artery for local commuters.
The United States led the response efforts of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to remove about 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt from the channel and from the DALI itself. While removal operations were underway, the United States set up temporary channels to start relieving the bottleneck at the port and mitigate some of the economic devastation caused by the DALI. The Fort McHenry Channel was cleared by June 10, and the Port of Baltimore was once again open for commercial navigation.
On Sept. 18, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking over $100 million in damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy. The Department’s claim was part of a legal action that the vessel companies filed shortly after the tragedy, in which they seek exoneration or limitation of their liability to approximately $43.7 million. Today’s settlement is in addition to $97,294 recently paid by Grace Ocean to the Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Center for costs incurred to abate the threat of oil pollution arising from the incident.The settlement does not include any damages for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, and attorneys on the state’s behalf filed their own claim for those damages. Pursuant to the governing regulation, funds recovered by the State of Maryland for reconstruction of the bridge will be used to reduce the project costs paid for in the first instance by federal tax dollars.
The resolution of the civil matter was handled by attorneys from the Civil Division’s Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.
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U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officer for 2024 General ElectionRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel R. Schiess will lead the efforts for the District of Nevada in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Schiess has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Nevada, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Frierson said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Frierson stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Schiess will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 702-388-6336.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 702-385-1281.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Frierson said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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Two former Richmond County deputies plead guilty to violating civil rights of jail detaineeRead the Press Release
AUGUSTA, GA: Two former Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies have pled guilty to federal civil rights charges involving an assault on a jail detainee.
Daniel D’Aversa, 52, and Melissa Morello, 27, await sentencing after each pled guilty to an Information charging them with Deprivation of Civil Rights Under Color of Law. The guilty plea subjects each defendant to a possible sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with substantial fines and restitution, followed by up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
As described in the plea agreements, Morello was a jailer at Richmond County’s Charles D. Webster Detention Center, and D’Aversa was a corporal with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Both were at the jail on May 7, 2022, working with other Richmond County Sheriff’s Office jailers and deputies to secure inmates who had caused flooding in a section of the jail.
A pretrial detainee, referred to in court documents as Victim 1, was handcuffed face-down in the jail when D’Aversa and Morello shouted to other staff members that Victim 1 wanted his handcuffs removed. Morello then “attempted to unlock Victim 1’s handcuffs so that another employee would have an excuse to go hands-on with him,” and when Morello was unsuccessful, a deputy listed as Deputy 2 then unlocked and removed the handcuffs.
A deputy listed as Deputy 1 then “repeatedly punched Victim 1 and placed him in a chokehold. … During Deputy 1’s assault on Victim 1,” and both Morello and D’Aversa “failed to intervene to stop or attempt to stop the assault,” despite having the opportunity to do so.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing for D’Aversa and Morello upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III and Anita T. Channapati of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Two Inland Empire Women Arrested on Indictment Alleging $3.5 Million Scheme to Defraud COVID-19 Business Loan ProgramRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – Two Riverside County women were arrested today on a 23-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they and two men schemed to defraud a COVID-19 pandemic-relief program out of more than $3 million by helping others fraudulently obtain COVID business loans in exchange for a cut of the illicit proceeds.
Vanessa M. Williams, 35, of Corona,and Denise Mata, 34, of Moreno Valley, were arrested this morning and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside.
Williams and Mata are charged with nine and 10 counts of wire fraud, respectively. Mata is charged with an additional count of aggravated identity theft. Also charged in the indictment are Daryl D. Knighten Jr., 32, and Mikhail G. Hoalim, 33, who face seven and nine counts of wire fraud, respectively. Law enforcement continue to search for both men.
According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on August 14, from March 2021 to August 2021, the defendants submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for themselves, family members, close associates, and individuals they recruited. Congress created the program in 2020 to assist businesses dealing with COVID-19’s severe economic impact.
The defendants made false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and banks in connection with the fraudulent PPP loan applications. Each application falsely stated that the PPP loan applicant was self-employed and falsely certified that each loan would be used for permissible business purposes. Each loan application also contained fraudulent tax forms to deceive the SBA and PPP participating lenders into disbursing loan funds.
Lenders approved PPP loans for the defendants and more than 100 co-schemers. The lenders then disbursed the PPP loan funds into bank accounts belonging to the defendants and their co-schemers. Co-schemers paid kickbacks to the defendants within days of receiving the fraudulently obtained PPP loan funds.
The defendants and their co-schemers used the illicitly obtained money for their own personal benefit and not for expenses allowable under the PPP. The defendants also submitted fraudulent documents to the SBA and lenders to obtain loan forgiveness for the illegally obtained PPP loans.
In March 2021, Mata allegedly used the Social Security numbers belonging to another person – without that person’s permission – in connection with the scheme to defraud the PPP.
Law enforcement believes the losses caused by this scheme are approximately $3.5 million.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count. Mata would face an additional mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any other prison term if convicted of aggravated identity theft.
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.
On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Central and Eastern Districts of California to jointly head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed multiple instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. Additional information regarding the Strike Force may be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-covid-19-fraud-strike-force-teams.
As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by Amtrak Office of Inspector General with support from Homeland Security Investigations. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Max A. Shapiro of the General Crimes Section, along with Senior Litigation Counsel Gary Bell and Trial Attorney Ambris Saravanan from the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division are prosecuting this case.
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.
Two Former Georgia Deputies Plead Guilty to Violating Civil Rights of Jail DetaineeRead the Press Release
Two former Richmond County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office deputies pleaded guilty yesterday to federal civil rights charges involving an assault on a jail detainee.
Daniel D’Aversa, 52, and Melissa Morello, 28, pleaded guilty to an information charging both officers with one felony count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law.
According to court documents, Morello was assigned as a jailer at Richmond County’s Charles D. Webster Detention Center, and D’Aversa was a corporal with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. On May 7, 2022, Morello and D’Aversa were working with other Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies to secure inmates who had caused flooding in a section of the jail. Fellow deputies deliberately removed the handcuffs of a compliant inmate and then proceeded to punch and kick him. Both Morello and D’Aversa pleaded guilty to failing to intervene or stop the assault on the inmate, who was not posing a threat to anyone at the time of the assault.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing for D’Aversa and Morello upon completion of pre-sentence investigations by U.S. Probation Services.
Sentencing hearings will be set at a later date. Both D’Aversa and Morello face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, along with substantial fines and restitution, followed by up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and any other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia and Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III for the Southern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Anita T. Channapati of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Federal Conspiracies Involving High-End Stolen Vehicle RingsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two defendants appeared in federal court today and entered guilty pleas for their respective roles in cases involving high-end stolen vehicles worth millions of dollars, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to filed documents and statements made in court, Andre Lamar Sumner, 41, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to violate federal law, including by transporting and possessing stolen vehicles in interstate commerce, and altering vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Sumner also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. According to filed court documents, between 2022 and 2024, Sumner and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to buy and sell high-end motor vehicles that were stolen from car dealerships, rental car companies, and private parties across the United States, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Missouri.
Sumner operated as a “fence” in the conspiracy, arranging the buying and selling of the stolen motor vehicles. A fence is someone who assists in finding or dealing with buyers for stolen properties. To maximize profits, Sumner sought to fence high-end stolen vehicles such as luxury models made by BMW, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce, as well as trucks and other expensive modes from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and RAM. As court documents show, Sumner and his co-conspirators possessed stolen vehicles with an estimated value well over $2 million.
According to court records, Sumner sold the stolen cars to buyers at prices significantly below the vehicles’ fair market values. As Sumner admitted in court today, to avoid detection and to maximize the stolen vehicles’ resale values, Sumner and others regularly altered the stolen vehicles’ original VINs and fraudulently registered the stolen vehicles with various state motor vehicle agencies.
One of Sumner’s co-conspirators, Erren Woodson, 40, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty last Friday, October 18, 2024, to one count of conspiracy and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. Court documents show that Woodson purchased stolen vehicles from Sumner. Court documents filed in Woodson’s case show that Woodson regularly communicated with Sumner to discuss the available inventory of stolen vehicles and potential buyers as well as prices for the stolen cars.
Both Sumner and Woodson also pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. According to court records, the defendants were involved in marijuana trafficking, in part funded by the stolen vehicles scheme.
In a separate case involving high-end stolen vehicles, Terrick D. Lumpkin, 39, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to violate federal law, including by transporting and possessing vehicles in interstate commerce and altering VIN numbers. Lumpkin also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen vehicle.
According to documents filed in this case and the plea hearing, between November 2023 and January 2024, Lumpkin conspired with other individuals to steal and possess luxury and high-end models of vehicles worth over $1 million. Lumpkin and his co-conspirators obtained stolen vehicles from various locations throughout the United States, including in North Carolina, Illinois, and New York. In addition, several of the vehicles Lumpkin possessed were stolen from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Court documents show that Lumpkin and others mainly sought high-end vehicles made by Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini and Mercedes, as well as sports utility vehicles, and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, and Jeep. Once they came to possess the stolen vehicles, Lumpkin and his co-conspirators altered or removed the vehicles’ VINs to avoid detection by law enforcement.
All three defendants are currently released on bond. The conspiracy charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Each charge of possession of a stolen vehicle carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. At sentencing, Sumner and Woodson face a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. Lumpkin faces a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment.
Since August 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 11 individuals with conspiracy offenses related to high-end stolen vehicles and other related offenses. Of those charged, nine have pleaded guilty to federal charges. Additional individuals involved in stolen vehicle possession have also been prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for other federal crimes, including illegal gun possession and drug trafficking.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD’s Stolen Car And Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) for their investigation of these cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are in charge of the prosecutions.
St. Louis County Woman Admits Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A woman from St. Louis County, Missouri on Thursday admitted producing child pornography involving a two-year-old.
Raven Ainesis Pointer, 26, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of production of child pornography. Pointer admitted using her phone to produce videos containing child sexual abuse material.
The investigation into Pointer began in August of 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama, where Homeland Security Investigations agents learned that a man who had been distributing child sexual abuse material had also been communicating with a woman from St. Louis who identified herself as “Raven P.” He said she sent him videos involving a two-year-old victim, information which was corroborated by his phone.
Investigators identified Pointer and matched details in the videos to her and the location where they had been filmed, Pointer’s plea agreement says. In an interview with investigators, she confirmed that she was in the videos and also identified the victim, the plea says.
Pointer is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2025. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.
Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Chapman 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 the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Albans Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Sarah J. Ward, 41, of St. Albans, was sentenced to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ward and her husband Timothy A. Ward admitted that they distributed methamphetamine or aided and abetted each other to distribute methamphetamine to confidential informants on seven occasions in Kanawha County from October 2, 2023, through December 6, 2023. The Wards further admitted that they received money for several of these transactions, and for others received clothing that was shoplifted at their direction. The transactions included the sale of a half-ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at a St. Albans bar on October 2, 2023. The Wards also sold a pistol with an obliterated serial number to a confidential informant, which Timothy Ward referred to as a “throwaway” firearm during the transaction.
Timothy A. Ward, 42, was sentenced on June 6, 2024, to eight years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-201.
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Springfield Man Sentenced to 54 months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man, Alvin D. Billups, age 36, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, to 54 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, the government established that in June 2023 Springfield Police Officers were on foot patrol in an area where numerous people were having a large block party. The officers approached a car containing an open bottle of alcohol. Billups was in the driver’s seat. During a subsequent search, Billups, a felon, was found in possession of a Taurus G2 9mm pistol. During the hearing, Judge Lawless noted that Billups had a significant history of firearms offenses, which included multiple prior state firearms convictions.
Billups remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, where he has been since his federal arrest on August 23, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment in the case on May 9, 2024.
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person are up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.
The Springfield Police Department investigated the firearms case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case against Billups is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois, by law enforcement including the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Spartanburg Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Second Federal Cocaine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
SPARTANBURG, S.C. —Maurice Suber, 39, of Spartanburg was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Evidence presented to the court showed that since at least 2022, Suber was distributing drugs in the Highlands area of Spartanburg. On Nov. 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Suber’s home and multiple firearms and cash were located. Suber had previously been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the same federal courthouse.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Suber to 141 months in federal prison, followed by a court ordered term of supervision. The court also entered an order of forfeiture for $3.8 million dollars.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Border Enforcement Security Task Force – Upstate South Carolina, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.
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Sacramento Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to over 19 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Valentino Lovato, 35, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 19 years and 10 months in prison and for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, after previously being convicted of drug trafficking, Lovato engaged in a conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine in Sacramento in April 2022. During the conspiracy, Lovato sold fentanyl pills to an undercover source on multiple separate occasions and also sold methamphetamine to the source.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura prosecuted the case.
Charges are pending against co-defendant Gilbert Ramirez, of Sacramento. The charges against him are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This prosecution is also part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. The Sacramento Strike Force is a co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Sacramento Strike Force is to identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) shipping narcotics, firearms, and money through the Eastern District of California, thereby reducing the flow of these criminal resources in California and the rest of the United States. The Sacramento Strike Force leads intelligence-driven investigations targeting the leadership and support elements of these DTOs and TCOs operating within the Eastern District of California, regardless of their geographic base of operations.
Return to Nature Funeral Home Owners Plead Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jon Hallford, 44, and Carie Hallford, 47, pleaded guilty today to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the plea agreements for each, the Hallfords were the co-owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, which operated both in the Colorado Springs area and in Penrose, Colorado. In October 2023, residents in the Penrose area reported a foul odor emanating from the Return to Nature facility. After obtaining a search warrant, FBI, CBI, and local law enforcement investigators found the remains of approximately 190 deceased persons inside the building in various states of decomposition. Some of the remains discovered had dates of death as far back as 2019. As part of their fraud scheme, the Hallfords misled customers of the funeral home into believing that the remains of their loved ones would be buried or cremated per their wishes and the terms of the parties’ contracts.
As part of their plea agreements, the Hallfords also admitted that they conspired together to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration of over $800,000 in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, which they obtained under the government’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Sentencing will be held at a later date. Each defendant faces up to twenty years in federal prison.
United States District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang presided over the hearing. The FBI Denver Field Office and The United States Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Several other state and local law enforcement agencies including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fremont County Coroner’s Office have made significant contributions to this case. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Tim Neff and Craig Fansler.
Retired Boston Police Captain Sentenced to Federal Prison for Overtime Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A retired Captain of the Boston Police Department was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for participating in a long-running overtime fraud scheme at the Boston Police Department (BPD) that cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent overtime payments.
Richard Evans, 65, of Hanover, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to one year and a day in federal prison, two years of supervised release, restitution of $154,249.20 and a fine of $15,000. In March 2024, a federal jury convicted Evans of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, theft concerning programs receiving federal finds, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Evans was arrested and charged in March 2021 after a lengthy investigation into the overtime practices of Evans and other BPD officers proved that officers had been lying on their overtime slips so that they could get paid for countless hours that they did not work.
“Members of law enforcement are expected to uphold the law, not violate it,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Evans abused the public trust and violated his oath, and his greed corrupted others in the department. His actions do not reflect the selfless, outstanding work done every day by thousands of Boston Police Department officers and police officers across the Commonwealth. To anyone who may be tempted to follow a similar path, today’s sentence should send a strong message that police officers who steal taxpayer money by fraudulently trying to get paid for hours they do not work will be held accountable and face significant penalties.”
“After 37 years on the force, Richard Evans should know that crime doesn’t pay. Nonetheless, he orchestrated this long-running overtime fraud scheme, ensnared his former officers, and ignored all ethical boundaries in order to make a buck," said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The public’s trust is critical for our justice system to function properly, which is why the FBI will do everything in its power to bring officers whose criminal actions undermine that trust to justice. We thank the Boston Police Department for its help in rooting out this egregious fraud.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that public servants who cheat and steal will be held accountable. Evans participated in and orchestrated a scheme to defraud taxpayers by submitting and certifying fraudulent overtime for himself and subordinate officers. This is not a victimless crime. His illicit gains were at the expense of the taxpayers,” said Timothy C. Edmiston, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region.
Evans, who retired from the BPD shortly after he was charged in this case, was a 42-year veteran of the BPD and one of the highest-ranking officers in the department. From May 2012 to March 2016, Evans was the commander of BPD’s Evidence and Supply Management Division, where he was responsible for, among other things, overseeing the Evidence Control Unit (ECU) that stored and managed all the evidence for the BPD.
The investigation revealed that that when BPD’s evidence warehouse started overflowing with evidence, the department authorized an overtime program to “purge” old and unneeded evidence to make room for new evidence. As part of this purge overtime program, officers in the ECU were authorized to work up to four hours a day, after their regular day shift, to help purge old evidence.
For virtually the entirety of the time that Evans was in charge of the ECU, Evans and those under his command abused the purge overtime program to unjustly enrich themselves. For the purge program, it was contemplated that officers would work up to four hours of overtime in a day, typically from 4:00 to 8:00 from Mondays to Thursdays. The evidence showed that officers rarely worked the hours they were supposed to work, often working only an hour or two of overtime but claiming they worked four hours. Given that overtime was paid at 1.5 times the regular pay rate, this meant that officers could get six hours of pay for claiming four hours of overtime, even though in reality they were only working for an hour or two.
As part of this scheme, for multiple years, officers falsely claimed on BPD pay forms that they worked four hours of overtime when they routinely did not. The BPD’s policies and protocols required that officers, after every shift, submit overtime slips certifying the “actual hours worked” during any shift. On countless occasions over multiple years, Evans and other officers in his unit submitted slips overstating their actual hours worked. The BPD’s evidence warehouse, where the ECU is based, is secured and alarmed when officers are not working in it. Alarm records from the evidence warehouse were introduced to show that the building was not even open during hundreds of hours when Evans and other officers had falsely claimed that they were inside the building purging old evidence.
Evans submitted slips for hundreds of overtime hours he did not work. As a supervisor, Evans also approved the overtime slips of officers under his command who falsely claimed payment for hundreds of overtime hours they did not work. Evans also misled his superior officers about the purge overtime scheme to cover up the fact that officers were inflating their overtime hours and routinely not working even half the number of hours they were claiming.
On top of his base salary, Evans received over $120,000 in overtime payments during his nearly four years as commander of the ECU, including over $17,000 in overtime payments for hours that the evidence warehouse was not even open during the hours Evans claimed he was working. The overtime pay received by Evans allowed his total pay to exceed $200,000 for each of the years between 2013 and 2016 when he led that unit.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; SAC Cohen; DOJ-OIG SAC Edmiston; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kunal Pasricha and Elysa Wan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case at trial.
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to Life in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Steven Valder, age 34, of Syracuse, and formerly of Cayuga County, was sentenced today to Life imprisonment plus 10 years following his trial conviction for sexual exploitation and child pornography offenses. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
Following a jury trial in June, Valder was convicted of two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child for producing sexually explicit images of a 13-year-old boy in 2023, one count of Committing a Felony Offense Against a Minor as a Registered Sex Offender, and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. The jury also found that Valder committed the Sexual Exploitation offenses after a prior conviction for a sex offense against a minor.
Today, he was sentenced to concurrent mandatory life sentences on each of the two sexual exploitation counts, a concurrent sentence of 40 years for his receipt of child pornography over the internet, and a mandatory consecutive 10 years for committing the exploitation offenses as a registered sex offender.
The evidence at trial showed that approximately one year after being released from prison for 2010 convictions in Cayuga County Court for Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (forcible anal sexual conduct with a 14-year-old child for which he received a 10 year sentence), and in Federal Court for transportation and possession of child pornography (for which he received a 15 year sentence), Valder produced sexually explicit images of a 13-year old boy, who he sexually abused multiple times over a period of months in multiple locations around the City of Syracuse. Valder, who also downloaded child pornography over the Internet through Russian applications he had downloaded to his phone, was a registered sex offender on both federal supervised release and state parole at the time of his offenses.
Valder’s crimes were discovered after his United States Probation Officer found him in possession of an unauthorized smart phone on which the images of the child victim and internet child pornography were found.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, and the United States Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, prosecuted the case.
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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
Repeat Offender Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession in Southwest GeorgiaRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – An Albany resident with a lengthy criminal history caught by Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit officers illegally possessing a loaded pistol was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for his crime.
Trevin Tywon Davis, 44, of Albany, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Oct. 24. Davis pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 11. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Repeat convicted felons caught with a loaded firearm will face federal prosecution for their willful disregard for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office will bring every available federal resource to bear in support of our local and state law enforcement partners as we work together to make our communities safer for all.”
"I am grateful for the partnership we have with our federal partners due to the number of repeat offenders in our community,” said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley. “These individuals should be attempting to make a positive change in their lifestyle instead of making choices that would set them back and send them back to prison. We ask all persons to be followers of the law so that our community can grow and be a safe haven to those who wish to live, work and play here.”
"The ATF is fully committed to safeguarding our communities from the threat of illegal firearms and violent crime," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka of the ATF Atlanta Field Division. "We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals who pose a danger to our neighborhoods are held accountable and brought to justice.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers with the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit (ADDU) initiated a traffic stop on a white Buick sedan with illegal window tint. Davis was driving, and the officer smelled marijuana coming from the car. Davis was detained, and officers found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun on a magnet against the center gear aisle on the driver’s side. Davis has at least three prior felony convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense in Dougherty County, Georgia, Superior Court and other jurisdictions; it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. In recorded jail calls following his arrest, Davis admitted to eating marijuana when he was pulled over and having an illegal loaded firearm.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit (ADDU).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Redavid prosecuted the case for the Government
Real Estate Developer Sentenced to Prison for Bribing Former Taylor MayorRead the Press Release
DETROIT –Real estate developer was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for bribing former Mayor of Taylor Richard Sollars with cash, home renovations, and other things of value in exchange for obtaining tax-foreclosed properties from the City of Taylor for redevelopment, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Shady Awad, 44, of Allen Park was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.
According to court documents, between 2016 and 2018, Awad provided a steady stream of bribes to then-mayor Sollars in the form of cash, home improvements to Sollars’ home and lake house, appliances, and other items of value. Awad also agreed to charge more than $19,000 to his credit cards, and then convert the charges to cash for Sollars. In total, Awad provided Sollars with goods and services valued at $85,011.73, in exchange for being permitted to acquire tax-foreclosed properties to redevelop through the City of Taylor’s Right of First Refusal (ROFR) program. This was a program designed to allow Taylor to acquire tax-foreclosed properties from Wayne County for redevelopment. As a result of the bribes Awad paid to Sollars, Sollars recommended to City Council that Awad be awarded the vast majority of the City’s ROFR properties.
“Mr. Awad’s conviction and sentence should send a strong message that not only will public officials who accept bribes be brought to justice by my office, but also, those who seek to gain an advantage by bribing public officials will face serious consequences as well,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.
“Mr. Awad and the former Mayor of Taylor unlawfully corrupted the City of Taylor’s real estate redevelopment program, meant to benefit the city and its residents, for their own private gain,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “FBI Michigan’s Detroit Area Corruption Task Force remains committed to rigorously investigating public corruption, especially individuals who cheat the system by bribing public officials.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances Carlson and Robert Moran.
Prior felon charged with gun and drug chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Derrel Austin, 46, of Niagara Falls, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in October 1995 and October 2009, Austin was convicted of multiple felony charges in Erie County Court, including kidnapping and manslaughter. On February 17, 2022, New York State Parole and Niagara Falls Police officers went to Austin’s residence to conduct a home visit. Officers knocked and announced for several minutes. During this time, an individual, later determined to be Austin, was seen exiting the residence onto the fire escape carrying several bags, which were left on the fire escape. A short time later, Austin went back inside the residence and opened his apartment door for officers. Wearing a bathrobe, Austin claimed that it took him so long to answer the door because he was in the shower. During the execution of the parole search, officers recovered the bags from the fire escape, which contained suspected cocaine, suspected fentanyl, suspected Suboxone, and drug paraphernalia, a handgun, and multiple rounds of ammunition. Investigators also noted that the shower in the residence was dry.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Possession of stolen firearm sends Reed Point man to prison for more than eight yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Reed Point man who admitted to possessing a stolen firearm found in a stolen vehicle that crashed near Helena following a pursuit was sentenced today to eight years and eight months years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
The defendant, Jarred Lane Saunders, 26, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $18,252.98 restitution.
“Stolen firearms and drugs are a dangerous combination. Here, Saunders likely stole 23 guns from a vehicle parked at a Billings hotel, then was arrested in Helena after a pursuit and found in possession of fentanyl and one of the stolen guns. Saunders’ criminal conduct posed a serious threat to public safety, and we remain united with our law enforcement partners in getting these offenders off our streets,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents that on Oct. 12, 2022, Billings police officers responded to a report of 23 firearms that had been stolen from a vehicle parked in a hotel parking lot. Saunders likely stole the 23 firearms because his fingerprints were found at the scene and then brought stolen firearms and fentanyl in a stolen car to Helena. On Oct. 15, 2022, the Montana Highway Patrol pursued a stolen Mercedes, which had been taken in Billings on Oct. 11, 2022. The Mercedes eventually crashed in a private driveway, and Saunders was arrested by Helena police officers. At his arrest, Saunders complained that he ingested 15 to 20 fentanyl pills. A search warrant was executed on the Mercedes, and officers found approximately 300 fentanyl pills, a small amount of methamphetamine and a .22-caliber pistol that had been stolen from the vehicle in Billings. A witness told Billings police of seeing Saunders with three duffle bags full of guns. That person received three of the firearms knowing they were stolen. At the time Saunders possessed the firearms, he was an unlawful user of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Helena Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Role in $6.9 Million Scheme to Bill Insurance for Medications Not DispensedRead the Press Release
DETROIT - A licensed pharmacist from Dearborn Heights was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for submitting claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for her role in a scheme to defraud health care insurers by submitting claims for pharmaceuticals that were not actually purchased, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI’s Detroit Division and Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds also ordered Zeinab Makki, 61, to pay $6.9 million in restitution imposed of a forfeiture judgment of $6.9 million.
According to court records, Makki was the pharmacist in charge from 2001 through 2021 at New Millennium Drugs and Western Wayne Pharmacy. She admitted that she led a scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan by submitting claims for pharmaceuticals which New Millenium Drugs and Western Wayne Pharmacy did not actually purchase.
“Fraud by health care professionals will be aggressively pursued by our office,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We hope that prosecutions like this one will deter health care professionals from stealing money from those who genuinely need it to order to line their own pockets.”
“This sentencing underscores our commitment to holding those who defraud Federal health care programs accountable,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Our agency remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate fraud allegations.”
“False medical claims divert much needed funding away from patients in need of life-saving services and Ms. Makki will serve her sentence for orchestrating and participating in this scheme,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners and pursue justice against medical professionals who defraud government healthcare programs.
The case was investigated by Special Agents of the HHS and FBI, with cooperation and assistance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip A. Ross. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Nathan is prosecuting the related asset forfeiture matters.
Perry Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Miranda Marie Stafford, 57, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. This sentence, by a habitual drug trafficker, acknowledges the defendant’s continued criminal conduct and sends a straightforward message that there are real and severe consequences for federal drug offenses.”
Court records show that from March 1, 2023, through April 11, 2023, Stafford, who was already serving an active term of supervised release for a 2019 federal methamphetamine trafficking conviction, conspired with other individuals to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. During the investigation, undercover officers made several purchases of multi-ounce quantities of methamphetamine from Stafford; then as a result of ongoing surveillance of Stafford and her associates, on April 11, 2023, she was found in possession of over 700 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop after returning from the Jacksonville area where she was suspected of having been supplied the drugs.
“We will continue to go after bad actors who poison our communities with illicit substances,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This operation was the result of great teamwork with our law enforcement partners. These relationships allow us to do our jobs more effectively and for that I’m grateful.”
Stafford’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
“Those who endeavor to distribute methamphetamine do not observe jurisdictional boundaries. The only way to disrupt the abilities and markets of those dedicated to distributing illicit substances in our rural communities is through strong cooperative enforcement efforts,” said Perry Police Chief Jamie Cruse. The investigation and prosecution in this case was made possible by means of collaborative efforts. To have state, local, and federal partners dedicate competent professionals to this investigation are a positive example of an effective alliance with substantive results. The Perry Police Department and the City of Perry are appreciative of all who participated in this investigation.”
This conviction was the result of a large-scale, regional investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Perry Police Department, as well as members of the NorthStar Drug Task Force, including the Wakulla, Bay, Gulf, and Leon County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin prosecuted the case.
This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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. More information about OCDETF may be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Peoria Felon Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine, Heroin, Cocaine, and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Johnathan S. Sargent, 35, of the 800 block of West Crestwood Drive, was sentenced today to 132 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Sargent was also ordered to serve a four-year term of supervised release upon completion of his term of confinement.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm, the government summarized the evidence from the investigation of Sargent’s drug trafficking in late 2023 and early 2024. In February 2024, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Sargent’s person, his vehicle, and two residences. At that time, Sargent was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his three prior felony convictions, including a prior state conviction in 2009 for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance for which he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the search of his apartment on Crestwood Drive in Peoria on February 21, 2024, agents located a loaded handgun, 415 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, 87 grams of heroin, 77 grams of cocaine, and over $5,000 cash. Agents also located packaging materials and several scales commonly used in illegal drug sales.
Also at the hearing, Judge Mihm found that Sargent’s conduct was not an isolated incident of drug distribution, but rather a business that Sargent was operating over a period of time. The Court stated that Sargent’s apartment was a “one stop shop” for three types of extremely dangerous and addictive drugs that have devastating effects on the community, often destroying the life of addicts and all of those around them.
A criminal complaint was filed against Sargent in February 2024, followed by a four-count indictment in March 2024. He entered into a written plea agreement in June 2024, pleading guilty to all four counts. Sargent has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals service since his arrest.
The statutory penalties for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count 1) are ten years to life imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, with a possible $10 million dollar fine. The penalties for possession with intent to distribute heroin (Count 2) and cocaine (Count 3) are not more than 20 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release and a possible $1 million dollar fine. The possession of a firearm by a prohibited person charge (Count 4) carries penalties of not more than 15 years imprisonment, supervised release of 3 years and a possible fine of $250,000. Sargent has previous felony convictions for theft and drug charges.
The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Peoria Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration – Springfield Resident Office. Ronald L. Hanna represented the United States in the prosecution.
The case against Sargent is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charles Ray Mackey, 42, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Mackey in Parkersburg. Officers searched the vehicle following the traffic stop and found a German Sports Guns model Firefly .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Mackey knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for non-aggravated robbery, assault during the commission of a felony upon a person 65 years of age or older, and conspiracy to commit non-aggravated robbery in Wood County Circuit Court on June 12, 2001.
Mackey is scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Parkersburg Police Department.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin and former Assistant United States Attorney Bill Longwell have prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-128.
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Owner of Suburban Chicago Medical Supply Company Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Procurement Fraud at U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The owner of a suburban Chicago medical supply company has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for paying kickbacks to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee in exchange for procuring orders of medical equipment.
DARREN A. SMITH operated a medical distribution company based in Bolingbrook, Ill. From 2017 to 2020, Smith schemed with a procurement clerk in the Veterans Health Administration Prosthetics Service in Chicago to have the VA order costly medical equipment from Smith’s company in exchange for concealed kickbacks to the clerk. The orders placed by the clerk involved unnecessary and more expensive rentals of certain medical equipment from Smith’s company instead of purchasing the equipment outright, as VA physicians had instructed. The VA spent more than $2.7 million at Smith’s company and fraudulently overpaid it by more than $1.3 million. In exchange, the clerk pocketed kickbacks from Smith of at least $220,000.
A federal jury earlier this year convicted Smith, 60, of Hazel Crest, Ill., on eight counts of wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang on Wednesday fined Smith $10,000 and ordered him to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution.
The VA procurement clerk, ANDREW LEE, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge prior to trial. He is awaiting sentencing.
Smith’s sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Gregory Billingsley, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Central Field Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heidi Manschreck and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Christenson.
“Instead of paying for essential equipment and supplies for veterans, the defendants used the VA’s money to line their own pockets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Our office remains committed to preserving the integrity of the VA health care system.”
“This sentence should send a message that corrupt VA employees will be rooted out and prosecuted,” said SAC Billingsley. “These fraudulent activities erode public trust and divert taxpayer money intended for our nation’s deserving veterans. The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this investigation.”
Organizer sent to prison for smuggling 60 kilos of meth into United StatesRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – A 55-year-old Mexican national residing in Houston has been sentenced following her conviction of conspiracy to import and possession with intent to deliver meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
A federal jury in Laredo deliberated for less than two hours before returning the guilty verdict Feb. 8, 2023, against Ana Maria Pena-Gutierrez following a two-day trial.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña has now ordered Pena-Gutierrez to serve 210 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
“Pena-Gutierrez and others like her who poison our communities with drugs and jeopardize the lives of countless persons of all ages deserve to be found and prosecuted without hesitation,” Hamdani said. “That continues to be my commitment to our communities, our people and our youth.”
Between Dec. 13, 2020, and June 14, 2022, Pena-Gutierrez and others conspired to import almost 60 kilograms of meth. She organized transportation, provided vehicles to load drivers and paid the drivers for each successful criminal venture.
At the time of the trial, co-conspirator Mike Mendoza testified Pena-Gutierrez hired and paid him to drive two vehicles to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States several times from Jan. 10, 2021, through Feb. 25, 2021.
Law enforcement arrested Mendoza Feb. 25, 2021, as he drove a pickup truck into Laredo with 24 bundles of meth, weighing 56.232 net kilograms and hidden within the tires. According to testimony given at trial, the approximate street value of the drugs was $451,244.
Mendoza admitted he successfully made two prior trips from Mexico at Pena-Gutierrez’s direction; however, an investigation revealed Mendoza had four prior entries from Mexico in a sedan.
Mendoza testified Pena-Gutierrez paid him $5,000 for each of the two prior smugglings and promised to pay him $9,000 at the time of his arrest. Pena-Gutierrez also fronted Mendoza $500 for travel expenses.
Authorities arrested another co-conspirator, Erik Alonso Martinez, April 23, 2021, as he entered Laredo with 52.28 kilograms of meth in the sedan’s fuel tank with a net weight of 25.04 kilograms and an approximate street value of $200,938.
During an interview, Martinez told law enforcement he picked up the car in Houston from someone whom he declined to identify. An investigation later revealed Pena-Gutierrez provided Martinez with the sedan.
After her arrest Aug. 10, 2021, Pena-Gutierrez told authorities others paid her to recruit Mendoza and Martinez. She also told law enforcement she received about $4,000 for each successful drug importation and paid each driver between $7,000 and $8,000 per trip.
During the trial, authorities presented evidence including charts of 350 phone calls and text messages between Pena-Gutierrez and Mendoza regarding the price of meth and how it increases as one travels further north from the border.
At the trial, the jury also heard from an expert in financial records describing the irregularities of Pena-Gutierrez’s bank activities. Authorities also testified, detailing her confession and the entire conspiracy.
Mendoza and Martinez received 84 months and 174 days in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in the smuggling organization.
Pena-Gutierrez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case. Former AUSAs Matthew Isaac and José Angel Moreno tried the case to a jury.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession of Fentanyl Pills and FirearmsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gene Milton, Jr., age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 24, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Milton to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Milton’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
“Fentanyl is terrible for our society,” Judge Buescher said while pronouncing sentence. Judge Buescher added: “I sit back and wonder, if these 30,000 pills had gotten into the community, what would have happened?”
On December 4, 2023, Omaha police executed a search warrant at an Omaha residence where Milton lived with his girlfriend and minor children. Inside of a bedroom, officers found more than 30,000 fentanyl pills, three loaded firearms, and three Glock full auto conversion devices. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a fully automatic conversion device, which allowed the pistol to fire as fully automatic. Officers also seized marijuana, THC wax, psilocybin mushrooms, and $16,416 in cash.
The $16,416 in cash will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession of Fentanyl Pills and FirearmsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gene Milton, Jr., age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced October 24, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Milton to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Milton’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
“Fentanyl is terrible for our society,” Judge Buescher said while pronouncing sentence. Judge Buescher added: “I sit back and wonder, if these 30,000 pills had gotten into the community, what would have happened?”
On December 4, 2023, Omaha police executed a search warrant at an Omaha residence where Milton lived with his girlfriend and minor children. Inside of a bedroom, officers found more than 30,000 fentanyl pills, three loaded firearms, and three Glock full auto conversion devices. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a fully automatic conversion device, which allowed the pistol to fire as fully automatic. Officers also seized marijuana, THC wax, psilocybin mushrooms, and $16,416 in cash.
The $16,416 in cash will be forfeited to the United States as proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
North Platte Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jamie M. Hopkins, age 36, of North Platte, Nebraska was sentenced on October 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hopkins to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hopkin’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Between July 2022 and February 2023, Hopkins led an organization responsible for distributing meth and fentanyl in and around the North Platte area. The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of meth. She and other coconspirators were subjects of multiple controlled buys, search warrants, and arrests.
Three controlled buys from Hopkins and co-defendant, Joey Romero, occurred in July of 2022. On July 7, 2022, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) purchased 6.2 grams of meth mixture from Hopkins and Romero. On July 13, 2022, the same CI purchased 28.4 grams of meth mixture from Romero in Hopkins’ car in a grocery store parking lot. On July 29, 2022, the CI purchased 26 grams of meth actual from Hopkins and Romero.
Two controlled buys from Hopkins and Romero occurred in August of 2022. On August 2, 2022, the CI purchased 26 grams of meth actual from Hopkins in a hotel room occupied by Hopkins and Romero. On August 17, 2022, the CI purchased 10 pills from Hopkins at her house. The pills later tested positive for meth and fentanyl.
On January 30, 2023, the CI purchased 36 grams of meth actual from Hopkins and a coconspirator at Hopkins’ residence. A search warrant was served on Hopkins’ house on February 7, 2023. During the search, law enforcement found multiple baggies of meth throughout the house, to include: the bedroom, Hopkins’ purse, and in a toilet of a bathroom. Law enforcement also found 2 bongs, 29 pills, owe notes, 3 scales, spoons with residue, 224 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a box of Winchester 380 ammunition with 23 rounds in it, and empty baggies in the home. The baggies of meth were tested by the State Patrol Crime Lab. The lab confirmed the samples contained 35.85 grams of a meth mixture.
Romero pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing on December 12, 2024.
This case was investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
New York Native Sentenced to Three Years for Bomb Threat Hoax Made Against AmtrakRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Grotez Simpson of New York City, New York, age 25, was sentenced to three years followed by three years of supervised release, for conveying false information concerning an alleged attempted attack on a mass transportation vehicle. On May 25 and May 26, 2022, Simpson sent fake bomb threats to Amtrak concerning its daily train from Miami to New York City.
“Hoaxes are no joke,” said U.S Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “Bomb threats on mass transit get real prison time. This three-year prison sentence sends a strong message that we will not normalize threats of mass violence in this country.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, Simpson boarded the 92 Silver Start in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on its way to New York City. During the trip, Simpson repeatedly texted Amtrak’s “Txt-a-Tip” phone application. In those text messages, Simpson claimed on multiple occasions there was a bomb on-board the train located in another passenger’s luggage. While pleading with Amtrak to stop the train, Simpson stated he was a military veteran and knew what a bomb looked like.
Based on those repeated tips, the Amtrak Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orange County, Florida, stopped the train just outside of Orlando, Florida. They had the approximately 225 passengers, including Simpson, deboard the train. During the next roughly five hours, law enforcement swept the train and did not find any explosive devices. After the delay, the passengers reboarded the train and continued their journey to New York. The next morning, Simpson made further claims that there was a bomb on board the train. As the train continued to its destination, Special Agents with the Amtrak Office of Inspector General determined that the threats had come from Simpson. When the train reached Raleigh, FBI agents took Simpson into custody.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced the defendant. The case was investigated by the FBI, Amtrak OIG, and the Amtrak Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Logan Liles prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-127-D.
New Orleans Men Indicted for Federal Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BRIAN PICQUET, age 38 and FURDRELL HANKTON, age 48, of Orleans Parish, were charged in a recently unsealed four-count indictment by a federal grand jury on October 10, 2024 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
According to the indictment, PICQUET and HANKTON were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846; and Distribution of Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Beginning on a date unknown but at least by March 14, March 22, and March 27, 2024 it is alleged that PICQUET and HANKTON engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute fentanyl and distribute fentanyl within the Eastern District of Louisiana.
If convicted the defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JUAN MATTHEWS (“MATTHEWS”), a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on October 16, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, after previously pleading guilty to Counts 3 through 5 of an indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and tapentadol, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) (Count 3); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(C)(1)(a)(i) (Count 4); and possession of a machine gun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(o) and 924(a)(2) (Count 5).
MATTHEWS was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment consisting of 12 months imprisonment as to Counts 3 and 5 to run concurrently and 60 months imprisonment as to Count 4 to run consecutively to the term imposed in Counts 3 and 5. Judge Milazzo also ordered that MATTHEWS be placed on supervised release for 4 years and pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, on May 18, 2023, members of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) observed a black Audi sport utility vehicle matching a description of a vehicle used in a shooting. After the vehicle fled to the intersection of Bullard Road and Dwyer Road, in New Orleans, officers saw three black males, including MATTHEWS, abandon the SUV and flee on foot. Officers then saw MATTHEWS throw a firearm in the front yard of a nearby residence before they successfully apprehended him. Later, officers retraced MATTHEWS’s flight path and located the weapon, a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine and a Glock switch. MATTHEWS had also discarded a pink backpack, containing 16 individually wrapped baggies of marijuana, blister packs containing 118 tapentadol tablets, and a scale.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KEVIN JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 34, a New Orleans resident, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. JOHNSON was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, the Federal Bureau Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force and the New Orleans Police Department investigated JOHNSON for his involvement in a drug distribution operation in April 2021. The investigation revealed that JOHNSON conspired with AL VERNON BROWN, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, DONALD MYLES, and others to distribute heroin. On June 22, 2021, agents seized a package containing 485 grams of heroin that was mailed by AL VERNON BROWN from California to New Orleans and intended for JOHNSON.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Orleans Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, led the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit.
Mexican National Admits Role in Smuggling and Labor Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 73, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a charge stemming from her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford. The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez, her co-conspirators in Connecticut, and associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S. In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico. They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities. Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area. In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.
Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt. If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.
To date, investigators have identified 18 victims of this scheme.
Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025.
As part of her plea agreement, Sanchez has agreed to a restitution order of $494,608.
Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.
Manly, Iowa Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Drug UserRead the Press Release
A man who possessed a firearm as un unlawful drug user was sentenced on October 22, 2024 to 2 years in federal prison.
Cory Allen More, age 33, from Manly, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 3, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user.
In a plea agreement, More admitted that on October 23, 2023, his vehicle ran out of gas in Clear Lake, Iowa. A Clear Lake police officer saw More pull his vehicle over to the side of the road. The officer made contact with More while he was outside of his vehicle near the engine bay where he had just opened the hood. At that time, the officer observed 2 marijuana baggies with a green leafy substance on the ground between More’s feet and the officer’s feet. The officer seized the two baggies which were found to contain marijuana. More also had a handgun in a holster on his belt in plain view of the officer. On October 27, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at More’s residence in Manly, Worth County, Iowa, and seized marijuana, scales, drug paraphernalia, and an additional 16 firearms and ammunition.
More was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. More was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
More was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Clear Lake Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Manly Police Department, Worth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Iowa Division of Criminalistics Investigations Laboratory, and United States Marshal’s Service.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-03006.
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Man Who Murdered Fellow Soldier on Military Base in Germany Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — A former U.S. soldier was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.
On May 7, a jury in Pensacola, Florida, found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales.
According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death on Nov. 3, 2001, in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.
“Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While nothing we can do will reunite Amanda with her family, we hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure and comfort to Amanda’s loved ones. I am proud of the dedicated and hardworking members of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners, who are committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be.”
“The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to obtain justice for the victims and their family. The defendant took the life of a 19-year-old woman serving her country far from home — knowing that he was killing her unborn child. The sentence acknowledges the brutal, selfish nature of his crime and imposes just punishment.”
“Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing comes just as Amanda Gonzales’ family will mark 23 years since she and her unborn child were brutally murdered by Shannon Wilkerson on Nov. 3, 2001. While no amount of prison time will bring the young Army solider back, we hope this will close another chapter in the Gonzales family’s grieving process.”
The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated this case, with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Man Who Murdered Fellow Soldier on Military Base in Germany Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
A former U.S. soldier was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.
On May 7, a jury in Pensacola, Florida, found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales.
According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death on Nov. 3, 2001, in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.
“Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While nothing we can do will reunite Amanda with her family, we hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure and comfort to Amanda’s loved ones. I am proud of the dedicated and hardworking members of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners, who are committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be.”
“The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to obtain justice for the victims and their family. The defendant took the life of a 19-year-old woman serving her country far from home — knowing that he was killing her unborn child. The sentence acknowledges the brutal, selfish nature of his crime and imposes just punishment.”
“Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing comes just as Amanda Gonzales’ family will mark 23 years since she and her unborn child were brutally murdered by Shannon Wilkerson on Nov. 3, 2001. While no amount of prison time will bring the young Army solider back, we hope this will close another chapter in the Gonzales family’s grieving process.”
The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated this case, with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Man Sentenced for Voluntary Manslaughter After Heated ExchangeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Thomas Lee Knox, 39, of Tulsa, for Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Judge Arias-Marxuach ordered Knox to 180 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on Nov. 20, 2023, Knox admittedly got into a heated argument with someone he considered his friend. During the argument, Knox pulled out a firearm, shooting Paul Schultz in the leg.
Video surveillance from the area showed the altercation. Knox was seen fleeing the area in a vehicle while Paul crawled away. Tulsa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call, where someone discovered Paul wounded. The medical examiner's report showed that Paul died as a result of the gunshot wound.
Knox is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Hockenbury and Dennis Fries prosecuted it.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about PSN, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Long Island Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting MinorsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Edgardo Mejia was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 28 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors. The defendant was charged with causing an 11-year-old girl (“Jane Doe 1”) to create numerous sexually explicit videos of herself, as well as at least two sexually explicit images of Jane Doe 1’s two-year-old niece, all of which was sent to the defendant. Mejia pleaded guilty in August 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) for their work on the case.
As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court documents, on February 20, 2017, Facebook reported several cybertips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding social media accounts that were being used to sexually exploit female minors. One account was under the name “Bryan Gonsalez” and two other accounts were under the name “Eddie Mejia.” Further investigation by law enforcement determined that the electronic device being used to access the accounts was registered to the defendant at an address in Uniondale, New York. Mejia was using the accounts to communicate with numerous minors, sending them explicit images of himself and enticing them to engage in sexually explicit conduct and send him images of such conduct. On December 15, 2017, Mejia, while posing as a 13-year-old boy, communicated with Jane Doe 1 asking her if she wanted to be his “gf” and send a picture of herself. Mejia also asked her to perform sexually explicit acts and record them on video. On December 17, 2017, Mejia asked Jane Doe 1 to take sexually explicit images of her niece and send them to him. The defendant engaged in similar conduct with numerous other minors, and frequently threatened and extorted those victims when they did not comply with his requests.
On January 25, 2018, the defendant was arrested in Port Washington, New York by HSI and NCPD, and has been detained since then.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan E. Farrell is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
EDGARDO MEJIA (also known as “Eddie Mejia,” “Eddie Reyes,” “Carlos Reyez,” and “Bryan Gonsalez”)
Age: 42
Uniondale, Long IslandE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-81 (JMA)
Local business owner admits to receiving over $400,000 in CARES Act conspiracyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 52-year-old Stafford resident has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Kristen Fenrick admitted the fraud was in connection to false applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Programs provided through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
From March 2020 until February 2022, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fenrick conspired to submit false and fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) via the PPP and EIDL programs.
Fenrick was the owner of Klearly Kristen Inc., a business engaged in the sale of jewelry and accessories. As part of her plea, she admitted to conspiring to submit a PPP loan application that grossly inflated the number of employees her business purportedly had as well as the business’s average monthly payroll expenses.
In support of the application, she and a co-conspirator she paid for assistance submitted fraudulent IRS documents to the lender. Relying on the false representations in the application, a third-party lender with SBA-delegated authority disbursed a PPP loan to Klearly Kristen in the amount of $405,340 in June 2020.
Fenrick admitted to using at least some of those funds for her own personal benefit including the lease of a luxury vehicle and not for the loan’s intended use. The loan was later forgiven based on continued misrepresentations about the business’s employee headcount and payroll expenses.
Fenrick further admitted she submitted several false EIDL applications for Klearly Kristen and several other purported businesses she owned, most of which were unsuccessful except for a $10,000 advance issued to Klearly Kristen.
Due to her actions, the PPP and EIDL programs lost a total of $415,340.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has set sentencing for Jan. 30, 2025. At that time, Fenrick faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Fenrick was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The SBA-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh is prosecuting the case.
Little Rock Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Little Rock man was sentenced today to 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, on June 26, 2023, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) dispatcher advised ASP troopers of a reported incident that occurred on Interstate 49. The caller advised dispatch that he believed the defendant, Richard Joseph Price, age 59, had a firearm. Both parties involved in the accident had relocated to a motel in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) Officers and ASP Troopers responded to investigate the reported incident. In speaking to Price, law enforcement suspected that Price was under the influence of alcohol and ultimately arrested him for Driving While Intoxicated. ASP Troopers along with FPD officers continued to investigate and searched Price’s truck. Inside the truck, law enforcement found an open container of alcohol, a loaded, stolen .9mm pistol with a filed off serial number, and two additional loaded magazines. Law enforcement determined that Price was a felon at the time of this incident.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Arkansas State Police, Fayetteville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as 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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Lewiston Man Arrested, Charged with Possessing Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was arrested on Wednesday and charged by criminal complaint today with possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the case and other court documents, Nasir Kenya-Malik White (aka Biggie), 24, was arrested at his residence in Lewiston on Wednesday evening on probable cause following a search of his apartment. Investigators recovered more than 300 grams of suspected cocaine during the search. Ten firearms, including several assault-style rifles, were also recovered. The complaint alleges that White is precluded from possessing firearms as a result of a 2023 conviction in Androscoggin County Superior Court for reckless conduct with a firearm or dangerous weapon. White was scheduled to make his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland today.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is investigating the case with assistance from the Lewiston Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Justice Department and Department of Transportation Launch Broad Public Inquiry into the State of Competition in Air TravelRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Department of Transportation (DOT) today jointly announced a broad public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel. The agencies are seeking public information on consolidation, anticompetitive conduct and a wide range of issues affecting the availability and affordability of air travel options. The topics covered in the agencies’ joint Request for Information (RFI) include previous airline mergers, exclusionary conduct, airport access, aircraft manufacturing, airline ticket sales, pricing and rewards practices and the experiences of aviation workers.
“Competition in air travel is a vehicle for better quality, better fares and better choices for Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With this inquiry, we hope to learn more from the businesses and travelers at the center of this essential industry. Their feedback will ensure the Justice Department can continue to build on its historic efforts to protect competition in air travel.”
“Americans count on air travel to visit loved ones, explore their country and get business done,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Good service and fair prices depend on ensuring that there is real competition, which is especially challenging for the many American communities that have lost service amid airline consolidation. Our goal with this inquiry is to identify and remove barriers to competition so that more Americans can access the opportunities that come with good, affordable air service.”
The agencies jointly issued the RFI requesting public comments explaining how the air travel industry has been impacted by consolidation and anticompetitive practices and identifying ways to address any harms to competition. Key topics in the RFI include:
- General state of competition in the aviation sector and its effects on passengers, workers and jobs, regions and local communities and economic growth.
- Airline consolidation and the effects of previous mergers, common ownership, joint ventures, international alliances, structural advantages, exclusionary conduct and other anticompetitive practices.
- Airport access and its impact on airlines and their ability to enter and fairly compete in different areas of the country and the world.
- Aircraft manufacturing and the impact of consolidation and anticompetitive practices on new aircraft manufacture and sale, aircraft leases or secondary markets for used aircraft.
- Air transportation sales channels, pricing and airline rewards programs and the impact on the availability, access and affordability of air travel.
- Labor market issues and the effects of consolidation and anticompetitive practices in other parts of the aviation industry on pilots, in-flight crews, ground crews, airport services, union contracts and/or travel agents or other vendors of travel services.
The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than Dec. 23. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this RFI, including passengers, consumer advocates, pilots, in-flight and ground crews, airport authorities, employers, airlines, private and charter aircraft operators, travel agents, trade groups, industry analysts, purchasers of corporate travel services and other entities that provide or rely upon air travel services.
The Antitrust Division has previously taken action to protect competition in the passenger air travel industry, including its successful lawsuits to block the proposed merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines and to unwind the anticompetitive Northeast Alliance between JetBlue and American Airlines.
DOT has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry. Most recently, prior to the close of the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, DOT secured binding, enforceable public-interest protections aimed at preventing harms to the traveling public, rural communities and smaller airline competitors. DOT has issued new rules requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds when owed and protecting against costly surprise airline junk fees. DOT has also secured enforceable guarantees from airlines to provide food, lodging and other support when they strand passengers. Finally, since 2021, DOT has gotten nearly $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to passengers and issued nearly $225 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection and civil rights violations.
Justice Department Secures Agreement to Resolve Claims of Retaliation at State Farm Corporate Office in TexasRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) resolving the department’s determination that one of State Farm’s corporate offices in Richardson, Texas, violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated a worker in retaliation for raising concerns about citizenship status discrimination.
“Workers have the right to oppose perceived discrimination, without retaliation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring workers are able to speak up about discrimination without fear of unlawful retaliation.”
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) determined that State Farm terminated a worker and placed her on a “do not hire” list because the worker opposed State Farm’s rejection of her valid documentation showing her permission to work. State Farm rejected the worker’s valid documentation, which included a Permanent Resident Card together with a notice from the Department of Homeland Security that extended the validity of the card past the expiration date listed on the card. The worker complained of discrimination and opposed the rejection of the documents. The department determined that State Farm retaliated against the worker when it terminated her employment and labeled her as “do not hire” for complaining about the discrimination.
Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay civil penalties to the United States and pay more than $30,000 in backpay to the affected worker who filed a complaint with IER. The agreement also requires State Farm to train its personnel on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
IER is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; or retaliation and intimidation.
Find more information on how employers can avoid unlawful discrimination and retaliation on IER’s website. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s free hotline at 1-800-255-7688 for workers or at 1-800-255-8155 for employers (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.
Judge Sentences "Biggest Pill Dealer in Chambersburg" to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Bruce Darby, age 46, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 22, 2024, to life in prison by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Darby was convicted by a jury after a trial which Judge Conner presided over in January 2024. Judge Conner referred to the evidence presented at that trial when he sentenced him. The trial evidence included an extensive investigation of Darby and his drug trafficking crew by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Darby brought in oxycodone pills from New York City and reselling them in the Chambersburg area from 2018 to 2019. Darby continued to sell drugs while he was incarcerated in York County Prison. The jury heard evidence that police monitored Darby’s telephone calls, during which Darby described himself as “the biggest pill dealer in Chambersburg.” Darby was also convicted of delivering fentanyl laced pills that killed one of his customers in August of 2019.
Judge Conner noted that Darby’s criminal history was one of the worst he had seen in 23-years on the bench. Darby’s criminal history also involved multiple criminal convictions for assaulting prison guards.
“This career drug trafficker who prioritized profits over people’s safety will never have another opportunity to inflict harm,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “I am thankful for the collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, which led to a life sentence for someone who ignored numerous prior opportunities to reform his conduct.”
Co-defendant Malik Bonds was also convicted of drug trafficking at the same trial. On June 17, 2024, Judge Conner sentenced Bonds to 156 months in prison.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smulktis and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Humble resident arrested in connection to fatal fentanyl overdoseRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 22-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection to the fentanyl overdose death of a Houston resident, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Law enforcement arrested Cole Martin Millsap Oct. 23. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.
“The victim in this case had just completed rehabilitation before allegedly receiving the fatal dose,” said Hamdani. “Time and time again, Millsap had the chance to change his ways; however, he allegedly continued to sell fentanyl while on bond. Alleged poison peddlers who think they’re getting away with plaguing our communities have no place to hide.”
According to court documents, Millsap allegedly sold drugs to the victim multiple times. A forensic examination of the victim’s phone allegedly revealed text message conversations between Millsap and the victim discussing the purchase of illegal narcotics.
On April 22, law enforcement discovered the victim deceased at his residence following a welfare check, just three days after his last message to Millsap, according to the charges. The criminal complaint alleges an autopsy later confirmed that fentanyl toxicity caused the victim’s death.
At the time, Millsap was allegedly on felony bond with a condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device. Millsap’s GPS coordinate allegedly corroborate the delivery described in the text messages.
Through a cell phone number in the victims’ phone allegedly labeled as “COLE WORLD,” law enforcement identified Millsap as the alleged fentanyl dealer responsible for the overdose death.
On Aug. 29, Millsap allegedly arranged the sale of 0.4 grams of powder fentanyl for $40 to a member of law enforcement as part of an undercover investigation.
On Sept. 4, Millsap sold 3.55 grams of powder fentanyl and 3.9 grams of heroin in plastic baggies to an undercover member of law enforcement for $530, according to the charges.
Again, on Oct. 3, Millsap allegedly sold 105.4 grams of fentanyl powder for $3,470.
If convicted, Millsap faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $5 million maximum fine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl/Overdose Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Tallichet is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Harrisburg Man Indicted for EscapeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Eugene Gordon, age 36, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on October 23, 2024 by a federal grand jury on escape charges.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on October 7, 2024, Gordon escaped from custody of the Capital Pavilion Residential Reentry Center in Dauphin County, where he was confined. Following the escape, he was apprehended on October 15, 2024.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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