title: Man Arrested for Explosives Threats and Attack on Energy Facility

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, Florida, is charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility. At his detention hearing yesterday, Hnaihen was ordered detained pending trial. “We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.” “Under the guise of expressing his beliefs, the defendant allegedly attacked a power facility, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, and threatened local businesses,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Violence and destruction of property to threaten and intimidate others will never be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will work together to pursue and hold accountable those who resort to violence.” “Targeting and attacking businesses for perceived beliefs is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and federally prosecute those who make violent or hate-based threats and who seek to act on these threats.” According to court documents, beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for Israel. Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind “Warning Letters.” Source:Case number 6:24-cr-201 in the Middle District of Florida, Document 17. Supplement to motion for detention. Damage at two of the targeted businesses In his letters, which were addressed to the United States government, Hnaihen laid out a series of political demands, culminating in a threat to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.” Aerial photo of the solar panel field Hnaihen attacked with targeted panel areas outlined in red Source:Case number 6:24-cr-201 in the Middle District of Florida, Document 17. Supplement to motion for detention. Solar panels with cracked glass that Hnaihen attacked Hnaihen’s attacks escalated. At the end of June, as law enforcement worked to identify the masked attacker, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, and spent hours systematically destroying solar panel arrays. He smashed panels, cut wires, and targeted critical electronic equipment. Hnaihen left behind two more copies of his threatening demand letter. Hnaihen is believed to have caused more than $700,000 in damage. Following a multiagency effort, law enforcement identified Hnaihen and arrested him on July 11, shortly after another “Warning Letter” threatening to “destroy or explode everything” was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando. Hnaihen is charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each threat offense and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the destruction of an energy facility offense. The FBI and Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, with valuable assistance by Maitland Police Department, Winter Park Police Department, and Orlando Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan for the Middle District of Florida is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorneys Ryan White and George Kraehe of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Georgia Trucker Sentenced for PPP Fraud

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Roderick Billingslea has been sentenced to federal prison for obtaining a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and operating illegal trucking businesses. “Billingslea falsified documents in order to receive PPP funds to operate illegal and unsafe businesses that he was ordered to stop operating,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “He has now been held accountable for his crimes. But our office’s work continues in collaborating with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who defraud the United States Government, including by stealing funds from PPP and other important programs.” “Today’s sentence should send a clear message that, along with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will tirelessly pursue individuals who compromise trucking safety by intentionally ignoring or circumventing federal orders and regulations,” said Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Southern Region. “We encourage the public to contact OIG’s Hotline at www.oig.dot.gov/hotline to report suspected PPP loan fraud or other illegal activities that affect the integrity of DOT programs or operations.” “This case underscores the critical role of oversight in safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring that pandemic relief programs are not exploited by those who seek to commit fraud,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “Our office will remain steadfast in pursuing those who use such vital resources for personal gain. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and dedication to justice in this case.” “Billingslea chose to commit fraud and steal limited pandemic relief funds designated to help businesses struggling to survive,” said Frederick D. Houston, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office. “This case signifies our commitment to protect citizens and businesses from fraud and identity theft. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who abuse these programs.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In January 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOT) ordered Billingslea’s trucking business, Billingslea’s Inc., to cease all operations due to multiple safety violations. Billingslea was also prohibited from creating any successor trucking entities. Despite this order, Billingslea filed multiple registrations with DOT for new trucking entities that listed false owners and fake addresses. Billingslea controlled and operated these illegal businesses by stealing the corporate identities of legitimate trucking businesses. He then employed unsuspecting truck drivers who were unaware that they were hired by an illegitimate business. Billingslea used the drivers until they incurred DOT violations, after which he hired new drivers and moved on to another illegal entity. Billingslea funded this illegal trucking enterprise with money he obtained from a PPP loan that he received through false pretenses. In June 2020, Billingslea applied for and received a PPP loan for $564,363 on behalf of Billingslea, Inc. He lied on his application, claiming that he was not barred from operating a trucking business. Billingslea also inflated the number of employees and monthly wages for the business. In April 2022, he obtained forgiveness of the loan by submitting false tax documents with the forgiveness application. Roderick Bashon Billingslea, Jr., 30, of Dacula, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leigh Martin May on August 13, 2024, to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $591,668.89 and the cost of his incarceration, or $49,770 annually. Billingslea was convicted on these charges on April 11, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. This case was investigated by the Department of Transportation – Office of the Inspector General, Small Business Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . 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 .


title: Sanford Man Sentenced To More Than 7 Years In Federal Prison For Possessing Drugs And Guns

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Jose’Luis Gabriel Villanueva (32, Sanford) to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court also ordered Villanueva to forfeit firearms and ammunition which were used in the commission of the offense. Villanueva entered a guilty plea on May 31, 2024. According to court documents, in January 2022, law enforcement began monitoring Villanueva’s social media accounts on which he was seen in photos with large sums of money and suspected illegal narcotics, mostly bottles of promethazine and marijuana. Promethazine is a Schedule V prescription drug commonly used to treat allergies and motion sickness. Over the course of several months, law enforcement monitored Villanueva’s activities and observed what appeared to be drug trafficking activity. On August 17, 2023, law enforcement executed a search at Villanueva’s residence during which they located the following items: 4 firearms and ammunition, including one short-barrel rifle; 19 (16-ounce) bottles of promethazine; one bag of powder cocaine weighing approximately 103 grams; and $6,935 in cash. Prior to the search, Villanueva had been convicted of several felony offenses, including fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving while his license was suspended, and driving while his license was revoked. As a previously convicted felon Villanueva is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement Unit. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons. 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.


body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, a Jordanian citizen residing in Orlando, Florida, with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility. At his detention hearing yesterday, Hnaihen was ordered detained pending trial. If convicted, Hnaihen faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each threat offense and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the destruction of an energy facility offense. The indictment also notifies Hnaihen that the United States intends to forfeit assets connected to the offense. According to court documents, beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for the State of Israel. Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind “Warning Letters.” (Damage at two of the targeted businesses) In his letters, which were addressed to the United States government, Hnaihen laid out a series of political demands, culminating in a threat to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.” Hnaihen’s attacks escalated. At the end of June, as law enforcement worked to identify the masked attacker, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, and spent hours systematically destroying solar panel arrays. He smashed panels, cut wires, and targeted critical electronic equipment. Hnaihen left behind two more copies of his threatening demand letter. Hnaihen is believed to have caused more than $700,000 in damage. ( Aerial photo of the solar panel field Hnaihen attacked, with targeted panel areas outlined in red ) (Solar panels with cracked glass) Following a multi-agency effort, law enforcement identified Hnaihen and arrested him on July 11, 2024, shortly after another “Warning Letter” threatening to “destroy or explode everything” was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando. “We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.” “Targeting and attacking businesses for perceived beliefs is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and federally prosecute those who make violent or hate-based threats and who seek to act on these threats.” “Under the guise of expressing his beliefs, the defendant allegedly attacked a power facility and threatened local businesses, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Violence and destruction of property to threaten and intimidate others will never be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will work together to pursue and hold accountable those who resort to violence.” An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with valuable assistance from the Maitland Police Department, the Winter Park Police Department, and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.


title: Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty To Smuggling Over $100,000 Into The United States From Cuba

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Mirtza Ocana (39, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to one count of bulk cash smuggling and one count of conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling. Ocana faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, Ocana returned to the United States on a flight from Cuba on February 5, 2024. Despite telling U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents that she had no cash to declare, Ocana concealed more than $31,000 in her luggage. After agents found this cash, Ocana admitted that she frequently smuggled cash into the United States from Cuba and that she had done so two to three times per month since June 2023. She also told agents that she was paid between $1,000 and $2,500 each time she smuggled cash. Agents searched Ocana and discovered an additional $71,300 in cash hidden in her clothes. In total, agents found approximately $102,700 in cash concealed both in Ocana’s clothes and in her luggage. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Buchanan.


title: Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the New Jersey Judiciary to Resolve Language Access and Retaliation Investigation

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Note : View the release in Polish here. The Justice Department announced today that it has reached a settlement agreement with the New Jersey Judiciary to improve access to court services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). This agreement resolves an investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey into allegations that Monmouth Vicinage Courts (MVC), part of the New Jersey Judiciary, discriminated against court users with LEP based on their national origin and retaliated against a court employee who complained to the department about this alleged discrimination, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). “People with limited English proficiency can lose their children, homes and fundamental rights when they face language barriers in our court systems,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue fighting to ensure that courts remove language barriers for the public.” “Dispensing justice fairly and equitably is a cornerstone of our democratic system,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “We remain committed to ensuring that all litigants in New Jersey have equal access to New Jersey’s court system regardless of language barriers. This agreement will ensure that limited English court users will have equal access to the New Jersey state courts in Monmouth County.” Title VI prohibits race, color or national origin discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance, such as the New Jersey Judiciary. The department’s investigation uncovered language barriers that impeded access to the court system for people with LEP. These barriers included refusing to provide an interpreter for assistance with forms, failing to translate or explain vital documents to court users with LEP and failing to adequately inform staff of language access policies and procedures. Under the agreement, the New Jersey Judiciary will translate vital court forms and materials and make them available for distribution at courthouses. The New Jersey Judiciary will also review its language access plan over the next year, develop mandatory language access training for its courts, provide Title VI retaliation training and issue public notices that explain the Title VI nonretaliation policy and Title VI complaint process in non-English languages. The department will monitor these and other requirements for two years. The New Jersey Judiciary also agreed to pay damages in the amount of $89,718 to the individual who alleged retaliation. The enforcement of Title VI is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division and of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and both are committed to ensuring that individuals can complain or cooperate with investigations free from retaliation. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt , and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov . The division provides information about courts language access at www.lep.gov/state-courts . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/ . Additional information about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, including the Office’s Civil Rights Division, is available at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement . final_nj_courts_pr_8.13.24_4pm-poli.pdf


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con la Judicatura de Nueva Jersey para resolver una investigación de acceso lingüístico y represalias

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con la Judicatura de Nueva Jersey para mejorar el acceso a los servicios jurídicos para personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés). Este acuerdo resuelve una investigación de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia y la Oficina del Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey sobre las alegaciones de que los tribunales del Distrito Judicial de Monmouth (MVC, por sus siglas en inglés), pertenecientes a la Judicatura de Nueva Jersey, discriminaron a los usuarios de los tribunales con LEP debido a su origen nacional y tomaron represalias contra un empleado de los tribunales que se quejó ante el departamento sobre esta alegada discriminación, en contra del Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (Título VI). «Las personas con un dominio limitado del inglés pueden perder a sus hijos, sus hogares y sus derechos fundamentales cuando enfrentan barreras lingüísticas en nuestros sistemas judiciales», comentó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «La División de Derechos Civiles seguirá luchando para garantizar que los tribunales eliminen las barreras lingüísticas para el público». «Impartir justicia de manera justa y equitativa es una piedra angular de nuestro sistema democrático», afirmó Philip R. Sellinger, el Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey. «Seguimos comprometidos a garantizar que todos los litigantes en Nueva Jersey tengan igualdad de acceso al sistema judicial de Nueva Jersey, independientemente de las barreras lingüísticas. Este acuerdo garantizará que los usuarios de los tribunales con inglés limitado tengan igualdad de acceso a los tribunales estatales de Nueva Jersey en el condado de Monmouth». El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel u origen nacional por parte de los beneficiarios de ayuda financiera federal, como la Judicatura de Nueva Jersey. La investigación del departamento reveló la existencia de barreras lingüísticas que les impedían el acceso al sistema judicial a las personas con LEP. Estas barreras incluían negarse a proporcionar un intérprete para ayudar con los formularios, no traducir ni explicarles documentos importantes a los usuarios de los tribunales con LEP y no informar adecuadamente al personal de las políticas y los procedimientos de acceso lingüístico. En virtud del acuerdo, la Judicatura de Nueva Jersey traducirá formularios y materiales judiciales importantes y los pondrá a disposición para su distribución en los juzgados. La Judicatura de Nueva Jersey también revisará su plan de acceso lingüístico durante el próximo año, desarrollará una capacitación de acceso lingüístico obligatoria para sus tribunales, proporcionará capacitación sobre el Título VI en materia de represalias y publicará avisos públicos que expliquen la política de no tomar represalias en contra del Título VI y el proceso de denuncia del Título VI en idiomas distintos del inglés. El departamento supervisará estos y otros requisitos durante dos años. La Judicatura de Nueva Jersey también acordó pagarle una indemnización por daños y perjuicios por un monto de $89,718 a la persona que alegó represalias. Una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles y la Oficina del Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey es hacer cumplir el Título VI, y ambas se comprometen a garantizar que las personas puedan presentar quejas o cooperar con las investigaciones sin sufrir represalias. Hay información adicional disponible sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt , y hay información disponible sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y el Título VI en www.lep.gov . La división ofrece información sobre el acceso lingüístico de los tribunales en www.lep.gov/state-courts . Los miembros del público pueden denunciar posibles violaciones de los derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/ . Hay información adicional disponible sobre los esfuerzos por hacer cumplir los derechos civiles en la Oficina del Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Nueva Jersey, incluida la División de Derechos Civiles de la Oficina, en www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: Depatman Jistis Jwenn yon Akò ak Jidisyè New Jersey pou rezoud Aksè Lang ak Envestigasyon Reprezay

body_text: Depatman Lajistis te anonse jodi a ke li te rive jwenn yon akò ak sistèm Jidisyè New Jersey a pou amelyore aksè a sèvis tribinal pou moun ki gen yon konpetans limite nan Angle (LEP). Akò sa a rezoud yon envestigasyon Divizyon Dwa Sivil Depatman Jistis la ak Biwo Avoka Ameriken pou Distri New Jersey a anba akizasyon ke Monmouth Vicinity Courts (MVC), yon pati nan sistèm jidisyè New Jersey a, te fè diskriminasyon kont itilizatè tribinal LEP yo akòz. orijin nasyonal yo ak reprezay kont yon anplwaye tribinal la ki te pote plent bay depatman an konsènan swadizan diskriminasyon sa a, an vyolasyon Tit VI Lwa sou Dwa Sivil 1964 (Tit VI). “Moun ki gen konpetans limite nan anglè ka pèdi pitit yo, kay yo ak dwa fondamantal yo lè yo fè fas ak baryè lang nan sistèm tribinal nou yo,” Asistan Pwokirè Jeneral Kristen Clarke nan Divizyon Dwa Sivil Depatman Jistis la te di. “Divizyon Dwa Sivil la pral kontinye goumen pou asire ke tribinal yo retire baryè lang pou piblik la.” Avoka Ameriken Philip R. Sellinger pou Distri New Jersey te di: “Distribisyon jistis san patipri ak ekitab se yon baz sistèm demokratik nou an. “Nou rete angaje pou asire ke tout pleyan nan New Jersey yo gen aksè egal a sistèm tribinal New Jersey kèlkeswa baryè lang yo. Akò sa a pral asire ke itilizatè nan tribinal la ki limite nan anglè pral gen aksè egal nan tribinal eta New Jersey nan Konte Monmouth.” Tit VI entèdi diskriminasyon ras, koulè oswa orijin nasyonal pa moun k ap resevwa asistans finansye federal, tankou sistèm Jidisyè New Jersey a. Ankèt depatman an te dekouvwi baryè langaj ki te anpeche moun LEP ki gen aksè a sistèm tribinal la. Obstak sa yo enkli refize bay yon entèprèt pou asistans nan ranpli fòm yo, pa tradwi oswa eksplike dokiman enpòtan yo bay itilizatè tribinal yo ki LEP epi pa enfòme anplwaye yo nan yon fason adekwat sou règleman ak pwosedi aksè a lang. Dapre akò a, sistèm Jidisyè New Jersey a pral tradwi fòm ak materyèl tribinal ki enpòtan anpil yo epi rann yo disponib pou distribisyon nan tribinal yo. Sistèm Jidisyè New Jersey a pral revize tou plan aksè a lang li pandan ane kap vini an, devlope fòmasyon obligatwa pou aksè a lang pou tribinal li yo, bay fòmasyon sou reprezay Tit VI, epi pibliye avi piblik ki esplike règleman Tit VI sou non reprezay ak pwosesis plent Tit VI pou lang ki pa anglè yo. Depatman an pral kontwole kondisyon sa yo ak lòt pou dezan. Lajistis New Jersey te dakò tou pou peye $89,718 nan domaj bay moun ki te swadizan soufri reprezay. Ranfòsman Tit VI se pi gwo priyorite Divizyon Dwa Sivil la ak Biwo Avoka Ameriken an pou Distri New Jersey, epi tou de angaje yo pou asire moun yo ka pote plent oswa kolabore ak envestigasyon san reprezay. Gen plis enfòmasyon sou Divizyon Dwa Sivil la disponib sou sitwèb li a nan www.justice.gov/crt , epi enfòmasyon sou konpetans limite nan anglè ak Tit VI disponib nan www.lep.gov . Divizyon an bay enfòmasyon sou aksè a lang nan tribinal yo nan www.lep.gov/state-courts . Manm piblik la ka rapòte vyolasyon dwa sivil posib yo nan civilrights.justice.gov/report/ . Gen plis enfòmasyon sou aplikasyon dwa sivil yo nan Biwo Avoka Ameriken pou Distri New Jersey a, ki gen ladan Biwo Divizyon Dwa Sivil la, disponib nan www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: 법무부가 언어 접근 및 보복 수사를 해결하기 위해 뉴저지 사법부와 합의에 도달하다

body_text: 법무부는 오늘 제한된 언어 능력을 가진(LEP) 사람들을 위한 법원 서비스로의 접근을 개선하기 위해 뉴저지 사법부와 합의에 도달했다고 발표했습니다. 본 합의는 법무부의 민권국과 뉴저지 지방 검찰청이 뉴저지 사법부의 일부인 몬머스(Monmouth) 주변 법원(MVC)이 1964년 민권법(제6편) 위반인 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 법원 이용자들에 대해 그들의 출신 국가에 기반한 차별을 했다는 혐의들과 법무부에 본 차별 혐의에 관해 고발한 법원 직원에 대해 보복한 것에 대한 수사를 해결합니다. “제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들은 우리 법원 제도에서 언어 장벽에 직면할 경우, 그들의 자녀, 가정 및 기본권을 잃을 수도 있습니다”라고 법무부 민권국의 크리스틴 클라크(Kristen Clarke) 국장은 말했습니다. “민권국은 법원이 반드시 대중을 위한 언어 장벽을 제거하도록 하기 위해 계속 싸울 것입니다.” “법을 공정하고 공평하게 시행하는 건 우리 민주주의 제도의 초석”이라고 뉴저지 지방 검찰청의 검사장 필립 R. 셀린저(Philip R. Sellinger)는 말했습니다. “우리는 뉴저지에 있는 모든 소송 당사자가 언어 장벽과 상관없이 뉴저지 법원 제도에 평등한 접근성을 갖도록 보장하기 위해 전념할 것입니다. 본 합의는 제한된 영어를 구사하는 법원 이용자들이 몬머스 카운티에 있는 뉴저지주 법원에서 평등한 접근성을 갖도록 보장합니다.” 제6편은 뉴저지 사법부와 같은 연방 재정 지원의 수혜자에 의한 인종, 피부색 또는 출신 국가에 기반한 차별을 금지합니다. 법무부의 수사는 언어 장벽이 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들에게 법원 제도에 대한 접근성을 저해했다는 것을 밝혀냈습니다. 이러한 장벽은 서류 양식 작성을 돕기 위한 통역 제공 거부, 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 법원 이용자에게 중요한 문서를 번역하거나 설명하지 못한 것과 언어 접근 정책 및 절차를 직원에게 충분히 알리지 않은 것을 포함합니다. 본 합의문에 따라, 뉴저지 사법부는 중요한 법원 서류 양식 및 자료를 번역하고 사용할 수 있도록 법원에 배포할 것입니다. 뉴저지 사법부는 또한 향후 1년간 자체적으로 언어 접근 계획 검토, 법원을 위한 의무적인 언어 접근 교육 개발, 제6편의 보복 교육 제공, 제6편의 보복 금지 정책 및 영어 이외의 언어로 제6편의 신고 절차를 설명하는 공지를 발행할 것입니다. 법무부는 이러한 사항들과 기타 요건을 2년간 주시할 것입니다. 뉴저지 사법부는 또한 보복 혐의를 제기한 개인에게 $89,718의 금액에 해당하는 손해배상금을 지급하기로 합의했습니다. 제6편의 집행은 민권국과 뉴저지 지방 검찰청의 최우선 과제이고, 양측은 개인이 보복으로부터 자유롭게 수사에 항의하거나 협조할 수 있도록 보장하기 위해 전념합니다. 민권국에 관한 추가 정보는 www.justice.gov/crt 웹사이트에 있고, 제한된 영어 능력자 및 제6편에 관한 정보는 www.lep.gov 에 있습니다. 민권국은 법원 언어 사용에 관한 정보를 www.lep.gov/state-courts 에서 제공합니다. 일반인은 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 에 잠재적인 민권 위반 사항을 신고할 수 있습니다. 뉴저지 지방 검찰청에서의 민권국을 포함한 민권 집행에 관한 추가 정보는 www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement 에 있습니다.


title: O Departamento de Justiça Chega a um Acordo com o Judiciário de Nova Jérsei para Resolver a Investigação sobre Acesso Linguístico e Retaliação

body_text: O Departamento de Justiça anunciou hoje que chegou a um acordo com o Judiciário de Nova Jérsei para aprimorar o acesso aos serviços do tribunal para pessoas com proficiência limitada em inglês (sigla em inglês LEP). Este acordo encerra uma investigação da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça e da Procuradoria-Geral dos Estados Unidos para o Distrito de Nova Jérsei sobre alegações de que os Tribunais da Vicinagem de Monmouth (MVC), parte do Judiciário de Nova Jérsei, discriminaram usuários com LEP do tribunal, com base em sua origem nacional e retaliaram um funcionário do tribunal que fez uma reclamação ao departamento sobre a alegada discriminação, em violação ao Título VI da Lei de Direitos Civis de 1964 (Título VI). “As pessoas com proficiência limitada em inglês podem perder seus filhos, suas casas e seus direitos fundamentais, ao se depararem com barreiras linguísticas no nosso sistema judiciário”, disse a procuradora-geral adjunta, Kristen Clarke, da Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça. “A Divisão de Direitos Civis do Departamento de Justiça continuará lutando para garantir que os tribunais removam as barreiras linguísticas para o público.” “A distribuição da justiça de forma justa e equitativa é uma pedra angular do nosso sistema democrático”, disse o procurador-geral dos EUA para Distrito de Nova Jérsei, Philip R. Sellinger. “Continuaremos empenhados para garantir que todos os litigantes de Nova Jérsei tenham acesso igualitário ao sistema judicial de Nova Jérsei, independentemente das barreiras linguísticas. Este acordo garantirá que os usuários do tribunal, com inglês limitado, tenham acesso igualitário aos tribunais estaduais de Nova Jérsei no Condado de Monmouth.” O título VI proíbe discriminação por raça, cor ou origem nacional pelos recipientes de assistência financeira federal, tal como o Judiciário de Nova Jérsei. A investigação do departamento revelou barreiras linguísticas que impediam o acesso ao sistema judicial pelas pessoas com LEP. Tais barreiras incluíam a recusa em fornecer um intérprete para auxiliar com formulários; deixar de tradução ou explicar documentos vitais para os usuários dos tribunais com LEP; e a falta de informação adequada aos funcionários sobre as normas e os procedimentos referentes ao acesso linguístico. Nos termos do acordo, o Judiciário de Nova Jérsei traduzirá formulários e materiais vitais dos tribunais e os disponibilizará para distribuição nos fóruns. O Judiciário de Nova Jérsei também revisará o seu plano de acesso linguístico durante o próximo ano, desenvolverá treinamento mandatório de acesso linguísticos para os seus tribunais, fornecerá treinamento contra retaliação do Título VI e emitirá avisos públicos para explicar a norma de não retaliação do Título VI e o processo de reclamação do Título VI em outras línguas que não o inglês. O departamento irá monitorar estes e outros requisitos por dois anos. O Judiciário de Nova Jérsei também concordou em pagar uma indenização no valor de US$89.718 para a pessoa que alegou retaliação. A implementação do Título VI é uma das principais prioridades da Divisão de Direitos Civis e do gabinete do procurador-geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jérsei, ambos empenhados em garantir que as pessoas possam reclamar ou cooperar com investigações sem sofrer retaliação. Informações adicionais sobre a Divisão de Direitos Civis estão disponíveis no site: www.justice.gov/crt , e informações sobre proficiência limitada em inglês e o Título VI estão disponíveis em www.lep.gov . A divisão oferece informação sobre o acesso linguístico dos tribunais em www.lep.gov/state-courts . O público poderá denunciar possíveis violações aos direitos civis através do site civilrights.justice.gov/report/ . Informações adicionais sobre a aplicação dos direitos civis no gabinete do procurador-geral dos EUA para o Distrito de Nova Jérsei, incluindo a Divisão de Direitos Civis do gabinete estão disponíveis no site www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: White Plains Man Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison For Sexual Exploitation Of A Child, Production Of Child Pornography, And Distribution Of Child Sex Abuse Material

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that FRED MASTROIANNI was sentenced to 35 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern for sexual exploitation of a child and distribution and possession of child sex abuse material. MASTROIANNI previously pled guilty to one count of receiving and distributing child sex abuse material and one count of sexual exploitation of a child. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The sentencing of Fred Mastroianni holds him accountable for years of horrific sexual abuse of children and for distributing and possessing a massive collection of child sex abuse material. Mastroianni is being punished for the devastating harm and trauma he inflicted on his minor victims and their families. This Office will do everything in its power to protect children and bring those who sexually exploit them to justice.” According to the Information, plea agreement, other public court filings, and statements made in court: MASTROIANNI repeatedly victimized a young child (“Victim-1”) for his own sexual gratification. MASTROIANNI’s sexual abuse of Victim-1 began when Victim-1 was just 10 years old and continued until MASTROIANNI’s arrest. On multiple occasions until Victim-1 turned 14 years old, MASTROIANNI directed ISMET KORAC to coerce Victim-1 to engage in sexual activities on live video calls with MASTROIANNI. MASTROIANNI recorded that abuse and kept the recordings, as well as other nude photographs of Victim-1, for years. MASTROIANNI broke Victim-1’s will and spirit to resist the abuse through a combination of threats and promises of gifts. When Victim-1 was 17 years old, MASTROIANNI continued offering Victim-1 money and clothes in exchange for more photos and videos of Victim-1 engaging in sex acts. After years of victimizing and grooming Victim-1, as soon as Victim-1 turned 18, MASTROIANNI, who was 48 years old at the time, began paying Victim-1 to have sex with himself and other men, which continued until MASTROIANNI’s arrest. In addition, for more than a decade, MASTROIANNI amassed and maintained an extensive collection of child sex abuse material, which he shared with others online. These videos involved rape, incest, and unspeakable abuse to very young children. * * * In addition to the prison term, MASTROIANNI, 53, of White Plains, New York, was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release and ordered to pay a total of $10,000 in assessments and restitution in an amount to be determined. Co-defendant ISMET KORAC, 49, of White Plains, New York, previously pled guilty to enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity and was sentenced to 25 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas on April 16, 2024. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney Heavey and Ryan W. Allison are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Centre Police Officer Charged in Connection with Drug-Planting Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former Centre police officer has been charged in connection with a scheme to plant drugs on innocent motorists in order to manufacture drug arrests, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. A one-count information filed in U.S. District Court charges Michael Kilgore , 40, of Centre, with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically methamphetamine. A plea agreement was filed with the information, indicating that Kilgore has agreed to plead guilty to the charge. According to the information and plea agreement, Kilgore’s scheme began in early January 2023, when he stopped a car and found various drugs. Kilgore offered the driver the chance to avoid drug charges by working for Kilgore. The driver accepted and became a co-conspirator in Kilgore’s drug-planting scheme. Kilgore and his co-conspirator then arranged for a package containing methamphetamine, oxycodone, and marijuana to be attached to the undercarriage of a certain vehicle. On January 31, 2023, Kilgore performed a sham traffic stop of that vehicle and “discovered” the drug package where he knew it had been planted. The vehicle’s driver and passenger were detained for drug possession. Kilgore and his co-conspirator planned to repeat the scheme on another vehicle. But after buying the drugs to be planted, Kilgore’s co-conspirator discarded the drugs and reported the scheme to law enforcement. The Court will set a date for Kilgore to enter his guilty plea. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich is prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Osborne assisted. An information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Tampa Man Sentenced To More Than Six Years For Threatening To Kill A Federal Prosecutor

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Dempsey Emmanuel Gilmore (33, Tampa) to six years and five months in federal prison for threatening to kill an Assistant United States Attorney. Gilmore pleaded guilty to this offense on March 29, 2024. According to court documents, Gilmore was found guilty during a federal jury trial at the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse in Tampa on March 9, 2023. After the jury was polled, Gilmore got up from his table to approach the jury and began to threaten them. Once the jurors left the courtroom, Gilmore continued to approach the Assistant United States Attorney who prosecuted the case, lunged at her, and threatened to kill her. Gilmore was eventually restrained by multiple court security personnel and federal agents. The six year and five-month sentence that was imposed will include an additional term of 24 months’ imprisonment, to be served after Gilmore’s previously imposed sentence of 30 years. The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.


title: Justice Department Issues Letter to State and Local Police Departments and Governments Explaining that Certain Housing Programs May Violate Federal Law

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it issued a letter to state and local police departments and governments about programs that may violate federal housing protections. The letter describes common features of these widespread programs, sometimes known as “crime-free” or “nuisance” programs, and cautions that they may be unlawful when they unfairly penalize communities of color, individuals with disabilities or survivors of domestic violence. Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department announced a renewed commitment to reducing violent crime and building strong communities where all Americans are safe. Central to this commitment is a violent crime strategy that prioritizes building trust and earning legitimacy within our communities. The department is providing this letter in furtherance of its mission to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe and to protect civil rights, including by promoting fair access to housing and ensuring that race, national origin, disability, sex or other protected characteristics do not limit housing opportunities or access to emergency services. “Even when well-intentioned, these programs can disrupt lives, force families into homelessness and result in loss of jobs, schooling and opportunities for people who are disproportionately low-income people of color – all in violation of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These programs can also discourage people with disabilities and their loved ones from seeking help during a mental health crisis and prevent victims of domestic violence from seeking the protection they desperately need. The Justice Department will continue to fight discriminatory and unlawful housing programs across the country while supporting state and local law enforcement and governments to prevent violent crime without violating the right to fair and equal access to housing.” The letter highlights examples of programs, based on recent enforcement actions, that affect housing rights and may raise questions under federal law. These include programs that: restrict housing based on criminal histories and sometimes just an arrest record; fail to provide for a case-by-case determination of purported safety concerns, including for individuals with convictions; impose negative housing consequences on an entire household; provide substantial enforcement discretion that may be used to target certain people who are protected under federal law; were adopted with discriminatory intent, which may be evidenced by the historical backdrop, including growing diversity or racial tension; threaten or impose penalties for calls for disability-related issues, including designating a medical or disability-related call as a nuisance; publicize confidential information about individuals’ disabilities; and/or fail to make reasonable modifications to avoid disability-related discrimination. Today’s letter describes how these programs may specifically violate the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Violence Against Women Act. It also summarizes recent challenges to “crime-free” and “nuisance” programs by the Justice Department and others — including in Hesperia, California , and Anoka, Minnesota — that resulted in repeals or substantial changes to the programs as well as significant monetary awards for affected individuals. The letter also explains that while the objective of these programs may be to reduce crime, there is no evidence to support that they accomplish that goal. Instead, as shown in recent enforcement actions, these programs often disproportionately harm survivors of domestic violence, deny individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to receive emergency services and disproportionately impact communities of color. For example, a Black woman living in Hesperia called the police to her home because she did not feel safe with her boyfriend. The sheriff’s department notified her landlord about the numerous domestic disturbance calls and threatened him with a misdemeanor charge. The landlord then pushed the woman and her children out of their home, ultimately forcing her to uproot her family from the city. For more information about the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TTY 833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov . Individuals may report housing discrimination by submitting a report online at civilrights.justice.gov , calling the department at 1-833-591-0291 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov . Individuals may also report discrimination by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint at www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint . The department’s grant components provide a wide range of resources to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. For example, in December 2023, the department announced its Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap , a one-stop shop to assist local jurisdictions in developing, implementing and evaluating strategies to prevent, intervene in and respond to violent crime. The department also offers training and technical assistance resources in a wide variety of areas relevant to violent crime reduction. For information about grant funding, training and other resources, please visit the websites of the department’s Office on Violence Against Women , Office of Justice Programs and COPS Office .


title: El Departamento de Justicia emite una carta a departamentos de policía y gobiernos estatales y locales para explicar que determinados programas de vivienda podrían violar las leyes federales

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que emitió una carta a departamentos de policía y gobiernos estatales y locales sobre programas que podrían violar las protecciones federales de vivienda. La carta describe las características comunes de estos programas generalizados, a veces conocidos como programas “libre de delitos” o de “molestias”, y advierte de que podrían ser ilegales cuando penalizan injustamente a las comunidades de color, las personas con discapacidad o los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica. Hace tres años y medio, el Departamento de Justicia anunció un compromiso renovado para reducir la delincuencia violenta y construir comunidades fuertes en las que todos los estadounidenses estén seguros. El núcleo de este compromiso es una estrategia contra la delincuencia violenta que da prioridad a la creación de confianza y a la generación de legitimidad dentro de nuestras comunidades. El Departamento presenta esta carta en apoyo de su misión de defender el estado de derecho, mantener la seguridad de nuestro país y proteger los derechos civiles, incluido el fomento del acceso equitativo a la vivienda y la garantía de que la raza, el origen nacional, la discapacidad, el sexo u otras características protegidas no limiten las oportunidades de vivienda o el acceso a los servicios de emergencia. “Incluso cuando son bienintencionados, estos programas pueden perturbar vidas, obligar a las familias a quedarse sin hogar y provocar la pérdida de trabajos, escolarización y oportunidades para personas de color con ingresos desproporcionadamente bajos –todo ello en violación de las leyes federales”, afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Estos programas también pueden disuadir a las personas con discapacidad y a sus seres queridos de buscar ayuda durante una crisis de salud mental e impedir que las víctimas de la violencia doméstica busquen la protección que necesitan desesperadamente. El Departamento de Justicia seguirá luchando contra los programas de vivienda discriminatorios e ilegales en todo el país, al tiempo que apoya a las fuerzas del orden público y gobiernos estatales y locales para prevenir los delitos violentos sin violar el derecho a un acceso justo e igualitario a la vivienda”. La carta destaca ejemplos de programas, basados en recientes medidas de ejecución, que afectan al derecho a la vivienda y pueden plantear cuestiones en virtud de las leyes federales. Se trata de programas que: restringen el acceso a la vivienda en función de los antecedentes penales, y a veces sólo de los antecedentes de arresto; no prevén la determinación caso por caso de supuestas inquietudes de seguridad, incluso para personas con condenas; imponen consecuencias negativas de vivienda a toda una familia; proporcionan una discrecionalidad sustancial en la aplicación de la ley que puede utilizarse para perseguir a determinadas personas protegidas en virtud de las leyes federales; se adoptaron con intención discriminatoria, lo que puede evidenciarse por el trasfondo histórico, incluida la creciente diversidad o tensión racial; amenazar o imponer sanciones ante llamadas realizadas por asuntos relativos a la discapacidad, incluida la designación de una llamada médica o una relacionada con la discapacidad como una molestia; hacer pública información confidencial sobre las discapacidades de las personas; y/o no realizar modificaciones razonables para evitar la discriminación por discapacidad. La carta de hoy describe cómo estos programas podrían violar específicamente la Ley de Vivienda Justa, el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés) y la Ley de Violencia contra las Mujeres. También resume las recientes impugnaciones de los programas “libre de delitos” y de “molestias” por parte del Departamento de Justicia y otras instancias –incluso en Hesperia, California y Anoka, Minnesota – que han dado lugar a la revocación o modificación sustancial de los programas, así como a importantes indemnizaciones económicas para las personas afectadas. La carta también explica que, aunque el objetivo de estos programas podría ser reducir la delincuencia, no hay pruebas que corroboren que logran esa meta. Por el contrario, como demuestran las recientes medidas de aplicación, estos programas suelen perjudicar de forma desproporcionada a los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica, niegan a las personas con discapacidad la igualdad de oportunidades para recibir servicios de emergencia y afectan de forma desproporcionada a las comunidades de color. Por ejemplo, una mujer afroestadounidense que vivía en Hesperia llamó a la policía a su casa porque no se sentía segura con su novio. El departamento del alguacil notificó a su casero las numerosas llamadas por disturbios domésticos y lo amenazó con acusarlo de un delito menor. El casero forzó entonces a la mujer y a sus hijos a abandonar su casa, obligándola en última instancia a desarraigar a su familia de la ciudad. Para obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, visite a Civil Rights Division | División de Derechos Civiles (justice.gov) . Para obtener más información sobre la ADA, llame a la línea gratuita de información sobre la ADA del departamento al 800-514-0301 (TTY 833-610-1264) o visite a www.ada.gov . Las personas pueden denunciar la discriminación en materia de vivienda presentando una queja en línea en civilrights.justice.gov , llamando al departamento al 1-833-591-0291 o enviando un correo electrónico a fairhousing@usdoj.gov . También se puede reportar discriminación poniéndose en contacto con el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD, por sus siglas en inglés) llamando al 1-800-669-9777, o presentando una denuncia en línea en www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint . Los componentes de subvención del departamento proporcionan una amplia gama de recursos para las fuerzas del orden público, tribunales, correccionales, tratamiento, reinserción, intercambio de información sobre justicia y socios comunitarios para abordar a los retos crónicos y emergentes de la justicia penal en todo el país. Por ejemplo, en diciembre de 2023, el departamento anunció su Hoja de Ruta para la Reducción de la Delincuencia Violenta , una ventanilla única para ayudar a las jurisdicciones locales a desarrollar, aplicar y evaluar estrategias para prevenir, intervenir y responder a la delincuencia violenta. El departamento también ofrece recursos de capacitación y asistencia técnica en una amplia variedad de ámbitos relacionados con la reducción de la delincuencia violenta. Para obtener información sobre subvenciones, capacitación y otros recursos, visite los sitios web de la Oficina sobre la Violencia contra la Mujer , la Oficina de Programas de Justicia y la Oficina COPS [Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad].


title: U.S. Attorney ’s Office and FBI Charge Bloomfield Woman with Child Abuse

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Bloomfield woman has been indicted on multiple counts for allegedly placing a child in a dangerous situation earlier this year. Avondale Johnson , 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. According to the indictment, between March 1 and March 14, 2024, Johnson allowed a child under the age of 18 to be placed in a dangerous situation that could seriously harm the child's health and safety. If convicted, Johnson faces five years in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case. View the Indictment An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Cranston Man Sentenced to Twenty-Four Years in Federal Prison for  Producing and Possessing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Cranston man was sentenced today to 24 years in federal prison for producing and possessing sexually explicit images and videos, including images and videos that he produced while victimizing a seven year old girl who had been left in his care, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Gregory Phillips, 42, pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024, to charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 288 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. Phillips previously admitted to the court that, on multiple occasions beginning in late 2021, he produced child pornography and molested a young girl left in his care. Court documents detail that, over a nine-month period of time, Phillips produced 61 images and four videos of child pornography while abusing his victim. “It is hard to overstate the repugnance of this defendant’s conduct - not only did he betray the trust placed in him by sexually assaulting a young victim in his care, but he chose to memorialize that abuse for his own revolting gratification,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “Today, thanks to exceptional investigative work by Homeland Security, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Cranston Police Department, he faces a sentence that he has richly earned.” Philips first came to the attention of law enforcement when members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reviewed a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating that an individual in Rhode Island had possessed and transferred child pornography. Further investigation by the ICAC Task Force and a Cranston Police Detective determined that the images and videos were being transferred from an account linked to Philips’s phone number. A forensic review of images and videos located on cellphones seized from Philips by law enforcement resulted in the discovery of the images created by Phillips in the course of his abuse, as well as additional child pornography. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker. The matter was investigated by the ICAC Task Force, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. United States Attorney Cunha extends his thanks to the Cranston Police Department for its support and assistance in this matter. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc ###


title: Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry’s Fatal Drug Overdose Last Year

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: Sangha & Plasencia - INDICTMENT Iwamasa - INFORMATION Fleming - INFORMATION Chavez - INFORMATION LOS ANGELES – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023. In total, five defendants, including two doctors, have been charged in this matter, according to court documents unsealed today. The defendants arrested today are charged in an 18-count superseding indictment returned on Wednesday with distributing ketamine to Perry during the final weeks of the actor’s life: Jasveen Sangha, 41, a.k.a. “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood; and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica. Sangha and Plasencia are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha also is charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine. The superseding indictment alleges that Sangha’s distribution of ketamine on October 24, 2023, caused Perry’s death. Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. Sangha and Plasencia are expected to be arraigned later today at United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other people’s lives over greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.” “Bringing these individuals to justice for their role in the untimely death of Mr. Perry required coordination and hard work by a number of people, and I want to thank LAPD detectives and our federal partners for their patience and dedication,” said LAPD Chief Dominic Choi. “As the boots on the ground in our communities, on a daily basis LAPD officers witness first-hand the harm that these narcotics can cause, so I’m pleased that our collective efforts have led to the arrest of these individuals.” “Today we announce charges brought against the five individuals who, together, are responsible for the death of Matthew Perry,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We allege each of the defendants played a key role in his death by falsely prescribing, selling, or injecting the ketamine that caused Matthew Perry’s tragic death. Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials. Every day, the DEA works tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and to hold accountable those that distribute deadly and dangerous drugs – whether they are local drug traffickers or doctors who violate their sworn oath to care for patients.” The three other defendants – charged separately – are: Erik Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne, who pleaded guilty on August 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry. He further admitted to obtaining the ketamine from his source, Sangha, and to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa – half of them four days before Perry’s death. Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake, who conspired with Sangha, Fleming, and Plasencia to illegally obtain ketamine and distribute it to Perry. Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty on August 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections on Perry on October 28, 2023 – the day Perry died. Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, a physician who has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez admitted in his plea agreement to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including ketamine that he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic. Chavez also obtained additional ketamine to transfer to Plasencia by making false representations to a wholesale ketamine distributor and by submitting a fraudulent prescription in the name of a former patient without that patient’s knowledge or consent. According to the superseding indictment unsealed today, in late September 2023, Plasencia learned that Perry, a successful actor whose history of drug addiction was well documented, was interested in obtaining ketamine. Ketamine is a general anesthetic whose medical risks require a health care professional to monitor a patient who had just been given the drug. After learning about Perry’s interest in ketamine, Plasencia contacted Chavez – who previously operated a ketamine clinic – to obtain ketamine to sell to Perry. In text messages to Chavez, Plasencia discussed how much to charge Perry for the ketamine, stating, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out.” During September and October of 2023, Plasencia distributed ketamine to Perry and Iwamasa outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose on at least seven occasions. He did so by teaching Iwamasa how to inject Perry with ketamine, selling ketamine to Iwamasa to inject into Perry, leaving vials of ketamine with Iwamasa for self-administration, personally injecting ketamine into Perry without the proper safety equipment – including once inside a car parked in a Long Beach parking lot – and failing to properly monitor Perry after Plasencia injected Perry with the drug. Plasencia knew that Iwamasa had never received medical training and knew little, if anything, about administering or treating patients with controlled substances. The superseding indictment also alleges that Plasencia conspired with Chavez about inventory, price, and availability of ketamine to sell to Perry and Iwamasa. Chavez, in turn, sold Plasencia orally administered ketamine lozenges that he obtained after writing a fraudulent prescription in a patient’s name without her knowledge or consent, and lied to wholesale ketamine distributors to buy additional vials of liquid ketamine that Chavez intended to sell to Plasencia for distribution to Perry. Beginning in mid-October 2023, Iwamasa also began obtaining ketamine for Perry from Fleming and Sangha. After discussing prices with Iwamasa, Fleming coordinated the drug sales with Sangha, and brought cash from Iwamasa to Sangha’s stash house in North Hollywood to buy vials of ketamine. On October 24, 2023, while waiting for Sangha’s ketamine to arrive, Fleming advised Iwamasa that the ketamine was “on its way to our girl,” referring to Sangha. Sangha has distributed ketamine and other illegal drugs from her stash house in North Hollywood since at least 2019. Sangha was aware of the danger of ketamine: In August 2019, Sangha sold ketamine to victim Cody McLaury in the hours before his overdose death. After a family member of McLaury’s sent Sangha a text message saying that her ketamine had killed McLaury, Sangha conducted a Google search for “can ketamine be listed as a cause of death[?]” The superseding indictment alleges that Sangha nonetheless continued to sell ketamine from her stash house. Using the Plasencia-provided instructions and syringes, Iwamasa injected Perry with the ketamine that was sold to him by Fleming and Sangha, including on October 28, 2023, when Perry died at his Pacific Palisades home after receiving multiple ketamine injections. Plasencia sold the ketamine to Iwamasa despite being informed at least one week earlier that Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiraling out of control. After Perry’s death was reported in the news, Sangha texted Fleming, “Delete all our messages.” After Perry’s death, federal agents and detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department executed search warrants at Sangha’s residence, where they found evidence of drug trafficking, including approximately 79 vials of ketamine, approximately 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds) of orange pills containing methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, and prescription drugs that appeared to be fraudulently obtained. In February and March of 2024, in response to a legal request for production of documents in connection with the federal investigation, Plasencia provided altered and falsified medical records, purporting to show that he had a legitimate “treatment plan” in place for Perry, with the intent to influence the investigation into Perry’s death. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s partnership with state and federal law enforcement agencies and the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office demonstrates our continued dedication to protecting communities from the harm caused by the illicit distribution and misuse of dangerous drugs,” said Matthew Shields, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division. “We will continue to work diligently to bring justice to families affected by these types of crimes.” An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of all charges, Sangha would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Plasencia would face up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years in federal prison for each records falsification count. Iwamasa and Fleming will face up to 15 years and 25 years, respectively, when they are sentenced in their federal cases. Chavez has been charged in an information pursuant to a plea agreement and will be arraigned on August 30. At sentencing, Chavez will face up to 10 years in federal prison. The Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello of the General Crimes Section and Haoxiaohan H. Cai of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud Medicare of $39.5 Million

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Florida man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for his role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of $39.5 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Christopher Spellman, 22, of Port Richey, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2024. Spellman was charged on July 17, 2024. According to court documents, Spellman and his co-conspirators owned and operated Dimon Business Solution, LLC, a purported durable medical equipment (DME) management company. Dimon operated a network of DME supplier businesses throughout the country, including two in New Hampshire. However, Spellman and his co-conspirators concealed their ownership interests in the DME suppliers by using nominee owners. Spellman and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes for signed doctors’ orders prescribing orthotic braces. Ultimately, Medicare beneficiaries received orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary, procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes, and not often wanted or needed. During the conspiracy, Spellman and his co-conspirators submitted, or caused the submission of, false and fraudulent claims to Medicare in excess of $39.5 million for orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary, ineligible for Medicare reimbursement, or not provided as represented. Medicare paid at least $23 million to DME suppliers secretly owned and operated by Spellman and his co-conspirators for these claims. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service led the investigation. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward are prosecuting the case. ###


title: 2024 DC Violent Crime Rate Decrease: A Fact Sheet

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: • Media outlets have recently reported that violent crime is down dramatically in the District of Columbia. Overall, violent crime is down 35% and on trend to be at its lowest level since MPD began reporting the number roughly 20 years ago. Carjackings involving firearms are down 55%. • Policing and Prosecution can influence violent crime numbers, but it cannot control them. Here is what the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has been doing to influence these numbers: In early 2022, our law enforcement partners formed investigative teams cross-staffed with federal law enforcement agents and MPD officers. Our Office dedicated specific prosecutors to support these teams in building federal cases against drivers of gun violence. In April 2022, we launched a daily review by our Office, federal law enforcement partners, and MPD of every firearms arrest in the District of Columbia to determine whether a basis exists for federal prosecution, and, if a basis exists, whether the data suggests the person arrested is a driver of gun violence who should be prosecuted federally. This coordinated review of those arrested with illegal firearms still occurs every day. We dedicated resources to using 21st century investigative techniques to develop digital and forensic evidence tying our most prolific drivers of violence to dozens of violent crimes. We used sophisticated data analysis to determine where large-scale investigations should occur and which individuals should be subject to them. • In mid-2023, our Office began announcing a series of prominent federal cases aimed at violent crews engaged in carjackings, shootings, illegal firearms possession, and drug trafficking resulting from these investigations. • Simultaneously, our Office continued to prosecute roughly 90% of the most serious violent felony arrests at the time of arrest and continued to investigate the limited number that could not be charged at the time of arrest. • Because one homicide is one too many and one carjacking is one too many, the Office continues to innovate and refine its approach in homicide and carjacking investigations, leveraging new technology with a goal of each new investigation being better and more efficient than the last. • The steep drop in violent crime we have seen in the first half of 2024 is good news, but our Office remains firmly focused on doing everything we can to continue this trend. We have a number of important ongoing investigations designed to keep the community safe, and every week we remove from our community known drivers of gun violence. • To keep up the momentum, we need a whole of community response, including addressing the root causes of crime and maintaining a community-based intervention system that deescalates conflict before it results in violence.


title: Chester County Man Charged Federally for Sexual Abuse of Seven Young Children and for Recording Their Abuse

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jason James Cain, 49, of Oxford, Pa., has been charged by indictment with seven counts of manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography, and two counts of possession of child pornography. The charges arise out of the defendant’s alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of seven minor children in his care over more than a 3½ year period, including exposing himself to the children, touching both himself and the children in a sexual manner, having the children touch him, and using various cameras to record the children as they used the toilet. The victims ranged in age from two to nine years old. At the time that he allegedly committed these child sex crimes, the defendant was employed by the United States Army Research Laboratory. Cain has been incarcerated at the Chester County Prison since his arrest in December 2023 on related state charges. If convicted of the federal charges, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release, and monetary penalties of up to $434,000. He would also be required to register under the Sex Offender and Notification Act (SORNA) as a child sex offender. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the FBI, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office’s Chester County Detectives, and the Pennsylvania State Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Woman Sentenced for Interfering with Housing Rights of St. Louis Family

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A Missouri woman on Thursday pleaded guilty and admitted interfering with the housing rights of a St. Louis family. U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel then sentenced to Judy Kline, 55, to five years of probation, the maximum term of probation available for the crime. During that time, she must remain in the nursing home where she is currently living and undergoing mental health treatment, or a similar facility. She is also forbidden from contacting the victims or approaching the house where they live. Kline once lived in the home decades ago and mistakenly believed her family still lived there, according to court documents. Kline admitted as part of her plea that on Jan. 5, 2022, she broke into the victim family’s home while armed with a hammer. She entered the basement, struck the dryer with the hammer and then ran up the stairs towards one of the residents, who was able to close and lock the door before she reached the top of the stairs. Kline left the basement, went to the front of the house and hit the front door and lock with the hammer. She shouted a series of statements demanding that the Hispanic family leave the home. She admitted intimidating or interfering with the family based on their race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or natural origin. Kline apologized during the hearing and said that she is getting help for her mental illness. “This plea agreement holds Judy Kline accountable for her actions, while also allowing her to receive the mental health treatment she needs,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We all have a right to live freely and safely in our homes without threats or fear for our safety. FBI St. Louis is committed to protecting all members of our community, including those targeted for who they are.” The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug prosecuted the case.


title: Pulaski County Man to Serve More Than 11 Years On Drug and Gun Charges

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Pulaski County, Virginia man, who is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous felony convictions, will serve more than 11 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms and approximately 1,200 grams of methamphetamine. Lardadian Javon Banian, 32, of Fairlawn, Virginia, was sentenced last week to 138 months in federal prison. He pled guilty in May 2024 to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, on November 23, 2022, members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the parking lot of a business in Fairlawn following a 911 call and report of a domestic dispute. Upon their arrival, deputies observed Banian standing near the driver’s side of a van. He matched the physical description provided by the caller. When deputies approached Banian, he fled on foot, ignoring commands to stop. Banian was eventually taken into custody. A search of Banian’s person revealed $3,500 in cash and two baggies containing approximately 35 grams of methamphetamine. Deputies subsequently obtained a search warrant for Banian’s van. Inside the van, deputies discovered a 7.62 caliber AK-47-style rifle with a loaded magazine, multiple bags of methamphetamine totaling 1,200 grams, as well as digital scales and plastic baggies. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and James VanVliet, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Pulaski Police Department, the Radford Police Department, and the Pulaski County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case for the United States.


title: Fox Valley Man Sentenced to 12 1/2 years’ Imprisonment for Trafficking Fentanyl and for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and as a Previously Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Wisconsin, announced that on August 13, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Christopher D. Turner (age: 32) to a total sentence of 12 1/2 years’ imprisonment and eight years supervised release after Turner pled guilty to Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Possessing Firearms as a Previously Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c). According to court records, in October and November 2023, agents with the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (“LWAM”) used informants to make controlled buys of fentanyl from Turner. LWAM ultimately arrested Turner on December 14, 2023, when he arrived at Turner Furniture, which was a storefront that he maintained in Grand Chute. Agents executed search warrants at Turner Furniture and two residences linked to Turner in Menasha and Kaukauna, finding over 18 grams of cocaine, 264 grams of illicitly made fentanyl, and two 9-mm pistols. One of the pistols had an extended magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition, and the other pistol had a magazine loaded with 15 rounds. Turner is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of two robberies by force in Outagamie and Winnebago Counties. In sentencing Turner, Judge Griesbach stressed that dealing fentanyl is akin to dealing poison, that it causes numerous deaths in northeast Wisconsin and across the country, and that Turner’s crimes had the effect of enriching Mexican drug cartels who illicitly manufacture fentanyl to be distributed and used in the United States. Judge Griesbach cited other aggravating factors, including Turner’s criminal history and his unlawful possession of two pistols in furtherance of drug trafficking and as a convicted felon. This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group Drug Unit, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Funnel. ### For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments for Two Men on Sex Abuse Charges Arising on the Yakama Nation

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Federal Grand Jury has returned indictments on two separate individuals. Jerry Slockish, age 57, of White Swan, Washington has been charged with Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country. The charge carries a sentence of up to life in prison and up to life supervised release. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse is prosecuting the case. 1:24-CR-2049-MKD. Geordell Devon Arthur, age 24, has been charged with Abusive Sexual Contact. The alleged conduct also took place on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation. The victim was between the age of 12 and 16. The charge carries a sentence of up to two years in prison and up to life supervised release. The FBI and the Yakama Nation Police Department is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy is prosecuting the case. 1:24-CR-2050-MKD. “Children deserve to live in a world where they feel safe -- free from abuse and the fear of abuse. Protecting all children, including within Tribal communities in Eastern Washington, will always be a priority for my office,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Our strong partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement are key to building trust in native communities and securing justice for victims.” An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Owner of Suburban Chicago Construction Company Sentenced to Five Years in Prison on Bribery Charges

body_text: CHICAGO — The owner of a suburban Chicago construction company has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiring to bribe an employee of the Cook County Assessor’s Office in return for favorable property assessments. ALEX NITCHOFF, 57, of Lemont, Ill., pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiring to corruptly give something of value to influence and reward a public official, and one count of using an interstate facility to facilitate bribery. U.S. District Judge John F. Kness imposed the sentence on Wednesday during a hearing in federal court in Chicago. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by IRS Criminal Investigation and the City of Chicago Inspector General’s Office. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Peabody. Nitchoff admitted in a plea agreement that from 2016 to 2019 he conspired with others to corruptly provide home improvement services and materials to Cook County Assessor’s Office employee LAVDIM MEMISOVSKI, who assessed property values and reviewed property tax appeals for Cook County commercial properties. Nitchoff and others provided free home improvement services and materials at Memisovski’s personal residence, including a concrete pad, decking materials, gas lines, sprinkler system heads, tiles, and other items, the plea agreement states. In return for the benefits, Memisovski took official action to reduce the property taxes owed for Nitchoff’s properties by at least $550,000, Nitchoff’s plea agreement states. Memisovski, of Burbank, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to a conspiracy charge and is awaiting sentencing.


title: Holly Elkins Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Orchestrating Killing of Alyssa Burkett

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

body_text: A Rowlett woman who helped her fiancé orchestrate the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend was sentenced today to two consecutive life sentences, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Holly Ann Elkins was indicted in June 2023. A jury convicted her in April 2024 of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. She was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle. Ms. Elkins’ former fiancé, Andrew Beard, previously pleaded guilty to stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison. “Month after month, Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard relentlessly harassed Alyssa Ann Burkett. They called her despicable names. They filed false police reports. They placed illegal contraband in her vehicle. And when all that failed, they plotted a particularly painful and bloody death,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “We can never bring back what Ms. Burkett’s family has lost. We can never heal the pain her young daughter has had to endure. But we can give them this measure of justice. Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard will never terrorize their family again.” According to evidence presented at trial, Ms. Elkins helped plot the Oct. 2, 2020 murder of 24-year-old Alyssa Ann Burkett, Mr. Beard’s ex-girlfriend, with whom he shared a young daughter. The government argued that Ms. Elkins – who apparently dreamt of a life with Mr. Beard and a mother/ child relationship with his daughter – repeatedly attempted to call into question Ms. Burkett’s fitness as a parent. When that failed, Ms. Elkins goaded Mr. Beard into taking Ms. Burkett’s life, labeling the victim a “c**t” and a “dumb b**ch” and a “garbage s**t mom.” The perpetrators’ relationship began in early April 2020. Later that month, Ms. Elkins spent her first weekend with Mr. Beard and his daughter. By May, the couple were shopping for engagement rings. In June, however, Ms. Elkins grew frustrated at Mr. Beard’s continuing association with Ms. Burkett, writing, “your BM [baby mamma] owns you,” “you continue to put BM first,” “you choose to be idk for lack of a better term submissive to her,” and “I don’t have want or need any bullshit from anyone.” Ms. Elkins began a campaign to harass Ms. Burkett in summer 2020, shortly after Ms. Elkins moved into Mr. Beard’s home. In June, Ms. Elkins and Mr. Beard conspired to place a GPS tracker on Ms. Burkett’s vehicle. A month later, Ms. Elkins placed a call to 911 under the name fake “Amber,” falsely claiming that Ms. Burkett’s car was driving erratically on the interstate. In August 2020, Ms. Elkins falsely reported to police that Ms. Burkett’s mother had attacked her, creating scratches on her own chest to support the lie. Five days later, Ms. Elkins and Mr. Beard paid a private investigator to dig up dirt on Ms. Burkett and her new boyfriend. (The investigator, who testified at trial, found nothing incriminating.) In September, Ms. Elkins helped Mr. Beard plant drugs and a gun in Ms. Burkett’s vehicle; Mr. Beard then placed a call to police under a fake name claiming Ms. Burkett was selling drugs to black men out of her car. Then, on Sept. 10, just three weeks before the murder, Ms. Elkins accompanied Mr. Beard to a sporting goods store, where he purchased a black rainsuit in cash. On Sept. 14, two and a half weeks before the murder, Ms. Elkins purchased dark makeup from a drug store. On Sept. 19, she accompanied Mr. Beard to a big box store, where they purchased .410 shotgun shells and a Camillus knife. One week prior to the murder, Ms. Elkins texted Mr. Beard and said “I hope you handle it.” She requested that he be “ride or die” for her and said if he was not, she is not sure the relationship can continue. Shortly after that text exchange, Google records reflect that Andrew Beard began conducting searches for how to remove gunpowder from his hands. On Oct. 2, 2020, Mr. Beard, dressed in a black rainsuit and disguised as a Black man, shot Ms. Burkett in the head with a shotgun while she sat behind the wheel of her car in her work parking lot. As she staggered out of the car, Mr. Beard grabbed her and stabbed and slashed her 44 times. Her coworkers testified at trial that they found Ms. Burkett covered in blood and gasping for air in front of her office front door. She died as her coworkers tried to render aid to her. During the murder, Ms. Elkins stayed at Beard’s home in Rockwall with Ms. Burkett’s daughter. In an attempt to create an alibi, she later claimed Mr. Beard had been home with her during the crime. At the trial, Ms. Burkett’s new boyfriend testified that he believed Ms. Elkins was the “puppet master” behind the murder. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Carrollton Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gary Tromblay, Rick Calvert, and Ryan Niedermair are prosecuting the case. U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle presided over trial.


title: Billings felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearm

body_text: BILLINGS — A Billings man was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after he admitted to possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Francisco Jose Nava, 31, pleaded guilty in March to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 21, 2023, Nava had a warrant out for his arrest, and law enforcement observed him in a pickup truck in Billings. Officers attempted to pull over Nava, but he fled. Law enforcement stopped Nava’s truck through a maneuver and saw him reaching around the truck’s interior. Inside the truck, law enforcement found a .40-caliber handgun on the front passenger seat. Nava had .40-caliber ammunition on his person. Nava was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions and was on supervision for a felony offense at the time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Maryland Man Charged with Wire Fraud in Hampshire County

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Duane Dixon, Jr., age 34, of Towson, Maryland, was indicted by a grand jury on wire fraud charges. Dixon is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, the fraud scheme originated when an individual impersonating a landowner claimed to have authority to sell a parcel of real estate in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Although having no legal rights to the property, the impersonator listed the property for sale through a realtor. Dixon is accused of assisting the conspirator in attempting to defraud a law firm of the proceeds from the sham transaction, As part of the scheme, Dixon provided deposit information to a bank account controlled by Dixon for the purpose of receiving the funds. Dixon faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

component: Department of Justice

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A Pekin, Illinois, man, Kenneth W. Holobaugh, 43, was sentenced on August 14, 2024, to fifteen years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor. He was also ordered to serve a fifteen-year term of supervised release upon completion of his term of confinement. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Joe B. McDade, the government established that from April 2023 through January 2024, Holobaugh, a registered sex offender, communicated on an internet-based social media platform with an individual he believed to be a thirteen-year-old female, expressing multiple times that he wanted to engage in sex with her. In January 2024, Holobaugh drove to a location in Peoria to meet with the girl for the purpose of having sex. Federal law enforcement agents arrested him when he arrived at the location. Holobaugh was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and entered a guilty plea in April 2024. The statutory penalties for attempted enticement of a minor are a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment, followed by a minimum five-year to maximum life term of supervised release. Holobaugh has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest, pending the resolution of the case. He was previously convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in July 2001 and is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa P. Ortiz and Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Holobaugh was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .