title: On World AIDS Day, Justice Department Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Civil Rights of People Living with HIV and AIDS

body_text: On World AIDS Day 2023, the Justice Department reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) more than 30 years ago, the department has worked vigorously to protect and advance the rights of the more than one million Americans living with HIV and AIDS. “The Justice Department strives to defend the rights of all Americans, including people living with HIV and AIDS,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “On World AIDS Day, we recognize our responsibility and reaffirm our commitment to prevent discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. We continue our fight to stop the spread of stereotypes and misinformation about the disease to remove senseless burdens and to ensure that those living with HIV and AIDS are treated fairly. We carry out this work with a commitment to racial equity given that Black and Latino communities are disproportionately affected by HIV.” Over the past year, the Civil Rights Division has prioritized enforcement of the ADA and other laws to seek equal opportunity for and to combat discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. For example, today, the Justice Department announced its finding that Tennessee, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office violated the ADA by enforcing the State’s aggravated prostitution statute against people living with HIV. The Tennessee aggravated prostitution statute elevates misdemeanor conduct to a felony based on an individual’s HIV status and mandates registration on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. In addition, in August, the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services secured a settlement resolving allegations that a home healthcare provider discriminated against a person with HIV. The agreement requires the home healthcare provider to ensure that people with disabilities, including those who have or are perceived as having HIV, receive equal opportunities to obtain the provider’s services. The provider will also train its employees and pay damages to the person who experienced this discrimination. The department also continues to monitor recent settlement agreements and consent decrees that involve alleged discrimination against people with HIV, including: A consent decree resolving a lawsuit against the Town of Clarksville, Indiana. The lawsuit alleged that the town’s police department prevented a qualified applicant from becoming a police officer based on his HIV diagnosis. The agreement requires Clarksville to pay monetary damages to the complainant, revise its policies and train its personnel; A settlement agreement with an in-home caregiving agency in Wisconsin that allegedly refused to provide in-home services to an individual with HIV. The agreement requires the agency to pay monetary damages to the individual, adopt a non-discrimination policy and train its staff; Two settlement agreements with tattoo studios in California and Colorado that allegedly refused services to clients who informed the studios of their HIV-positive status. The agreements require the tattoo studios to pay monetary damages to the complainants, develop a non-discrimination policy and train their employees; Two consent decrees resolving cases alleging that doctors in California refused to provide routine medical care to a patient because of her HIV status. One lawsuit alleged that when the patient tried to make an appointment, she was told that the doctor could not see her because she had HIV, and the second lawsuit alleged that another doctor denied the patient a Pap smear, a regular preventative procedure, because he found her a “high risk” patient. The consent decrees require each doctor to pay monetary damages to the complainant and a civil penalty to the United States, to receive training on the ADA and the care of patients with HIV and to implement a non-discrimination policy; and A settlement agreement with the Nevada Department of Corrections to resolve systemic discrimination in its correctional practices. The department’s investigation found that the state impermissibly isolated and segregated inmates with HIV, failed to keep their HIV status confidential and denied them equal employment opportunities as well as classification and housing at lower custody levels. The agreement requires Nevada to develop or amend policies and procedures to ensure equal and integrated housing, classification and employment opportunities, to train staff on the ADA and to implement an ADA grievance procedure. Along with its enforcement efforts, the department continues to engage in outreach to educate people living with HIV and AIDS, businesses, state and local governments and other covered entities on their rights and responsibilities under the ADA. The department also provides technical assistance and responds to questions from individuals and covered entities through our ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 833-610-1264 (TTY). To learn more about the Civil Rights Division’s work, please visit Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice and ADA.gov .


title: Amarillo Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Fentanyl Distribution

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: A violent Amarillo fentanyl distributor has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Johnny Evrick Johnson, Jr., 30, was indicted in December 2022 and pleaded guilty in June 2023 to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Johnson was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 240 months in federal prison, an upward variance. At sentencing, the court discussed Johnson’s use of multiple “trap houses” and the fact that Johnson provided several of his coconspirators with firearms to engage in drug trafficking and other violent acts, including robberies. The court also discussed evidence that linked Johnson to two armed robberies that occurred in July 2019. According to court documents, on June 8, 2022, Johnson agreed to sell an undercover officer 100 fentanyl pills. On June 10, 2022, Johnson meet with the undercover officer in a parking lot and distributed the fentanyl pills. This quantity of fentanyl is only consistent with distribution. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Amarillo Police Department, and several state and local partners. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted the case.


title: Paralegal Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Over $2 Million From Employer's Clients

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jennifer Elaine Roarke, 54, of Hickory, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, for embezzling more than $2 million from the clients of the law firm that employed her, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and today’s plea hearing, from 2007 to 2021, Roarke, who is also known as Jennifer Claveria, was employed as an assistant and a paralegal for a law firm in Hickory, North Carolina. The law firm handled, among other things, the administration and management of trusts for clients, including the trusts’ bank accounts. As part of her duties, Roarke was responsible for opening mail, depositing checks into trust bank accounts, and processing invoices. As Roarke admitted in court today, from 2015 to September 2021, Roarke executed the embezzlement scheme by causing at least 190 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2 million, from the law firm’s clients’ trust bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by Roarke. Roarke used the embezzled funds to pay for personal items, make mortgage, car, and credit card payments, and to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Roarke was released on bond following the plea hearing. A sentencing date has not been set. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Informational: Federal Court arraignments

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt: Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Nov. 28 was: Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 59, of Lewistown, on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lewis-Stella faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge. Lewis-Stella was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Fergus County Sheriff Office and Montana Adult Protective Services conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-105. Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Nov. 28 was: Joshua Allen Morgan, 39, of Billings, on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and commission of sex offense by a registered sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Morgan faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release on the attempted sex trafficking charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any sentence imposed on the sex trafficking charge. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-137. Tracey E. Flowers, 50, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Flowers faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Flowers was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-134. Shannon Tyrone Seminole, 39, of Lame Deer, on charges of possession with intent to distribute meth, distribution of meth and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. If convicted of the most serious crime, Seminole faces one year to 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine and at least six years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Seminole was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-140. Windelyn Valdo Shoulderblade, Jr. 33, a transient, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Shoulderblade faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Shoulderblade was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-141. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl . XXX


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Ute Fish and Wildlife Officer in 2022 Shooting on Tribal Land in Uinta Canyon

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, age 40, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, both while within Indian Country. According to the indictment, on or about July 17, 2022, the defendant allegedly fired her weapon at two different victims, resulting in serious bodily injury. The indictment charges the defendant with four counts: two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon while within Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(3) and 1153, and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury while within Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(6) and 1153. The defendant made her initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg on November 30, 2023. The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Churnet from the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution of the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Disbarred Queens Attorney Pleads Guilty to Defrauding His Clients

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, Hyun W. Lee, also known as Michael Lee, pleaded guilty at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud his real estate clients and their counterparties of funds held in his attorney escrow account. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen. When sentenced, Lee faces up to twenty years in prison. Lee has also agreed to pay $3.27 million dollars in forfeiture. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty plea. “With today’s guilty plea, Lee has admitted that he preyed upon members of the Korean-American community by holding himself out as a licensed attorney after his suspension and disbarment, only to steal millions of dollars entrusted to him for safekeeping,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Protecting the community while holding accountable those who use their positions of trust to defraud others is, and will remain, a priority of this Office.” Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, Lee induced clients and counterparties to entrust funds to him for the purchase of real estate based on misrepresentations that Lee would release the funds deposited into his escrow account. Instead, Lee misappropriated these funds and used them for his own benefit, which included gambling at casinos and to pay expenses at a restaurant that he partially owned. Lee also misrepresented that he was an attorney authorized to represent clients, including in connection with the purchase and sale of real estate, and to receive and hold funds in his escrow account in connection with real estate transactions. In reality, Lee had been suspended and was subsequently disbarred from engaging in the practice of law in the State of New York. As a result, Lee was not permitted to accept funds from clients and third parties. In furtherance of the scheme, Lee misled clients about the status of funds held in his escrow account by fabricating documents leading them to believe their funds were secure. While documentation Lee showed to clients reflected a balance in Lee’s escrow account of nearly $3 million, in reality Lee had depleted the escrow account down to only approximately $25,000. Lee then failed to honor requests by clients and their counterparties to release funds from his escrow account, falsely claiming that he was in the process of working out an equitable way to distribute funds that remained when Lee had already spent virtually all of the funds in the account. Victims who suffered losses as a result of the conduct of Lee, or other New York lawyers who engage in misconduct, may be eligible to receive compensation by filing a claim with the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection, which may be reached at (800) 442-3863 or e-mailing info@nylawfund.org . The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hiral D. Mehta and Brian D. Morris of the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section with assistance from Special Agent Martin Sullivan and Paralegal Specialist Peyton Jefferson. The Defendant : HYUN W. LEE, also known as “Michael Lee” Age: 51 Closter, New Jersey E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-465 (PKC)


title: 변호사 자격이 박탈된 퀸스 변호사, 고객 사기에 대해 유죄 인정

body_text: 오늘 오전 뉴욕 브루클린의 연방법원에서 마이클 리라고도 알려진 현 W. 리(Hyun W. Lee)는 자신의 부동산 고객과 그 거래 상대로부터 변호사 에스크로 계좌에 보관된 자금을 가로챈 사기 행각과 관련한 전신 금융사기 혐의에 대해 유죄를 인정했습니다. 오늘 재판은 파멜라 K. 첸(Pamela K. Chen) 미국 지방법원 판사 앞에서 진행되었습니다. 판결이 확정되면, 이 씨는 최대 20년의 징역형을 선고받게 됩니다. 또한 이 씨는 몰수 금으로 327만 달러를 지불하기로도 합의했습니다. 뉴욕 동부 지역의 브리온 피스 변호가 유죄 인정 사실을 발표했습니다. "오늘 유죄를 인정함으로써 이 씨는 자신의 변호사 자격이 정지되고 박탈된 후에도 변호사 자격을 유지한 것처럼 한인 사회 구성원을 속이고 그들이 맡긴 수백만 달러를 훔쳤다는 사실을 인정했습니다"라고 미국 변호사 브리온 피스는 말했습니다. "신뢰를 기반으로 하는 지위를 이용해 타인을 속이는 사람들에게 책임을 묻는 동시에 지역사회를 보호하는 것은 이 사무실의 최우선 과제이며 앞으로도 계속될 것입니다." 피스 씨는 이번 수사에 도움을 준 퀸스 카운티 지역 변호사 사무실에 감사의 뜻을 표했습니다. 법원에 제출된 서류와 변론 과정에서 제시된 사실에 따르면, 이 씨는 자신의 에스크로 계좌에 예치된 자금을 풀어줄 것이라는 허위 진술로 고객과 거래 상대가 부동산 구매를 위해 자신에게 자금을 맡기도록 유도했습니다. 그러나 이 씨는 이 자금을 유용하여 카지노에서 도박하거나 자신이 일부 지분을 소유한 식당의 비용을 지불하는 등 자신의 이익을 위해 전용했습니다. 또한 이 씨는 자신이 부동산 매매와 관련하여 고객을 대리하고 부동산 거래와 관련하여 자금을 수령하여 에스크로 계좌에 보관할 수 있는 권한을 가진 변호사라고 허위 진술했습니다. 사실, 이 씨는 뉴욕주 변호사 자격이 정지되었고 이후 변호사 자격이 박탈되었습니다. 그 결과 이 씨는 고객과 제삼자로부터 자금을 받을 자격도 없었습니다. 이 사기를 진행하면서 이 씨는 에스크로 계좌에 보관된 자금 상태에 대해 고객이 그 자금이 안전하다고 믿도록 문서를 조작하여 고객을 오도했습니다. 이 씨가 고객들에게 보여준 서류에는 자신의 에스크로 계좌 잔액이 거의 300만 달러에 달한다고 되어 있었지만, 실제로는 약 2만 5천 달러까지로 고갈된 상태였습니다. 이 씨는 에스크로 계좌에서 자금을 인출해 달라는 고객과 거래 상대의 요청을 이행하지 않았으며, 이 씨가 이미 계좌의 자금을 거의 모두 사용한 상태에서도 남은 자금을 공평하게 분배하는 방법을 모색 중이라고 거짓으로 주장했습니다. 이 씨 또는 위법 행위에 연루된 다른 뉴욕 변호사들의 행위로 인해 손해를 입은 피해자는 변호사 고객 보호 기금에 청구서를 제출하거나 전화 (800) 442-3863 또는 이메일(info@nylawfund.org)로 연락하면 보상 자격이 있을 수 있습니다. 이 사건은 미국 법무부 기업 및 증권 사기 부서의 히랄 메타(Hiral D. Mehta) 부검사와 브라이언 모리스(Brian D. Morris) 검사가 특수 요원 마틴 설리번(Martin Sullivan)과 법률 보조 전문가 페이튼 제퍼슨(Peyton Jefferson)의 도움을 받아 기소 중입니다. 피고 : HYUN W. LEE, 일명 "마이클 리" 나이: 51 클로스터, 뉴저지주 클로스터 거주 E.D.N.Y. 적요서 번호 23-CR-465(PKC)


title: Texas National Guard Soldier Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A Fort Worth man active in the Texas National Guard was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 72 months in prison and ordered to pay a $17,000 assessment for possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers conducted a traffic stop near Del Rio on Dec. 17, 2021. Jesus Gaytan III, 23, and a minor were passengers in the vehicle and, upon questioning, disclosed that they were in a sexual relationship. A review of Gaytan’s cell phone revealed video of Gaytan and the minor involved in sexual acts. Gaytan was arrested during the traffic stop and has remained in federal custody since. He pleaded guilty on March 14, 2022 to one count of possession of child pornography. “The possession of child pornography is a serious offense and anyone in violation will be prosecuted accordingly,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of our law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels in this case, which led to this six year sentence.” “Individuals who commit heinous acts of violence against children will be found and brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division. “I am grateful for the cooperation of our federal partners whose collaboration is vital to find these criminals and keep them off our streets.” HSI and DPS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Nevada Man Admits to Distributing Fentanyl via Mail

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Nevada resident pleaded guilty today to the distribution of fentanyl via the U.S. Mail, which resulted in serious bodily injury after the fentanyl nearly killed a Park City, Utah resident. According to court documents, and admissions made during his change of plea hearing, Colin Andrew Shapard, 22, of Las Vegas, Nevada, mailed a package containing numerous fentanyl pills on Feb. 1, 2022, to a Park City resident. Shapard admitted that he knew fentanyl was a controlled substance and illegal to distribute. On Feb. 10, 2022, the recipient of the package suffered serious bodily injury after he ingested the pills, which caused him to lose consciousness. The victim’s father found him unconscious and called 911. Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel administered Narcan to the victim. Narcan is a drug that reverses the effects of opioids, including fentanyl, and is effective only on opioids. The victim was hospitalized and survived. The following day, DEA agents discovered that the victim overdosed on blue M30 fentanyl pills, which were purchased from Shapard. The investigation also revealed that Shapard mailed opioids to Utah multiple tunes. See former press release here . Shepard pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in serious bodily injury. He is scheduled to be sentenced Apr. 4, 2024, at 3:00 in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Task Force Officers from the United States Postal Inspector Service (USPIS), Park City Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.


title: 18 Individuals Charged in Superseding Indictment for Drug Trafficking

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

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a 60-count superseding indictment charging 18 individuals with importation of cocaine and marijuana into the District of Puerto Rico and continental United States, and money laundering. The investigation is still ongoing. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, CBP Air and Marine Operations, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, and the Barceloneta Police Department. To date, law enforcement has seized over six million dollars in U.S. currency and assets, approximately ten firearms, and over two thousand kilograms of narcotics. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all our partners who work to dismantle these dangerous drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and stop these criminals from harming our communities,” said United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “The leader of this organization shows no respect for authorities, continuing operations from behind bars,” said Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations. “Today we dismantled his criminal empire, focusing on arresting all individuals involved and seizing millions of dollars in assets acquired with drug money.” According to the superseding indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The individuals charged in the superseding indictment are: José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Chambi/Chembi/Josué/Chambo/Patrón” Bárbara Valentín-Rivera, a.k.a. “Barbara Paola” Luis Crespo-Cumba, a.k.a. “La L” Luis Roberto Alvarado-Reyes, a.k.a. “El Viejo” Ricardo Lopez-Ramos, a.k.a. “Ricky” Héctor L. Derkes, a.k.a. “El Venezolano” William J. Pantoja-Nieves, a.k.a. “W” Luis J. Hernández-Cruz, a.k.a. “Tampa Pana” Edwin Daniel Gonzalez-Reyes, a.k.a. “Cotto” and “Coto” Fernando Cortes-Flores, a.k.a. “La Bruja” Emiliano Feliciano-Hernández Luis Héctor Adames-Nieves, a.k.a. “Monki” Ángel Xavier Pérez-Olivencia, a.k.a. “Chavy” Niurka A. Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Adela” Marta D. Cardona-Cumba Christian Prado Luis Alberto Bourdon-Román, a.k.a. “El Negro Capi Bueno” Edwin Candelaria-Ramos According to court documents, José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, directed a large-scale drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed multi-hundred-kilogram shipments of cocaine from South America, into Puerto Rico and the continental United States. The organization also received multi-kilogram shipments of marijuana from the continental United States for distribution throughout Puerto Rico. The superseding indictment alleges that Rodríguez-Cumba’s drug trafficking organization is involved in the distribution and sale of over two thousand kilograms of cocaine and marijuana. Rodríguez-Cumba has been designated as a Regional Priority Organization Target (RPOT) under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. As the alleged principal or leader of a drug trafficking organization, Rodríguez-Cumba is also charged in Count Five with engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) whose purpose was to “smuggle, import, offload, purchase, distribute, and supply controlled substances within Puerto Rico and the continental United States all for significant financial gain and profit.” In furtherance of the enterprise, Rodríguez-Cumba, in concert with his associates, including co-conspirators identified in the superseding indictment, committed and caused to be committed, a continuing series of felony drug violations, including but not limited to: (a) Conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States; (b) Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; (c) Importation of cocaine into the United States; (d) Attempted importation of cocaine into the United States; and (e) Distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to include: Principal Leaders, who were responsible for the day-to-day organizational and operational decision making in Puerto Rico; Cell Leaders, who were responsible for the day-to-day organizational and operational decision making of the cells located and operating in the continental United States; Money Launderers, who were responsible for conducting financial transactions with the goal of legitimizing and disguising millions of dollars in narcotics proceeds generated by the organization; Transporters: who were responsible for the transportation of the narcotics from South America into Puerto Rico, and subsequently into the continental United States; and Enforcers or Hitmen, who were responsible for protecting and securing the assets and members of the organization from rival drug trafficking organization to include committing acts of violence on behalf of the organization. Seven defendants are also charged, in Count Ten, with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The superseding indictment also charges the defendants with several counts of money laundering. José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba is alleged to have made efforts to disguise the narcotics proceeds as legitimate earnings by establishing several business entities and deposits for Lottery “winnings” from: September 24, 2020, he deposited two winnings for $35,000 and $40,000; December 16, 2020, he deposited winnings for $10,000; December 29, 2020, he deposited winnings for $15,000; February 26, 2121, he deposited winnings for $10,000; March 10, 2121, he deposited winnings for $50,050; and May 14, 2121, he deposited winnings for $250,000. In total, in a span of eight months, José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba allegedly “won” the lottery seven times for a total of $375,050 in lottery winnings. As part of the manner and means of the money laundering conspiracy, Jose Julio Rodríguez-Cumba and his co-defendants opened personal and corporate bank accounts to manage the finances from both their businesses and its drug trafficking operation, structured both cash deposits and withdrawals to evade financial transaction reporting requirements, made transfers from personal bank accounts to corporate bank accounts and vice-versa to disguise the source and nature of the funds, and used mobile payment systems to transfer proceeds from person to person and avoid detection from authorities. The superseding indictment also includes forfeiture allegations of more than six million dollars in assets including cash, real property, and personal property, as well as firearms. If convicted, Rodríguez-Cumba faces a statutory mandatory penalty of life in prison pursuant to Title 21, U.S.C., Section 848(b). All co-defendants charged in the drug conspiracy (Count One) are facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years of imprisonment with a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. The money laundering offenses carry a maximum sentence of twenty years of imprisonment. The firearms offense carries a consecutive penalty of five years to life imprisonment. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section Max J. Pérez-Bouret; Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción; and AUSAs Jorge L. Matos and Ryan R. McCabe are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-coordinated, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 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: Third Defendant in Williamsburg and Virginia Beach Money Laundering and Prostitution Massage Parlor Scheme Sentenced

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to engage in money laundering. According to court documents, from approximately January 2021, through May 4, 2022, Ye Wang, 32, along with his co-defendants Si Liu, 36, and Yang Gao, 33, also of Norfolk, conspired to move and conceal proceeds obtained through prostitution. During the conspiracy, Gao, Wang, and Liu worked as operators or managers of illicit, unregistered massage parlors located in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, which derived revenue from the prostitution of female employees. Women were recruited online to work for the defendants, and in turn performed sex acts for customers in the massage parlors in exchange for cash payments. Gao managed the day-to-day operations of the massage parlors, including collecting money obtained via commercial sex. Gao also provided transportation to women engaged in commercial sex and maintained the facilities, unlicensed massage parlors, utilized for commercial sex. Wang assisted Gao in the operation of the illicit commercial sex business. Liu helped facilitate the exploitation of women engaged in commercial sex, collected proceeds from the illegal activity, managed the web-based advertising of the illicit massage parlors, and encouraged women to perform sex acts by providing condoms and offering financial incentives. Gao, Wang, and Liu split the prostitution proceeds with the women engaged in prostitution. Gao, Wang and Liu traveled to the massage parlors located in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg to collect prostitution proceeds, and then deposited a percentage of profits into various bank accounts. Money was then transferred to other members of the larger enterprise through cash deliveries and via mobile banking. A combined total of $696,706.65 was laundered during the conspiracy. Pursuant to the plea agreements the defendants agreed to forfeit four vehicles, over $130,000 in US Currency, numerous items of jewelry, a gold bar, and three personal residences, with a combined value totaling over $1,000,000. Liu and Gao were sentenced in August to 30 months and 48 months, respectively. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Montoya and Matthew Heck prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-108.


title: Casa Grande Drug Smuggler Sentenced to 10 Years for Smuggling Methamphetamine Into the United States

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. –Jesus Vega Perez, 22, of Casa Grande, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Perez was convicted by a federal jury on January 19, 2023, of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Importation of Methamphetamine. On April 2, 2022, Perez drove a 2018 BMW sedan into the United States through the San Luis Port of Entry (POE) in San Luis, Arizona. At the POE, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 30 packages hidden throughout the vehicle. The packages contained a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The combined weight of the packages was over 30 pounds. Perez presented, and the jury rejected, a duress defense at trial. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-22-00388-PHX-DWL RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-190_Perez # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Dulce Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Assault

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Patrick Maestas pled guilty to assault of a spouse, intimate partner, and dating partner, by strangling, suffocating, and attempting to strangle and suffocate. Maestas, 34, of Dulce, and an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. According to court records, on July 8, 2022, Maestas had consumed a large quantity of alcohol and began an argument with Jane Doe, the mother of his child and intimate partner. During the argument, Maestas punched a TV and pinned Jane Doe to the bed in the presence of their child. Maestas then used the collar of Jane Doe’s shirt to strangle her, causing Jane Doe to black out and causing serious bodily injury. At sentencing, Maestas faces up to ten years in prison followed by 3 years of supervise release. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-276


title: Cedar Rapids Man Who Produced Child Pornography Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Cedar Rapids man who sent gift cards to minors in exchange for sexually explicit videos from the minors was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison today. Andrew Kyte, age 53, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after a June 22, 2023, guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of children. Evidence established that from 2017 until 2019 defendant received depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on two electronic devices. Defendant would send minors gift cards to encourage the minors to make sexually explicit videos and send those videos to him. Defendant also secretly recorded a minor through a hidden spy camera. Six minor victims were awarded restitution based on defendant’s criminal conduct. Kyte was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Kyte was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $24,000 in restitution to six minor victims. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Kyte is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Dupuich and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cole and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-4. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Charlotte Man Arrested For Possession Of A Machinegun And Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon Appears In Federal Court

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Joshua Michael Jenkins, 20, of Charlotte, appeared in court today after he was arrested on federal charges for possession of a machinegun and possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jenkins was arrested on Thursday and his initial appearance was scheduled today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler. A grand jury returned a criminal indictment against Jenkins on November 14, 2023. According to allegations in the indictment, on October 30, 2022, Jenkins possessed a machinegun, that being a Glock model 23, .40 caliber pistol, with an affixed machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch.” The indictment further alleges that on July 26, 2022, Jenkins illegally possessed a Glock model 23, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, knowing he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison term exceeding one year. Jenkins remains in federal custody. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of possession of a machinegun. The charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges against Jenkins are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Huntersville Police Department for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina Pack of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: St. Paul Felon Charged in Federal Complaint for Attempted Possession  with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with attempted illegal possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on November 18, 2023, officers with the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) responded to a 911 call regarding an unsolicited package containing what appeared to be cocaine. They field tested the substance, determined it was cocaine, and removed and replaced it with a GPS tracking device. Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations later observed Paris Jackson, 38, picking up the package at the residence and attempted to stop him as he returned to a waiting vehicle with the package in hand. Instead, Jackson fled and was pursued by law enforcement. He ultimately crashed into an SPPD squad car at approximately 80 miles per hour, which resulted in life threatening injuries to his passenger and minor injuries to an SPPD officer. He fled from the scene and was ultimately apprehended. The complaint charges Jackson with attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Jackson has a criminal history dating back to 2001, including multiple arrests for controlled substance offenses. He made his initial appearance on November 22, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen A. Slaughter and Carla J. Baumel are prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Marshall Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Making Bomb Threat to Edgar County Business

body_text: BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a man from Marshall, Illinois, to spend more than three years in federal prison after he called in a bomb threat to a company in Paris, Illinois. Justin L. Switzer, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of willfully threatening the use of explosives. According to court documents, Switzer called in a bomb threat to North American Lighting Company, Inc. in Paris, Illinois on Nov. 2, 2022. He admitted to calling the business and stating “two minutes to detonation”. In response to the bomb threat, North American Lighting evacuated personnel, which caused the company to lose approximately $456,000 in gross revenue. In addition to his prison sentence, Switzer was ordered to pay $456,000 in restitution. FBI Springfield Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Burke and Liam Coonan prosecuted the case.


title: Yelm, Washington, man sentenced to ten years in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuse

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 40-year-old Yelm, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Scotti Jason Ortiz has been in custody since his arrest on February 9, 2021. According to records filed in the case, a foreign law enforcement agency alerted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center (C3) Child Exploitation Investigations Unit that a Kik user was sharing images of child sexual abuse. Ortiz was identified as the user. When a search warrant was served on Ortiz’ electronic devices, law enforcement determined he possessed a video showing the sexual molestation of three children under the age of 12. It does not appear that Ortiz created the images. Ortiz has prior convictions relating to child sexual abuse. In 2005 he was convicted of third-degree rape of a child. In 2013 he was sentenced to 75-months in prison for failing to register as a sex offender and dealing and possessing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Due to those convictions, Ortiz faced a mandatory minimum ten-year federal prison sentence. Ortiz was released from the 75-month state sentence on June 30, 2020, and had been out of prison barely a month when he set up the Kik account in August 2020. It was through that account that he began to communicate with an undercover law enforcement agent in England about his sexual interest in children. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zach Dillon. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Rolling Hills Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Pills that Caused High School Freshman’s Death

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A South Bay man, who in May 2020 distributed fentanyl-laced pills to a 15-year-old boy and mocked the victim online as he was dying of an overdose, was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison. Alexander Declan Bell Wilson, 23, of Rolling Hills, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha, who also ordered Wilson to pay $2,364 in restitution. Judge Aenlle-Rocha also ordered Wilson, upon his release from prison, to be placed on supervised release for 12 years. At the conclusion of a five-day trial, a jury on May 19 found Wilson guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Wilson has been in federal custody since May 2021. On the evening on May 14, 2020, Wilson agreed to distribute five Percocet pills to the victim. Evidence seized from the victim’s cellphone shows he believed the pills were authentic pharmaceutical pills that contained the opioid oxycodone. At around 11:30 p.m. that night, the victim’s 13-year-old brother met Wilson outside the family’s house to pick up the five pills. Wilson then handed a plastic bag containing the pills to the victim’s brother through the window of Wilson’s vehicle. The victim’s brother took the bag from Wilson, went back inside the house, and gave the pills to the victim. Shortly afterward, the victim posted a photograph of the pills on his Snapchat social media account and then ingested the pills. From approximately 1:50 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on May 15, 2020, Wilson and the victim argued on Snapchat about the proper way to consume the pills Wilson had sold to the victim. During those chats, Wilson chastised the victim for chewing the pills, and then shared screenshots of their conversation with his Snapchat followers. On the morning of May 15, 2020, the victim’s grandmother found him dead in his bedroom. Expert testimony at trial confirmed the victim’s death was caused solely due to fentanyl poisoning. “After [the victim’s] death, [Wilson] showed no remorse for his crimes,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “To the contrary, he lied to police about his conduct, deleted incriminating evidence from his phone, and minimized his role in the offense. Indeed, [Wilson] blamed [the victim] for his own death, boasting that [the victim] ‘did that to himself.’” The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Justice Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter. The Overdose Justice Task Force is a project designed to investigate fatal fentanyl poisonings and identify the individuals who provided the fentanyl that directly caused the deaths. Under the Overdose Justice program for the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division, DEA agents have established collaborative relationships with local law enforcement agencies across the seven counties that make up the Central District of California. Local authorities are almost always the first to respond to an overdose death, and DEA agents have provided training to dozens of local agencies to help them analyze evidence to determine if there are circumstances that might lead to a federal criminal prosecution. Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello and Daniel H. Weiner of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.


title: Man Pleads Guilty to Firebombing Madison Building

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – A Madison, Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to the May 2022 firebombing of a Madison office building. Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, 29, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive. On Sunday, May 8, 2022, at approximately 6:06 a.m., law enforcement responded to an active fire at an office building located in Madison. Once inside the building, police observed a mason jar under a broken window; the jar was broken, and the lid and screw top were burned black. The police also saw a purple disposable lighter near the mason jar. On the opposite wall from the window, the police saw another mason jar with the lid on and a blue cloth tucked into the top; the cloth was singed. The jar was about half full of a clear fluid that smelled like an accelerant. Outside of the building, someone spray painted on one wall, “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either” and, on another wall, a large “A” with a circle around it and the number “1312.” During the investigation, law enforcement collected DNA from the scene of the attack. In March 2023, law enforcement identified Roychowdhury as a possible suspect. Local police officers observed Roychowdhury dispose of food in a public trash can; the officers recovered the leftover food and related items, and law enforcement collected DNA from the food. On March 17, 2023, law enforcement advised that a forensic biologist examined the DNA evidence recovered from the attack scene and compared it to the DNA collected from the food contents. The forensic biologist found the two samples matched and likely were the same individual. In March 2023, Roychowdhury travelled from Madison to Portland, Maine, and he purchased a one-way ticket from Boston, Massachusetts to Guatemala City, departing March 28, 2023. Law enforcement arrested Roychowdhury at Boston Logan International Airport that day. “I am deeply grateful to our local and federal law enforcement partners for their dedication and persistence in solving this crime,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “In our shared American experiment, conflicting views must be resolved through discussion, the courts, and the ballot box. Arson and other acts of domestic terrorism are crimes that will be punished and have no place in a healthy democracy.” “There is no place in our society for flagrant disregard for safety through firebombing a place of business, and today’s change of plea is one step further to closure for the victims,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley Engelbert, of the St. Paul Field Division. “This was a complicated investigation. I am proud of the work our agents put into this and am appreciative of the tremendous team effort that went into this investigation.” “The firebombing was an unacceptable attack on the safety and constitutionally protected rights of every citizen in the state of Wisconsin,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office. “I commend the thorough and exhaustive investigative efforts of the FBI with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners whose efforts led to the identification and subsequent guilty plea. Let this be a warning to anyone who seeks to use intimidation through threats or committing acts of violence, the FBI along with our partners will work together to ensure that those who break the law are held accountable.” Roychowdhury faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 14, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charge against Roychowdhury is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the FBI Boston Field Office, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Air Marshal Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman for the Western District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck for the District of Massachusetts handled the defendant’s appearance in Boston following his arrest.


title: Cleveland Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics and Illegal Possession of Firearms

body_text: CLEVELAND - U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced that David Powell, 67, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan after earlier pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on October 5, 2021, detectives executed multiple search warrants on residences associated with Powell, where they uncovered several kilograms of narcotics and firearms. Powell was incarcerated for a parole violation before returning to the community. Then on October 25, 2022, detectives executed another search warrant on Powell’s residence which resulted in the seizure of three kilograms of narcotics and a firearm. Powell has prior felony convictions, including a 1980 murder conviction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, which prohibited him from possession of a firearm. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Narcotics Task Force and the FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Payum Doroodian.


title: Cleveland Man Sentenced to more than 39 Years For Selling Cocaine and Fentanyl that Caused an Overdose Death

body_text: CLEVELAND - U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced that Willie Pratt, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 470 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after a jury earlier convicted Pratt of distributing cocaine and fentanyl that caused the death of a 42-year-old North Olmstead, Ohio resident. According to court documents and trial testimony, on October 30, 2021, Pratt sold the victim cocaine and heroin, which was actually fentanyl. This transaction was witnessed by the victim’s friend. The victim consumed the narcotics which caused the victim’s death in Rocky River, Ohio. Authorities used the victim’s phone to identify and arrest Pratt through setting up a controlled purchase of the same narcotics. When Pratt was arrested, he had cocaine and fentanyl in his possession, as well a phone which the victim called to purchase narcotics from Pratt. In addition, Pratt was wearing a GPS ankle monitor, which confirmed that Pratt was at the location of the fatal distribution on October 30, 2021. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Rocky River Police Department and DEA. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Yasmine Makridis.


title: Maryland MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including a Murder

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Oscar Efrain Zavala Urrea, age 23, an El Salvadoran national residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty to his participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including a murder, related to his activities as part of the MS-13 gang. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy. According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Frederick County, and throughout the United States. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position. As detailed in the plea agreement, from at least January 2020, Zavala Urrea was a member or associate of the MS-13 Fulton Locos Salvatruchas (“FLS”) clique and agreed with members of MS-13 to conduct and participate in the gang’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity that included murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion and drug distribution. In the Spring of 2020, a MS-13 member, who was a former roommate of Victim 20, was assaulted by Victim 20 and others because they believed that MS-13 member had stolen property from Victim 20. After being told of the assault, MS-13 members indicated that the gang would have to retaliate against Victim 20 to maintain its standing. MS-13 gang members also believed that Victim 20 was associated with the rival 18th Street gang, which was another sufficient reason to kill him. According to the plea agreement, over the course of several weeks Zavala Urrea and other MS-13 members met to plan the murder of Victim 20, including discussing what role each participant would play, conducted surveillance to determine when Victim 20 left the apartment, and obtained guns to be used in the murder. The night of May 25, 2020, Zavala Urrea and other MS-13 gang members gathered in a park in Silver Spring, Maryland and Zavala Urrea met with each gang member to discuss the plan to murder of Victim 20, which was to happen the next morning. As detailed in court documents, on May 26, 2020, at approximately 7:05 a.m., two FLS MS-13 gang members approached Victim 20 as he left his apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland and fired handguns at him repeatedly, hitting him eight times. Victim 20 died as a result of the gun shots. Following the murder, Zavala Urrea and a co-conspirator traveled to Annapolis where they met a third MS-13 gang member. Zavala Urrea and the co-conspirator changed their clothes and disposed of the old clothing. They gave the third gang member a backpack containing two firearms for safe keeping. A few days later, Maryland State Police stopped the third gang member who had the backpack containing the two firearms. Zavala Urrea admitted that, to assist the gang to raise money, he also participated in the sale of marijuana and the collection of extortion money from brothels and other businesses, providing the proceeds to gang leadership. The government and the defendant have agreed to recommend that, if the Court accepts the plea, Zavala Urrea should be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in federal prison. Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Barron commended the FBI, HSI, Montgomery County Police Department, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark and Anatoly Smolkin, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Jefferson Parish Man Charged with Violation of National Firearm Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH METZLER , III , age 44, of Gretna, was indicted on November 30, 2023 for possession of a silencer that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. According to the indictment, on May 9, 2023, METZLER possessed a silencer that was not registered to him, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d). If convicted, METZLER faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $10,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Marblehead Postal Worker Sentenced for Conversion of Government Money

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with two schemes to convert USPS funds. Zeon Johnson, 28, of Saugus, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to time served (one day in prison) and two years of supervised release. Johnson was also ordered to pay $18,206 in restitution to USPS. On Sept. 6, 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conversion of government money. Beginning in approximately August 2018, Johnson worked as a Sales and Service Distribution Associate for USPS at the Marblehead Post Office. As part of his job, Johnson sold stamps and processed money order transactions for USPS customers. From approximately July 2019 through June 2020, Johnson converted over $18,000 in USPS funds for personal use by stealing cash funds paid by customers for stamps and issuing USPS money orders payable to himself. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eugenia M. Carris and Elysa Wan of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Longtime Employee of Harford County Manufacturer Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for a $20 Million Kickback Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Elliott Dennis Kleinman, age 69, of Bel Air, Maryland, yesterday to 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion, in connection with a kickback scheme that defrauded his employer of more than $20 million. Judge Chasanow also ordered Kleinman to pay restitution of $19,300,757 and to forfeit $2,038,997. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office. According to his guilty plea, Kleinman was a longtime employee of Company 1, a family-owned global business headquartered in New York, but with manufacturing facilities in Belcamp and Abingdon, Maryland, both in Harford County. Beginning in 2012, Kleinman and another employee, Eugene DiNoto, began to use their management positions at Company 1 to execute a fraudulent billing scheme whereby they would get illegal kickbacks from various drum vendors doing business with Company 1, which used drums to store and transport its products. As the facility managers, Kleinman and DiNoto oversaw the purchasing and storing of drums for use at the Harford County manufacturing facilities. They also had authority to review drum invoices and authorize payments to the drum vendors. Anthony P. Urcioli, Sr., is the owner and President of Tunnel, Barrel & Drum Co, Inc. (TBD), located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and of another drum supply company called Hartford Fibre Drum, Inc. ( Hartford), both of which did business with Company 1. After TBD became a drum supplier to Company 1, Kleinman and DiNoto entered into arrangement with Urcioli whereby TBD could continue selling drums to Company 1 if Urcioli agreed to fraudulently invoice Company 1 for more drums than TBD actually sold and delivered to the company. If Urcioli agreed to falsify its invoices in this way, Kleinman and DiNoto said that they and TBD could split the extra money Company 1 paid TBD for the made-up drum deliveries 50/50. DiNoto told Urcioli that he would split his share of the kickbacks with Elliot Kleinman 75/25. Urcioli agreed to participate in the false billing scheme. In December 2013, Urcioli told DiNoto about Hartford, the other drum supply company Urcioli owned. After receiving records that proved that Hartford was a legitimate company, DiNoto and Urcioli agreed to expand the kickback scheme to include Hartford. From approximately January 2012 to January 31, 2020, DiNoto contacted Urcioli at least once a week to discuss the number and type of drums that DiNoto actually wanted delivered to Company 1’s Maryland facilities. During the same conversation, DiNoto told Urcioli how many additional drums to charge, but not deliver, to Company 1. After Urcioli created the invoices that fraudulently billed Company 1 for both delivered and undelivered drums, DiNoto approved the invoices and sent them to Company 1’s headquarters to be paid. In addition, Urcioli created a handwritten purchase order ticket that summarized the breakdown of actual and bogus drum orders and how the kickback amounts were calculated. Urcioli placed a copy of the purchase order ticket in an envelope along with DiNoto’s and Kleinman’s share of the kickback amount payable via checks from TBD and Hartford, and then sent the envelope to DiNoto’s and Kleinman’s personal residences. Urcioli wanted to pay the kickbacks to Kleinman and DiNoto by check so the payments would look like payments to drum wholesalers and be deductible as a cost of goods sold on TBD’s tax returns. Kleinman wanted his kickback checks payable to a company he formed called “EDK Management, LTD.” Urcioli agreed, and in addition to making the kickback checks drawn on TBD and Hartford accounts payable to that company, Urcioli wrote the word “drums” on the checks to further the pretense of legitimate purchases. Between January 2012 and January 31, 2020, Urcioli falsely invoiced Company 1 a total of $20,300,757 and Kleinman’s share of the kickbacks was approximately $2,307,121. Kleinman opened and maintained two commercial bank accounts for EDK, one in the name of “EDK Management Ltd,” and the other in the name of “EDK Management Ltd t/a Main Street Cigars,” a retail store he owns, located in Bel Air, Maryland. Kleinman deposited the drum vendor’s checks into EDK’s business account, where it was withdrawn as cash, used to pay personal expenses, or transferred to the bank account for Main Street Cigars. For the period of 2017 through 2019, TBD paid Kleinman a total of approximately $1,034,911 in kickbacks for his role in the fraudulent billing scheme. Kleinman’s 2017 through 2019 income tax returns filed with the IRS did not report those kickback payments as personal or business income, resulting in a loss to the U.S. government of approximately $291,143. Eugene Andrew DiNoto, age 53, of Bel Air, Maryland, and Anthony P. Urcioli, Sr., age 78, of Park Ridge, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and IRS-CI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martin J. Clarke and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the Passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland following the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. “Justice O’Connor was a person of outstanding judgment, integrity, and intellect, and a jurist of great common sense, practicality, and vision. As a Justice, she insisted on focusing on how the law and the Court’s decisions would affect people in their everyday lives. Her pathbreaking career was marked not only by her own incredible achievements, but by the way in which those achievements created space for so many others who, like her, were not represented in the legal community. “She will be remembered by generations to come, both for her historic achievement of becoming the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court and for her many contributions to the law as a Justice. “For those of us fortunate to have known her, she will also be remembered for her infectious wit, her unfailing kindness, and her devotion to her loved ones. “My thoughts are with all those who loved and admired Justice O’Connor. I join them in honoring her extraordinary legacy.”


title: Parker Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Domestic Violence Assault

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Ryan Niles Ameelyenah, 29, of Parker, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 120 months in prison on count one and 60 months in prison on count two, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. Ameelyenah was convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (count one) and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury of an Intimate Partner (count two) by a Phoenix jury on August 17, 2023. On July 9, 2022, Ameelyenah, an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), assaulted the victim, who was an intimate partner, causing her to sustain serious and substantial bodily injury. The assault occurred on the CRIT Indian Reservation and the victim is an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and CRIT Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina J. Reid-Moore and W. Vinnie Lichvar, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01296-PHX-SPL RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-191_Ameelyenah # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Postal Service Employee Indicted for Mail Theft

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that TIMOTHY MCMILLAN , JR. , age 43, of New Orleans, was indicted on November 30, 2023 for Theft of Mail by a Postal Service employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709. According to the indictment, on October 11, 2023, MCMILLAN stole and removed money from a letter entrusted to him, while performing his assigned duties as an employee of the United States Postal Service. If convicted, MCMILLAN faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.


title: San Antonio Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 210 months in prison and ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution to nine victims for distributing child pornography. According to court documents, for more than two decades, Carlos Fabian Velez, 52, used a peer-to-peer file sharing system to traffic in child sexual abuse material and distribute hundreds of files depicting children as young as infants and toddlers. Velez was arrested on March 28, 2022 and, on Aug. 23, 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. “The sexual abuse and exploitation of children have horrific effects on the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Individuals like Mr. Velez, who choose to traffic child sexual abuse images, must understand that their choices have very serious consequences beyond a lengthy prison sentence.” “Carlos Velez victimized some of our most vulnerable citizens for decades,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson for the FBI San Antonio Division. “This sentence is reflective of the FBI’s dedication to hold accountable predators who would exploit innocent children.” The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Federal Inmate Charged With Attempted Murder and Other Offenses

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – On December 1, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint charging attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury against John Turscak, 52. The complaint alleges that while incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution Tucson, Turscak stabbed another inmate, D.C., who had previously been convicted of federal crimes in another district, approximately 22 times with an improvised knife. A complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Attempted murder and assault with intent to commit murder violations each carry maximum penalties of 20 years’ incarceration, while assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury each carry maximum penalties of 10 years’ incarceration. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson. RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-192_Turscak # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: D.C. Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Carrying Out Conspiracy To Impersonate Federal Law Enforcement Officers

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: WASHINGTON – Arian Taherzadeh was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for pretending to be a federal law enforcement officer to curry favor with members of the U.S. Secret Service, and to lease several luxury apartments for which he then failed to pay rent. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Inspector General Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, of the Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. On Aug. 1, 2022, Taherzadeh, 41, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to conspiracy, a federal offense, and unlawful possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device and voyeurism, both District of Columbia offenses, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered 36 months of supervised release and restitution of $706,218. According to court documents, Taherzadeh and a co-conspirator, Haider Ali, 36, of Springfield, Va., operated a business called United States Special Police LLC (USSP), which was described as a private law enforcement, investigative, and protective service based in Washington, D.C. The two men represented themselves to law enforcement as investigators and/or special agents and claimed that their unit was part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The company was not associated in any way with the U.S. government or the District of Columbia and had never done business with the federal or D.C. governments. As the scheme unfolded, Taherzadeh falsely claimed at various times to be, among other things, a Special Agent with the DHS, a member of a multi-jurisdictional federal task force, a former U.S. Air Marshal, and a former U.S. Army Ranger. He used these false claims to recruit others to USSP, under the guise that it was part of a covert federal law enforcement task force, to defraud owners of three apartment complexes into providing him with multiple apartments and parking spaces for his supposed law enforcement operations, and to ingratiate himself with members of federal law enforcement and the defense community. Both Taherzadeh and Ali used these false claims to recruit others to join their “task force” or “unit,” which these individuals believed to be part of DHS and federal law enforcement. In furtherance of the scheme, Taherzadeh and Ali ingratiated themselves with employees of the U.S. Secret Service because it provided them with cover and aided in their scheme. Beginning as early as the spring of 2020, Taherzadeh began falsely identifying himself as a Special Agent to employees of the United States Secret Service. In one instance, he falsely claimed to two Secret Service employees that he was in a gang unit. He told another that he was part of a covert task force. Taherzadeh also provided these Secret Service employees with tangible and intangible gifts. For instance, Taherzadeh provided one employee and his wife with a generator and a doomsday/survival backpack. He provided another employee with a rent-free penthouse apartment for approximately one year, worth approximately $40,200. He provided a third employee with a rent-free apartment for approximately one year, worth an estimated $48,240, as well as a drone, a gun locker, and a Pelican case. Taherzadeh and others used assumed law enforcement personas and the business to maintain leases for multiple apartments and parking spaces for supposed law enforcement operation at three luxury apartment complexes in the District of Columbia. At one luxury apartment complex in Southeast D.C., Taherzadeh and Ali maintained several units including a penthouse where Taherzadeh and Ali possessed, among other things, a Glock handgun registered to Ali that was loaded with a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, surveillance equipment, law enforcement tactical gear and a machine capable of programming Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards used to create false credentials. Within his own apartment, Taherzadeh possessed a Sig Sauer P229 handgun with five, fully loaded large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, containing 61 rounds of ammunition. They also used their false identification with law enforcement to obtain security footage in the building as well as a list of the building’s residents as well as their apartment numbers and contact information. Throughout their tenancies at the three luxury apartment complexes, no rent was paid on the leased apartments or parking garage spaces. This resulted in a loss to the buildings of $698,363 and to the garage of $7,854. Finally, Taherzadeh installed surveillance cameras outside and inside his apartment in one of the complexes. Among other places, he installed, maintained, and utilized cameras in his bedroom. He used these cameras to record women engaged in sexual activity. Taherzadeh then showed these explicit videos to third parties. Taherzadeh and Ali, were arrested on Apr. 6, 2022. Ali pleaded guilty on Oct. 5, 2022, to a conspiracy and bank fraud, both federal offenses, and unlawful possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, a District of Columbia Offense. On Aug. 8, 2023, Ali was sentenced to 68 months of incarceration followed by 36 months of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Joshua S. Rothstein of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice and Paralegal Specialists Quiana Dunn-Gordon, and Lisa Abbe and former Paralegal Specialist Chad Byron of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorneys Kathleen Campbell and Evan Turgeon of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.


title: Kasilof couple charged with federal regulations violations for illegal commercial game transportation in Noatak National Preserve

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: KOTZEBUE, Alaska – A Kasilof couple were charged with multiple federal regulation violations related to alleged illegal commercial transportation of game hunters in Alaska following a multi-year investigation by National Park Service (NPS) rangers. According to court documents, Matthew Owen, 66, illegally transported caribou hunters in the Noatak National Preserve, located in northwest Alaska, in 2019 and 2020. The transportation was connected to a commercial entity and violated multiple federal regulations regarding commercial activity on NPS land. Mr. Owen is charged with one count false information, in violation of 36 CFR §2.32(a)(3)(ii); 10 counts of engaging in business without a permit, in violation of 36 CFR §5.3; and three counts failure to follow a lawful order, in violation of 36 CFR §2.32. Additionally, Julie Owen, 60, is charged with one count false information, in violation of 36 CFR §2.32(a)(3)(ii) and one count of violation of provisions of a permit, in violation of 36 CFR §5.3. If convicted, the defendants face six months’ imprisonment and a $5,000 fine for each charge. The defendants could also be required to pay all costs of the legal proceedings as part of their sentence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. “Hunting is critical to subsistence and is a key piece of Alaskan culture. Hunting, and all associated activities, must be done legally and in accordance with regulations,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska. “Our office will continue to work closely with the National Park Service and our other wildlife law enforcement partners to uphold the relevant rules and regulations related to hunting on public land.” “Caribou are a vital species in the ecosystem and for communities in Northwest Alaska,” said Western Arctic National Parklands Superintendent Ray McPadden. “Caribou are protected within Noatak National Preserve. Our team takes all possible hunting violations seriously and goes to great lengths to make sure folks are doing the right thing.” NPS is responsible for managing natural resources and permitting all commercial activity within Noatak National Preserve; NPS Law Enforcement Rangers actively patrol park lands and investigate suspected violations of Federal laws and regulations. The NPS takes all suspected violations seriously and encourages the public to report potential crimes and suspicious activity to the NPS Crime Tip Line at 1-888-653-0009 or online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov . Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Clive Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – On November 29, 2023, a Clive man pleaded guilty to wire fraud. According to public court documents, Zachary James Flaherty, 47, used his position as an insurance agent and annuity salesperson to defraud elderly individuals out of their retirement savings and other monies. Flaherty admitted to engaging in a scheme to defraud some of his insurance clients, specifically, that he intended to defraud some of his clients by making false statements to those clients to obtain financial benefits for himself to the detriment of his clients. For example, Flaherty told one of the victims, referred to in court documents as Victim #10, that he would invest proceeds from the sale of her house on her behalf and for her benefit, even though Flaherty knew that his representations to Victim #10 were false. As a result of Flaherty’s false representations, Victim #10 wrote two checks, totaling $170,000, to a company Flaherty owned and/or operated. Flaherty used the proceeds of his fraudulent scheme to acquire various assets, including a boat and automobiles. Flaherty is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2024, and faces a potential sentence of up to twenty years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence Flaherty will receive after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with assistance from the Des Moines Police Department, Clive Police Department, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation.


title: Central Ohio men plead guilty to 4 armed robberies of Postal carriers, face minimum of 20 years in prison

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Central Ohio men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to four armed robberies of Postal carriers. Theirno S. Bah, 20, of Columbus, was arrested in August 2023 after being charged with co-defendant Cameron D. Newton, 20, of Westerville. As part of Bah’s plea, the parties are recommending a sentence of 20 to 25 years in prison. Newton faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison. The two men are the latest of at least a dozen defendants charged in the Southern District of Ohio in 2022 and 2023 with crimes related to Postal robberies. For example, in Columbus, in August 2022, Brandon J. Campbell was sentenced to 78 months in prison for two previous armed Postal carrier robberies. Mahad S. Jama, Da’Mon D. May and Cody N. Beasley have been convicted of crimes for an April 2023 armed Postal robbery in Dublin. According to Bah’s plea agreement, he used firearms and robbed Postal carriers of their U.S. Postal Service keys on four occasions between December 2022 and May 2023. Newton aided and abetted the aggravated robberies of mail and the use of a firearm during the crimes of violence. Bah, who is also known as “Wopo” and “Wopoonese,” and Newton worked with others to steal service keys, which are then used to steal mail from USPS receptacles (a process known as “fishing”). Individuals then “cook” the mail by washing personal and business checks and other financial instruments to reflect new payees and new payment amounts. The defendants would then recruit third parties to deposit the newly washed checks in their own accounts and split the profit. The alleged thefts occurred in Central Ohio on: Dec. 29, 2022 Jan. 3, 2023 (two separate robberies on this date) May 11, 2023 Bah admitted to using a handgun to rob a Postal carrier in German Village on Dec. 29, 2022. Bah pointed the handgun at the victim’s stomach and demanded his vehicle and service keys. Newton, who was on probation and consequently wearing a GPS ankle monitor at the time, recruited two juveniles to assist with the robbery. Newton also arranged for Bah to use the handgun. On Jan. 3, Bah pushed a Postal carrier into her mail truck while she was sorting mail in the back of the truck on East Columbus Street. He then pushed a gun into the victim’s side before stealing her keys. At this robbery, Newton provided surveillance from his vehicle nearby, using the cover of making DoorDash deliveries to evade his home confinement. Later that day, Bah committed another armed Postal robbery, this time in Whitehall. Bah approached the victim and pushed the handgun into her stomach before stealing her personal car keys and the USPS service keys. Newton again provided surveillance in the vicinity. He also worked to arrange buyers for the stolen Postal keys. On May 11, Bah robbed a Postal worker at the Post Office Retail Store on West Broad Street. Bah approached the victim while she was outside on a break. Bah asked the victim for her keys, and when she asked, “What keys?” he pistol-whipped her in the head with his handgun. Bah forcibly accompanied the victim into the post office to retrieve her service keys. Newton obtained another firearm for Bah to use during this robbery and picked up Bah and others near Goodale Park following the robbery. Newton then paid the robbers several hundred dollars via CashApp. On May 18, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Newton’s residence and discovered $22,000 in cash, hundreds of washed and altered checks, two Postal keys and hundreds of pieces of stolen mail. Congress sets minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at future hearings. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler; and Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen announced the guilty pleas entered this afternoon before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Canadian Man Admits Cross-Country Crime Spree

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Canada pleaded guilty Friday and admitted using sleight-of-hand and other ruses to steal more than $109,000 from retailers in at least 11 states during a nearly six-month crime spree. As part of his guilty plea to wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property, Mohsen Akbari, 38, admitted entering the U.S. on March 1, 2023 from South Korea on a visitor visa. He then traveled to Missouri, Illinois and at least 11 other states, where he would target Walmart stores and other retailers. After making a small purchase, Akbari would use a ruse to trick store employees into handing over cash. Akbari sometimes claimed that he and his family collected $100 bills and would ask the cashier to show him those from the cash register so he could examine them. Akbari would then surreptitiously place some of the bills into his sleeve or pocket. Locally, Akbari stole a total of $2,420 from a Walmart in St. Peters, Missouri on June 12, 2023, $6,900 from a Granite City, Illinois store on June 13, $420 from an O’Fallon, Missouri store on June 14 and $900 from a store in Warrenton, Missouri the same day. He stole $580 from a Walmart in Eureka, Missouri and $5,100 from an Arnold, Missouri Walmart on June 15. Akbari was arrested Aug. 22, 2023 in Connecticut with $5,388 in U.S. currency and 150 Australian dollars derived from the scheme. Akbari admitted stealing a total of $109,452. Authorities seized $69,864 from two of Akbari’s bank accounts. Akbari also wired some money to Canada. Akbari is scheduled to be sentenced March 1, 2024. The wire fraud charge carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The interstate transportation of stolen property charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and the same fine. Homeland Security Investigations, the Eureka Police Department and the Arnold Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case.