title: Maryland Man Found Guilty of Assault With Intent to Kill for Brutal Metro Stabbing

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Darrell Jones, 49, of Beltsville, MD, was convicted of all counts stemming from the April 7, 2022 stabbing of Wayne Pitt, at the Anacostia Metro Station, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Michael Anzallo, of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD). The verdicts were returned yesterday by a Superior Court jury that found Jones guilty of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, and carrying a dangerous weapon. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2023. On April 7, 2022, shortly before 7p.m., Darrell Jones arrived at the Anacostia Metro Station with his friend, Wayne Pitt. According to the government’s evidence, the two men were intoxicated as they spent more than an hour the Metro station platform. Jones pulled a folding knife out of his pocket and began attacking Mr. Pitt, driving the victim onto his back and swinging the knife at him 20 times. Mr. Pitt suffered nine stab wounds to his chest, sternum, abdomen and hand, suffering a punctured lung and numerous deep wounds that required immediate surgery. An MTPD officer arrived on scene, drew his weapon, and demanded that Jones drop the knife. Jones attempted to retreat from the officer, and then turned and cocked back his arm with the knife, as if to throw it in the direction of the officer. The officer shot Jones once. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Anzallo commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metro Transit Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who provided assistance in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including: Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Section Kimberly Nielsen, Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy, Litigation Technology Supervisor Leif Hickling, and Litigation Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Simmons and Ella Gladman, who prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Connor Mullin, who initially investigated the case.


title: Shambaugh Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution Offenses

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On Thursday, July 27, 2023, a Shambaugh man was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance following his plea of guilty. According to public court documents, from June 2022 to July 2022, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) completed several controlled buys of methamphetamine with Michael Leo Pickens, 49. In August 2022, a search warrant was executed by DNE on Pickens’ residence in Shambaugh. Agents recovered approximately 26 grams of methamphetamine and a scale from the residence. Pickens must serve a four-year term of supervised release following the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case.


title: Springfield Woman Convicted of Cyberstalking

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Springfield Ill. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict on July 27, 2023, against Lerin E. Hughes, 25, of the 500 block of N. McClernand Avenue, Springfield, Illinois, for two counts of Cyberstalking. Sentencing for Hughes has been scheduled for November 30, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the U.S. Courthouse in Springfield, Illinois before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless. At the two-day trial, the government presented evidence to establish Hughes made repeated threatening Facebook posts directed towards an employee of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) who was assigned to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect. Hughes also sent threatening text messages, e-mail messages, and sought out the personal Facebook page of a caseworker employed by an agency contracted to work with DCFS. The threats occurred over a four-month period during the summer of 2022. The communications, in addition to containing multiple types of threats, included threats to kill the two child protection workers. Hughes remains in the custody of the United States Marshal Service. At sentencing, Hughes faces statutory penalties of not more than 5 years imprisonment, not more than 3 years supervised release, not more than a $250,000 fine, $100 and restitution. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Seberger and Sierra Senor Moore represented the government at trial.


title: Peoria Felon Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Handgun

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois man, Jermaine Harry Bernard Allison, 29, of the 300 block of East Archer Street, was sentenced on July 27, 2023, to 40 months’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm by a felon. Allison was also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government provided information that Allison was a passenger in a car stopped by the Peoria Police Department for a traffic violation. Allison fled the scene of the traffic stop and was arrested a short distance away, following a foot chase by police. Police located several firearms in the car during the traffic stop, including a handgun on the floor directly in front of where Allison had been seated. The gun was loaded with seven rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one round in the chamber. Allison’s fingerprints were found on the handgun. Allison was indicted and arrested in January 2023 and pled guilty in March 2023. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service while his case has been pending. The Peoria Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution . The case against Allison 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: Macon Man Sentenced to Prison Resulting from Identity Theft Investigation

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A Middle Georgia resident was sentenced to prison this week after he admitted to committing wire fraud in an identity theft scheme. Aaron Jamal Denzel Austin, 33, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on July 26, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. There is no parole in the federal system. “Identity theft and fraud is rampant. In this case, the defendant was using stolen personal information to execute a variety of schemes, from registering fake businesses so he could obtain large credit lines to depositing a stolen $49,000 check,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Local and federal investigators have prevented continued fraud and distress for these victims and have helped us hold the defendant accountable for his criminal schemes.” “This case is another example that clearly shows criminals are continuously looking for ways to commit fraud. In this case, fictious business were created for the sole purpose of committing fraud,” said Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) Clint Bush, United States Secret Service, Albany, Georgia, Resident Office. “The United States Secret Service, along with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners will continue to investigate, arrest and support the successful prosecution of the criminals who choose to commit this and other types of financial fraud in our community and around the nation.” According to court documents, Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies found eight debit cards and three driver’s licenses belonging to other people in Austin’s possession during a traffic stop for reckless driving and failing to maintain lane on Jan. 19, 2020. A subsequent investigation revealed that Austin, who worked at an Atlanta club, had used two stolen identities to register two separate fictious businesses with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office to obtain two Capital One business credit cards with credit limits of $30,000 and $20,000. Investigators discovered Austin used three other identities in a similar scheme to obtain business credit cards but was denied by the credit card company. Investigators found text conversations between Austin and others discussing criminal fraud, including obtaining “socials” or social security numbers, exchanging a victim’s banking user name and password, and how to call banks to learn account balances and other victim information. Authorities also concluded the defendant recruited individuals to allow him to use their bank accounts to conduct fraudulent transactions. For example, Austin deposited a stolen $49,000 check from a New York couple into a coconspirator’s account. In all, authorities identified 23 actual or intended victims; Austin is being held accountable for a loss of $100,000. The case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom prosecuted the case.


title: Former Erie Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Malicious Destruction of Property by Fire

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years in jail and ordered to pay $3,295 in restitution on his conviction of malicious destruction of property by fire, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Melquan Barnett, 31. According to information presented to the court, Barnett set fire to the Ember + Forge building located at 401 State Street in Erie on May 30, 2020. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Erie Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Barnett.


title: Colorado Hunter Sentenced for Lacey Act Violation Stemming from Nebraska Hunt

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Michael T. Ban, 50, of Elbert, Colorado, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violations of the Lacey Act. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Ban to 2 years’ probation for unlawful transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce. Ban was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $5,000 and pay restitution in the amount of $4,000. As part of his probation terms, Ban shall not hunt, fish, trap, provide guiding or outfitting services, or assist or be present with anyone engaged in those activities for one year. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that in September of 2019, Ban traveled to Nebraska to conduct an archery mule deer hunt. During the hunt, Ban unlawfully shot a mule deer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, and subsequently transported a taxidermy shoulder mount including parts of the unlawfully taken trophy deer back to his Colorado residence. As contained in the plea agreement accepted by the Court and admitted by Ban, the investigation determined that in the fall of 2019, Ban traveled to Noble Outdoors, a commercial big game guiding business located in North Platte, Nebraska, to hunt mule deer during the archery season. During the hunt, Ban unlawfully shot a mule deer buck with 5 X 5 antlers in velvet without a valid deer permit and during closed season hours at approximately 11:12 P.M. on September 6, 2019. After taking the deer while guided and accompanied by the Noble Outdoors owner, Ban purchased a Nebraska Non-resident Archery Deer Permit the following day in order to conceal the fact the deer was taken without a permit. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are required to possess a valid permit and habitat stamp prior to hunting or taking mule deer and are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Today’s sentencing is part of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. In total, 17 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $65,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife, shooting deer from the road; taking deer and pronghorn without a valid permit, taking deer with a firearm during archery season, taking deer during night-time closed season hours; dumping carcasses in waters of the state; hunting without permission; and improperly checking or registering big game. The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.


title: Sutherland Woman Convicted for Trafficking in a Password or Other Similar Information

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lacie Brown, 21, of Sutherland, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for trafficking in a password or other similar information. Brown was sentenced to one year of probation. There is no parole in the federal system. On July 21, 2021, UNL-PD received a complaint concerning student loan fraud. Victim 1 reported that he was contacted by a loan services company after a third loan attempt was denied. He was completely unaware of the first two loans which were already dispersed. Victim 1 was notified that in all three incidents he was marked down as the co-signer and the primary signer was Lacie Brown. Through subsequent investigation it was determined that Brown used Victim 1’s Social Security Number and date of birth on the student loan applications listing Victim 1 as a co-signer and subsequently creating a login on his behalf and signing on his behalf as well. Victim 1 is a relative of Brown’s and there was no evidence Victim 1’s information was illegally acquired by Brown. This case was investigated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Olmsted County Man Sentenced to More Than 18 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – An Olmsted County man was sentenced to 220 months in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute controlled substances and for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, in early 2021, law enforcement received information that Christopher Allen Edwards, 41, was dealing drugs in the Rochester area. Law enforcement determined that Edwards and his co-conspirator, Chloe Michelle Johnson, 25, were dealing a variety of drugs throughout Rochester and Southeastern Minnesota, from May 2021 through October 16, 2021, the date of their arrest. According to court documents, in October 2021, law enforcement tracked Edwards’ rental vehicle as he traveled to Austin, Texas, and back to Minnesota in a quick turnaround road trip. On October 16, 2021, law enforcement stopped Edwards and Johnson in Edwards’ rental car once they drove back into Olmsted County. Edwards was caught with four kilograms of cocaine in his backpack in his rental car. That same day, law enforcement executed search warrants on Edwards’ and Johnson’s residences and found various amounts of cocaine packaged for distribution, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. Edwards was found guilty at trial on November 17, 2022, of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Edwards was sentenced yesterday before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Rochester Police Department, the Lake City Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan H. Nelson and Hillary A. Taylor.


title: Final Defendant in Duluth Area Methamphetamine Distribution Ring Sentenced to Prison

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth man was sentenced to 170 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, Evan Andrew Lautigar, 33, and his co-conspirators Matthew James Cuypers, 41, John Arvid Sundquist, 34, and Jacob Lee Kivela-Sandnas, 34, arranged to drive to California to buy methamphetamine from a supplier and transport it back to Minnesota for distribution in and around the Duluth area. According to court documents, in early 2022, the DEA began investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Duluth area. The investigation revealed that in February 2022, Cuypers was en route from California to Minnesota after picking up a load of methamphetamine. A South Dakota Highway Patrol officer conducted a traffic stop of a 2011 Kia Sorrento for a speeding violation. Cuypers was the driver and Sundquist was the passenger. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 27 pounds of methamphetamine. On April 7, 2022, deputies with the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a 2009 Mercedes Benz driven by Lautigar. Officers executed a previously obtained search warrant on the vehicle and recovered approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine. All four defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and were sentenced by Judge Joan N. Ericksen. Lautigar was sentenced on July 25, 2023, to 170 months in prison; Cuypers was sentenced on June 13, 2023, to 150 months in prison; Sundquist was sentenced on January 11, 2023, to 60 months in prison; and Kivela-Sandnas was sentenced on May 11, 2023, to 155 months in prison. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the Duluth Police Department, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew S. Dunne and David P. Steinkamp.


title: Anoka Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of a Machine Gun and Methamphetamine

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Anoka man was sentenced to 77 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release for illegal possession of a machine gun and distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, in the spring of 2022, the FBI began investigating Darrian Mitchell Nguyen, 50, based on a tip from a Confidential Human Source (CHS) that Nguyen was in possession of explosive devices, firearms, and methamphetamine, and had expressed a desire to join the Three Percenter militia group, a loosely organized anti-government extremist movement. According to the CHS, Nguyen kept weapons, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and pipe bombs, in “secret” rooms built within the walls of his residence. Nguyen was also manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamine from his residence. On August 23, 2022, during a meeting at the defendant’s residence, Nguyen sold the CHS 7.1 grams of methamphetamine for $300. According to court documents, to correct a debt owed to the defendant, Nguyen asked the CHS to provide him with firearms, specifically a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. Through text messages, Nguyen arranged to meet with the CHS to receive four auto sears and a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. At the arranged meeting on October 4, 2022, after Nguyen took possession of the machine gun and the auto sears, law enforcement arrested Nguyen and executed a search warrant at his residence. Law enforcement recovered the auto sears and machine gun, as well as an additional 22 firearms from a hidden room inside the residence, including an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Nguyen pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a machine gun. Nguyen was sentenced yesterday before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich.


title: Repeat Child Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A repeat child sex offender who admitted to possessing graphic child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in an investigation involving the tattooing of children was sentenced to serve 35 years in prison this week. Kenneth Scott Queen, 35, of Forsyth, Georgia, and formerly of Dayton, Tennessee, was sentenced to serve 420 months in prison to be followed by 25 years of supervised release and pay $20,000 restitution to a minor victim by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on July 24, after he previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of failure to register as a sex offender. Queen will also have to register as a sex offender for life upon his release from prison. “Children will be safer because law enforcement quickly responded to reports of minors being tattooed and unveiled a predator,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Protecting the most vulnerable citizens from harm—and holding criminals who prey on them accountable—is a priority for law enforcement at every level.” "Despite his prior conviction, Queen continued to abuse children, which the FBI will not tolerate," said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. "Queen's 35 years in prison will give him plenty of time to think about his unacceptable and repeated behavior, but more importantly while in federal prison, he won't be able to do harm to any more children." “A case like this highlights the importance and utility of our local and federal partnerships. Each agency played a specific and vital role in developing a comprehensive case for the prosecutors,” said U.S. Marshal Stephen D. Lynn for the Middle District of Georgia. “The successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office will keep a dangerous predator off the streets for many years and will prevent him from targeting additional young children. This was a job well done.” According to public records, Queen was convicted of sexual battery against a child under age 16 and child molestation in Madison County, Georgia, Superior Court on Oct. 27, 2008. Queen was required to register as a sex offender for life. After his conviction, Queen relocated to Tennessee, where he registered as a sex offender. Queen was residing in Monroe County, Georgia, in the summer of 2020 when it was reported to authorities that he was unlawfully tattooing children. Queen was found in possession of graphic child sexual abuse material he captured involving a young child. Queen was required to be registered as a sex offender at the time but had not registered himself in Monroe County as the law required him to do. For the protection of the minor victim, a portion of Queen’s plea agreement will remain sealed. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The Queen case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom prosecuted the case


title: Justice Department Commemorates the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Highlighting Efforts to Address the Criminalization of People with Disabilities

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted a program yesterday to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and to highlight the need to address unnecessary interactions between people with disabilities and the criminal justice system. Passed into law in 1990 with broad bipartisan support, the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities, including in workplaces, businesses, and in state and local government services, including law enforcement and corrections. The program, entitled “Addressing the Criminalization of People with Disabilities,” focused on the department’s efforts to combat disability discrimination that leads to needless criminal justice involvement, particularly with respect to people with mental health disabilities and substance use disorders. The program called attention to the need for more community-based services to address behavioral health needs, rather than deploying the criminal justice system. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke opened the program with remarks detailing the interactions of millions of people with disabilities with the criminal justice system and the Justice Department’s efforts to fight for greater access and greater equity for people with disabilities. The program also featured recorded remarks from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland who acknowledged the progress that has been made toward fulfilling the promise of equal justice and opportunity for people with disabiltities, but that much more work remains. “The anniversary of the ADA gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the enormous impact the law has had on the lives of people with disabilities – and on our entire country. It also gives us an important opportunity to recognize the many barriers that remain, and to recommit ourselves to breaking them down,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We know that far too often, law enforcement officers are forced to respond to individuals experiencing challenges that do not have a law enforcement solution. This can contribute to significant harm to people experiencing mental health crises, as well as to needless incarceration or institutionalization of such people. At the same time, it puts a great strain on the law enforcement officers who are forced to fill in the gap where community services have failed. The Justice Department is working to address these challenges through our enforcement of the ADA.” “We are committed to using our federal civil rights laws to address the unnecessary use of law enforcement and criminal justice responses to people with disabilities when our community service systems fail them,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “To fully realize the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we must confront issues that lie at the intersection of disability rights, criminal justice and racial justice. Simply put, people with disabilities should receive the services they need rather than being treated as criminals.” Equal Justice Initiative Executive Director Bryan Stevenson provided a keynote speech regarding the continued systemic work that must be done to address the criminalization of people with disabilities. He also answered questions posed by Assistant Attorney General Clarke regarding ways to continue to advance progress for people with disabilities. “When you look at the landscape now where we have one of the largest prison populations in the world, there is no community that has been more severely impacted than people with disabilities,” said Mr. Stevenson. “Our jails and prisons are filled with people with behavioral health disabilities that we have not addressed and it is an urgent and necessary issue to take on. While we can accept and acknowledge that much has been gained, there is tremendous work that needs to happen with regard to this topic of criminalizing people with disabilities.” Finally, the program included a panel discussion featuring Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman, NYC Justice Peer Initiative Executive Director Helen Skipper and Civil Rights Division attorneys. The panel addressed various reasons for reliance on the criminal justice system to respond to people with disabilities and explored potential solutions. The Department is also actively enforcing the ADA in this context, and recently found violations of the ADA by police departments in Louisville and Minneapolis for relying on law enforcement as the primary and generally sole responders to behavioral health calls, even when safety does not require a law enforcement presence. For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov or call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383). For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt .


title: Shooter in Lynchburg Walmart Shootout Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Salem, Virginia man who was involved in a shootout in Lynchburg during a methamphetamine deal in November 2021, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 20 years in federal prison. Jeriwon Lee Taylor, 42, pled guilty in May 2023 to one count of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of discharging and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. “The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to partner with ATF and the Lynchburg Police Department to hold accountable those individuals who commit violent crimes in our communities,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “This case is emblematic of the relationship between the illegal drug trade and violent crime – a pattern we are seeing throughout the Western District of Virginia – and one we are working to stop.” “It is clear that drug traffickers have no respect for human lives and conduct criminal business in the open public, disregarding the damage they can cause to human life or property. Thanks to the combined efforts of our local law enforcement partners, subsequent search warrants were executed at locations associated with Taylor’s Drug Trafficking Organization that resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, heroin, fake pills, methamphetamine and the retrieval of the firearm used in the shooting. We will continue our efforts aimed at disrupting and stopping these illegal endeavors,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division. “We are grateful for the assistance of our federal and state law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting this case to ensure those who endanger our community are held fully accountable for their actions. This incident could have easily taken an innocent person’s life. Our partnerships with our community and other law enforcement agencies are critical to a safer Lynchburg,” said Lynchburg Police Chief Ryan Zuidema. “When we as law enforcement professionals collaborate effectively, our communities see tangible results such as this,” ATF Washington Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel said. “We will continue to work alongside our partners to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics and other acts of violence that negatively impact public safety.” According to court documents, on November 21, 2021, Taylor arranged to meet an individual in a Walmart parking lot in Lynchburg, Virginia to sell methamphetamine. When the buyer, Kendall Simonton arrived, he got into Taylor’s vehicle, pointed a gun at Taylor’s face and took the drugs from him. After the robbery, Simonton left Taylor’s vehicle and began walking away. However, Taylor also got out of his vehicle with a firearm, and the two men began shooting at each other. Both Taylor and Simonton fired multiple shots at each other, ducking behind various cars in the parking lot. Eventually, Simonton ran out of the parking lot and Taylor drove away. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lynchburg Police Department, with assistance from the Virginia State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Jones and Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Gochenour, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section prosecuted the case.


title: Milton Man Sentenced To Life In Federal Prison For Engaging In A Child Exploitation Enterprise

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher E. Hoffman, 35, of Milton, Florida was sentenced to life in federal prison after an earlier guilty verdict for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, receiving child pornography, and distributing child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.” In May of 2021, while investigating an online child pornography chat group, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents saw a message from the defendant’s online persona “Insario” indicating that he had access to a child that he was sexually abusing and grooming for future abuse. Investigators were able to trace the online profile back to the defendant at his address in Milton, Florida. The arrest of the defendant and the search of his home resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices, which contained multiple images of child pornography, in addition to over 2,000 images stored in his online account. “This case is another example of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office partnering up with our federal agencies to get an animal off the streets,” said Sheriff Johnson. “The number one responsibility of government is the protection of its citizens. This case is a perfect example of that.” Agents were able to identify the child victim. Specially trained investigators interviewed the child and revealed details of the abuse. When confronted, the defendant admitted to it as well. “This well-deserved life sentence should serve as a notice to all who victimize our children -- you will be held accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “This is a testament to the professional partnerships with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office.” FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said, “This is a just sentence resulting from the hard work of multiple law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FDLE is proud to work alongside our partners seeking justice daily.” If ever released, Hoffman will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life, and he will be required to register as a sex offender. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Walter E. Narramore 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Federal jury convicts Anaconda man of attempted coercion, possession of child pornography

body_text: MISSOULA — A federal jury on July 26 convicted an Anaconda man who was arrested in an undercover investigation of attempting to coerce and entice a minor into engaging in sexual intercourse and of possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. After a three-day trial that began on July 24, the jury found Christopher Todd Boudreau, 42, guilty of attempted coercion and enticement and possession of child pornography. Boudreau faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for Nov. 29. Boudreau was detained pending further proceedings. “Our office will not relent in our pursuit of those adults, like Boudreau, who seek to have sex with minors and possess thousands of images of child pornography. It is the kind of conduct that has no place in our society, especially because it harms and sexually exploits children, which is why we will do everything we can to protect children from those who attempt to abuse them. I am grateful to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Brian C. Lowney for prosecuting this case and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office for conducting the investigation,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that in July 2022, law enforcement, working in an undercover capacity on the internet, received a “friend request” from Boudreau. The undercover provided a phone number, and Boudreau initiated a text conversation. The undercover identified herself as a juvenile girl in the initial messages. Communications progressed, and Boudreau arranged to meet the undercover in Missoula. Boudreau repeatedly indicated his interest to engage in intimacy and stated that intimacy meant “sex.” Law enforcement arrested Boudreau on July 28, 2022, after he arrived at a location to meet the undercover. Law enforcement served a search warrant on Boudreau’s residence and found electronic media that contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography. In a search of Boudreau’s vehicle, law enforcement found condoms, candy and his phone. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Brian C. Lowney are prosecuting the case. The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. XXX


title: Waterbury Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession Charge

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TYREESE FERRUCCI, 31, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon. According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 5, 2022, in connection with a drug trafficking investigation, Waterbury Police conducted a court-authorized search of a residence on Fieldwood Road that was suspected of being used to store, process, and package narcotics. Ferrucci was arrested at that location after he was found in possession of two loaded Glock 9mm handguns. Ferrucci’s criminal history includes state conviction for drug and firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Ferrucci faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Ferrucci has been detained since his arrest. This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Waterbury Police Department and Connecticut State Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Defendants Convicted And Sentenced To Federal Prison In Long-Term Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Investigation In Washington County

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal judge sentenced the fourth defendant in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization operating primarily in Washington County. The convictions and sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. The defendants and their sentences were: • Ashley Zurica, 43, of Caryville, Florida, 220 months in prison • Ashley Brown, 41, of Caryville, Florida, 180 months in prison • Donald Skipper, 55, of Chipley, Florida, 180 months in prison • William Carter, 52, of Wausau, Florida, 168 months in prison “Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. These sentences demonstrate that resolve.” All will be on supervised release when they are eventually released from custody. In 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Panama City Resident Office Task Force initiated an investigation targeting the distribution of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine by Ashley Zurica, Ashley Brown, Donald Skipper, William Carter, and others in Washington county and surrounding areas of north Florida. Over the course of the three-year investigation, DEA, working with state and local partners, compiled evidence to secure indictments on four Federal defendants in the Northern District of Florida in addition to indictments in other federal districts and multiple State of Florida defendants. The investigation led to the seizure of several kilograms of methamphetamine, and the identification of illegal drug sources in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. “Our work with the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Florida and DEA is resulting in convictions and removing illegal narcotics from our community,” said Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews. “We remain committed to working with our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners to keep these highly addictive and destructive drugs out of our community.” “Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and destructive substance, which can inflict great harm to our communities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The success of this investigation is a direct result of the collaboration between the DEA Miami Field Division and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, working together to keep our communities safe and healthy.” This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Chipley Police Department, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Washington County State’s Attorney Office. Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To COVID Relief Fraud

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Deconna Burke (34, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving COVID Relief Fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program. Burke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the United States government. No sentencing date has been set. According to court documents, in April 2021, Burke submitted a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application to a lender authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to lend funds for approved PPP loan applications. The PPP loan application falsely claimed that Burke operated his own babysitting business with a gross income of $98,000. Throughout the loan application, Burke made multiple false statements regarding his purported payroll and operating expenses. In support of his PPP loan application, Burke submitted a false IRS Form 1040 “Profit or Loss From Business” that contained false statements about operating expenses, gross income, and wage expenditures for his purported business. In reliance on the false statements in his PPP loan application and supporting documentation, Burke received a PPP loan in the amount of $20,415. After receiving the PPP loan proceeds into his bank account, Burke began making withdrawals and spending it on personal expenses, including paying off a loan for a motorcycle. In November 2021, Burke filed a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, falsely stating that he spent the $20,415 on payroll. In reliance on his false statements the SBA forgave the entire loan amount. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.


title: Justice Department Announces Pattern or Practice Investigation of the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department (MPD). The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by MPD. The investigation will focus on MPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests, as well as whether it engages in discriminatory policing. This civil investigation is separate and independent from the technical assistance being provided by the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). While the investigation is ongoing, the COPS Office will continue to provide technical assistance to MPD through the Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC), related to MPD’s use of force and de-escalation practices, as well as its use of specialized units. In addition, in the wake of Tyre Nichols’s death, the Associate Attorney General asked the COPS Office to develop a guide for police chiefs and mayors across the country to help them assess the appropriateness of the use of specialized units, like the former SCORPION unit in Memphis, as well as how to ensure necessary management, oversight, and accountability of such units. The COPS Office has undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement to inform the recommendations in that guide, which is forthcoming. This civil investigation is also separate and independent from the federal criminal civil rights investigation of MPD officers related to the death of Tyre Nichols. “The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department engage in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and discriminatory policing based on race, including a dangerously aggressive approach to traffic enforcement. We are committed to working cooperatively with local officials, police, and community members to conduct the thorough and comprehensive review that the residents of Memphis deserve.” “I know this community is still hurting after the tragic death of Tyre Nichols,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “At the Justice Department, we are committed to using all our tools to help ensure that Memphis residents have a safe community and can trust in the actions of law enforcement. In addition to our pattern or practice investigation, we will continue to deliver technical assistance resources through CRI-TAC and our COPS Office, to help the city and MPD address issues related to use of force, de-escalation, and specialized units in the more immediate term.” “Every person is entitled to constitutional and non-discriminatory policing in our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information provided to us, there are grounds to open this investigation now. We have reviewed information that indicates that the Memphis Police Department may be using an approach to street enforcement that can result in violations of federal law, including racially discriminatory stops of Black people for minor violations. The Justice Department will conduct a thorough and objective investigation into allegations of unlawful discrimination and Fourth Amendment violations. Unlawful policing undermines community trust, which is essential to public safety.” “The people of this great city deserve constitutional and lawful policing – and that begins with trust,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “Community trust makes policing more effective and less dangerous for both officers and the people they protect. Pattern-or-practice investigations help build and maintain that trust by ensuring law enforcement agencies do their jobs lawfully. I welcome this opportunity to let the facts lead in what will be an ongoing and important discussion about civil rights in our city. I also want to assure the public that our team of federal prosecutors will continue to partner with federal, state, and local law enforcement to vigorously prosecute criminal activity and uphold the rule of law. Together we can build a stronger Memphis — a Memphis that protects the safety and civil rights of all.” The investigation is being conducted 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 a state or local government has 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 law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Prior to the announcement, Department officials informed Mayor Jim Strickland, MPD Chief Cerelyn Davis, and Interim Chief Legal Officer Michael Fletcher. They pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Department will reach out to community members to learn about their experiences with MPD. The case is being investigated by career attorneys and staff from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee. They will be assisted by experienced law enforcement experts. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at Community.Memphis@usdoj.gov or by phone at 888-473-3730. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at civilrights.justice.gov . Today’s announcement marks the ninth 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 ; and the Oklahoma City Police Department . The Department recently completed investigations in Louisville and Minneapolis , and secured agreements in principle with both jurisdictions to negotiate consent decrees to address the violations found. Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download .


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to 10 Years on Federal Drug Charge

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Arma Victor Strong, III, 33, of Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 8, 2021, a Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigator on surveillance in an unmarked car in a motel parking lot on Nates Road saw a person walk over to an occupied car and engage in a drug deal. As the person walked away from the car, the deputy saw and took a photo of what appeared to be narcotics in the person’s hand. As the car left the area, the deputy radio’ed a marked patrol unit, which later conducted a traffic stop of the car on Two Notch Road after observing traffic violations. Due to the strong smell of marijuana coming from the car, the car was searched and a shoebox containing marijuana, pills containing methamphetamine, and cocaine was located in the backseat. Strong, the driver, admitted possessing the drugs and having distributed some earlier. Strong faced increased penalties based on prior felony state convictions for possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Strong to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a 6-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. During the sentencing hearing, the Government also moved to estreat a portion of Strong’s surety bond, which was revoked last month after he violated conditions of release. The court granted the motion to estreat and ordered that 10% of the surety bond be estreated. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case. ###


title: Brother, Sister, and Two Others Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Pandemic Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT - A Detroit area brother and sister, along with two other individuals, have been charged in a criminal complaint for their alleged role in a multi-million-dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme targeting funds set aside for unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Joining in the announcement were Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Special Agent-in-Charge of the Great Lakes Region, Irene Lindow, and Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar of the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit Field Office. Charged are Kenny Lee Howard III, 30, Keila Lanae Howard, 34, David Christopher Davis, 25, and Stevenvan Eugene Ware, 30. According to the complaint, the Howards and the two other defendants filed over seven hundred unemployment insurance claims in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, California, New York, Kansas, Maryland, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Guam. In some instances, the defendants are alleged to have used their own names to file claims for pandemic unemployment assistance in multiple states. In other instances, the defendants used the stolen personal identifying information of other individuals to file fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. The complaint alleges that the defendants illegally obtained over $3.5 million in government funds over the course of their scheme. “This alleged scheme diverted money away from American workers in need of financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office is committed to prosecuting anyone who exploited our national crisis to enrich themselves, and today’s charges are a reflection of that commitment.” “Partnership and cooperation are essential to these investigations,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “I would like to thank the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for their work to hold offenders accountable. Our efforts speak not only to the pursuit of justice but also accountability to the American taxpayer.” "An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving unemployment insurance programs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate these types of allegations," said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Particka and Timothy Wyse. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the DOL- OIG and HSI.


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to 160 Months in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug Offenses

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Enoch Palmer, 24, of Columbia, was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Evidence presented to the court showed that on February 20, 2022, an officer with the West Columbia Police Department performed a traffic stop on Palmer for driving without headlights. Palmer was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which was registered to him, and he was driving with a suspended license. Palmer was arrested for the license violation and law enforcement found a large quantity of marijuana underneath the driver’s seat of the car. On April 24, 2022, Palmer, a member of a street gang, made a social media video threatening to retaliate against rival gang members after his involvement in an altercation. The following day, the City of Columbia Police Department (CPD) responded to a ShotSpotter alert on Millwood Ave and recovered 9 7.62x39mm shell casings. Through further investigation, CPD officers recovered surveillance video of Palmer leaning out of the driver’s side of a car while firing an Ak-47 style pistol across Millwood Avenue towards a group of people. Palmer shot a rival gang member in the upper body. The victim was released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Palmer to 160 months in prison, consisting of 60 months for marijuana charge and 100 months for the felon-in-possession charge, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the West Columbia Police Department, City of Columbia Police Department, Midlands Gang Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar J. Fyall are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Camden Man Sentenced to Over 18 Years in Federal Prison in Connection with Fentanyl Overdose Death

body_text: CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA — Sean Michael Taylor, 27, of Camden, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing a quantity of fentanyl. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that, on July 1, 2020, deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office and other first responders from the Kershaw County Emergency Medical Services and Coroner’s Office responded to an apparent overdose at a residence in Camden. Responders located a victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim’s death was later determined to be caused by a fentanyl overdose. On July 21, 2020, during a separate investigation, federal agents and officers assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (ACHIDTA) Task Force in Columbia used a confidential source to buy fentanyl from Taylor. During that exchange, Taylor admitted that he distributed the fentanyl that caused his friend’s death a few weeks prior, and even identified the victim by name. Later, Taylor confessed to law enforcement that he first injected himself with a syringe containing fentanyl and then handed the victim the syringe containing the remaining fentanyl. Upon injecting the fentanyl, the victim immediately collapsed to the floor, unresponsive. Taylor and others present at the residence dragged the victim to another room, but no one could rouse the victim. Taylor left the residence without calling 911. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Taylor to 220 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the DEA ACHIDTA Task Force in Columbia, which was comprised of agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Department of Public Safety for the City of Orangeburg. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Bales is prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA) investigation. HIDTA is a grant program purposed with improving public safety and well-being by disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking and money laundering organizations through intelligence-driven multi-jurisdictional operations; enhancing the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement operations through training; and improving communication and information sharing among criminal justice, drug prevention, and drug treatment professionals in support of the objectives as administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Additional information can be found at https://www.achidta.org/ , https://www.dea.gov/operations/hidta , and https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/ . ###


title: Florida Woman Sentenced To 51 Months In Prison For Defrauding Holocaust Survivor Of $2.8 Million In Connection With Romance Scam

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that PEACHES STERGO was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos to 51 months in prison in connection with her years-long scheme to defraud an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor of his life savings. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Peaches Stergo callously defrauded an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who was simply looking for companionship. She used the millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to live a life of luxury at the victim’s expense. But she did not get away with it. As today’s sentence demonstrates, perpetrators of romance scams will be held to account for their crimes.” According to the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court: From at least in or about May 2017, up to and including at least October 2021, STERGO engaged in a scheme to defraud an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor (the “Victim”) of over $2.8 million, which was his life savings. STERGO met the Victim on a dating website approximately seven years ago. In or about early 2017, STERGO asked the Victim to borrow money to pay her lawyer, who she claimed was refusing to release funds from an injury settlement. After the Victim gave her the money, STERGO said the settlement funds had been deposited into her TD Bank account. In reality, bank records show STERGO never received any money from an injury settlement. Over the next four and a half years, STERGO continued her lies. She repeatedly demanded that the Victim deposit money into her bank accounts. She claimed that if he did not, her accounts would be frozen, and he would never be paid back. In total, the Victim wrote 62 checks — totaling over $2.8 million — that were deposited into one of two of STERGO’s bank accounts. In furtherance of the fraud, STERGO created a fake email account, intended to appear as if it belonged to a TD Bank employee. She also created fake letters from a TD Bank employee and fake invoices. STERGO called defrauding the Victim her “business.” Once, STERGO told her real significant other that the Victim had said he “loved” her. STERGO thought that her successful manipulation of the Victim’s emotions was humorous, following up her message with “lol.” She also joked in a text message that the Victim was “broke” — that “[h]e don’t have anything else to pawn.” But when the scam was over — when the Victim was no longer sending STERGO money — she was upset, not because she felt bad for the Victim or had a sense of remorse, but because she was unwilling to earn money though legitimate employment; she preferred to be a fraudster. As she said in a text message, “I am just aggravated hurt frustrated that I haven’t made money . . . I don’t want to work . . . it’s too hard.” While the Victim lost his life savings and was forced to give up his apartment, STERGO lived a life of luxury with the millions she received from the fraud: she bought a home in a gated community, a condominium, a boat, and numerous cars, including a Corvette and a Suburban. During the course of the fraud, STERGO also took expensive trips, staying at places like the Ritz Carlton, and spent many tens of thousands of dollars on expensive meals, gold coins and bars, jewelry, Rolex watches, and designer clothing from stores like Tiffany, Ralph Lauren, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes. In imposing today’s sentence, Judge Ramos noted that STERGO’s conduct was “unspeakably cruel” and motivated by “greed.” * * * In addition to her prison term, STERGO, 36, of Champions Gate, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,830,775 and forfeit the same amount, including the home she purchased in a gated community and over 100 luxury items she purchased with fraud proceeds, including Rolex watches, designer purses and clothing, and large amounts of gold and jewelry. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Sowlati is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Registered Sexually Violent Predator Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Kevin Troutman, 45, of Westfield, Indiana was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting two minors and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, on January 24, 2022, Westfield Police Department detectives and the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force opened an investigation into Kevin Troutman after receiving an online tip submitted to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. The tipster stated that they walked in on Troutman viewing an image of the sexual exploitation of a 4–6-year-old girl. After an investigation, on January 27, 2022, officers executed a search warrant at Troutman’s home in Westfield. Law enforcement officers seized numerous electronic devices and data storage media, which were found to contain multiple sexually explicit images or videos of children. Further investigation of Troutman’s cell phone revealed that he had been anonymously searching the internet for child sexual abuse material using an encrypted browser. A complete investigation of Troutman’s devices revealed evidence showing Troutman’s sexual exploitation of a child less than 14 years of age and the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of a child who was less than 6 years of age. In 1997, Troutman was convicted of Vicarious Sexual Gratification, a Class C felony. Due to his previous felony conviction, Troutman was registered as a Sexually Violent Predator in Indiana at the time of this arrest. “Across nearly three decades, the defendant sexually abused or exploited at least three different children and gratified himself through the exploitation of many more,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “There is no place in our communities for dangerous, repeat child predators. The sentence imposed today shows that our office, HSI, and local child exploitation task force partners will work tirelessly to ensure these heinous offenders are behind bars, where they cannot cause further harm to our children.” “HSI works with its local, state and federal partners around the clock to protect children from victimization by predators involved with the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago area of operations Sean Fitzgerald. “Because of exceptional efforts by our HSI agents , a previously convicted child sex offender has been sent to federal prison to serve a lengthy sentence, where he will be unable to victimize other vulnerable children.” This investigation was a result of the combined efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Fishers Police Department, Westfield Police Department, Carmel Police Department, and the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Sarah Evans Barker. Judge Barker also ordered that Troutman be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for life following his release from federal prison and pay $10,000 to each victim. Additionally, Troutman must remain registered as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kristina M. Korobov, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc ###


title: Joplin Woman Sentenced for Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court yesterday for failing to pay over employment taxes. Karen Lauridsen, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 14 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $242,251 in restitution to the IRS for delinquent employment taxes. On Nov. 8, 2022, Lauridsen pleaded guilty to failure to pay over employment taxes. In or about 2003, Lauridsen and another individual purchased Company A, with Lauridsen serving as the President of Company A. In her role as president, Lauridsen was solely responsible for Company A’s finances, including, payroll, tax preparations, tax filings, and paying employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, Company A became delinquent on both the trust fund and employer portions of its employment taxes. The Internal Revenue Service began collection efforts by at least September 2017, including an in-person meeting between Lauridsen and a Revenue Officer on September 13, 2017. During that meeting, Lauridsen admitted to the officer that she was responsible for paying Company A’s employment taxes. However, she did not pay the balances due. As a result, in January 2018, the IRS began levying Company A’s known bank accounts, as well as Company A’s customer payments, with limited success. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Special Agents interviewed Lauridsen on November 28, 2018. During the interview, Lauridsen admitted to the agents, as she had in her earlier interview, that she was responsible for Company A’s finances, financial decisions, setting employee pay rates, filing the company’s tax returns, and paying the company’s taxes. Further investigation revealed that during the time period that Lauridsen ceased paying Company A’s employment taxes, Lauridsen frequently gambled at casinos in Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Oklahoma. Lauridsen’s gambling persisted despite the IRS’s collection efforts and its criminal investigation. As a result of her conduct, Company A incurred an employment tax liability with the Internal Revenue Service of $242,251, which Lauridsen was ordered to pay as a part of her sentence. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Kempf. It was investigated by the IRS-CI.


title: Connecticut Man Sentenced To Prison For Trafficking At Least 32 “Ghost Guns”

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MELVIN BURROUGHS was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr., to 58 months in prison for trafficking firearms. BURROUGHS previously pled guilty to trafficking firearms and conspiring to traffic firearms. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Illegal firearms — and in particular ghost guns — are a scourge to our community. Melvin Burroughs built and sold a veritable armory of ghost guns, and he now faces prison time for his crimes.” According to the Superseding Information and statements made in court proceedings and filings: From approximately 2019 through approximately January 2022, BURROUGHS purchased the parts for “ghost guns,” assembled the parts into completed firearms, and then illegally sold the working and completed firearms. On March 14, 2021, BURROUGHS exited his house in Ansonia, Connecticut, with a handgun and — in broad daylight — discharged five rounds at two men who had approached his house. Still images of that broad daylight shooting are below: The Ansonia Police Department searched the defendant’s house the next day. Law enforcement officers located two completed Glock-style privately made firearms (commonly known as “ghost guns”) and a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol that had been reported stolen in Georgia. Law enforcement officers also recovered a custom-made red and black AR-15-style rifle with the words “SUU WHOOP” inscribed on it. “Suu whoop” is a gang call of the Bloods street gang, and red is the color of the Bloods street gang. In addition, law enforcement agents recovered large quantities of ammunition, various gun parts, tools for making ghost guns, and a flamethrower. Photographs of certain of the materials seized from the defendant’s house are below: In connection with the shooting and search of his residence, BURROUGHS was charged in the Superior Court of Connecticut – Ansonia-Milford Judicial District in Milford, Connecticut, with Connecticut state offenses and was released on bail conditions. On January 8, 2022 — while on bail for the shooting — BURROUGHS was arrested in Westchester County, New York, with kits to build 17 ghost guns, a completed lower receiver [1] for an AR-15 rifle, 15 extended magazines, and an 18-inch machete. A photograph of the items seized from BURROUGHS on January 8, 2022, is below: After BURROUGHS was arrested on January 8, 2022, law enforcement agents searched multiple cellphones belonging to BURROUGHS pursuant to search warrants. Evidence on those cellphones, including text message communications, videos, and photographs, established that BURROUGHS has been unlawfully selling firearms since approximately 2019. In particular, BURROUGHS’s gun trafficking business involved purchasing ghost gun parts online or at gun shows, building the ghost guns at his home, and then selling the completed firearms. One of BURROUGHS’s cellphones contained a photograph of 15 ghost gun kits that BURROUGHS purchased in approximately February 2021. * * * In addition to the prison term, BURROUGHS, 36, of Ansonia, Connecticut, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department, the Ansonia Police Department, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut Office of the State’s Attorney for Ansonia-Milford, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for their assistance in the case. The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mead is in charge of the prosecution. [1] A “lower receiver” or “frame” is the bottom part of a firearm and the basic unit of a firearm, which, in an AR-15 rifle, houses parts related to the trigger, magazine, and hammer.


title: Leader of Multi-State Jewelry Theft Crew Sentenced to Over 6 Years’ of Federal Imprisonment

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Duanne Pierce, 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was sentenced to 77 months’ imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and $606,394.60 in restitution and other penalties by United States District Court Senior Judge Cynthia M. Rufe for conspiring to transport stolen property across state lines and interstate transportation of stolen property. From May 2018 through February 2020, defendant Duanne Pierce led seven others in a conspiracy to commit 12 retail jewelry store thefts throughout the United States, transporting the stolen jewelry back to Philadelphia after the thefts, where the jewelry was generally resold to stores in the “Jewelers Row” section of the city. Pierce and his crew carried out these thefts all over the country, often committing multiple thefts from different jewelry stores in a single day. This sophisticated approach reduced the likelihood that the crew would be caught because of local law enforcement’s significant challenge in investigating these out-of-state perpetrators. Pierce participated in 11 thefts, and his role was to steal jewelry—including diamond rings and gold chains, often worth several thousand dollars each—from a display case or from the rear, employee-only area of a store, while his co-conspirators “distracted” sales associates. Pierce then resold the stolen jewelry to local jewelers in Philadelphia. The total retail value of the jewelry stolen by Pierce’s crew was approximately $612,670.59. In March 2022, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count Indictment charging Duanne Pierce and codefendants Charles Tillery, Janel Pierce, Yolanda Fife, David Tillery, Telfa Wills, and Clifton Fleming with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 (Count 1), and interstate transportation of stolen property and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2314 and 2 (Counts 2 through 10). In March 2023, Pierce pled guilty to Counts 1 through 10 of the Indictment. Each of Pierce’s codefendants has also pled guilty. "Thanks to the excellent work of the FBI and the many local police departments that assisted in this case," said U.S. Attorney Romero, "this prolific interstate robbery ring has been fully dismantled. Duanne Pierce’s sentence is the culmination of excellent cross-country collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies." “Duanne Pierce and his co-defendants were both prolific and strategic in their thefts, sometimes targeting multiple jewelry stores in the same day. Then they’d move on to a different city and do it again, hauling the stolen loot back to Philly to resell,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Through the investigative efforts of the FBI and numerous law enforcement partners across the country, this crew has been dismantled and is being held accountable for their crimes. For his leadership role in the conspiracy, Pierce will now spend years in federal prison.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lancaster (PA) Police Department, Plantation (FL) Police Department, Greenville (SC) Police Department, Concord (NC) Police Department, Anderson (SC) Police Department, Jackson County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville (TN) Police Department, Manchester (CT) Police Department, Howard County (MD) Police Department, Arlington County (VA) Police Department, Indianapolis (IN) Metropolitan Police Department, and Miami Township (OH) Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Rice, Katherine Shulman, and Kevin Jayne.


title: United States Attorney’s Office to Attend Community Events During National Night Out

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE - The U.S. Attorney’s Office will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events on August 1, 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will join Project Safe Neighborhoods partners at events in Providence, Pawtucket, Warwick, Central Falls, and Woonsocket. “This program is an example of the ways that law enforcement partners with our communities to build relationships, support neighborhoods, and reaffirm our shared commitment of working together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our cities and towns,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “This office is proud to support our communities and our law enforcement colleagues as part of this great event.” National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country. National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization. Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. For more information, visit https://natw.org/ . # # #


title: Manhattan meth trafficker sentenced to seven years in prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MISSOULA — A Manhattan man with felony convictions was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking meth and illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Jamey Wayne Charon, Jr, 26, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute meth and to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that in March 2022, the Missouri River Drug Task Force was investigating Charon for distributing meth in Bozeman and conducted controlled purchases of meth from him on two occasions. Law enforcement searched Charon’s vehicle after he was arrested for another offense and found meth packaged in jeweler bags. Charon admitted to selling meth twice a week since February 2022. In addition, law enforcement found a .40-caliber pistol with 12 bullets in his bedroom in Bozeman. Charon was on probation at the time for felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Bozeman Police Department and Park County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: Owings Mills Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for a Fraudulent Gift Card Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Yong Chen, age 34, of Owings Mills, Maryland, yesterday to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to a fraudulent gift card scheme resulting in $561,000 in losses to more than 10 victims. Chen was also ordered to pay restitution of $169,950. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (“TIGTA”) Mid-Atlantic Field Division. According to Chen’s plea agreement, Chen managed a scheme to fraudulently obtain gift cards from retail stores, which he and his co-conspirators used to purchase high-end electronics, including cell phones, iPads, and laptop computers. For example, victim R.E.S., a resident of Hampstead, Maryland, responded to an email claiming that a technical support service contract would automatically renew unless the victim cancelled the service by calling the number listed in the email. R.E.S had never subscribed to such a service, but he called the phone number to make sure it would not be renewed. As detailed in the plea agreement, the man who answered the call had a heavy accent that R.E.S could not understand, so he gave the phone to his daughter. The man identified himself as “Brian,” and explained that R.E.S was entitled to a $300 refund. If the daughter would download a computer application which would give “Brian” temporary control over the computer, he would directly deposit the $300 into R.E.S.’s bank account. After the daughter downloaded the application and opened her father’s bank account, the daughter typed $300 as “Brian” had instructed, but the amount somehow appeared as a $3,000 deposit into R.E.S’s bank account. To fix the purported overpayment, “Brian” asked the daughter to go to a Target store to buy Target gift cards to reimburse him. After unsuccessfully using credit cards to buy gift cards at Target and Best Buy (R.E.S’s bank would not authorize the transactions), the daughter cashed a check at her father’s bank, then used the cash to buy five $500 Target gift cards for a total of $2500. The daughter then gave “Brian” the gift card numbers and access codes printed on the back of each gift card. To make up for the remaining balance of $100 still allegedly owed to “Brian,” the daughter purchased an Amazon gift card. Using the application again, “Brian” accessed her computer, obtained the Amazon gift card number from her email, then deleted all traces of the email from her email account. The next day, R.E.S. met with a customer service representative at his bank and learned that he had been defrauded, because “Brian” had never actually deposited money into his bank account. Instead, using the downloaded computer application to access his bank account, “Brian” had transferred money from R.E.S’s credit card account into his checking account, thereby setting up the withdrawal of cash to pay for the gift cards. The fraudulent scheme was reported to the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit (“MSPCCU”), which initiated an investigation. As detailed in the plea agreement, transactional records and video footage from Target revealed that the five gift card numbers and access codes purchase by R.E.S. were used that same day at three different Target stores in two different states. For example, less than an hour later, Young Chen used two of the cards to purchase two Apple watches at the Target store in Owings Mills. At the same time, co-conspirator Bin Tang was using the numbers of the other three gift cards to purchase Apple watches at a Target store in Dumfries, Virginia and later at a different store in Glen Allen, Virginia. Target security personnel discovered that they had more video footage of Chen at the Owings Mills store using different gift cards on February 12, 2020 to purchase two iPads and other Apple products and an attempted purchase of similar products on February 14, 2020. A search warrant was executed at Chen’s house in Owings Mills, Maryland on March 3, 2020. Law enforcement recovered four boxes containing new high-end electronics, including dozens of iPad tablets and Apple watches that were purchased with proceeds of the fraud scheme. A notebook that served as a ledger for the gift card scheme was found in Chen’s bedroom and contained the dates that gift cards were fraudulently obtained and how they were redeemed, including the names of the people Chen and co-defendant Bin Tang paid to use the cards. The purchased electronics were intended to be sold to foreign buyers. The notebook also listed the projected profit for each product purchased. Cell phones belonging to Chen and Tang were seized and subsequently searched, revealing messages on a Chinese messaging platform among Chen, Tang and Liang Liang Zeng discussing the scheme. According to his plea agreement, Chen used the message platform to acquire the stolen gift card numbers and access codes, and then shared that information with others involved in the scheme. He regularly purchased the stolen gift card numbers through his bank account in China at a price that is about 20% less than the value preloaded on the cards, so a $100 gift card cost him $80. Chen said that the stolen gift card numbers he purchased had to be redeemed that same day, sometimes within hours, before the cards got canceled. Chen also provided his buyers, also referred to as “runners,” with Target employee numbers (Target Team Member Numbers) to display at the cash register to get a ten percent employee discount, which increased the scheme’s profit margin. He and the “runners” he hired would go to multiple stores during the same day, sometimes in different states, because Target might limit the amount of purchases. Each runner was told what type of product to buy with the numbers based on a price list Chen and Tang received from potential buyers overseas. The messages also showed that the runners shared information with Chen and Tang throughout the day about the remaining balances on their cards and any trouble they were having redeeming them. At the end of the day, the runners brought the receipts and the products to Chen’s house, where products were boxed and labeled for shipment overseas. According to the plea agreement, dozens of victims in many different states were defrauded and the cards purchased by the victims were primarily redeemed in the mid-Atlantic region to illegally purchase approximately $561,000 of Target products. Co-defendants Liang Liang Zeng, age 58, a Chinese national residing in Staten Island, New York, and Wen Fu Zeng, age 55, of Brooklyn, New York were sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and to 10 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the fraud scheme. Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution of $145,228 and L. Zeng was ordered to forfeit $43,633. Bin Tang, age 33, is a fugitive. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron praised the Maryland State Police and TIGTA for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin J. Clarke, who prosecuted the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #