title: Justice Department Announces Investigation of the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department (LPD). Lexington is a town of approximately 1,600 people, located about an hour outside of the state’s capitol in Jackson, Mississippi. The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law. The investigation will focus on the police department’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. It will assess whether those activities are reasonable, non-discriminatory and respect the right to engage in speech and conduct protected by the First Amendment. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of LPD policies, training and supervision, practices for the collection of fines and fees and systems of accountability. “No city, no town and no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our enforcement of the constitutional rights every American enjoys,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are opening this investigation to determine whether the Lexington Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing, excessive force or First Amendment violations. This investigation should send a clear message to small and mid-size police departments that they are not exempt from the obligation to provide fair, effective and non-discriminatory policing. We will leave no community behind, including underserved regions in the Deep South, in our quest to ensure lawful and constitutional policing in America.” “Police officers are trusted with the important duty to keep our communities safe. When police officers fail to respect constitutional rights, they violate that trust,” said U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Our office is committed to ensuring that everyone in Mississippi is treated fairly and lawfully by the police. Today’s announcement reflects that commitment. We will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of LPD, and we will take decisive action to address any unlawful conduct.” Before this announcement, officials from the Justice Department notified Lexington officials, who have pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with LPD. The Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi will jointly conduct this investigation pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. If the Justice Department has reasonable cause to believe that the law enforcement officers of a state or local government have engaged in a prohibited pattern or practice, the department is authorized to bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to remedy the violations. In this investigation, the department will assess the law enforcement practices under the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the non-discrimination provisions of the Safe Streets Act. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at Community.LexingtonMS@usdoj.gov or by phone at (833) 610-1232. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the reporting portal of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov. Individuals can also report civil rights violations to the U.S. Attorney’s Office at USAMSS.civilrights@usdoj.gov or (601) 973-2825. Today’s announcement marks the 11th pattern or practice investigation into law enforcement misconduct opened by the Justice Department during this Administration. The department has ongoing investigations into the Phoenix Police Department ; the Mount Vernon (NY) Police Department ; the Louisiana State Police ; the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division ; the Worcester (MA) Police Department ; the Oklahoma City Police Department ; the Memphis (TN) Police Department ; and the Trenton (NJ) Police Department . The department recently completed investigations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, and secured agreements in principle with both jurisdictions to negotiate consent decrees to address the violations found. Additional information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is available at www.justice.gov/usao-sdms. Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download . The Justice Department will hold a public community meeting on Nov. 8 at 5:00 p.m. CT at St. Paul COGIC Fellowship Hall, located at 17214 Highway 17 South, Lexington, Mississippi. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the investigation.


title: Glencoe Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Possessing Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Earlier this week, LESTER LEE BAYS , 69, of Glencoe, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On September 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a three-count Indictment against Bays, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. According to court documents, on or about March 25, 2023, Bays was found to be in possession of marijuana and a firearm, despite a previous felony conviction. On September 21, 2023, Bay was ordered to be detained in federal custody. On November 6, 2023, Bays pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment. As part of his plea, Bays admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 25, 2023. He also admitted to being in possession of marijuana which he intended to distribute. At sentencing, Bays faces up to 15 years in federal prison on Count 1 and up to five years in federal prison on Count 2. Public records reflect that Bays holds multiple prior felony convictions, including assault and battery with a deadly or dangerous weapon in Payne County District Court case number CF-1986-60, and possession of a firearm after a former conviction of a felony in Payne County District Court case number CF-2018-161. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Payne County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters is prosecuting the case. This case is part of “Operation 922” and operation “Shots Fired,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal firearms violations connected to domestic violence. “Shots Fired” targets cases involving individuals who discharge firearms as part of their criminal activity, such as drive-by shootings or when shots are fired during robberies, domestic disputes, or other incidents. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok . Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Testifies Before D.C. Council in Support of the ("ACTIVE") Amendment Act of 2023

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia will testify today at a committee hearing before the Council of the District of Columbia on proposed legislation, Bill 25-0479, the “Addressing Crime through Targeted Interventions and Violence Enforcement (“ACTIVE”) Amendment Act of 2023.” USAO-DC strongly supports Bill 25-0479, the “Addressing Crime through Targeted Interventions and Violence Enforcement (“ACTIVE”) Amendment Act of 2023.” Our Office is using every available tool to combat the violent crime crisis we are experiencing in the District. This bill provides critical additional tools to hold violent offenders and gun offenders accountable and enable our Office to prosecute cases that are harming our communities, filling legal gaps that will make our residents safer. In addition to appearing before the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, Elana Suttenberg, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, provided written remarks, available in the accompanying attachment. The testimony is available in the attachment below.


title: Jury convicts McAllen man for gunpoint extortion of migrants

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury has convicted a 25-year-old man on multiple counts for hostage taking, smuggling and weapons charges, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning the guilty verdict on all counts against Heriberto Mendez-Lozano following a three-day trial. During the trial, the jury heard evidence that on Sept. 29, 2022, Mendez-Lozano and others were engaged in smuggling migrants from near the Rio Grande River further into the United States. On that date, the group was harboring five undocumented aliens. Instead of transporting the aliens further into the United States, Mendez-Lozano and his co-conspirators held the aliens against their will at a location in Donna. There, Mendez-Lozano and others brandished firearms, held guns to the heads and ribs of hostages, threatened the hostages and forced them to call family members to demand money for their release. The investigation led law enforcement to the location in Donna where they arrested Mendez-Lozano who had a pending warrant for aggravated robbery, and a co-conspirator Lorenzo Campbell. Authorities also rescued the hostages from the scene. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez presided over the trial and set sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024. At that time, he faces life in a federal prison. Mendez-Lozano has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol (BP), U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Hidalgo County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colton Turner and Theodore Parran prosecuted the case as part of the Human Smuggling Prevention Program (HSPP). The primary goal of HSPP is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling organizations on our Southwest Border through close cooperation with HSI, BP, Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations and local law enforcement partners.


component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern


title: Violent Bloods Gang Leader in Raleigh Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – Raymond Lawrence Brown was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for leading a violent Bloods gang that dealt cocaine and crack and terrorizing a southern Raleigh community through violence and intimidation. On May 11, 2021, Brown pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. "This conviction and sentence ensure that a violent gang leader will remain in federal prison for the next two decades," said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. "We will continue to partner with law enforcement at every level to identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals driving the violence in our community." Court documents and other highlighted at the hearing, evidence presented in court confirm that Brown received an enhancement for his involvement in at least one murder. During the sentencing hearing, law enforcement presented evidence of a house that Brown used for drug dealing getting robbed in 2019. In retaliation, Brown issued an order to murder one of the suspected robbers. On June 10, 2019, the individual Brown ordered killed was found dead from gunshot wounds. This incident represents just one example of Brown’s use of directed violence and intimidation highlighted at the sentencing hearing. The investigation into Brown showed he coordinated, directed, or supplied drug deals carried out by subordinates in the gang. Law enforcement also documented Brown selling a gun and his ordering of others to commit acts of violence on his behalf, all in furtherance of the gang and drug dealing. During the sentencing, he received enhancements for being a leader, maintaining a house for distributing drugs, using guns, and using violence. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00141-FL-1. ###


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes Exceptional Law Enforcement Work at Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – On November 8, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont honored a number of individuals from a variety of law enforcement agencies at the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony. Individual investigators and officers from federal, state, and local agencies were nominated by U.S. Attorney’s Office staff in a variety of categories for their outstanding work supporting the mission of this office and promoting public safety. The specific categories and individuals recognized today are as follows: Investigative Excellence Award: This category includes recipients whose actions led directly to an arrest of a dangerous subject or to the exposure of a significant criminal or civil conspiracy. Lieutenant Frank Scalise, Milton Police Department and former Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer – nominated for United States v. Deamontae Luchie, et al. Deputy Marshal Max Galusha, United States Marshals Service – nominated for United States v. Lisa Miller, et al. Detective Sergeant Ashley “Skip” Barnes, Vermont State Police – nominated for United States v. Krystal Whitcomb, et al. Investigative Achievement Award: This award is for those individuals, both sworn and non-sworn who have significantly contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Special Agent Jennie Emmons, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent John Schroeder, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent Anders Ostrum, Internal Revenue Service -Criminal Investigation Resident Agent in Charge Derek Roy, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations All nominated for United States v. Ariel Quiros, William Kelly, and William Stenger Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Award: This category recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies in order to meet the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Special Agent Eric Boyce, Federal Bureau of Investigation Analyst Virginia Churchill, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Stephanie Dubuc, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Jennie Emmons, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Eric Gempp, United States Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent Michael Jankowiak, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Lisa Tutty, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Kellie Senecal, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives All nominated for outstanding collaborative investigation in United States v. Nathan Carman. Special Agent Samuel Brown, on behalf of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Detective Eric Dalla Mura, on behalf of the Burlington Police Department Both nominated as their agency representatives for outstanding collaborative investigation in United States v. Lesine Woodson, et al. Award recipients gathered today at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by colleagues and family. Each recipient received an engraved award commemorating their outstanding efforts. U.S. Attorney Kerest stated: “It is a special honor to recognize law enforcement officers like today’s awardees, who represent the very best of this noble work and contribute so much to Vermont. I also want to thank our awardees’ family members and loved ones whose care and encouragement make the accomplishments recognized today possible.”


title: Drug traffickers sentenced after smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine from Haiti hidden in butter

body_text: ATLANTA - Amos Christolin is the last defendant to be sentenced for his role in a scheme to smuggle dozens of kilograms of cocaine hidden in tubs of butter from Haiti and distribute the drugs within the United States, including through the Atlanta area. “Dangerous drugs smuggled from overseas threaten our communities and risk serious disruption to our international carriers,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We are grateful for the excellent coordination of our federal, state, and local law enforcement, and international, partners who made this successful investigation and prosecution possible.” “Together, we were able to prevent a substantial amount of drugs from reaching the streets. I’m proud to stand alongside our partner agencies as we work to stop these criminal enterprises that pollute our neighborhoods with their poison,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these drug trafficking organizations and prevent them from flooding our communities with illicit drugs.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On August 24, 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Miami, Florida conducted a border search of a shipment bound for the Atlanta, Georgia area. The shipment entered the United States from Haiti. The search revealed 28 packages of white powder hidden within tubs of Haitian butter. The packages tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 28 kilograms. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents in Atlanta made a controlled delivery of the drugs to the shipment’s intended destination, a business in Austell, Georgia. Vital Joseph arrived to pick up the shipment. Further investigation revealed that the source of supply for these drugs, Jean Yves-Durogel, had shipped at least four previous loads of cocaine hidden in butter from Haiti to Joseph in the United States. Joseph then distributed these drugs to individuals in the Miami, Florida, area previously identified to him by Durogel. One of these individuals was Amos Christolin. In all, agents determined that more than 100 kilograms of cocaine had been shipped from Haiti to the United States. The wholesale price for these drugs would have exceeded $3 million. Amos Christolin, also known as “Patizan,” 52, of Miami, Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. A jury convicted Christolin of the charges on August 4, 2023. U.S. District Judges Amy Totenberg and Steve C. Jones, respectively, previously sentenced the co-defendants as follows: Jean Yves Durogel, 48, of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, received a sentence of six years, eight months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release; and Vital Joseph, 47, of Douglasville, Georgia, received a sentence of six years, six months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and the Republic of Haiti. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas N. Joy and C. Brock Brockington prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Multi-Convicted Felon Federally Indicted For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm And Ammunition

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jerome Swopshire (40, Silver Springs) with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Swopshire faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on August 9, 2023, Swopshire possessed a Taurus firearm and Sig ammunition. At the time, Swopshire had previous state felony convictions for robbery, child abuse, resisting an officer with violence, felony domestic battery, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Three Port of San Juan Employees Arrested for Narcotics Violations

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Carlos Alberto Hernández-Laguer, a/k/a “Brea”, Luis Roberto De León-Sánchez, a/k/a “Coco”, and Misael Ruiz-Valentín, a/k/a “Misa”, with four counts of conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On November 6, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan, Seaport-Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) and partner agencies, arrested three longshoremen working at the Port of San Juan for their involvement in facilitating the transportation of narcotics between the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Continental United States. According to court documents, on or about June 7, 2022, the defendants intentionally conspired and agreed to possess, import, and distribute cocaine into the United States from the Dominican Republic. The HSI San Juan Seaport-BEST investigation revealed that the three Port of San Juan longshoremen were members of a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) operating between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. These longshoremen exploited their positions to circumvent security and smuggle large quantities of cocaine concealed in cargo ship containers and compartments/voids within the cargo ships. “Disrupting drug trafficking networks is vitally important to our ongoing efforts to combat the drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the violence associated with drug trafficking,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “International cartels like these affect many jurisdictions and stopping them requires robust coordination with our domestic and international partners.” HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge, Rebecca González-Ramos said: “Our agents are relentless in their efforts to protect our borders by dismantling any criminal scheme that facilitates the entrance of poisonous narcotics into our island. This multi-agency law enforcement collaboration is a great example of the work we are doing to detect any intent to smuggle deadly contraband into our communities. With these arrests, HSI is sending a clear and strong message: nobody is above the law, we will find those who violate the law and hold them accountable for their decisions -- especially those in critical positions in our ports that create vulnerabilities to our island.” If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in jail and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This significant operation was successful with the support of U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations San Juan, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard Investigative Services and CBP Air and Marine Operations. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Max Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción, Deputy Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, and AUSA Camille García-Jiménez are prosecuting the case. For more information about HSI’s efforts to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations visit: Homeland Security Investigations . To report suspicious activities, please call (787) 729-6969 (24 hours, 7 days a week). An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # # About Homeland Security Investigations HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement. # HSI #


title: Downey Tax Preparation Company Owner Sentenced to 2½ Years in Prison for Knowingly Preparing Hundreds of False Tax Returns

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for knowingly preparing nearly 400 fraudulent federal income tax returns that caused a loss of more than $750,000 to the IRS by inflating his clients’ tax refunds without their knowledge and then pocketing the difference between the clients’ true refunds and the inflated ones. Raudel Sandoval, 48, of Placentia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, who also ordered him to pay $758,550 in restitution. Sandoval pleaded guilty on March 22 to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. Sandoval is a licensed tax preparer and owns RSE Sandoval España Inc., a Downey-based tax preparation company. Sandoval willfully prepared hundreds of false federal and state income tax returns for clients for the tax years 2015 through 2018. On these returns, he claimed false or inflated amounts of the child tax credit, business losses, short-term capital losses and other items to which the taxpayer clients were not entitled. He falsified the tax returns with deductions and credits that his clients did not incur or had not informed him about. Sandoval also inflated the amounts of deductions and credits that his clients were entitled to claim. When he finished preparing a tax return, Sandoval gave his clients copies of their returns that were true and correct, but falsely told them that he would file their true-and-correct copies with the IRS on their behalf. Then, Sandoval inflated his clients’ returns with false and fraudulent deductions and credits and filed these false tax returns with the IRS. The false returns showed a larger refund than on the true-and-correct copies Sandoval had given to his clients. Sandoval then directed the inflated refunds to himself. He did so by changing the bank account and routing numbers on the filed returns to a bank account he controlled. Sandoval controlled more than 100 bank accounts with several different banks and opened many of the accounts in his clients’ names. But he was the accounts’ only authorized signor. Several of the Sandoval-owned bank accounts had the name “Federal Tax Refund Processing.” He directed the IRS to send the inflated refunds through a third-party refund processor to be deposited into an account he controlled. Other times, Sandoval caused the IRS to mail a check of the inflated refund to his business address. He then would deposit the check into one of his accounts. After receiving the inflated refund, Sandoval transferred a portion of it – the amount his clients were expecting to receive based on the true-and-correct tax return copies – to one of his “Federal Tax Refund Processing” accounts. Sandoval then transferred that money to his clients’ bank accounts, causing them to believe their refunds were from a legitimate government source. Sandoval kept the difference between the true refund and the inflated refund. For the tax years 2015 through 2018, Sandoval willfully understated his clients’ tax liabilities and caused a loss of $758,550 to the IRS, caused by the filing of at least 389 fraudulent income tax returns. “[Sandoval] enriched himself while depriving the United States Treasury of monies by artificially inflating his clients’ refunds,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Sandoval] needlessly exposed his clients to a risk that the IRS would hold them accountable for the loss caused by the inflated refund amount. In addition, [Sandoval] charged his clients to prepare the returns, of which he had hundreds, to then use their returns as a vehicle for crime.” IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case. As the tax season continues, taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS offers tips on how to accurately file returns and how to choose a tax return preparer , as well as steps taxpayers can take to get a jumpstart on filing . Taxpayers seeking assistance can access the IRS’s free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also has programs offering free basic return preparation for qualifying seniors and individuals with low to moderate income. In addition, IRS Free File, a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free.


title: Tucson Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Importing Fentanyl

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Gerardo Hernandez, 40, of Tucson, was sentenced on November 2, 2023, by United States District Judge Jennifer Zipps to 120 months in prison, followed by 36 months supervised release. Hernandez pleaded guilty on May 5, 2023, to Importation of Fentanyl. On December 4, 2022, Hernandez, a United States citizen, entered the United States at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, from Mexico. He was a passenger in the front seat of a vehicle that contained 49.9 kilograms of fentanyl concealed inside the vehicle. Hernandez was aware that the vehicle contained controlled substances and agreed to import them into the United States. The driver of the vehicle was unaware that they were importing controlled substances. Hernandez has 11 prior felony convictions and six prior misdemeanor convictions since 2002. The fentanyl Hernandez imported was in 30 milligram tablets. Forty-nine kilograms is approximately 1,600,000 tablets or single use doses of fentanyl. The Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR 22-2775-TUC-JGZ RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-172_Hernandez # # # 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: INTERPOL WASHINGTON’S PROJECT TERMINUS LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE BORDER SECURITY IN COLOMBIA

component: Interpol Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Last week, INTERPOL Washington successfully launched a new phase of assistance to the Colombian government that will enhance its border security capabilities, improving its ability to detect and interdict transnational criminals and terrorists entering Colombia. Through Project TERMINUS, a technical team from INTERPOL Washington’s Border Security Division (BSD) worked on the ground in Bogotá to provide, install, and ensure effective operation of equipment that connects Colombian law enforcement authorities to INTERPOL databases. “Project TERMINUS is bringing critical new law enforcement tools to our indispensable partners in Colombia,” said INTERPOL Washington BSD Deputy Assistant Director Keith Hood. “Close collaboration between nations is the only way to stop transnational crime and terrorism. By strengthening Colombia’s interconnection with INTERPOL, the world’s largest police organization, TERMINUS is making the world a safer place and protecting our communities.” During the visit, the INTERPOL Washington technical team worked closely with National Central Bureau Bogotá and met with Colombian National Police representatives from each region of the country. They discussed the current threat landscape, challenges with irregular migration, and the security benefits of Project TERMINUS. Project TERMINUS is a partnership established in 2016 between INTERPOL Washington’s BSD and the State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism. It helps deliver solid, actionable criminal intelligence in a secure manner around the world by extending INTERPOL’s I-24/7 secure global police communications system in high-risk areas and select host nations globally. Through Project TERMINUS, expert technical assistance is made available to countries seeking to integrate access via the TERMINUS Tool Kit of Solutions, enhancing their ability to screen against the illicit international travel of transnational criminals and terrorists. Partner nations receiving assistance from Project TERMINUS include Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, The Republic of Georgia, and The Maldives. A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—is the designated U.S. representative to INTERPOL. It serves as the national point of contact and coordination for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.


title: Grand Jury Returns Indictments

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Two La Crosse Men Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Cocaine & Fentanyl Louis A. Ray, 46, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of distributing cocaine and he and Timothy A. Cannon, 35, also of La Crosse, are charged with four counts of distributing fentanyl. The indictment alleges that two of the counts of distributing fentanyl involved 40 grams or more. Cannon is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that these offenses occurred between April 19 and July 6, 2023. If convicted, Ray and Cannon face a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the two charges alleging the distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. They face a maximum of 20 years on each of the other charges. The charges against Ray and Cannon are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor is handling the prosecution. Mexican National Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S. Maurillo Mendoza-Vasques, also known as Mauricio Mendoza-Vasquez, 46, a citizen of Mexico found in Arcadia, Wisconsin, is charged with illegally reentering the United States after being removed. The indictment alleges he was found in the U.S. on July 25, 2023. If convicted, Mendoza-Vasques faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.


title: Approximately 150 Business and Public Sector Leaders Participate in Cybersecurity Conference Co-Hosted By The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office And The University Of Maryland

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – On November 6, 2023, approximately 150 business and public sector leaders participated in a cybersecurity conference co-hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the University of Maryland. The conference included panels of cybersecurity experts from government and the private sector discussing the emerging threats, best practices, and effective collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, the private sector, and law enforcement. “Cybercrime is an ongoing threat to all of us in Maryland. The time to talk about preventing and responding to a cyber incident is before something happens,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron. “I am grateful for the thoughtful and frank conversations the conference inspired and I look forward to continued collaboration and partnership between the government, business, and public sectors to protect our critical infrastructure. I also want to thank our partners at the University of Maryland for their co-sponsorship of this important conference.” “We all know that we are living in an unprecedented time of technological advancement. From the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to advances in quantum computing and quantum networks, we are at the start of an era that has tremendous potential for radical change,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “That’s why here at the University of Maryland we are working every day to understand technology’s benefits and limits, support experts who can see challenges even before they appear on the horizon, and educate a generation of fearless leaders who understand their obligations to our collective wellbeing.” Panelists from the United States Department of Justice, the National Security Agency, universities, and travel, energy and financial sectors presented information on identifying threats and weaknesses, managing a cyber incident, and coordinating with law enforcement. The conference also provided networking opportunities to allow attendees to continue their conversations and enhance cyber security in all sectors throughout Maryland. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/cybersecurity . # # #


title: TWO RESIDENTS OF NAYRIT, MEXICO SENTENCED TO A COLLECTIVE 408 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TRAFFIKCING IN FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: FAYETTEVILLE – The second of two Mexican nationals residing in Springdale, Arkansas was sentenced today to nineteen years in the United States Bureau of Prisons for Aiding and Abetting the Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable amount of Methamphetamine. According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified a mobile home in rural Benton County, Arkansas as a location which was receiving packages containing controlled substances, to include methamphetamine and fentanyl. Surveillance on the location revealed that Alfredo Vladimir Andrade Medina , age 30, and Kevin Heriberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez , age 24, were regularly accessing the mobile home. Medina and Gonzalez are both of Nayarit, Mexico, but residing in Springdale under assumed names which they utilized to regularly wire United States Currency in amounts just under one-thousand dollars to Mexico. Based upon this information, on February 8, 2023, the DEA served federal search warrants on the Benton County mobile home and the apartment where Medina and Gonzalez were residing in Springdale. Inside the kitchen of the mobile home, the DEA located quantities of controlled substances to include fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills, and over 4 kilograms of methamphetamine. Inside the Springdale apartment where Medina and Gonzalez resided, the DEA located $22,168 in United States Currency which was admitted by Medina to be cash derived from drug sales that was to be wired back to Mexico in amounts of less than one-thousand dollars per transaction. On March 8, 2023, Medina and Gonzalez were Indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in the Western District of Arkansas for their offenses. On April 27, 2023, Medina entered a plea of guilty, followed on May 3, 2023, by a plea of guilty by Gonzalez. Both defendants were convicted of Aiding and Abetting in the Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine. Gonzalez was sentenced on September 15, 2023, to 15 years in the United States Bureau of Prisons and $500.00 in fines and costs. On November 7, 2023, Medina was sentenced to 19 years in the Bureau of Prisons and $1,000.00 in fines and costs. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States. Today’s announcement is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply. Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov. Western District of Arkansas Case Number 5:23 CR 50008.


title: Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Conviction Of John Costanzo And Manuel Recio

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: “John Costanzo, a DEA Special Agent on leave, and Manuel Recio, a former DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, trafficked sensitive, non-public, confidential law enforcement information in exchange for cash and other valuable financial benefits. In doing so, they endangered public safety by disclosing the timing of sealed indictments and arrests of DEA targets. Moments ago, Recio and Costanzo were convicted by a unanimous jury for their brazen violation of the public’s trust and for providing information that could have put their former colleagues and others in harm’s way. This case underscores that corruption in the ranks of any law enforcement agency will be met with zero tolerance, and we stand with the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers who carry out their service with integrity and honor.”


title: 3 Arrested for Allegedly Running Sex Trafficking Operation  That Victimized Teenage Girls at Redlands Massage Parlor

body_text: RIVERSIDE, California – Three defendants who allegedly trafficked teenage girls to engage in commercial sexual activities at a San Bernardino County massage parlor have been arrested on a federal grand jury indictment, the Justice Department announced today. Law enforcement have arrested the following defendants who are charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking of a minor: Ji Ryang Chae, 54, a.k.a. “Chae Yu” and “BB,” who was the manager of Ace Care Massage Parlor in Redlands and currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jasmine Dakota Beverly, 24, a.k.a. “Bbybegirl,” the manager-in-training at Ace Care, formerly of Redlands but currently resides in Costa Mesa; and Earnest Akindele Teamer, 26, a.k.a. “Scooby,” “Splash,” and “$koobystacks,” who acted as a recruiter for Ace Care, of Redlands. Chae was arrested on November 3 and made her initial appearance yesterday in United States District Court in Denver. Teamer, who was arrested on July 27, has been ordered jailed without bond and remains in federal custody. Beverly was arrested on August 3 and is free on $15,000 bond. Beverly and Teamer have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and June 18, 2024 trial date has been scheduled in this case. Chae’s arraignment is expected in United States District Court in Riverside in the coming weeks. According to an indictment, from at least March 2022 to April 2022, Beverly and Teamer recruited girls under the age of 18 years old to work as commercial sex workers at Ace Care. Beverly allegedly would provide transportation to Minor Victim 1 – a 15-year-old girl – and Minor Victim 2 – a 14-year-old girl. As recruiters, Beverly allegedly took $10 from Minor Victim 1 for each customer the girl saw while Teamer allegedly took $200 per week from the victim. Chae, as Ace Care’s manager, allegedly would require workers to pay “rent” in return for condoms, cleaning supplies, and a place to work, and she also would take approximately $2,000 per month for “rent” from Minor Victim 1. Teamer, who acted as a “pimp” for Minor Victim 2, would require her to give him some or all the proceeds from her work as a commercial sex worker, the indictment alleges. In a separate indictment, Teamer is charged with one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, one count of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and two counts of receipt of child pornography. Teamer has pleaded not guilty to these charges and has a March 5, 2024 trial date scheduled in that case. Teamer allegedly produced child sexual abuse material, namely a video of himself engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted on all counts, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Chae and Beverly would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Teamer would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Homeland Security Investigations and the Redlands Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Tritia L. Yuen of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting these cases.


title: Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission Meet with G7 Enforcement Partners in Tokyo to Discuss the Challenges of Ensuring Competition in Digital Markets

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission participated in the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers’ Summit today to discuss the ways in which enforcers and policymakers are addressing competition concerns in digital markets. The Summit was convened by the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers and hosted in Tokyo by Japan’s Secretariat of Headquarters for Digital Market Competition and the Japan Fair Trade Commission. The Antitrust Division was represented by Chief of Staff Joshua Tzuker, assisted by International Counsel Mark Niefer. “We thank Japan for organizing such a productive and important event,” said Chief of Staff Tzuker. “International cooperation is necessary if we are to protect consumers and workers from emerging risks to competition in digital markets around the world. The Summit was a significant step toward enhancing our collective efforts to protect digital market competition today and in the future.” In preparation for the Summit, G7 members contributed to the Compendium of Approaches to Improving Competition in Digital Markets , which describes member efforts in digital markets. Japan also published the G7 Inventory of New Rules for Digital Markets and an accompanying Analytical Note which describe new or contemplated laws and regulations intended to address competition in digital markets. At the conclusion of the Summit, G7 competition authorities and policymakers issued a Digital Competition Communique , which describes a shared commitment to enforce competition laws and develop policies necessary to ensure that principles of fair competition are applied to digital markets. The Communique highlights competition concerns arising from emerging technologies, and it describes the ways in which G7 competition authorities and policymakers are enhancing their ability to better understand and anticipate the challenges to competition arising from new technologies such as generative AI. The Communique emphasizes that current competition law applies to AI and its uses, and that the G7 is committed to addressing any risks to competition associated with the rise of AI.


title: Salt Lake City Man Allegedly Robs Two Banks, Takes Uber Home After the First Robbery

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging a Salt Lake County man with two bank robberies after he allegedly used a note to rob Brighton Bank then took an Uber ride from the scene. Days later, he robbed a second bank. According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2023, David Converse Harris, 35, of Salt Lake City, Utah, walked into the Brighton Bank located at 93 West 3300 South in South Salt Lake, Utah, and passed the teller a note. The note stated, “Money in till now! Do not alert anyone! No one needs to be hurt right? Wait until I leave to contact authorities.” Harris received money from the teller along with a dye pack that exploded shortly after Harris left the bank. The investigation revealed Harris then left the scene in a blue Chrysler 200. A records check of the vehicle’s license plate returned to an Uber driver. The Uber driver informed law enforcement that he picked up a passenger on Oct. 31, 2023, around the time of the bank robbery, at a games store in South Salt Lake. The game store is in the same plaza as the Brighton Bank. The Uber driver then drove the passenger to 258 West 700 South, Salt Lake City, later confirmed as Harris’ residence. The Uber driver also informed law enforcement that the passenger had red dye on his hands and jacket and smoke billowing out of his right jacket pocket. During the investigation, law enforcement found a dye pack of bait money where the Uber driver picked up Harris. As alleged in court documents, on Nov. 2, 2023, law enforcement learned Harris was at a motel in Midvale. Harris was spotted and law enforcement made efforts to arrest him when he fled in a Lexus SUV, which was later identified as stolen. The chase became too dangerous to continue and officers called off the chase. On the same day, Harris allegedly committed another robbery at the Chase Bank located at 1285 East 3900 South in Millcreek, Utah. Surveillance video showed Harris approached the teller counter, passed a note, and left with money. On Nov. 3, 2023, Harris was located in Tooele County in the same stolen Lexus. Police attempted a traffic stop, and Harris again fled in the stolen Lexus. A large multi-agency pursuit ensued throughout Tooele County and proceeded into Salt Lake County. Harris eventually drove onto the Jordan River Parkway Trail, where he crashed into a barrier. Harris then fled on foot but was ultimately apprehended. Harris is charged with two counts of bank robbery. He is scheduled for his initial court appearance on Nov. 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office is investigating the case and had assistance from Taylorsville Police Department, South Salt Lake Police Department, Adult Probation and Parole and Salt Lake City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the District of Utah 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. 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: Battle Creek Man Sentenced To 30 Years  In Prison For Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Khilon Shaquille Samuel, 29, of Battle Creek, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute. “My office is working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt illegal drug trafficking rings that are pushing poison onto our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Totten . “We are committed to holding traffickers fully accountable to help keep our neighborhoods safe.” Police intercepted Samuel as he returned from Detroit to the Battle Creek area on April 30, 2022, and recovered more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine in his car. Investigators executed a search warrant at Samuel’s home later that day and found an additional 183 grams of methamphetamine, approximately one-quarter kilogram of fentanyl, as well as 29 rounds of ammunition. “Methamphetamine is an addictive and destructive substance. The amount of fentanyl seized in this case could potentially kill 125,000 people,” Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration . “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold those who distribute illicit drugs accountable for their actions.” “The Battle Creek Police Department takes great pride in maintaining productive relationships with our federal partners,” said Shannon Bagley, BCPD Police Chief . “This is an outstanding example of how these partnerships lead to successful prosecutions which help make the City of Battle Creek a safer place to live.” “HSI is made exponentially stronger due to the valuable partnerships we maintain,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar . “The success of this investigation and many others is a direct reflection of the professionalism and dedication of HSI, and our law enforcement partners who refuse to allow criminals, like Samuel, to continue to funnel narcotics into our communities. Those partnerships and the mission to remove drug traffickers are vital to ridding neighborhoods of dangerous narcotics and improving public safety.” This case was investigated by the Battle Creek Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Michigan State Police. ###


title: More than $4.4 million in federal grants focused on reentry services coming to Washington State

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – More than $4.4 million in Department of Justice funds will flow to Washington State entities to provide reentry services to those involved with the criminal justice system, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The largest share of the grants – some $1.8 million – goes to the Washington State Department of Corrections for programs aimed at helping incarcerated persons be successful once released from custody. “The vast majority of justice involved persons will be returning to our communities. It is critical that we invest in ways to improve reentry so that those former inmates can lead safe and productive lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “These grants are aimed at mental health issues, substance abuse problems and family unification programs that can make a difference for individuals and for the community as a whole.” The Department of Corrections (DOC) was awarded $550,000 to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment for 200 women at the Correction Center at Purdy. In its application, DOC says a shortage of health providers and constraints at the institution have limited the services it can provide. This additional funding will also be used to hire a psychologist and a reentry navigator to help those leaving custody to find services in the community. The Department of Corrections was awarded $764,508 to evaluate, refine and expand services DOC provides to try to keep families together and break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. The funding will provide access to mental health programs, substance abuse programs, and parenting skills programs. The University of Washington will help evaluate what programs are working. Finally, DOC was awarded $534,828 to train staff in mental health disorders, and how to appropriately de-escalate and defuse mental health crises. The training will address mental health as well as co-occurring substance abuse disorder and intervention strategies. The training is for staff both at the institutions and those working in community supervision. The non-profit organization House of Mercy of Federal Way was awarded $750,000to provide reentry services to some 864 formerly incarcerated persons. The case management and training and reentry support will serve men returning to King, Pierce, Whatcom, Clark, Yakima, and Spokane counties. Former inmates who are involved in House of Mercy services have a re-offense rate below 5%. Skagit County was awarded $677,356 for its Community Court. The program is an alternative problem-solving court that serves low-level non-violent offenders. The program connects the offenders with mental health and substance abuse services. Areas served include Anacortes, Burlington, Sedro Woolley, Mount Vernon, Hamilton, Lyman, Concrete, Marblemount, and Diablo. The Suquamish Indian Tribe was awarded $784,943 for a new “Begin Again” program for those reentering the community from incarceration or court-ordered inpatient substance abuse treatment. The funding will ensure that tribal services are coordinated and culturally appropriate for those reentering the community. And finally, Government Impact Consulting LLC of Marysville, Washington, was awarded $350,000 to work on barriers to Treatment Courts and work to enhance support for culturally appropriate treatment and recovery. The consulting group will work with community partners including Tribal Wellness to Healing courts to reduce the stigma around substance abuse treatment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington has active programs to assist with reentry to the community for those involved with the criminal justice system. For more on those programs visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/reentry-program Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon and Michelle Lambert lead the reentry program in the Western District of Washington.


title: Serbian Citizen Pleads Guilty to Running  Monopoly Drug Market on the Darknet

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON –Milomir Desnica, 33, a national of Serbia and Croatia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols scheduled sentencing for February 15, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, Desnica, of Smederevska Palanka, Serbia, entered into a conspiracy in 2019 to develop and operate a website to sell narcotics that became Monopoly Market. According to the indictment, Monopoly grew into a vast marketplace for the sale of illicit narcotics including opioids, stimulants, psychedelics, and prescription medications, among other drugs. In 2021, law enforcement within the United States placed and received numerous orders for narcotics on Monopoly from various vendors. Authorities ordered more than 100 grams of methamphetamine on Monopoly. Through its investigation, the FBI determined that Monopoly facilitated over $18 million in narcotics sales around the world, including the sale of over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine to customers in the United States. In December 2021, in coordination with foreign law enforcement partners in Germany and Finland, law enforcement seized the computer server hosting Monopoly and took it offline. Through analysis of the seized server, law enforcement identified records of the narcotics sales, financial records documenting cryptocurrency payments on Monopoly, an online forum associated with Monopoly, communications from the Monopoly operator to vendors, commission payment invoices, and more. Through extensive analysis of these records, Desnica was identified as an operator of Monopoly. In November 2022, in coordination with the Austrian Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) and the Public Prosecutors Office Vienna, Desnica was located and arrested in Austria. Law enforcement conducted a search of his residence and vehicle, seizing electronics and cash. On June 23, 2023, Desnica was extradited from Austria to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Hi-Tech Opioid Task Force and Germany’s Zentrale Kriminalinspektion (ZKI) Oldenburg Cybercrime Unit. The Hi-Tech Opioid Task Force is composed of FBI agents, analysts, and task force partners, including special agents and officers of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and detectives from local assisting police agencies. The task force is charged with identifying and investigating the most egregious darknet marketplaces and the vendors operating on the marketplaces who are engaged in the illegal acquisition and distribution of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other opioids. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked to secure the arrest and extradition from Austria of Desnica and also provided significant assistance. Valuable assistance was also provided by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation; Europol; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt; Austria’s Bundeskriminalamt Cybercrime Competency Center, FAST team, and Public Prosecutors Office Vienna; and the Republic of Serbia High-Tech Crimes Special Prosecutor. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Wang and Nihar Mohanty of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.


title: Huber Heights man sentenced to 50 years in prison for child exploitation crimes involving more than 175 victims

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A Huber Heights, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 600 months in prison for crimes related to creating hundreds of images and videos of child pornography by victimizing children as young as 6 years old over a 15-year period. Ty Brandon Roberts, 38, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to producing child pornography and coercing minors. “From California to New York, Texas to Illinois, Washington to Florida, the United Kingdom to Australia, no minors anywhere were safe from Roberts so long as Roberts had access to the Internet. It stops now in the Southern District of Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Roberts was opportunistic; his victims ranged in age from 6 to 17 years old. They were white, Black, Hispanic and Native American. They were male and female. In all, FBI agents fully identified 57 minors whom Roberts coerced into producing 502 distinct images and videos of child pornography.” Roberts’ child pornography includes 120 more victims depicted in an additional 216 distinct files who remain unidentified to this day. According to court documents, beginning in 2007, Roberts exploited young victims online and sexually abused victims in person. Roberts used two schemes to coerce minors into creating child pornography. One scheme was bribing young minors with video game gift cards to online games such as “Fortnite” in exchange for sexually explicit images and videos. The second scheme Roberts used was pretending to be a teenaged girl online to entice and coerce minors to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. He also committed hands-on sexual offenses to at least three minor victims. For example, between 2007 and 2008, Roberts sexually abused an 11-to-12-year-old boy and took photos of the abuse on a Polaroid camera. Roberts eventually created digital images of the Polaroids and kept the original Polaroids in his home until law enforcement seized them in 2022. Roberts possessed more than 11,000 child pornography images in total. 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; and Huber Heights Police Chief Mark Lightner announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi and Dwight Keller are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Burlington Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Robbery Charge

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Eric Edson, 52, of Burlington, Vermont appeared in United States District Court yesterday for an arraignment and pleaded not guilty to violating the Hobbs Act by obstructing commerce by robbery. A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Edson on September 28, 2023. Edson was in state custody following his September 7, 2023 arrest and appeared in federal court yesterday pursuant to a writ filed by the United States. United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Edson detained pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. According to court records, on August 24, 2023, officers from the Burlington Police Department (BPD) responded to a report of a robbery at the Sierra Trading Post located at 555 Shelburne Road in Burlington, Vermont. Officers learned that a man, later identified as Edson, attempted to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. When a Sierra Trading Post employee asked Edson to return the merchandise to the store, Edson told the employee “I’ll blow your head off” and partially pulled an item that appeared to be a firearm from his hooded sweatshirt pocket. Edson then ran to a vehicle and drove away. Edson remained on the run until he was ultimately apprehended by law enforcement on September 7, 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that the indictment is an accusation only and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Edson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Any sentence in the case will be advised by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Burlington Police Department for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Warden Service, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, the United States Coast Guard, the Colchester Police Department, the UVM Police Department, the Milton Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts to safely apprehend Edson. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate represents the government. Edson is represented by Laura Wilson, Esq. and Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Hamilton Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison

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

body_text: FORT WAYNE–David L. Westfall, 44 years old, of Angola and Hamilton, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady upon his plea of guilty to illegally possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Westfall was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on February 19, 2023, officers responded to a rural area east of New Haven, Indiana, regarding a suspicious occupied vehicle. When Officers arrived, they located Westfall who had active warrants for his arrest. They attempted to detain Westfall, but he retreated to his vehicle, indicating he had a firearm. Westfall then fired a shotgun, shattering the driver’s window of his truck. Officers called the Allen County SWAT team for assistance, and the officers eventually convinced Westfall to surrender after a standoff of at least 10 hours. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the New Haven Police Department, the Woodburn Police Department, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller. 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: Former Defense Contractor in Tomah Receives 15-Month Prison Sentence & $10,000 Fine For Wire Fraud

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jonathan Walker, 46, Tomah, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 15 months in federal prison for wire fraud. The prison term will be followed by one year of supervised release. Judge Peterson also ordered Walker to pay restitution in the amount of $72,000 and to pay a fine of $10,000. Judge Peterson ordered Walker to report to prison on January 4, 2024. Walker pleaded guilty on July 11, 2023, to devising and participating in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Walker owned and operated Walker Investment Properties (WIP) in Tomah, which was a contracting business that did heating and air conditioning services. Walker fraudulently obtained two DoD contracts to do work at Fort McCoy, falsely claiming that WIP was a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB). WIP obtained two SDVOSB contracts worth a total of $1,927,536. WIP received a total of $482,577 from these two contracts. Walker did not qualify as a SDVOSB, because he had never served in the military, much less been disabled as a result of his military service. The government’s proof showed that Walker was a 100% owner of WIP and ran the company. As part of the government contracting system, a government contractor is required to sign a Federal Acquisition Regulation report under penalty of perjury certifying that the government contractor is providing true and correct information to the General Services Administration and will abide by all of the federal regulations pertaining to DoD contracting. Walker did this eight times from 2015 to 2019, falsely certifying he was a SDVOSB when he was not. At today’s sentencing, Judge Peterson explained that a substantial sentence was warranted to send a message of general deterrence to other defense contractors, noting that the integrity of the set-aside program depends on the honesty of the contractors, and cheaters will be dealt with severely. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to honoring and protecting those who served in America’s armed forces,” stated United States Attorney O’Shea. “In part, we demonstrate that commitment by working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who fraudulently pose as veterans for financial advantage.” ”The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to working with our investigative partners to bring to justice those who abuse Government set-aside programs designed to encourage and support service-disabled veterans and woman and minority-owned small businesses,” stated Darrin K. Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, DCIS, Southeast Field Office. ”Schemes like this undermine the integrity of these noble programs and cannot be allowed to continue.” Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Ryan of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General added, “The GSA OIG will work with law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue cases involving anyone who falsifies information to fraudulently win government contracts. Legitimate service-disabled veteran businesses deserve a level playing field when competing for contract opportunities.” The charges against Walker were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense - Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber handled the prosecution.


title: Wilmington Gang Member Receives More than 8 Years in Prison for Possessing Multiple Ghost Guns with High-Capacity Magazines

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wilmington man, and validated member of the United Blood Nation street gang, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. On June 5, 2023, Demirion Keziah Barnett, age 19, pled guilty to the charge. According to court documents and other information presented in court, on January 28, 2023, at approximately 11:16 p.m., investigators with the Wilmington Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Metting Street following a ShotSpotter alert and notification that an individual in the residence sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. When officers arrived on scene they saw the defendant, Demirion Barnett, walking away from a vehicle parked in the parking lot before making contact with the occupants of the home involved in the shooting. Officers saw the numerous bullet holes in the walls and windows of the residence, indicative of someone firing into the home. During the investigation officers located approximately 437 grams of marijuana and a 9mm handgun in a backpack inside the residence. Officers also looked under the vehicle the defendant was observed walking away from and found a .223/556 AR style “ghost” gun rifle with a 60-round drum magazine and a stolen 9mm handgun with a 24-round magazine and two obliterated serial numbers wrapped inside a blanket. Barnett was detained and interviewed by law enforcement. He told investigators he was inside the home when the shooting occurred, and he put the guns in the blanket under a vehicle to hide them from law enforcement. The next day, investigators responded to a call that another firearm was located in the parking lot next to the location where they found the firearms the previous day and found a 9mm semi-automatic “ghost” gun with a 31-round magazine. At the time of the offense, the defendant was a convicted felon and was on state probation for felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule VI Controlled Substance. Records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections reflect that the defendant is a validated member of the United Blood Nation street gang. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Wilmington Police Department’s Gun Crime Task Force, and the Wilmington Police Department and New Hanover County Sheriff Office Mobile Field Force Unit investigated the case and Special Assistant United States Attorney William Van Trigt prosecuted the case. Van Trigt is a prosecutor with the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal violent crimes and other criminal matters. This has been made possible by a grant funded by New Hanover County. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:23-cr-00026M-001. ###


title: Former Clerk for Chicago Transit Authority Retirement Plan Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $356,000 in Plan Funds

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A former clerk for the Retirement Plan for Chicago Transit Authority Employees has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $356,000 in Plan funds. AYANNA NESBITT created and obtained approval for approximately 43 fraudulent requests for the Plan to issue various benefits to CTA employees or their beneficiaries, including pension and death benefit payments, and refunds of pension contributions. The fraudulent requests contained false representations about the purported recipients’ identities and entitlement to the payments. Nesbitt had the payments sent to financial accounts she controlled or else had the money paid to others and then transferred to Nesbitt. From 2019 to 2021, Nesbitt defrauded the Plan of approximately $356,934. Nesbitt, 51, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a wire fraud charge. U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly imposed the year-and-a-day sentence Tuesday after a hearing in federal court in Chicago. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Retirement Plan for CTA Employees provided valuable assistance. “Defendant was a public employee who abused her position to benefit herself and those close to her,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher K. Veatch argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.


title: San Antonio Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Downloading Child Pornography

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 136 months in prison and 20 years supervised release for receipt of child pornography. According to court documents, Marlon Zurita, 47, stored more than three dozen files containing child sexual abuse material on his online storage accounts. A search warrant executed by Department of Homeland Security Investigations agents led to the seizure of 18 electronic devices, 11 of which were determined to contain child sexual abuse material (CSAM) Zurita had downloaded from the internet. Between Jan.1, 2020 and Sept. 24, 2020, Zurita had downloaded over 3,000 video files and over 39,000 images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. Zurita pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 22, 2022. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered Zurita to pay $90,000 restitution and forfeit the 11 electronic devices that contained CSAM. “This individual sought out and stored child sexual abuse material, further victimizing minors by enabling the production of child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and with our agency partners at Homeland Security Investigations leading many of these investigations, we are able to prosecute predators who cause unfathomable harm to the lives of innocent children.” “This sentence sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for those individuals who exploit children.” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “We remain committed to working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who victimize our children.” HSI 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: Convicted Felon Sentenced for Prison Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A man who formerly resided in Newport News was sentenced today to 68 months in prison for his role to defraud the government of pandemic-related unemployment benefits. According to court documents, from approximately May 2020 through May 2021, Reginald Prentice Phillips, 39, was incarcerated at Hampton Roads Regional Jail for striking a woman in the face and choking her three times in front of her children, in addition to shooting another victim three times because the victim reportedly owed him $10. Phillips, a documented gang member, spearheaded a scheme with his non-incarcerated co-conspirator to fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Phillips recruited at least 13 other inmates to provide their personal identifying information (PII) to his co-conspirator, who filed fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits on their behalf. Phillips and his co-conspirator discussed the progress of the fraudulent claims on jail calls, and Phillips would instruct his co-conspirator on where to send the unemployment benefit funds. Phillips received his share of the benefits through his commissary account. Once the commissary account reached its maximum balance, Phillips’ co-conspirator deposited the funds in other inmate’s accounts, who would then give the funds to Phillips. In total, the defendant was responsible for an actual loss amount of $210,310 from the Virginia Employment Commission on behalf of Department of Corrections inmates who were not entitled to receive unemployment benefits. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), National Capital Region, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force , led by the Deputy Attorney General, to bring together the full resources of the federal government to bolster fraud enforcement efforts. 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. 4:22-cr-73.


title: District Man Indicted for Premeditated Double Murder  Inside Home in Southeast, D.C.

body_text: WASHINGTON – James P. Jones, 42, of Washington, D.C., was charged by indictment today, for the February 2023 murders of David Wright and Nathaniel Howard, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The indictment charges Jones with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed committed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. According to the government’s evidence, in the early afternoon on February 26, 2023, Jones shot Howard three times and Wright at least six times inside Howard’s home in Southeast, Washington, D.C., where Jones had been residing. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Jones, who at the time was on supervised release and GPS monitoring related to previous felony convictions in Washington, D.C., was located and arrested within approximately one hour of the murders. A firearm was recovered from his person and has been ballistically linked to the murders. Jones has been detained pending trial since his arrest. This case is being investigated by members of MPD’s Homicide Branch. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles R. Jones. 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: All Members of LA Dank DMV Plead Guilty to Conspiracy and Related Firearms Charges

body_text: WASHINGTON – Federal law enforcement has successfully prosecuted eight members of a marijuana distribution conspiracy, responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of marijuana from California to the DMV area and possessing nineteen firearms, including machineguns, as part of their distribution scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs. Abubakr Banire, Christopher Akinduro, Kavon Duncan, Joe Blyther, Isaac Akinduro, Avery Bost, Omar Butler, and Randall Lance, all members of the “LA Dank DMV” crew, have entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The guilty pleas follow a lengthy investigation led by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. According to court documents, between May of 2021 and December of 2021, crew members operated a sophisticated conspiracy to traffic large amounts of high-grade marijuana from California to the DMV area for distribution to customers. As part of their distribution scheme, members of the crew relied heavily on mass marketing through three dedicated LA Dank websites, as well as social media platforms like Instagram where individual crew members would advertise the LA Dank brand and LA Dank branded marijuana for sale. Crew members also used rental properties to set up stash houses or points of sale that were used to conduct drug distribution operations for a short period of time before moving on to different locations. The crew is known - and was found to possess - numerous firearms, including semi-automatic and fully automatic machineguns, and devices used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machineguns. Certain members of the crew also pleaded guilty to the possession of firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking operations. In total, approximately 122 pounds of marijuana, 19 firearms, and 10 machinegun conversion devices were recovered. Three of these 19 firearms were discovered to be operational machineguns that had been modified with machinegun conversion devices. Seven of these machinegun conversion devices were found in an “LA Dank” branded bag. Two of these firearms were privately made AR-pistol style machineguns, sometimes referred to as “ghost guns.” Ledgers and receipts show that the crew trafficked well over 100 kilograms of marijuana into the DMV area for distribution. A list of the named defendants, date of their pleas and charges are below. DEFENDANT NAME DATE OF PLEA CHARGES PLEAD TO DATE OF SENTENCING Abubakr Banire 9/29/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Possessing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense 4/16/2024 Christopher Akinduro 10/3/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Over 100 Kilograms of Marijuana 1/17/2024 Kavon Duncan 10/5/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Over 100 Kilograms of Marijuana Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana 1/26/2024 Joe Blyther 11/8/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Possessing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense 4/22/2024 Isaac Akinduro 10/11/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana 3/15/2024 Avery Bost 10/27/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana 3/6/2024 Omar Butler 11/3/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana 3/1/2024 Randall Lance 5/23/2023 Conspiracy to Distribute Over 100 Kilograms of Marijuana Sentenced on 10/10/2023 to 63 months of incarceration. The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin F. Song, Meredith E. Mayer-Dempsey, and Thomas Strong.


title: Jury Convicts Hospice Owner for Defrauding Medicare

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on November 6, 2023, a federal jury convicted SHIVA AKULA , age 67, of New Orleans, of health care fraud related to fraudulent claims billed to Medicare. AKULA owned and oversaw the day-to-day operations of Canon Healthcare, LLC, a hospice facility with offices in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, Covington, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Between January 2013 and December 2019, Canon’s New Orleans area office billed Medicare approximately $62 million and was paid approximately $47 million. The jury convicted AKULA on all 23 counts of health care fraud charged in the indictment. Counts 1 through 8 involved AKULA’s overbilling for hospice patients for General Inpatient (“GIP”) services to fraudulently maximize reimbursement from Medicare. By improperly billing for GIP, AKULA fraudulently caused Medicare to pay approximately $600 more per patient, per day, than it would have for the appropriate level of care, for multiple months per patient. Moreover, many of the patients whose claims were fraudulently billed to Medicare were not hospice eligible, meaning any Medicare hospice payments for these patients were improper. Between January 2013 and August 2017, AKULA billed over 2,800 monthly claims for GIP billing, totaling approximately $15.3 million. Additionally, the jury convicted AKULA for multiple counts related to manipulating Medicare billing codes, known as Common Procedural Terminology (“CPT”) codes. Counts 9 through 11 involved AKULA’s fraudulent billing for physician services under CPT code 99236. AKULA fraudulently billed Medicare for these services, despite such services being medically unnecessary, and despite their inclusion in the daily hospice benefit Canon already received for its patients. Between January 2013 and August 2017, AKULA submitted approximately 1,053 claims for CPT code 99236 and was paid approximately $223,601 by Medicare. Counts 12 through 17 involved AKULA’s fraudulent billing of History and Physical forms under CPT code 99233. AKULA fraudulently billed Medicare for these forms, despite their being hand-copied by a member of AKULA’s family based on work performed by referring physicians not employed by Canon, and despite their being unbillable in the hospice setting. Between January 2013 and August 2017, AKULA submitted approximately 23,000 claims to Medicare for CPT code 99233 and was paid approximately $2,281,251. Finally, Counts 18 through 23 involved AKULA’s fraudulent billing for home visits under CPT code 99350. AKULA fraudulently billed Medicare for visits under a physician’s name, even though they were performed by a nurse practitioner, the patients were not hospice eligible, and the services were included in the daily hospice benefit Canon already received for its patients. Between January 2013 and August 2017, AKULA submitted claims to Medicare for approximately 1,949 home visits using CPT code 99350 and was paid approximately $316,384. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk presided over the five-day trial during which the government called fifteen witnesses and presented approximately 290 exhibits. As to each of the 23 counts of health care fraud, AKULA may receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Judge Africk scheduled sentencing in this case for February 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. “Health care fraud schemes such as these profoundly impact our nation, not only because of the monetary loss triggered by the fraud, but also by the damaging erosion of public trust”, said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. “Our office, along with our investigative partners, will continue to work diligently to preserve taxpayer confidence in our medical institutions and seek justice for all victims of fraud.” “Mr. Akula took advantage of the American taxpayer by billing for services that weren’t medically necessary, and in some cases, didn’t happen at all,” said Douglas A. Williams, Jr., Special Agent in Charge for FBI New Orleans. “The FBI will continue its work to uncover fraudulent schemes like this that take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable.” “A federal jury correctly found Shiva Akula, MD guilty on all 23 counts of health care fraud,” said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Medical providers who are motivated by greed place our most vulnerable citizens at risk, and HHS-OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and investigate greedy providers who defraud our federal health care programs.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and J. Ryan McLaren, an attorney in the Appellate Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.