title: Local nail salon owner sentenced to prison for placing arson device in competing salon

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A local nail salon owner was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 46 months in prison for attempting to set a competing nail salon in Monroe, Ohio, on fire. Kim Lien Vu, 46, of Liberty Township, Ohio, admitted in her guilty plea in September 2023 that she conspired to commit malicious destruction via fire. Vu, who owns her own nail salon, developed animosity towards individuals at a competing nail salon and, beginning in December 2022, approached her employee about a plot to exact revenge on the competing salon. Vu and her employee, co-defendant Cierra Marie Bishop, 30, of Hamilton, Ohio, eventually discussed the idea of setting the other salon on fire. Bishop began work to design a remote-controlled incendiary device that could start a fire within a small box. The two women frequently texted about the plan, which they referred to as Job 1. On Feb. 5, surveillance camera footage shows Bishop and a friend, co-defendant Makahla Ann Rennick, 19, of Hamilton, Ohio, entering the competitor salon. Rennick had made an appointment for a pedicure under the name “Katelynn,” at the direction of Vu for Rennick to get the latest nail appointment she can and to “Just use another name. Sound white.” Rennick is shown receiving her nail services. Vu was traveling to or already at a property she owned in Virginia to have a ready alibi. During Rennick’s appointment, Bishop entered and exited the salon, looking for a place to plant the device. Eventually, Bishop walked to the restroom area in the rear of the salon and tucked the device under a salon desk before leaving. A salon employee then found the suspected device, which smelled like gasoline. The employee opened the package, seeing that it looked like an explosive device, and took it outside near the salon’s dumpsters. The employee later went back outside to check on the device and noticed that box had begun to catch on fire. Monroe police officers and fire department responded to a call reporting a dumpster fire near the salon. Vu was in constant contact with Bishop throughout the planning of the device. The three women were indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2023. Bishop has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Shawn Gibson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Monroe Police Chief Bob Buchanan announced the sentence imposed on April 24 by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Florida Man Sentenced for Racially Motivated Attacks on Two Black Women

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, FL – A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun. Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, previously pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023. “The defendant is being held accountable for targeting two Black women with a gun on two separate days because of their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one in this country should have to live in fear that when they use public spaces or work at their job, they risk attack by someone who hates them because of the color of their skin. The Justice Department is committed to protecting Black people from racially-motivated violence. We will continue to be relentless in investigating and prosecuting individuals who threaten or commit unlawful acts of hate.” “The violent assaults committed against these two women because of their race are intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “There is no place in our society for such heinous acts. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who target individuals and communities because of their race, ethnicity or beliefs.” “Hate crimes like these are not only attacks on the victims but are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to prioritize investigating civil rights violations and work together tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.” According to court documents, Pierallini willfully intimidated the victims and interfered with their enjoyment of federally protected activities using force or a threat of force, because of their race and color. Victim 1 was enjoying her private employment and Victim 2 was enjoying a facility provided by the state of Florida. Specifically, on Sept. 10, 2022, Pierallini went to a convenience store, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Victim 1 was working there as a clerk at the register. Pierallini attempted to buy snacks at the register, but his card was declined. He then attempted to walk out of the store with unpaid merchandise. Pierallini ultimately returned, scolding Victim 1 for not knowing how to do her job and directing racial slurs at her. Pierallini left the store, retrieved a shotgun from his car, pointed it at Victim 1 and cocked it by pulling the slide back to open the chamber and loaded a bullet into it. Victim 1 ran away in fear. Pierallini continued to use racial slurs throughout the encounter. Two days later, on Sept. 12, 2022, Pierallini approached Victim 2 as she was sitting in her walker on the public sidewalk. He directed racial slurs at her and told her that she could not sit where she was. Pierallini also threatened to kill Victim 2. He then left, returned with a shotgun and fired a single shot. Victim 2 sustained injuries when she fell to the ground in response, but she was not hit by Pierallini’s shot. The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Washington for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.


title: Man Charged with Murder on Taos Pueblo

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A man is facing federal charges for allegedly murdering his former roommate. Zebadiah Romero , 35, a non-Indian, appeared in federal court for an initial appearance where the Court temporarily detained him pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for April 25, 2024. Court documents alleges that on October 30, 2023, Romero shot and killed John Doe, an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, in his residence on the Taos Pueblo. Romero is charged with first degree murder and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging said firearm. If convicted, Romero faces up to life in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Taos Pueblo Department of Safety and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jesse Pecoraro and Mark Probasco are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Dog Broker Sentenced to Federal Prison for Filing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Justin Daniels has been sentenced for filing false tax returns in connection with his dog-brokering business. Daniels falsely underreported over $1 million in income between 2015 and 2018. “Rather than pay his fair share of taxes, Daniels spent years submitting fraudulent returns in the name of personal greed,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue and prosecute those who exploit our tax system at the expense of law-abiding taxpayers.” “Justin Daniels’ sentence is an example of what people who willfully fail to report all their income can expect as the outcome of their crime,” said Lisa Fontanette, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation will continue investigating and holding accountable individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Since 2006, Daniels had earned a living as a dog broker selling Yorkie, Morkie, and Shi-Tzu puppies. Although Daniels’s customers believed he was selling the puppies directly, the puppies were being raised by breeders in Kentucky and Tennessee. This dog brokering business was lucrative and the cost of the puppies ranged from $800 to $1,200. Between 2015 and 2018, Daniels received and deposited more than $2.3 million into personal checking accounts. Daniels significantly underreported his income on his taxes. Based on information that Daniels provided to his tax preparer, Daniels underreported $1,186,830 in gross receipts during the years 2015 to 2018, resulting in additional tax due of $258,265. At the same time, Daniels was submitting false information on his tax returns and representing to private lenders that he made substantially more money to obtain loans. Justin Daniels, 48, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year, two months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on April 22, 2024. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $258,265. Daniels was convicted on these charges on December 5, 2023, after he pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. O’Neal and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Krepp prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun. Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, previously pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023. “The defendant is being held accountable for targeting two Black women with a gun on two separate days because of their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one in this country should have to live in fear that when they use public spaces or work at their job, they risk attack by someone who hates them because of the color of their skin. The Justice Department is committed to protecting Black people from racially-motivated violence. We will continue to be relentless in investigating and prosecuting individuals who threaten or commit unlawful acts of hate.” “The violent assaults committed against these two women because of their race are intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “There is no place in our society for such heinous acts. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who target individuals and communities because of their race, ethnicity or beliefs.” “Hate crimes like these are not only attacks on the victims but are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to prioritize investigating civil rights violations and work together tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.” According to court documents, Pierallini willfully intimidated the victims and interfered with their enjoyment of federally protected activities using force or a threat of force, because of their race and color. Victim 1 was enjoying her private employment and Victim 2 was enjoying a facility provided by the state of Florida. Specifically, on Sept. 10, 2022, Pierallini went to a convenience store, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Victim 1 was working there as a clerk at the register. Pierallini attempted to buy snacks at the register, but his card was declined. He then attempted to walk out of the store with unpaid merchandise. Pierallini ultimately returned, scolding Victim 1 for not knowing how to do her job and directing racial slurs at her. Pierallini left the store, retrieved a shotgun from his car, pointed it at Victim 1 and cocked it by pulling the slide back to open the chamber and loaded a bullet into it. Victim 1 ran away in fear. Pierallini continued to use racial slurs throughout the encounter. Two days later, on Sept. 12, 2022, Pierallini approached Victim 2 as she was sitting in her walker on the public sidewalk. He directed racial slurs at her and told her that she could not sit where she was. Pierallini also threatened to kill Victim 2. He then left, returned with a shotgun and fired a single shot. Victim 2 sustained injuries when she fell to the ground in response, but she was not hit by Pierallini’s shot. The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Washington for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.


title: New Orleans Men Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds, and Making False Statements to Federal Agents

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that NEELY B. HARGIS (“HARGIS”) , age 60, and JOSEPH T. TROTTA (“TROTTA”) , age 60, both of New Orleans, were indicted on April 19, 2024 for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Count One; Theft of Government Funds, Counts 2 and 3; and Making False Statements to Federal Agents, Counts 4 and 5; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349, 641, and 1001(a)(2), respectively. According to the indictment, HARGIS and TROTTA , stole approximately $443,455.00 in Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES ACT”) funds. An individual, W.S., received SSA monthly benefits beginning in March of 1992. W.S.’s monthly SSA benefits were directly deposited into her Capital One Bank (“Capital One”) account. W.S. lived on North Dupre Street in New Orleans, Louisiana until her death on August 30, 1999. From the time of W.S.’s death to July 6, 2020, the SSA deposited approximately $442,264.00 in SSA funds into W.S.’s Capital One account intended for W.S. In November 2002, HARGIS and TROTTA purchased the North Dupre Street property. HARGIS and TROTTA were also the owners of a property located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. HARGIS and TROTTA stole over $443,400.00 in government funds from the Capital One account belonging to W.S. Thereafter, HARGIS and TROTTA used those funds for personal expenses, e.g. , auto loans, utility bills, credit cards, and health insurance bills. For example, HARGIS and TROTTA electronically transferred money from W.S.’s Capital One account to make fifty-two (52) payments totaling $61,495.00 to Ford Motor Credit, for the purchase of two Lincoln vehicles. Additionally, HARGIS and TROTTA electronically transferred money from W.S.’s Capital One account to make payments to the City of New Smyrna Beach Utility Commission for utility bills for the property located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. According to the indictment, both HARGIS and TROTTA , lied to special agents with the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, when they were interviewed about the theft of the Social Security funds from W.S.’s Capital One account. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, HARGIS and TROTTA up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine as to Count One; up to ten (10) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine as to Counts Two and Three; and, up to five (5) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine as to Counts Four and Five. For each of the five counts, HARGIS and TROTTA also face payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Maryland Woman Convicted After Five-Day Trial for a Series of Fraud Schemes, Including Passport Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Bankruptcy Fraud

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – A federal jury convicted Charmaine Miesha Brown, age 45, of Lusby, Maryland, late yesterday for conspiracies to commit passport fraud and wire fraud, as well as bankruptcy fraud, and making a false statement in bankruptcy proceeding. The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Karen L. Brown Cleveland of the U.S. Department of the State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Colleen Lawlor of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division; and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security. As detailed in trial testimony, in January 2014, Charmaine Miesha Brown, a United States citizen, married Andrews Oduro Brown, a/k/a “Andrews Oduro,” a Ghanaian national who entered the United States in May 2013. In 2021, Oduro obtained legal permanent resident status in the United States through his marriage to Brown. According to trial testimony, including testimony from Brown, and court documents, from December 2014 through April 2021, Brown and Oduro conspired to obtain United States passports for Oduro’s children, who were non-United States citizens, through false statements and fraudulent identity documents. For example, the evidence established that on December 1, 2014, Brown submitted an application for a passport in the name of Brown’s child, Child C, who is a U.S. citizen, but bearing the photograph of Oduro’s child, Child A, who was born in Ghana and is not a U.S. citizen. After the application was approved, Child A traveled from Ghana to the United States using the fraudulently obtained U.S. passport. On March 16, 2015, Brown and Oduro applied for a passport in Child A’s own name and submitted a fraudulent Ghanaian birth certificate in support of the application, falsely stating that Brown was Child A’s birth mother. As detailed at trial, on March 17, 2020, Brown and Oduro applied for a passport in the name of Child B, Oduro’s non-U.S. citizen child, and again submitted a fraudulent Ghanaian birth certificate in support of the application, falsely stating that Brown was Child B’s birth mother. After the application was approved, Child B used the fraudulently obtained U.S. passport to travel into the U.S. Further, the evidence proved that from August 2016 through April 2021, Brown and Oduro conspired to receive payments from the state of Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship Program to which they were not entitled. The Child Care Scholarship Program, formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy Program, provides reimbursement for childcare and direct payments to providers of childcare to low-income families. Brown falsely reported to the state of Maryland that a friend, Individual 1, was watching her children. Brown also falsely represented that Oduro was an “absent parent,” when in fact Oduro lived in the same home. In addition, the trial evidence established that Individual 1 visited the United States in 2011 to 2012 before returning to Ghana and could not have provided the childcare services. Instead, Oduro posed as Individual 1 and obtained payments from the state of Maryland between 2016 and 2021 to provide childcare to his and Brown’s own children . Finally, according to trial testimony and court documents, on March 5, 2018, Brown and Oduro defrauded creditors and the bankruptcy trustee, by filing a fraudulent Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, using the name and partial social security number of Individual 1, seeking the discharge of thousands of dollars in debts and tax obligations to the state of Maryland that Oduro incurred using the name and PII of Individual 1. Court records show that Brown filled out the petition documents. On June 21, 2018, Oduro appeared at the discharge hearing in the bankruptcy court and identified himself as Individual 1, presenting a Pennsylvania identification that Brown and Oduro had fraudulently obtained in the name of Individual 1. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, as a result of the fraudulent bankruptcy petition in the name of Individual 1, Oduro and Brown caused the entry of an order discharging debt that Oduro incurred in the name of Individual 1. Brown faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit passport fraud; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud; a maximum of five years in prison for bankruptcy fraud; and a maximum of five years in prison for a false statement in a federal bankruptcy proceeding. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for Brown on July 23, 2024. On December 14, 2023, Andrews Oduro Brown, age 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit passport fraud, aggravated identity theft, and bankruptcy fraud. Judge Chuang sentenced Oduro to 28 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered Oduro to pay restitution of $127,951.22. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Coreen Mao and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gustavo Ruiz, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Coos County Man Suspected of Abusing Children Indicted in Federal Court

component: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A North Bend, Oregon man suspected of abusing multiple children has been indicted in federal court. Christopher Jay Young, 39, has been charged in a two-count indictment with attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and attempting to coerce and entice a minor. According to the indictment, on or about January 20, 2024, Young is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and record the conduct. Young’s crimes involving one minor victim, as alleged in the indictment, are part of a broader series of similar abusive crimes he is suspected to have committed involving multiple other children during a similar timeframe. Between April 4 and 8, 2024, the FBI applied for and obtained multiple federal search warrants for Young’s person, home and vehicles. On April 11, 2024, special agents and deputies from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Oregon State Police, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office executed the warrants and arrested Young. Five days later, on April 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Young. He was arraigned on the indictment Wednesday in federal court in Eugene by a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Young pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. Attempting to use a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison with a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor is punishable by up to life in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. This case is being investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


body_text: San Juan, Puerto Rico — National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 21-27, 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico joined efforts to raise awareness by participating in the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Faces of Gun Violence Exhibit at ATF’s Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit. United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow participated along with ATF Director Steve Dettelbach in the unveiling of 118 photographs of people who have died through gun violence at the ATF headquarters’ atrium. The exhibit is accompanied by a kiosk which includes descriptions of the lives of the victims in the photographs. Three (3) families from Puerto Rico shared the biographies and photographs of their family member who was murdered through gun violence. These victims of gun violence are: Lieutenant Oswaldo Albarati, Mr. David M. Méndez Calderón, and Stefano Steenbackers Betancourt. In 2022, there were nearly 20 million instances of victimization in the United States. More than 6.6 million of those instances were crimes of violence, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Of that 6.6 million violent crimes, only about 42% were reported to police. This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme is “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.” Through this effort, we want to educate ourselves on how to create an environment in which victims and survivors feel safe talking about what happened to them. The theme aims to ensure that everyone in our community knows where and how to procure help for crime victims and survivors. It is essential that friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, service providers, or other trusted members of the community who have first line contact and access to the victims of crime know how to procure and provide the necessary help. The theme also seeks to shine a light on the exceptional work of the dedicated victim witness personnel and prosecutors in the United States Attorneys’ office who provide vital assistance to crime victims on a daily basis. During NCVRW, we honor their dedication, expertise, and essential contributions to our mission. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico said: “Gun violence continues to devastate families and communities across our communities and across our nation. It’s the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers. The Department of Justice has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe and that means targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime in this country — namely gun violence. Together, with federal, state, and local law enforcement and community partners we will continue to work to save lives and take violent criminals off the streets.” ###


title: Justice Department and FTC Submit Joint Comment to FERC Explaining that Common Ownership by Investment Companies Can Raise Competition Concerns

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today jointly submitted a public comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging it to consider the competitive risks of common ownership when assessing acquisitions involving less than a controlling interest in competing firms. As the Justice Department and FTC’s joint comment explains, competition is a core component of FERC’s “public interest” analysis in its Section 203 review. The joint comment states that partial acquisitions, including acquisitions involving common ownership in which individual investors hold non-controlling interests in firms that have a competitive relationship that could be affected by those joint holdings, can lessen competition in three ways. First, partial acquisitions can give the partial owner the ability to influence the competitive conduct of the target firm. Second, partial acquisitions can reduce incentives for firms to compete even absent direct control or influence. Third, partial acquisitions can facilitate an anticompetitive information exchange between competing firms by giving them or their common owners access to non-public, competitively sensitive information. FERC is requesting public comments as it reviews its current policy on financial investment company ownership of electric utilities, specifically regarding FERC’s blanket authorizations for investment company ownership of public utilities under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act. Under its current policy, FERC assumes that certain transactions are in the public interest and grants blanket authorizations approving the transactions. The agencies applaud FERC for undertaking this inquiry and encourage FERC to consider the competitive consequences of common ownership in deciding whether to revise its current blanket authorization policy.


title: United States Attorney Announces Return of Indictment Charging 21 Defendants in Bank Fraud Conspiracy Case

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown, United States Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Felton L. Joseph, Jr., and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil, announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 21 defendants in connection with a federal bank fraud case following an investigation into their illegal activities in the Shreveport area. The defendants charged in the seven-count indictment are as follows: Defendant Name Charges Destane Glass, 22, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Sharmaine Jackson, 25, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Elijah D. Brown, 24, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Eric D. Loud, 23, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Arazhia R. Gully, 23, Bossier City, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Zarrajah Z. Watkins, 22, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Maya L. Green, 23, Bossier City, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Possession of a Counterfeit Security Olivia Deboe, 23, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Possession of a Counterfeit Security Tina Marie Bryant, 42, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Possession of a Counterfeit Security Cynthia R. Bryant, 22, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Possession of a Counterfeit Security Trameka McGinty, 24, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Shaquentalas B. McGinty, 25, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Donte N. Larrimore, 24, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Javonte J. Lejay, 27, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Octavia L. Mitchell, 32, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Lakysa S. Barfield, 26, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Shmarrian J. Taylor, 26, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Shamaya S. Pouncy, 26, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Precious Wilbert, 24, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Possession of a Counterfeit Security Kyra D. Washington-Bates, 23, Shreveport, LA Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Rakeydra S. Shepherd, 27, Shreveport, LA Possession of a Counterfeit Security The indictment alleges that from January 1, 2021, and continuing until on or about October 31, 2022, defendants Glass, Jackson, Brown, Loud, Gully, Watkins, Green, Deboe, T. Bryant, C. Bryant, T. McGinty, S. McGinty, Larrimore, Lejay, Mitchell, Barfield, Taylor, Pouncy, Wilbert and Washington-Bates, and others known and unknown, knowingly and willfully conspired to commit bank fraud. It is alleged that the defendants fraudulently obtained money from financial institutions including, but not limited to, USAA Savings Bank (USAA Bank), Chase Bank, and Navy Federal Credit Union (Navy Federal). It is alleged in the indictment that defendants Glass, Jackson, Brown and Loud worked with one or more employees at the Teleperformance Call Center in Shreveport to obtain account information related to USAA Bank customers. The indictment alleges that Gully, Green and Watkins, who were employees at Teleperformance in Shreveport, illegally provided account information typically targeting older bank customers with high account balances as the defendants believed they were less likely to regularly monitor their account activity. Using the account information provided, the co-conspirators made, or caused to be made, counterfeit checks drawn on USAA Bank and used social media and other methods to recruit individuals who were willing to have the counterfeit checks deposited into their bank accounts in exchange for money. The indictment further alleges that Deboe, T. Bryant, C. Bryant, T. McGinty, S. McGinty, Larrimore, Lejay, Mitchell, Barfield, Taylor, Pouncy, Wilbert and Washington-Bates each used their bank accounts, or allowed those accounts to be used, to negotiate counterfeit checks drawn on USAA Bank and shared the proceeds with other co-conspirators. According to the indictment, counterfeit checks were deposited or messages were sent through a social media site (SMS) regarding the deposits and counterfeit checks as follows: Date Defendants Involved Details of Alleged Act 11/27/21 Cynthia R. Bryant to Destane Glass Message sent through SMS showing $40,000 deposit to Bryant’s Chase Bank account 12/13/21 Maya L. Green to Elijah D. Brown Message sent through SMS offering to sell him USAA Bank account information 1/21/22 Maya L. Green to Elijah D. Brown Message sent through SMS indicating she had new USAA Bank account information she was willing to sell 5/11/22 Javonte J. Lejay Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $32,000 deposited into his Chase Bank account 5/20/22 Javonte J. Lejay Entered Margaritaville Casino in Bossier City, LA and made three cash withdrawals totaling $24,000 from his Chase Bank account 5/25/22 Arazhia R. Gully to Elijah D. Brown Text message sent containing age and account balances of eight USAA Bank customers 5/25/22 Elijah D. Brown to Arazhia R. Gully Text message sent indicating he was interested in account information related to a 79-year-old customer with account balance of approximately $442,000 5/25/22 Arazhia R. Gully to Elijah D. Brown Text message sent containing picture of her computer monitor displaying account information related to the USAA Bank customer referenced in paragraph above 6/1/22 Destane Glass to Zarrajah Watkins Text message sent requesting two account numbers 6/1/22 Destane Glass to Zarrajah Watkins Text message sent inquiring which account belonged to the oldest person and how much was in the account 6/6/22 Arazhia R. Gully to Elijah D. Brown Text message sent containing age and account balances of three USAA Bank customers 6/6/22 Elijah D. Brown to Arazhia R. Gully Text message sent indicating he was interested in the account information related to a 95-year-old customer with account balance of approximately $174,000 6/6/22 Arazhia R. Gully to Elijah D. Brown Text message containing picture of her computer monitor displaying account information related to the USAA Bank customer referenced in paragraph above 6/13/22 Shamaya S. Pouncy Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $10,000 deposited into her Navy Federal account 6/13/22 Shaquentalas B. McGinty Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $15,000 deposited into her Navy Federal account 6/17/22 Shaquentalas B. McGinty and Sharmaine Jackson Both defendants entered Bally’s Casino in Shreveport, LA and withdrew $7,000 cash from McGinty’s Navy Federal account 6/21/22 Kyra D. Washington-Bates Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $16,000 deposited into her Navy Federal account 7/1/22 Eric D. Loud to Zarrajah Watkins Text message sent requesting that she send a number before he printed some checks 7/25/22 Octavia L. Mitchell Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $15,000 deposited into her Chase Bank account 7/25/22 Lakysa S. Barfield Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $15,000 deposited into her Chase Bank account 8/2/22 Shmarrian J. Taylor Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $18,000 deposited into her Navy Federal account 8/3/22 Octavia L. Mitchell and Sharmaine Jackson Both defendants entered Bally’s Casino in Shreveport, LA and withdrew $7,000 cash from Mitchell’s Chase Bank account 8/3/22 Lakysa S. Barfield and Sharmaine Jackson Defendants met at Bally’s Casino in Shreveport, LA and they withdrew $7,000 cash from Barfield’s Chase Bank account 8/11/22 Donte N. Larrimore Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $9,500 deposited into his Bank of America account 8/17/22 Trameka McGinty Counterfeit USAA Bank check in the amount of $5,000 deposited into her Navy Federal account 8/22/22 Donte N. Larrimore and Eric D. Loud Both defendants entered Bally’s Casino and withdrew $4,660 from Larrimore’s Bank of America account 9/19/22 Sharmaine Jackson to Zarrajah Watkins Text message sent requesting “fresh” account information In addition, the indictment charges defendants C. Bryant, T. Bryant, Green, Deboe, Wilbert and Shepherd each with one count of knowingly possessing a counterfeited security of USAA Bank with the intent to deceive. The defendants will make their initial appearance and be arraigned in federal court on their charges. “The banking system is clearly one of the driving forces behind national, state, and local economy in every community across the United States and is critical in consumer transactions on a daily basis,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “In these trying economic times, this office is committed to prosecuting those who use national and local banks to defraud other banks, businesses, consumers, and bank customers.” “This case should serve as a strong deterrent for criminal actors considering taking part in similar fraud schemes,” said Resident Agent in Charge Felton L. Joseph, Jr. “The U.S. Secret Service and its law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and pursue prosecution of these alleged crimes in order to safeguard our communities.” “For months criminals took advantage of a company that serves our veterans, and preyed upon its customers,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the New Orleans Field Office. “This indictment is the first step in holding those who stole from those who have honored our country with their service, accountable for their despicable actions. The FBI thanks its partners in this case in helping to bring this corruption to light.” An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the USSS, FBI, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. # # #


title: Houston Man Sentenced after Traveling to Tulsa to Engage in Sex with a Minor

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III sentenced Lee Finch, II, 49, of Houston, Texas, for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Travel[ing] with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. Judge Heil ordered that Finch serve 180 months imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Upon his release, Finch will also be required to register as a sex offender. According to court records, Finch started coercing and abusing the 12-year-old victim in Jun. 2016 during “sleepovers” at his house. In Sep. 2016, Finch moved to Houston, Texas. He would travel back to Tulsa to have sexual intercourse with the minor. From Jun. 2017 through Feb. 2018, the abuse continued while the minor victim lived with Finch and his family in Houston, Texas. When the minor victim relocated back to Tulsa, Finch continued the abuse through sexually explicit text messages that corresponded with flight records back to Tulsa. In Apr. 2018 the minor victim’s mother found the text messages. She reported the sexually explicit messages to the Tulsa Police Department (TPD). In Dec. 2018, Finch was charged in Tulsa County District Court with the State charge of lewd or indecent proposal to a child and ordered to not have contact with the minor. Despite the no-contact order, Finch encouraged the minor to lie to law enforcement and continue their “relationship.” Finch pleaded guilty in Jun. 2020 to a State charge of Using a Computer to Violate Oklahoma Statutes. He was sentenced to five years in the custody of the Department of Corrections, with all time suspended. Finch was ordered to not have contact with the victim but continued to contact the minor victim. In Apr. 2021, the mother and minor victim returned to TPD. The minor disclosed the full extent of the “relationship” with Finch. The victim admitted to being dishonest with law enforcement and fully believed they were in a “relationship.” Federal charges for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor were filed on Apr. 18, 2023. As the investigation continued, Finch was additionally charged with Travel[ing] with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. On Sep. 13, 2023, Finch pled guilty to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Travel[ing] with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. At sentencing, he was ordered to serve 15 years in federal custody in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Finch will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Homeland Security Investigations and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Dunn prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page .


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to 62 Months in Prison

body_text: HAMMOND – Damiane Harris, 49 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James T. Moody upon his plea of guilty to interstate transportation of stolen property and to a supervised release violation in a prior case, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Harris was sentenced to 41 months in prison in the new case followed by 2 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $35,503.58 in restitution to the victims of the offense. According to documents in the case, Harris broke into a truck sales business in South Bend, Indiana, and stole a semi-tractor. He drove the semi-tractor to a crane rental business in Griffith, Indiana, and used it to steal three semi-trailers loaded with more than 68 tons of crane counterweights and other equipment. He then hauled the counterweights to a scrapyard in Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he sold them for profit. The total intended loss was $310,059. Harris committed this new offense while on federal supervised release for a similar offense. He received a 21-month sentence for his supervised release violation, which will run consecutive to his sentence for the new offense, for a total sentence of 62 months in prison. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Bend Police Department, the Griffith Police Department, and the Chicago Heights Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.


title: Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office And HUD Office Of Inspector General Co-Host Roundtable On Sexual Harassment In Housing

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General hosted a roundtable yesterday for community members and organizations on Sexual Harassment in Housing. “Tenants should feel safe and not live in fear of sexual harassment, sexual assault or sexual exploitation by their landlord or other people who have control over housing,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We are committed to working together to enforce the Fair Housing Act, protect victims, and hold violators accountable.” “There is no place in our society for sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, and unwelcome advances – and there is certainly no place for such behavior in HUD-assisted housing. This type of misconduct threatens an individual’s right to a safe living environment,” said HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis. “Efforts like the roundtable today with our partners in the Nevada U.S. Attorney’s Office help demonstrate our unified approach to improve the quality of life for these tenants. We are committed to vigorously enforcing fair housing laws and holding to account those that would seek to exploit this vulnerable population.” Participants included representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Housing Section; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada; Silver State Fair Housing Council and Northern Nevada Legal Aid. These organizations work with the most vulnerable populations, who are at risk of becoming victims of sexual harassment in housing. Some of the attendees included representatives from fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers. The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often affects the most vulnerable populations – single parents, individuals who have financial difficulties, and people who have suffered sexual violence in the past. These individuals often do not know where to turn for assistance. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched the Sexual Harassment Initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department’s initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts – both among survivors and those they may report to – and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help survivors quickly and easily connect with federal resources. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is collaborating with the Civil Rights Division to raise awareness of the options that are available to help individuals experiencing sexual harassment. Community organizations, such as legal services offices, fair housing organizations, domestic violence advocates, shelters, and transitional housing providers, can identify the misconduct and recommend that individuals report sexual harassment to the Justice Department. The Justice Department brings cases each year involving egregious conduct, including allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual favors in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures. If you or someone you know has information about or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation in housing—even if the events occurred years ago—report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline . You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint . Additionally, you can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 702-388-6336 or emailing USANV.CivilRights@usdoj.gov ; or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by calling 844-380-6178, as well as emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov . More information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . ###


title: District Woman Sentenced for Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon for Attacking Law Enforcement While Shoplifting

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jamilla Haskins, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 14 months in prison for attempting to stab a detective and pepper spraying him after he confronted her about stealing from the store, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Haskins pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024 to assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the government’s evidence, on January 23, 2024, at the CVS located at 128 Kennedy Street NW, Haskins concealed 30 items, including hair clips, shaving cream, and body oil, belonging to CVS, inside of her bag. She then passed all points of sale and attempted to leave the store without paying for the items. An MPD detective who was checking on the retail thefts at local stores, saw Haskins attempting to steal items, stopped her, and confronted her about the property she had taken. Haskins responded by pepper spraying the Detective in the face. The detective then attempted to detain the defendant inside the CVS. Haskins began pushing the detective away and was actively trying to get away from him. Haskins still had merchandise in her possession. The struggle worked its way from the exit doors through the vestibule to the front outside entrance of the store. During the struggle, Haskins pointed a black pocketknife at the detective and threatened to stab him. The detective – with pepper spray in his eyes – disarmed her. Haskins continued to try to make her escape. The detective and MPD officers responding to his call were able stop Haskins at the corner of 2nd St NW on Kennedy St NW and recover her knife. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi.


title: Convicted Felon Arrested On Federal Firearm Charge

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Timothy Lee King (33, Groveland) on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, King faces up to 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, King was previously convicted of 11 felonies, including fleeing and eluding law enforcement, burglary, and two prior convictions for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On January 16, 2024, King was in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Because of his prior felony convictions, King is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leesburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. 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.


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to  Federal Drug and Weapons Violations

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –RONALD JOHNSON , age 26, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to a three-count superseding bill of information on April 16, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey. JOHNSON is the eighth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case. JOHNSON pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute tapentadol and tramadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(2); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, JOHNSON distributed tapentadol and tramadol in New Orleans in 2022 and 2023. In May of 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at JOHNSON ’s residence. In JOHNSON ’s bedroom, FBI agents found a Century Arms C39, 7.62x39 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and an American Tactical MilSport 300BLK, multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol, both of which were loaded with high-capacity magazines. JOHNSON has felony convictions for first degree robbery and is prohibited from possessing firearms. FBI agents also found packs of tramadol and tapentadol that JOHNSON intended to sell in his residence. As to his conviction for possession with intent to distribute tapentadol and tramadol, JOHNSON faces up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and up to a $1,000,000 fine. As to his conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, he faces a minimum of five years and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence, and up to five years of supervised release. As to his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, JOHNSON faces up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Violent Felon and his Accomplice Sentenced to Combined 50 Years in Federal Prison for Eight Armed Robberies and Two Shootings in One Month

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Tyrell Cage, 29, and Jayla Deane, 36, of Indianapolis have been sentenced to federal prison for a series of armed robberies of Indianapolis businesses in 2021. Cage was sentenced to forty years in federal prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of interference with commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Cage was also ordered to pay $2,668 in restitution and be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison. Deane was sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Deane was also ordered to pay $1,030 in restitution and be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following her release from federal prison. In total, Cage robbed eight businesses and Deane robbed two: # Date Location Defendant 1 April 25, 2021 BP Gas Station, Georgetown Rd. Cage 2 April 25, 2021 McDonalds, East 10th St. Cage 3 May 19, 2021 Little Caesar’s Pizza, Georgetown Rd. Cage 4 May 19, 2021 Metro by T-Mobile, East 10th St. Cage & Deane 5 May 20, 2021 Piezano’s Pizza, Georgetown Rd. Cage 6 May 23, 2021 Valero Gas Station, Massachusetts Ave. Cage 7 May 23, 2021 Five Below, West 86th St. Cage & Deane 8 May 27, 2021 Lion’s Den, Georgetown Rd. Cage In each of the robberies, Cage pointed a black handgun at the employees and ordered they give him money from the business. On multiple occasions, Cage threatened that he would shoot the employees if they did not comply with his demands for money. During the April 25, 2021, attempted robbery of the McDonalds, the cashier told Cage that only managers can open the register and turned his back to get help from the manager. In response, Cage fired three shots at the employee. During the May 20, 2021, robbery of Piezano’s, Cage forced the employee on the ground after she gave him the money and then duct taped the employee’s hands together. On May 23, 2021, Cage attempted to rob a Valero gas station of fried chicken and a pack of cigarettes using the same gun. When the employee saw the gun, he reached for the fried chicken. Cage shot the employee in the stomach, critically wounding him. Cage fled from the gas station. The same day, he committed another robbery. During the two robberies in which Cage and Deane worked together, Deane served as a decoy by distracting employees. While employees were distracted, Cage brandished a black handgun, and demanded cash from the registers. On June 1, 2021, IMPD officers conducted a court-authorized search and arrest of Cage and Deane at the InTown Suites Hotel on West 85th Street. During a search of the room, investigators located clothing, shoes, hats, and jewelry worn by Deane and Cage during each of the robberies, as well as a phone taken during the robbery of the Metro by T-Mobile and coloring books and pencils taken during the Five Below robbery. Investigators also located the black Taurus G2 9mm semiautomatic handgun used during the robberies. Cage has been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including robbery and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, which prohibit him from ever legally owning a firearm. “These defendants engaged in an armed spree of violence and intimidation, critically wounding an innocent person and terrorizing many more,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The lengthy federal prison sentences imposed here demonstrate that these grave offenses carry grave consequences. I commend IMPD, the FBI, and our federal prosecutors for their work to hold these violent criminals accountable and make our communities safer.” "The outstanding collaboration of the FBI and the IMPD halted this duo's violent crime spree ," said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to diligently investigate and pursue those who engage in this violent behavior.” The FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Wood and former Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who prosecuted this 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. ###


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Distribution of Cocaine Base

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – EDWARD MCMILLAN , age 25, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on April 17, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Jane T. Milazzo to 21 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, along with a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to distributing cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846(b)(1)(C). According to court documents, on February 9, 2022, MCMILLAN sold cocaine base to a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Metairie, La. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Second Defendant Pleads Guilty To Hacking Fantasy Sports And Betting Website

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the guilty plea today of KAMERIN STOKES, a/k/a “TheMFNPlug,” in connection with a scheme to hack user accounts at a fantasy sports and betting website (the “Betting Website”) and sell access to those accounts in order to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from them. STOKES pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit computer intrusion before U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “With today’s guilty plea, this Office has successfully prosecuted a second member of a scheme to hack fantasy sports and betting accounts and sell access to them online. Kamerin Stokes and his co-defendants greedily lined their own pockets by profiting off of harmful hacks that drained victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars and erode the public’s trust in online platforms. Hackers and cybercriminals who sell stolen information online should be warned that this Office is watching and will continue to protect internet-users from malicious actors.” According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court On or about November 18, 2022, several individuals launched a “credential stuffing attack” on the Betting Website. During a credential stuffing attack, a cyber threat actor collects stolen credentials, or username and password pairs, obtained from other large-scale data breaches of other companies, which can be purchased on the darkweb. The threat actor then systematically attempts to use those stolen credentials to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the same user with other companies and providers in order to compromise accounts where the user has maintained the same password. Here, in connection with the attack on the Betting Website, there was a series of attempts to log into the Betting Website accounts using a large list of stolen credentials. Those individuals successfully accessed approximately 60,000 accounts at the Betting Website (the “Victim Accounts”) through the credential stuffing attack. In some instances, the individuals who unlawfully accessed the Victim Accounts were able to add a new payment method on the account, deposit $5 into that account through the new payment method to verify that method, and then withdraw all the existing funds in the Victim Account through the new payment method ( i.e ., to a newly added financial account belonging to the hacker), thus stealing the funds in the Victim Account. Access to the Victim Accounts were sold on various websites that traffic in stolen accounts, which are frequently referred to as “Shops.” STOKES controlled his own Shop, used the alias, “TheMFNPlug,” and purchased Victim Accounts in bulk. STOKES obtained Victim Accounts from the Betting Website with a total listed account value of over $125,000 and then offered access to those accounts for sale on his Shop. * * * STOKES, 21, of Memphis, Tennessee, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. STOKES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Buchwald on August 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Micah Fergenson are in charge of the prosecution.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NATHANIEL WILLIAMS , age 27, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on April 16, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry to 156 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, along with a $300 mandatory special assessment fee, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8); possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). According to court documents, on March 29, 2023, WILLIAMS was conducting hand-to-hand drug sales near the Valero gas station on South Claiborne Avenue. When marked New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) vehicles arrived at the gas station, WILLIAMS fled across South Claiborne and threw a loaded gun onto the neutral ground. WILLIAMS then hid underneath a house nearby and discarded 66 baggies of cocaine before being apprehended by NOPD. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness Month

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky joined the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) and the Department of Justice as a whole, as well as advocates, survivors, victim service providers, justice professionals, police and first responders, and communities across the U.S., in observing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). “I encourage the public to join with us in raising awareness and supporting survivors,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett. Sexual assault includes any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, tribal, or state law, including when victims lack the capacity to consent. “It is a serious crime that affects far too many in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. More than half of women and nearly one-third of men experience physical sexual violence during their lifetimes, according to CDC survey data. Also, women and racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately impacted when it comes to sexual violence. American Indian, Alaska Native, and multiracial women report rape victimization more than 1.5 times the national rate. Additionally, lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual women and men report experiencing sexual violence, rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact, and sexual harassment in a public place at higher rates than heterosexual men and women. Further, people with intellectual disabilities are sexually assaulted at a rate seven times higher than that of people without disabilities, according to an analysis of Department of Justice data. Online harassment and abuse is also very harmful. Cybercrimes, such as the sharing of intimate images of someone without their consent, are often used to intimidate, coerce, stalk, or harass a victim. Virtual acts of sexual violence can cause a victim to experience substantial trauma and fear for their physical safety. “Our Office is fully committed to holding perpetrators accountable and supporting all victims throughout the legal process, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. Due to the prevalence of sexual assault in our society and its traumatic impact on victims, it is critically important to create supportive environments for anyone harmed and teach young people ways to prevent sexual assault. It is especially necessary to reach young people with information and resources about sexual violence because CDC survey data shows over 80 percent of rape survivors report that they were first raped before age 25. During this month of awareness, we can discuss ways to prevent sexual assault in our communities through bystander intervention and empower survivors through mobilization of allies. DOJ-funded programs provide valuable resources to enhance prevention efforts, increase availability of trauma-informed services for survivors, and support law enforcement initiatives. OVW and the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) grant recipients lead programs that meaningfully and compassionately address sexual violence and promote victim safety. During the 2023 fiscal year, organizations providing essential services to sexual assault survivors in the Western District of Kentucky were awarded over $782,036 in grant funding under OVW’s State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program and OVW’s Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program to further their support of sexual assault survivors. In addition, the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet was awarded $2,445,428 under OVW’s STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program to develop programs to end gender-based violence and hold offenders accountable. “I encourage victim services providers and justice partners across our District to learn more about the federal grant funding opportunities available to further bolster coordinated community responses to sexual assault in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. Grants.gov is an excellent source of information on federal grants across all federal agencies, including active DOJ grant funding opportunities. “As we near the end of April and of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we must rededicate ourselves to increasing public awareness, supporting survivors, and ending sexual violence in all forms, not just in April, but all year round” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. There are many services available to help. Connect with a counselor anonymously by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline , 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In addition, you can find a local resources page on OVW’s website , which lists resources and services in your area, as well as opportunities to get involved. If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 911. ###


title: Four More Co-Conspirators Charged in Alleged Nationwide Abusive-Trust Tax Shelter Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: A superseding indictment was returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in Denver charging four people with conspiring with Larry Conner and Timothy McPhee to defraud the IRS. Connor and McPhee had previously been indicted for conspiring to defraud the IRS related to the same scheme in September 2023. According to the superseding indictment, from February 2018 until September 2023, Marcia Predmore, Roderick Prescott, Suzanne Thompson and Weldon Wulstein allegedly conspired with Conner, McPhee and others to promote, sell and implement an abusive-trust tax shelter scheme. The superseding indictment further charges Thompson and Wulstein with assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns on behalf of clients who used the shelter. Predmore and McPhee had previously been charged with tax evasion related to their use of the tax shelter to conceal their own income from the IRS. Conner and McPhee had also previously been charged with assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns on behalf of clients who used the shelter. According to the superseding indictment, the shelter was marketed as a way for business owners to avoid paying federal income taxes on nearly all of their business income. Conner and McPhee allegedly instructed clients to use the fraudulent tax shelter by assigning nearly all of their business income to a series of sham trusts and a purported “private family foundation” to create the illusion that the income did not belong to the client. Conner and McPhee then allegedly referred the clients to handpicked tax-return preparers for the preparation of false individual income tax returns that did not report the income assigned to the trusts or that was donated to the foundation. In reality, however, the clients allegedly retained full control and use of that income. Although the income assigned to the sham trusts was reported on tax returns for the trusts, those tax returns allegedly offset the income with improper deductions, including donations, to report $0 in taxes owed. As to Prescott, the superseding indictment charges that through his business, The Stewardship Institute, Prescott promoted the “private family foundation” that was advertised as the final step of the tax shelter. Prescott allegedly taught about the foundation at workshops he hosted with Conner, McPhee, Predmore and others. Prescott allegedly advised clients how to spend the funds “donated” to their private family foundations for their own personal use and to disguise the transactions to make them appear charitable. Prescott also allegedly oversaw the preparation of the instruments used to create the so-called private family foundations. The superseding indictment alleges that Conner, McPhee and Predmore referred clients to Thompson for bookkeeping services and Wulstein for return preparation services. Thompson allegedly operated a bookkeeping firm called The CFO Agency; Wulstein allegedly operated a return preparation firm called Wulstein Financial Services. Thompson and her employees allegedly prepared financial statements for clients who used the abusive-trust tax shelter and sent those financial statements to Wulstein for the preparation of false tax returns. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States. Conner, McPhee, Thompson and Wulstein also face a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. McPhee and Predmore face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Amanda R. Scott and Lauren K. Pope and Senior Litigation Counsel Corey J. Smith of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: New Orleans Men Indicted for  Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOSEPH MILLER , age 21, and KENNETH TURNER, age 36, residents of New Orleans, were charged on April 19, 2024 in an eight-count indictment with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. MILLER and TURNER are both charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B). Both men are also charged in Count 2 with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). MILLER is charged in Counts 3 through 7 with five separate distributions of various quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). Finally, MILLER is charged in Count 8 with possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2). If convicted of the drug trafficking conspiracy charged in Count 1, MILLER and TURNER each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 - years and up to life in prison, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. If convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy as charged in Count 2, each man faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to his five counts for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, MILLER faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release on Count 3, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 40 years in prison, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release as to each of Counts 4 through 7. As to the charge of possession of a machinegun in Count 8, MILLER faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Both men also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count with which they are charged. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven 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 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. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Seattle real estate owner indicted for $4.8 million tax evasion scheme

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 68-year-old Seattle real estate owner was indicted this week for tax evasion and making false tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Steven T. Loo is schedule for arraignment on May 2, 2024. According to the indictment, Loo owned (in whole or part) and operated multiple businesses in western Washington and California. Several of the businesses owned real estate, and Loo hired property management companies to manage the properties. Loo had the property management companies send profits from the properties to two bank accounts he controlled. Loo spent this money for his benefit, or that of his family and friends. However, Loo did not declare that income -- over $4.8 million -- on his tax returns. Loo allegedly used a web of corporate entities and accounts to conceal the income from the IRS. The indictment details eight properties owned by Loo via various limited liability companies (LLCs). The indictment alleges that income from the LLCs was funneled into bank accounts associated with two specific inactive entities that were established in Washington in 1999. Loo did not report this income to the IRS, nor did he file any forms that would account for this income for tax years 2015-2020. Loo allegedly told the property management companies how to label the funds sent to the inactive entities to make it appear they were fees for business services, when in fact they were profits that should be taxed as income. Loo failed to inform his tax return preparer of these funds that were income from his properties. Loo is charged with six counts of tax evasion and six counts of making and subscribing to a false tax return. Each count of tax evasion is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment. Making and subscribing to a false tax retuning is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Dion and Sean Waite for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Regina Jeon of the Department of Justice Tax Division. loo_indictment.pdf


title: Brandon Man Sentenced After Conviction For Trafficking Migratory Birds

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell has sentenced Ernesto Gonzalez Campos (36, Brandon) to 18 months’ probation, to include a $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community service. Campos was found guilty by a federal jury on November 30, 2023. Campos is the most recent individual to be sentenced in “Operation Ornery Birds II.” Five others were previously sentenced in the Middle District of Florida. Operation Ornery Birds II was a Florida-wide investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Campos engaged in the ongoing capture, sale, and trade of protected migratory songbirds. On at least three occasions in 2020 and 2021, Campos sold and traded indigo buntings, painted buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and blue grosbeaks, all of which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Campos trapped the birds from the wild and, once they were tamed, sold them within the songbird community. This case was investigated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa Spergel and Senior Trial Attorney Patrick Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section.


title: Kenner Man Pleads Guilty to  Federal Drug and Weapons Violations

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –ALTON GRAYSON , age 37, a resident of Kenner, La., pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, in January of 2023, GRAYSON was pulled over by a Kenner Police Department officer for traffic violations. Inside GRAYSON ’s car were large bags of multicolored pills containing methamphetamine that GRAYSON intended to sell. GRAYSON also possessed a stolen Kimber Model Ultra TLE II, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. GRAYSON is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including a conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin. As to his drug trafficking conviction, GRAYSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release. As to his firearm conviction, GRAYSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 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 Kenner Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Offices remind Sheriffs and Police Chiefs of obligations under Federal Civil Rights Laws

body_text: Seattle – U.S. Attorneys Tessa M. Gorman and Vanessa Waldref today sent a letter to Washington State Sheriffs and Police Chiefs reminding them of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The letter notes multiple complaints about law enforcement agencies in Washington State failing to provide communications aids or services to individuals with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. “We want to be sure law enforcement personnel in Washington comply with the law so that officers truly serve and protect all our residents,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Interactions with law enforcement can be high stress and high stakes encounters – effective communication is critical in these moments to protect everyone involved.” “To impart justice, law enforcement and prosecutors must ensure that victims, witnesses, and defendants are able to be heard,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “We value everyone’s voice, and we’re hopeful state and local leaders will continue to take the steps necessary to improve language access throughout the Evergreen state.” “We appreciate the U.S. Attorneys’ focus to assist and help local law enforcement to follow ADA compliance, rather than the use of litigation only. We have the same goals and appreciate their partnership.” Steven D. Strachan, executive director, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The letter to law enforcement cites recent ADA investigations regarding services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. In the last few years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington has resolved a total of ten cases addressing communication with law enforcement officers and in correctional facilities. The complaints concern agencies and organizations across a broad geographic area: from southwest Washington to the Canadian border. The office continues to receive and investigate communication-related Civil Rights complaints directly from individuals and referred by advocates such as the Northwest Justice Project. In just the last month, DOJ finalized three voluntary settlements with the Everett Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office over allegations they failed to provide services to accommodate individuals’ hearing disabilities. In February, DOJ finalized an agreement with the King County Sheriff’s Office to improve language access services for people who are Limited English Proficient. In hopes of preventing these civil rights violations, the letter provides resources for law enforcement such as best practices, frequently asked questions about the ADA, a specific ADA guide for law enforcement, and resources for improving communications with individuals with Limited English Proficiency. Assistant United States Attorneys Susan Kas of the Western District of Washington and Molly Smith of the Eastern District of Washington handle non-criminal Civil Rights matters for the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. For more information on our Civil Rights and ADA work, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/civil-rights dcl_waspc_-_april_25_2024.pdf 2023_12_11_lelai_ltr_2_leas_final_508.pdf


title: Brockton woman admits stealing gun, vehicle in burglary on Fort Peck Indian Reservation

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Brockton woman on April 24 admitted to stealing a firearm and a vehicle in a residential burglary on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. The defendant, Avis Big Track, 32, pleaded guilty to burglary. Big Track faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 28. Big Track was detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged that on Sept. 26, 2022, two homeowners reported a burglary of their home in Brockton, which is on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. During the burglary, Big Track took a .45-caliber pistol and keys to a 2014 Chrysler, which she used to steal the Chrysler. Big Track was seen driving the stolen Chrysler, and she eventually admitted that she took the vehicle and had given the firearm to another individual, who put it in a safe with drugs. Law enforcement searched the safe and found the pistol and methamphetamine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers is prosecuting the case. Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. XXX


title: New Haven Gang Member Admits Role in Murders, Other Shootings

body_text: TYJON PRESTON, also known as “TJ,” 21, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a racketeering offense stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang. Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson. According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven. Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020. The investigation revealed that Preston and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that he took part in the following violent acts: On April 27, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members attempted to kill a rival gang member and shot him in the leg. On May 19, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members conspired to kill rival gang members, including one who was shot and killed on that date by another Exit 8 member. On May 20, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members shot and attempted to kill rival gang members. On July 5, 2021, Preston and another Exit 8 member shot and killed a 22-year-old woman after she made a rap song containing derogatory comments about Exit 8. At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Preston faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Under the terms of a binding plea agreement, if accepted by the court, the parties have agreed that a sentence of between of between 264 months and 360 months of imprisonment is appropriate in this case. Preston has been detained since September 9, 2021. This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .