title: Medford Area Drug Trafficking Investigations Result in Three Federal Prison Sentences

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: MEDFORD, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that three federal prison sentences have been imposed this week in separate criminal cases following multi-agency drug trafficking investigations in and around Medford. James Michael Cody Whelchel, 41, of Carson, California, was sentenced Monday to 130 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Earl Richard Shamblin III, 41, of Medford, was also sentenced Monday to 45 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Terril Jacob Boss, 43, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. U.S. v. Whelchel According to court documents, in July 2021, local law enforcement officers received information that Whelchel, a known drug trafficker with a lengthy criminal history, was dealing drugs in the Medford area. Further investigation revealed that Whelchel was running his local drug trafficking operation from an area motel. After observing multiple individuals come and go from his motel room, investigators arrested Whelchel. At the time of his arrest, Whelchel possessed three cell phones, several syringes, and approximately $3,600 in cash. Investigators located two 9mm pistols, a digital scale, and small quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and unidentified pills in Whelchel’s vehicle. A search of his motel room returned more than two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, approximately one pound of powdered fentanyl, a smaller quantity of heroin, more than $51,000 in cash, and two firearms. On September 2, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Whelchel with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. On August 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. v. Shamblin Between November 11, 2019, and January 19, 2021, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of heroin from Shamblin, a known Jackson County, Oregon drug trafficker. On February 17, 2021, investigators arrested Shamblin and found digital scales, drug packaging material, records of drug transactions, and more than $4,000 in cash in his RV and on his person. The next day, on February 18, 2021, investigators obtained a recorded jail call on which Shamblin coordinated with other individuals to move and conceal a large sum of cash (later seized by law enforcement) and bury heroin in the backyard of his then residence. On February 26, 2021, Shamblin was charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawfully possessing and distributing heroin. Later, on March 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a five-count indictment charging him with distributing heroin. On September 7, 2023, Shamblin pleaded guilty to one count of distributing heroin. U.S. v. Boss On July 21, 2020, area law enforcement obtained information that Boss, who was in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm, was located in a fast-food parking lot in White City, Oregon. A responding deputy approached Boss and told him he was being detained as part of a drug trafficking investigation. After initially denying he was armed, Boss told the deputy he had a weapon, but refused to say where it was located. Boss then began to reach for his waistband and a struggle to detain him ensued. After repeatedly ordering Boss not to reach for his waistband, Boss grabbed a firearm he possessed and was shot twice by the responding deputies. He was immediately taken to an area hospital, treated, and then booked in the Jackson County Jail. Three days later, on July 24, 2020, investigators executed search warrants on Boss’s truck and motorcycle. They located and seized quantities of heroin and methamphetamine in his truck and a large zipper bag with heroin and methamphetamine concealed in the gas tank of his motorcycle. They also found digital scales and drug packaging materials. Later the same day, Boss was charged by federal criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On April 15, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford indicted Boss on the same charges and, on July 5, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. ___ All three cases were investigated by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE). Local MADGE member agencies were assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Oregon State Police. Whelchel was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Shamblin and Boss were prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. MADGE is a gang and narcotics enforcement team comprised of local, state, and federal investigators that work together to dismantle drug trafficking and other criminal organizations operating in and around Jackson County, Oregon. MADGE member agencies include the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, Jackson County Community Corrections, HSI, and FBI.


title: Englewood Armed Career Criminal Sentenced To More Than 15 Years For Heroin Distribution And Possession Of Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Michael Edward Lindsey (47, Englewood) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it. Lindsey was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act which requires a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. Lindsey had pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023. According to the plea agreement, Lindsey is a multi-convicted felon for multiple narcotics distribution and violent offenses dating back to 1996. On June 9, 2022, during a traffic stop conducted by officers from the North Port Police Department (NPPD) in the area of 12145 Tamiami Trail, officers found Lindsey in possession of approximately 1.6 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 caliber pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition. As the officers approached Lindsey’s vehicle, Lindsey consumed a large quantity of drugs by emptying the contents of the bag into his mouth. NPPD officers recovered 1.6 grams of methamphetamine, after Lindsey had consumed the remainder of the drugs. On November 13, 2022, NPPD officers arrested Lindsey on an active warrant. During a search incident to his arrest, the officers found Lindsey in possession of distribution quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the North Port Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Samantha C. Beckman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Wayne Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to DEA Task Force Officer

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Wayne man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to intentionally making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent. According to court records, in November 2022, Victor Sousa , 24, was questioned by a Task Force Officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding two subjects of a federal narcotics investigation. After denying that he knew either suspect, Sousa called Suspect A from jail multiple times. Court records further indicated that Sousa had previously lived with Suspect A and that Suspect B had supplied Sousa with narcotics in the past. Sousa faces up to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The DEA investigated the case. ###


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced in Covid Relief Fraud

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: OXFORD – A Memphis, Tennessee man was sentenced today to 62 months imprisonment following his conviction for his role in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) by submitting fraudulent loan applications to the SBA for over $11 Million. According to court documents, Norman Beckwood, 29, of Memphis, recruited individuals to submit fraudulent loan applications to the SBA. Beckwood and his co-conspirator, Lakeith Faulker, who was an employee of the SBA and used his position at the SBA to assist borrowers, helped submit over $11 Million in fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). In return for their assistance in the fraudulent loans, the borrowers paid Beckwood and Faulkner $2.3 Million. On January 17, 2023, Beckwood entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Today, U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Beckwood to serve 62 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. In addition to prison time, Faulkner was ordered to pay $10,620,452.26 in restitution to the SBA. In connection with his guilty plea, Beckwood also forfeited $700,147.74, a 2018 Mercedez Benz C Class and a 2020 Mercedes Benz G63. On December 7, 2022, Faulkner entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On May 24, 2023, United States District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Faulkner to serve 62 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. Faulkner was also ordered to pay $10,620,452.26 in restitution to the SBA. Twenty-one (21) individual borrowers have also been charged in connection with the same scheme. In the case of United States v. Raven L. Brown, et al, (Case No. 3:23CR23), eight individuals have changed their plea to guilty and been sentenced by United States Senior District Judge Glen H. Davidson, Raven L. Brown (24 months incarceration, 3 years supervised release, $1,802,800 in restitution); Gerald Pegues (12 months + 1 day incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $173,200 in restitution); Gregory Shields (12 months + 1 day incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $206,000 in restitution); Shunequa Shields (6 months incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $177,100 in restitution); Devin Booker (6 months incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $211,000 in restitution); Tommie L. Spencer, Jr. (6 months incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $250,600 in restitution); Adonis Golden (12 months + 1 day incarceration, 3 years supervised release, $199,900 in restitution); and Jemarious Fair (22 months incarceration, 5 years supervised release, $199,600 in restitution). A remaining defendant is currently set for trial on February 12, 2024. “Norman Beckwood and his cohorts stole millions of dollars from American taxpayers while taking advantage of programs designed to help keep businesses afloat during a national crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring those who committed pandemic benefit fraud to justice and will use all available tools to recover the stolen funds.” “Abusing SBA’s pandemic relief programs intended to provide critical relief to small businesses is unconscionable.” said SBA OIG’s Central Region Special Agent-in-Charge Brady Ipock. “This sentencing further showcases that OIG will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.” This scheme was initially uncovered during a civil investigation, led by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Harland Webster. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clayton A. Dabbs, Parker King and Sam Wright of the Northern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the criminal case. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.


title: Final Defendant Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Role in Murder and Assault on Red Lake Indian Reservation

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Redby man was sentenced to 144 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a murder that took place in August 2019 on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on August 12, 2019, Daniel Charles Barrett, 32, together with codefendants Mia Faye Sumner, 22, Alexia Gah Gi Gay Mary Cutbank, 22, and armed with at least one handgun, entered the garage of a residence where Daniel Alan Johnson was known to reside. Once inside, Cutbank fired multiple gunshots, fatally wounding Johnson and seriously injuring a second victim, T.B.S. The three defendants returned to a waiting vehicle and left the scene. A fourth co-defendant, Rose Celeste Siewert, 51, drove Barrett, Cutbank, and Sumner off the reservation to help them avoid arrest. Barrett was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Susan Richard Nelson. He pleaded guilty on August 16, 2022, but absconded during his pretrial release, and was ultimately arrested on November 2, 2023. Earlier this year, Cutbank was sentenced to 240 months in prison, Sumner was sentenced to 120 months in prison, and Siewert was sentenced to 48 months in prison. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Duluth Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Provinzino prosecuted the case.


title: Jimcy McGirt Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Sexual Abuse In Indian Country

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jimcy McGirt, age 75, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. The guilty plea was the result of a written plea agreement which recommends the district judge sentence McGirt to thirty years in prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. The parties also recommend McGirt be given credit for the time he previously served in both state and federal custody on previous convictions related to this case. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the plea hearing in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. McGirt will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal until the sentencing hearing, at which time the court will determine whether to accept the plea agreement. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Kyra Jenner represented the United States.


title: Waterloo Felon and Domestic Abuser Sentenced to Federal Prison for Discharging Stolen Firearm

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Waterloo man who discharged a stolen firearm during an argument was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison. Dean Eugene Smith, age 54, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 10, 2023 guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. In a plea agreement, Smith admitted that, on April 16, 2023, he was involved in an argument with a woman. During the argument, Smith discharged a stolen firearm into the air. After he discharged the firearm, Smith held the firearm behind his back while he shouted at the woman, until she ran away. Smith also admitted that, prior to April 16, 2023, he had previously been convicted of several offenses that prohibited him from possessing firearms and ammunition, including third‑degree sexual abuse, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury (second offense), first‑degree theft, multiple third‑degree burglary offenses, and several failures to comply with sex offender registry requirement offenses. Smith was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Smith was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. Smith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by a Federal Task Force composed of the Waterloo Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms assisted by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Cedar Falls Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-02031-CJW. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Clark County man sentenced to 20 years in prison for hate crimes against Haitians

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A Springfield, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 240 months in prison for crimes related to targeting and attacking Haitians residing in the area. Izaye Eubanks, 22, pleaded guilty in August to both federal and local crimes. He admitted to committing hate crimes against at least 8 Haitian nationals. “This defendant is being held accountable for repeatedly assaulting and robbing members of the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, because of their national origin,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Attacks like these, where a group of individuals is singled out and targeted for violent assaultive conduct because of who they are, will not be tolerated. The Justice Department will continue to enforce our federal criminal civil rights laws and prosecute those who commit violent, bias-motivated crimes in our country.” “Hate and discrimination have never had a place in our society. As today’s significant prison sentence shows, they have no place today,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “We will continue to prosecute hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law.” “The hate crimes committed by Izaye Eubanks threatened and intimidated the immigrant community throughout the region,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “Because hate crimes have such a wide-ranging impact, investigating these crimes is a top priority for the FBI.” According to court documents, in January and February 2023, Eubanks committed various assaults, robberies and a carjacking of Haitian individuals because of the victims’ actual and perceived national origin. Eubanks would travel throughout Springfield looking for individuals he believed were from Haiti and would then attack the individuals, usually by punching them and knocking them to the ground before robbing them of their money, cell phones, a vehicle, and other personal belongings. For example, on Jan. 29, 2023, Eubanks assaulted and robbed a victim while the victim was walking to wire $300 in cash to his mother in Haiti. Eubanks punched the victim in the back of the head and neck, causing him to briefly black out, then robbed the victim of his cash, cell phone, and ATM cards. That same day, Eubanks assaulted a victim as he left Friendly’s Bakery, a Haitian market. Eubanks grabbed the victim by his shirt, pulled him out of his vehicle, and punched him in the face before stealing the victim’s vehicle. On Feb. 1, 2023, Eubanks directed juveniles to help him complete four separate attacks on five victims. Eubanks will serve his federal sentence concurrently to the one imposed in Clark County Court of Common Pleas. Eubanks pleaded guilty to five counts of 2 nd degree felonious robbery in his local case. He will serve four years in prison for each robbery count concurrently to federal imprisonment. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen M. Clarke; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division; Clark County Prosecutor Daniel P. Driscoll; and Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Ryan A. Saunders are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Armed Narcotics Trafficker Is Sentenced To 18.5 Years

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Keith Cato Hammie, 55, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 223 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. According to filed court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Hammie sold increasing amounts of methamphetamine to an undercover detective on four occasions from November 2021 through February 2022. Court records show that Hammie generally drove directly from his Charlotte residence to the agreed upon locations, where the controlled drug purchases took place, and then returned directly to his residence afterward. On February 10, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Hammie’s residence. Investigators seized from the residence nearly two kilograms of highly pure methamphetamine, a drug ledger, and four firearms, including three loaded pistols and an assault-style shotgun found unloaded but adjacent to ammunition. Inside Hammie’s vehicle, investigators found a key to a local storage unit. After obtaining a search warrant for the storage unit, investigators found additional trafficking amounts of cocaine and marijuana inside the storage unit. During today’s sentencing hearing, the Court emphasized Hammie’s extensive criminal history, including several state convictions for armed robbery and a federal conviction for armed bank robbery. In sentencing Hammie, the Court highlighted that the defendant committed the armed drug trafficking in this case after serving nearly 20 years in federal prison on the federal armed bank robbery conviction. The Court also noted that Hammie used his residence – where small children lived – as a base for conducting his drug trafficking activities. Hammie pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine on August 9, 2023. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigative efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor G. Stout of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: South Carolina Man Is Sentenced To 8+ Years In Prison For Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Lamar Jacquise Floyd, 28, of York, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department (HPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and court proceedings, on December 9, 2022, at approximately 9:23 a.m., HPD patrol officers responded to a call for service at a McDonald’s restaurant, in reference to a suspicious person with a firearm. Responding officers identified Floyd as the person reported in the service call. Law enforcement escorted Floyd outside of the restaurant, and asked Floyd whether he had a firearm on his person. Court records show that Floyd responded that he had a firearm in the pocket of his jacket. The officers retrieved the firearm, along with two loaded magazines, ammunition, narcotics, and approximately $1,860 in U.S. currency. Floyd has previous state convictions for narcotics and firearms violations and he is prohibited for possessing a firearm or ammunition. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and the Hickory Police Department for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Boykin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: GHOST GUN MANUFACTURER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS INCARCERATION

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Somalie Bruce, 37, of St. Croix, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy to 120 months incarceration after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. “The manufacture of ‘ghost guns’ is intended to commit senseless acts of violence that are almost impossible to solve. I am therefore relieved that due to the excellent work of federal and local law enforcement partners, many lives have been saved”, said United States Attorney Smith. “The outcome of this investigation and significant sentence is a testament to the successful collaboration between our law enforcement agencies. The assembly of ghost guns pose a significant threat to the safety of Virgin Islanders. HSI has a firm stance against weapons trafficking and wants to make it clear that we will not tolerate weapons trafficking which is fueling violent crimes in the Territory”, said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos. According to court documents, federal agents began investigating Bruce in March 2020, after Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package that was mailed by Bruce from a post office in St. Croix containing approximately 1.1 kilograms of cocaine. Further investigation revealed that Bruce’s girlfriend Jeanorah Williams had purchased 67 postal money orders totaling $65,000.00 payable to several gun manufacturers in Florida and North Carolina. Agents learned that, from May 2019 to July 2020, over 70 packages containing multiple firearm parts, including M-16 rifle bolt assemblies, AR15 rifle barrels and flare gun inserts which are used to convert a flare gun into a firearm, were shipped to Bruce and Williams from the same firearm companies. Agents also recovered invoices dated May 2019 through August 2020 from several firearms companies totaling over $95,000.00 for purchases of 200 firearms parts and accessories used in the construction of AR-15 and M-16 rifles and Glock handguns. Between October and December 2020, Bruce and Williams collected additional packages of firearm parts and accessories from the same post office in St. Croix. In a search of Bruce and Williams’ apartment, agents also recovered several assembled firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number, a shotgun and five handguns. Neither Bruce nor Williams are licensed firearm dealers, importers or manufacturers, as defined by federal law, and neither possesses a license or permit to carry, possess, or otherwise own a firearm under Virgin Islands law. On November 28, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to Engaging in the Business of Manufacturing Firearms without a License. Her sentencing date has not been set by the court. “I am extremely proud of our CBP Officers and law enforcement counterparts who utilized a multilayered enforcement approach of intelligence collection, x-ray technology, analysis, and, most importantly, subject matter expertise to ultimately disrupt this criminal organization and keep our Virgin Islands community safe,” said Roberto Vaquero, San Juan Field Office Director of Operations, Customs and Border Protection. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Investigation Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, Virgin Islands Port Authority and Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCEDTF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transactional criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Maryland Man Sentenced to Five Years for Scheme that Bilked Benevolent Donors of Charitable Contributions

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – James Trankle, 55, previously of Churchton, Maryland, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, and five additional counts of bank fraud. The charges all stemmed from a scheme in which Trankle created fake charities, solicited donations, and then stole the identities of the donors he tricked into giving funds. Many of the victims were older adults. The sentence, in posted on December 1, 2023, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Inspector-in-Charge Damon Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered five years of supervised release, restitution of $204,561, and forfeiture of $135,327. Trankle was found guilty on May 15, 2023, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to evidence presented in court, from 2013 to 2018 Trankle and his co-defendant, Stephen Sibert, created fake charities, registered those entities with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and then presented them as legitimate charities. Among the examples included the bogus “Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans Fund,” the “National Breast Cancer Awareness Fund,” and the “Children’s Leukemia of America Fund.” Trankle used a post office box address in Washington, D.C., as the official mailing address for the fake charities. He opened numerous bank accounts in the names of the fraudulent charities. And he sent solicitations via U.S. mail to thousands of potential donors—his targeted victims—nationwide, asking the recipients to send personal checks as donations. Through the scheme, Trankle obtained over 1,600 personal checks from victims who thought they were making charitable gifts. Trankle then deposited those checks into bank accounts that he and Sibert controlled. The government’s analysis of those accounts showed that the conspirators obtained more than $45,000 from their victims who falsely believed that they were giving money to legitimate organizations. In addition, using the bank account and routing information from the victims’ checks, the conspirators printed additional unauthorized counterfeit checks payable to their fraudulent charities that were then drawn against the victims’ personal checking accounts. The conspirators deposited those unauthorized counterfeit checks into the bank accounts they controlled, and then later withdrew the money and spent the funds on personal expenses. In total, Trankle and Sibert deposited more than 700 counterfeit checks with a total value of more than $150,000. The fraudulent charities did not perform any of the charitable work described in their solicitations, nor did the fraudulent charities provide any significant funds to other charities that did so. Trankle concealed his scheme under the guise of operating a church from his office in Maryland. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Borchert and Brian Kelly, and Paralegal Specialist Gina Torres Trujillo.


title: Grand jury indicts former state public utilities chairman for federal bribery, embezzlement crimes

body_text: CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) with crimes related to bribery and embezzlement. Samuel Randazzo, 74, of Columbus, self-surrendered at U.S. District Court in Cincinnati this morning. Randazzo is charged in an 11-count indictment that was returned on Nov. 29 and he will be scheduled for an initial appearance later today. “Public officials – whether elected or appointed – are tasked with upholding the highest level of integrity in their duties and responsibilities. Such service to the public must be selfless, not selfish,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Through the indictment unsealed today, we seek to hold Randazzo accountable for his alleged illegal activities." "Today's indictment outlines an alleged scheme in which a public regulatory official ignored the Ohio consumers he was responsible for protecting, instead taking a bribe from an energy company seeking favors," stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “The FBI will remain vigilant in investigating allegations of corruption at all levels of government and hold those who violate the law accountable for their actions.” Randazzo faces one count of conspiring to commit travel act bribery and honest services wire fraud, two counts of travel act bribery, two counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of wire fraud and five counts of making illegal monetary transactions. Randazzo was the PUCO chairman from April 2019 until November 2020, when he resigned. According to the indictment, Randazzo allegedly received more than $4.3 million from an energy company and its affiliates to provide favorable official actions for the company through PUCO proceedings. For example, it is alleged that in November 2019, Randazzo included language in a PUCO Opinion and Order that would address an issue for the energy company that was slated to happen in 2024. “ Stock is gonna get hit with Ohio 2024. Need Sam to get rid of the ‘Ohio 2024 hole ,’” an energy executive text message read. Another executive messaged, in part: “ I spoke with Sam today. Told me 2024 issue will be handled next Thursday .” The next Thursday, the PUCO decision included language alleviating the 2024 issue. A March 2020 text message from an executive mentions that Randazzo “ will get it done for us but cannot just jettison all process.” The message references specific official actions before continuing: “…a lot of talk going on in the halls of PUCO about does he work there or for us? He’ll move it as fast as he can.” It is alleged that Randazzo received the bribe money from the energy company through his consulting business, Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio, Inc. (SFA), which was registered in Ohio in March 2010. SFA filings name Randazzo as the president and sole representative of the business and lists Randazzo’s home address as the business address. The charging document alleges that Randazzo also used his consulting business, SFA, to carry out an embezzlement scheme, funneling to himself at least a million dollars meant for an association of large, industrial energy users in Ohio. Randazzo was the general counsel of the industry group for multiple years, including from 2010 until his PUCO appointment, and at times served as the industry group's executive director. Randazzo controlled the industry group's bank accounts. It is alleged Randazzo entered into settlements with companies on behalf of the industry group and kept portions of the settlement payments for himself. As one method to conceal his alleged embezzling, Randazzo allegedly created a fictitious member of the industry group that received payments along with legitimate members. For example, in March 2019, it is alleged Randazzo attempted to conceal his embezzling by wiring approximately $1.1 million between bank accounts under his control. If convicted as charged, the defendant could face up to 20 years in prison. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges and acknowledged assistance provided by the Ohio Ethics Commission. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer are representing the United States in this case. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Threatening to Endanger a Child

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an East St. Louis man to 5 years in federal prison after he admitted to threatening the mother of a 10-year-old child, who he forcibly took from home in Illinois and drove to St. Louis. Marcus L. Weekfall, also known as “Conehead”, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate extortion with a threat to injure. “The defendant targeted a child to mentally and emotionally abuse both the victim and the victim’s mother,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “His actions were calculated and dangerous, thus warranted this prison sentence.” According to court documents, the minor victim was asleep in bed when Weekfall broke into the victim’s mother’s house around 4:20 a.m. on May 28, 2022. Weekfall demanded the child to leave with him, and he took him to St. Louis. Weekfall and the victim’s mother were previously in a romantic relationship. “Illinois State Police Officers assigned to the Public Safety Enforcement Group work tirelessly to protect the residents in the Metro East and we will continue to coordinate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make sure people like Weekfall are held accountable for their crimes,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. The mother contacted police after seeing Weekfall on a surveillance camera inside the residence. Officers with the East St. Louis Police Department contacted Weekfall by phone and requested the child be returned safely, but Weekfall refused. While in possession of the victim, Weekfall called the mother several times and threatened to harm the child if the mother declined to meet with him. After five hours, Weekfall had another individual return the child to the mother. “Protecting those who cannot protect themselves is of paramount importance to the FBI and all of law enforcement,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “Due to swift action and coordination with our law enforcement partners, the child was returned safely and Weekfall will spend five years behind bars—giving him ample time to consider the gravity of his actions.” In addition to the prison sentence, Weekfall will serve three years of supervised release. FBI Springfield Field Office, the Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) of the Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns prosecuted the case.


title: Rankin County, Mississippi Civil Rights Violations Request for Information

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. - The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing laws protecting the civil rights of all persons in Rankin County, Mississippi and throughout the nation. To enforce these laws, it is critical that federal authorities receive information from the public regarding allegations of abuse. As the Department previously indicated in its press release issued on August 3, 2023, announcing the guilty pleas of six former Rankin County Law Enforcement Officers, the public is encouraged to contact the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI, email tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI Jackson Field Office at 601-948-5000, if you or someone you know has been a victim of abuse by a member of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Former U.S. Ambassador and National Security Council Official Charged with Secretly Acting as an Agent of the Cuban Government

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Federal prosecutors have charged Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, of Miami, Florida, a former U.S. Department of State employee who served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995 and ultimately as U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, with committing multiple federal crimes by secretly acting for decades as an agent of the government of the Republic of Cuba. “This action exposes one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the United States government by a foreign agent,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that for over 40 years, Victor Manuel Rocha served as an agent of the Cuban government and sought out and obtained positions within the United States government that would provide him with access to non-public information and the ability to affect U.S. foreign policy. Those who have the privilege of serving in the government of the United States are given an enormous amount of trust by the public we serve. To betray that trust by falsely pledging loyalty to the United States while serving a foreign power is a crime that will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.” “Like all federal officials, U.S. diplomats swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Acting as an agent for Cuba – a hostile foreign power – is a blatant violation of that oath and betrays the trust of the American people,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will continue to rigorously defend against foreign governments targeting America, and we will find and hold accountable anyone who violates their oath to the United States, no matter how long it takes.” “For decades, Rocha allegedly worked as a covert agent for Cuba and abused his position of trust in the U.S. government to advance the interests of a foreign power,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “However long it might take, we will deliver justice to those who betray their solemn oaths to the American people.” “The Southern District and our law enforcement partners stand ready to protect the United States from individuals who act unlawfully as agents of foreign governments,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Individuals who violate federal law by engaging in clandestine activity for hostile foreign states, and by providing false information about those activities to the U.S. government, endanger American democracy. That is especially so for past or present employees of the United States who took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and for U.S. citizens who benefit from the freedoms and opportunities of this country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners in South Florida, and elsewhere, will continue to vigorously enforce all federal laws.” According to the complaint, beginning no later than approximately 1981, and continuing to the present, Rocha, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Colombia, secretly supported the Republic of Cuba and its clandestine intelligence-gathering mission against the United States by serving as a covert agent of Cuba’s General Directorate of Intelligence. To further that role, according to the complaint, Rocha obtained employment in the U.S. Department of State between 1981 and 2002, in positions that provided him access to nonpublic information, including classified information, and the ability to affect U.S. foreign policy. After his State Department employment ended, Rocha engaged in other acts intended to support Cuba’s intelligence services. From in or around 2006 until in or around 2012, Rocha was an advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, a joint command of the United States military whose area of responsibility includes Cuba. The complaint alleges that Rocha kept his status as a Cuban agent secret in order to protect himself and others and to allow himself the opportunity to engage in additional clandestine activity. Rocha provided false and misleading information to the United States to maintain his secret mission; traveled outside the United States to meet with Cuban intelligence operatives; and made false and misleading statements to obtain travel documents. According to the complaint, Rocha began his State Department career in 1981, rising through the ranks to serve in a variety of roles, including (1) from in or around February 1989 until in or around November 1991, as the First Secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico; (2) from in or around November 1991 until in or around July 1994, as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; (3) from in or around July 1994 until in or around July 1995, as a Department of State employee, as the Director of Inter-American Affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, with special responsibility for, among other things, Cuba; (4) from in or around July 1995 until in or around July 1997, as Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba; (5) from in or around July 1997 until in or around November 1999, as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and (6) from in or around November 1999 until in or around August 2002, as Ambassador to Bolivia at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia. The complaint alleges that, in a series of meetings during 2022 and 2023, with an undercover agent from the FBI posing as a covert Cuban General Directorate of Intelligence representative, Rocha made repeated statements admitting his “decades” of work for Cuba, spanning “40 years.” When the undercover told Rocha he was “a covert representative here in Miami” whose mission was “to contact you, introduce myself as your new contact, and establish a new communication plan,” Rocha answered “Yes,” and proceeded to engage in a lengthy conversation during which he described and celebrated his activity as a Cuban intelligence agent. Throughout the meetings, Rocha behaved as a Cuban agent, consistently referring to the United States as “the enemy,” and using the term “we” to describe himself and Cuba. Rocha additionally praised Fidel Castro as the “Comandante,” and referred to his contacts in Cuban intelligence as his “Compañeros” (comrades) and to the Cuban intelligence services as the “Dirección.” Rocha described his work as a Cuban agent as “a grand slam.” Rocha is charged with conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General; acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General; and with using a passport obtained by false statement. He is expected to make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Miami today, Dec. 4. The FBI Miami Field Office is investigating the case, with valuable contributions by the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Stratton and John C. Shipley of the Southern District of Florida, along with Trial Attorneys Heather M. Schmidt and Christine A. Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Rocha complaint


title: Exembajador de Estados Unidos y exfuncionario del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional acusado de actuar en secreto como agente del gobierno cubano

body_text: Fiscales federales acusaron a Víctor Manuel Rocha, de 73 años de edad, de Miami (Florida), antiguo empleado del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos que participó en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de 1994 a 1995 y, posteriormente fungió como embajador de Estados Unidos en Bolivia de 2000 a 2002, de haber cometido múltiples delitos federales actuando clandestinamente durante décadas como agente del Gobierno de la República de Cuba. “Esta medida expone una de las infiltraciones de mayor nivel y duración en el Gobierno de Estados Unidos por parte de un agente extranjero”, indicó el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland. “Alegamos que, durante más de 40 años, Víctor Manuel Rocha actuó como agente del gobierno cubano y buscó y obtuvo puestos dentro del Gobierno de Estados Unidos que le proporcionaban acceso a información no pública y la posibilidad de afectar la política exterior estadounidense. Quienes tienen el privilegio de prestar servicio en el Gobierno de Estados Unidos son depositarios de una inmensa confianza por parte del público a cuyo servicio se encuentran. Traicionar esa confianza prometiendo falsamente lealtad a Estados Unidos mientras se atienden los intereses de una potencia extranjera constituye un delito al que el Departamento de Justicia responderá de manera implacable”. “Como todos los funcionarios federales, los diplomáticos estadounidenses prestan juramento de apoyar y defender la Constitución de Estados Unidos. Actuar como agente para Cuba, una potencia extranjera hostil, constituye una violación flagrante de dicho juramento y traiciona la confianza del pueblo estadounidense”, manifestó el director del FBI, Christopher Wray. “El FBI seguirá actuando en firme defensa ante gobiernos extranjeros que dirijan sus acciones contra Estados Unidos, e identificaremos y nos aseguraremos de que rindan cuentas todos aquellos que violen su juramento a Estados Unidos, sin importar cuánto tiempo tome”. “Durante décadas, Rocha presuntamente trabajó como agente encubierto para Cuba y abusó de su posición de confianza en el Gobierno de Estados Unidos para promover los intereses de una potencia extranjera”, explicó el fiscal general adjunto Matthew G. Olsen de la División de Seguridad Nacional del Departamento de Justicia. “Por más tiempo que tome, impartiremos justicia contra quienes traicionen sus juramentos solemnes al pueblo estadounidense”. “El Distrito Sur y nuestros socios de aplicación de la ley estamos preparados para proteger a Estados Unidos de personas que actúen ilegalmente como agentes de gobiernos extranjeros”, manifestó el fiscal federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida. “Las personas que violan la ley federal al participar en actividades clandestinas para Estados extranjeros hostiles, y proporcionan información falsa sobre esas actividades al Gobierno de Estados Unidos, ponen en peligro la democracia estadounidense. Eso se aplica particularmente a empleados anteriores o actuales de Estados Unidos que juraron defender la Constitución de Estados Unidos y a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que se benefician de las libertades y oportunidades de este país. La Oficina del Fiscal Federal de Estados Unidos y sus socios de aplicación de la ley en el sur de la Florida, así como en otros lugares, continuarán aplicando enérgicamente todas las leyes federales”. Según la acusación, a partir de aproximadamente el año 1981, y hasta el presente, Rocha, ciudadano estadounidense naturalizado originario de Colombia, apoyó en forma secreta a la República de Cuba y su misión clandestina de reunir inteligencia contra Estados Unidos actuando como agente encubierto de la Dirección General de Inteligencia de Cuba. Para llevar a cabo ese papel, según se indica en la demanda, Rocha obtuvo empleo en el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos entre 1981 y 2002, en puestos que le proporcionaron acceso a información no pública, incluida información clasificada, y la posibilidad de afectar la política exterior de Estados Unidos. Después de concluir su empleo en el Departamento de Estado, Rocha cometió otros actos destinados a prestar apoyo a los servicios de inteligencia de Cuba. Desde alrededor del año 2006 hasta alrededor de 2012, Rocha fue asesor del comandante del Comando Sur de Estados Unidos, un comando conjunto de las fuerzas militares de Estados Unidos cuya área de responsabilidad incluye a Cuba. La acusación sostiene que Rocha mantuvo en secreto su condición de agente cubano para protegerse a sí mismo y a otros y poder participar en otras actividades clandestinas. Rocha proporcionó información falsa y engañosa a Estados Unidos para mantener secreta su misión; viajó fuera de Estados Unidos para reunirse con agentes de inteligencia cubanos; y efectuó declaraciones falsas y engañosas para obtener documentos de viaje. Según se indica en la acusación, Rocha comenzó su carrera en el Departamento de Estado en 1981, y fue ascendiendo de rango desempeñando una variedad de funciones, que incluyeron (1) desde alrededor de febrero de 1989 hasta alrededor de noviembre de 1991, fue primer secretario de la embajada de Estados Unidos en la Ciudad de México en México; (2) desde alrededor de noviembre de 1991 hasta alrededor de julio de 1994, como ministro consejero en la embajada de Estados Unidos en Santo Domingo, República Dominicana; (3) desde alrededor de julio de 1994 hasta alrededor de julio de 1995, como empleado del Departamento de Estado, en la función de Director para Asuntos Interamericanos en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos, con responsabilidad especial respecto a Cuba, entre otras cosas; (4) desde alrededor de julio de 1995 hasta alrededor de julio de 1997, como funcionario viceprincipal de la Sección de Intereses de Estados Unidos en La Habana, Cuba; (5) desde alrededor de julio de 1997 hasta alrededor de noviembre de 1999, como ministro consejero de la embajada de Estados Unidos en Buenos Aires, Argentina; y (6) desde alrededor de noviembre de 1999 hasta alrededor de agosto de 2002, como embajador de Estados Unidos ante Bolivia en la embajada de Estados Unidos en La Paz, Bolivia. La acusación alega que, en una serie de reuniones sostenidas durante 2022 y 2023 con un agente encubierto del FBI que simulaba ser representante encubierto de la Dirección General de Inteligencia de Cuba, Rocha formuló reiteradas declaraciones admitiendo sus “décadas” de trabajo para Cuba, que abarcan “40 años”. Cuando el agente secreto le dijo a Rocha que era “un representante encubierto aquí en Miami” cuya misión consistía en “contactarle, presentarme como su nuevo contacto y establecer un nuevo plan de comunicación”, Rocha respondió “sí”, y procedió a entablar una larga conversación durante la cual describió y celebró su actividad como agente de inteligencia cubano. En los encuentros, Rocha se comportó como un agente cubano, refiriéndose constantemente a Estados Unidos como “el enemigo”, y utilizando el término “nosotros” para referirse a sí mismo y a Cuba. Rocha también elogió a Fidel Castro como “ el Comandante ”, y se refirió a sus contactos en los servicios de inteligencia cubana como sus “camaradas” y a los servicios de inteligencia cubanos como la “Dirección”. Rocha calificó a su labor como agente cubano como un “ grand slam ”. Rocha está acusado de conspirar para actuar como agente de un gobierno extranjero sin notificación previa al fiscal general; de actuar como agente de un gobierno extranjero sin notificación previa al fiscal general; y de utilizar un pasaporte obtenido mediante declaración falsa. Se espera que tenga su primera vista ante un juez de instrucción federal en Miami en el día de hoy, 4 de diciembre. La oficina local del FBI en Miami está investigando el caso, con valiosas contribuciones del Servicio de Seguridad Diplomática del Departamento de Estado y la oficina local del FBI en Washington. Los fiscales adjuntos federales Jonathan D. Stratton y John C. Shipley del Distrito Sur de Florida, junto con los abogados litigantes Heather M. Schmidt y Christine A. Bonomo de la Sección de contrainteligencia y control de exportaciones de la División de Seguridad Nacional están encargados de la acción penal. Toda persona que tenga información para transmitir al respecto puede llamar al 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) o visitar tips.fbi.gov (en inglés). Una denuncia penal implica solamente una alegación. Todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta tanto se demuestre su culpabilidad sin lugar a duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.


title: District Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Shooting Two Men in Northeast D.C.

body_text: WASHINGTON – Avon Burke, 52, of Washington D.C., was sentenced on December 1, 2023 to a 90 month prison term for shooting two men in Northeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Burke pleaded guilty in August 2023 to two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. According to the Government’s evidence, Burke was present in the alleyway in the rear of 1355 New York Avenue NE, when a fight broke out between a group of men. Burke was not physically involved in this fight. While this group of men were fighting, Burke walked towards the group of men, raised both arms and extended them forward while holding a silver in color revolver, and fired two rounds in the direction of the two victims. One victim was struck in the chest and the other victim was struck in the leg. The Defendant then left the alleyway. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Helfand of the Major Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.


title: Meridian Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

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

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Meridian man pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, Jacquis LaShawn Houston, 27, was found in possession of a firearm by a Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Deputy on March 16, 2020, during a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Houston was riding as a passenger. Houston threw a 9mm caliber pistol from the vehicle. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Houston to possess any firearm. Houston will be sentenced on February 28, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham is prosecuting the case. This case is being 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 .


title: Three Military Contractors Sentenced in Procurement Fraud Scheme

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: A federal judge in the Northern District of Georgia has sentenced three military contractors for their roles in a multi-year procurement fraud scheme related to more than $7 million in federal government contracts. Former Envistacom LLC president and co-founder Alan Carson was sentenced on Nov. 30 to six months in prison and two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a criminal fine of $250,000. The owner of another company, Philip Flores, was sentenced on Oct 30 to four months in prison and two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a criminal fine of $50,000; and former Envistacom vice president Valerie Hayes was sentenced on Dec. 1 to 12 months of home confinement with three years of probation, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. A federal jury previously convicted the three individuals of conspiring to defraud the United States and committing major fraud. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the three military contractors prepared and procured sham quotes and fraudulently prepared procurement documents. “When contractors defraud the federal government, they undermine the integrity of the federal contracting system,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “These sentencings send a clear message that the Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate procurement fraud.” “The defendants served as federal contractors with a duty to lawfully act on behalf of the government,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “Instead, these executives chose to defraud the United States and are now being held accountable for their actions by serving prison sentences and paying substantial fines.” “These sentencings should serve as a deterrent to any company or individual seeking to subvert the government procurement system to obtain contracts,” said Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “DCIS, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD contracting process that supports our nation’s warfighters.” “These sentencings should serve as a stark reminder that our agents, and those of our partner law enforcement agencies, are relentless in their pursuit of those who choose to defraud the government,” said Special Agent in Charge Andrew Johnson of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s (Army CID) Fraud Field Office. The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal II Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Army CID and DCIS investigated the case. Trial Attorney Brittany E. McClure of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber for the Northern District of Georgia prosecuted the case. Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint . The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force .


title: Former FBI Agent Trainee Pleads Guilty To Insider Trading Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of SETH MARKIN in connection with his participation in a scheme to trade in stock of Pandion Therapeutics (“Pandion”) based on inside information that he misappropriated from his then-girlfriend, who was an attorney at a major law firm assigned to work on the acquisition of Pandion by Merck & Co. (“Merck”). MARKIN was arrested in July 2022 and pled guilty to securities fraud based on insider trading before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Seth Markin, who had been accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a new agent trainee, chose to act as if the law did not apply to him when he misappropriated confidential information, traded based on that information, and tipped several friends and family members, resulting in millions of dollars of illegally obtained trading profits. Markin knew his actions were wrong, deleted evidence of his crimes, and lied to try to cover up his scheme. No one is above the law, and this Office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the financial markets remains a priority.” As alleged in the Indictment, other public court documents, and statements made during court proceedings: In early 2021, SETH MARKIN and BRANDON WONG together made more than $1.4 million in illegal profits by trading in stock based on inside information that MARKIN stole from his then-girlfriend, who was at the time an attorney at a major law firm in Washington D.C. (the “Law Firm Associate”). At the time, MARKIN had been accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) as a new agent trainee, and WONG was a systems analyst at an education company. In February 2021, MARKIN secretly looked through the Law Firm Associate’s confidential work documents, without her permission, and learned that, in a matter of weeks, Merck, a publicly traded pharmaceutical company, was going to acquire Pandion, a publicly traded biotechnology company, for approximately three times the value of Pandion’s share price. MARKIN immediately purchased Pandion stock on the basis of this material non-public information and also told several family members and friends to purchase Pandion’s stock, causing WONG, another friend, and several family members to do so, including Family Member-1, Family Member-2, Family Member-3, Family Member-4, and Friend-1. In text messages, MARKIN assured WONG that he was “not uncertain” that when the “news drop[ped]” about Pandion, the price would “EXPLODE” and they would earn “triple gains.” WONG purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of Pandion shares based on the material non-public information he received from MARKIN. In addition to his purchases of Pandion stock, WONG told at least seven other people to purchase Pandion shares, causing some of the people he tipped to purchase tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of Pandion stock, including Family Member-5, Friend-2, Friend-3, Friend-4, Friend-5, Friend-6, and Friend-7. In total, MARKIN and WONG together caused at least 20 people to trade in Pandion stock based on the material non-public information that MARKIN misappropriated from his girlfriend, resulting in millions of dollars of illegally obtained trading profits. To conceal their illegal insider trading scheme, MARKIN and WONG used an encrypted messaging application and deleted many of their text messages with each other. They also agreed on a cover story that they could provide to law enforcement, namely, that if they were asked how they anticipated Pandion’s stock price increase, they could say they “read it on Stocktwit,” in reference to a social media platform for sharing stock ideas, and falsely say that the news was “publicly being announced there.” After Merck’s acquisition of Pandion was announced publicly, and the Pandion stockholdings of MARKIN and WONG, and those whom they tipped, significantly increased in value, the defendants sold their shares of Pandion for significant profits. With their illegal profits, the defendants and their tippees purchased luxury items and bought gifts for each other. For example, WONG purchased for MARKIN a Rolex watch valued at approximately $40,000, a trip to Hawaii, and a meal at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York that cost more than $1,000. WONG also purchased a home in Florida. Thereafter, MARKIN lied in order to hide his illegal insider trading. In or about June 2021, after MARKIN and the Law Firm Associate had ended their relationship, and as MARKIN was preparing to begin training as a new agent at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the Law Firm Associate called MARKIN to ask why MARKIN’s name had come up in an inquiry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority into trading in Pandion stock. In response, MARKIN lied to the Law Firm Associate and falsely claimed that he did not trade in Pandion stock. MARKIN subsequently took steps to further conceal his criminal activity. On November 18, 2021, Markin lied to FBI agents when he was interviewed about his Pandion trading. That day, Special Agents from the FBI interviewed MARKIN in connection with an investigation they told him was being conducted by law enforcement in the Southern District of New York relating to insider trading in Pandion stock. During the interview, MARKIN adhered to the fake cover story he and WONG had concocted and falsely told the agents (i) that he learned about Pandion on StockTwits, (ii) that he purchased the stock because of a recent earnings report and a new board member addition, and (iii) that he did not know that his former girlfriend worked on the Pandion transaction. * * * MARKIN, 32, of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. WONG, 40, of New York, New York, pled guilty on April 10, 2023, to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. BRIAN WONG, 45, of Secaucus, New Jersey, pled guilty on November 10, 2022, to being an accessory after the fact to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and tender offer fraud, which carries a maximum term of two and a half years in prison, and was sentenced on April 12, 2023, to three years’ probation with three months’ home confinement and forfeiture in the amount of $403,375.75. JONATHAN BECKER, 34, of Weehawken, New Jersey, pled guilty on September 20, 2023, to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. MARKIN will be sentenced by Judge Ramos on March 13, 2024; WONG will be sentenced by Judge Ramos on January 26, 2024; and BECKER will be sentenced by Judge Ramos on December 19, 2023. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed parallel civil actions. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kiersten A. Fletcher, Nicolas Roos, and Negar Tekeei are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Chicopee Man Charged with Robbing and Assaulting a Confidential Informant

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Chicopee man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield for allegedly robbing and assaulting a confidential informant using a firearm. Hector Laureano, 38, was indicted on one count of assaulting with a dangerous weapon a person assisting an officer or employee of the United States in performance of official duties; one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and one count of robbery of money of the United States. According to the indictment, on May 4, 2023, Laureano intentionally assaulted a confidential informant performing official duties. Laureano allegedly used of a Cobra Model .380 caliber pistol to rob a confidential informant of $1,400 belonging to the United States. The charge of assaulting with a dangerous weapon a person assisting an officer or employee of the United States in performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence provides for a sentence of at least seven years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of robbery of money of the United States provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Swiss Private Bank, Banque Pictet, Admits To Conspiring With U.S. Taxpayers To Hide Assets And Income In Offshore Accounts

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Stuart M. Goldberg, the Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Matters of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Jim Lee, the Chief of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced today the filing of criminal charges against Swiss Bank, BANQUE PICTET ET CIE SA (“BANQUE PICTET” or the “Bank”) for conspiring with U.S. taxpayers and others to hide more than $5.6 billion in 1,637 secret bank accounts in Switzerland and elsewhere and to conceal the income generated in those accounts from the IRS. As part of today’s resolution, BANQUE PICTET entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”) and agreed to pay approximately $122.9 million to the U.S. Treasury. Today’s resolution is one of a series of cases brought by the Department of Justice in connection with its investigations since 2008 into facilitation of offshore U.S. tax evasion by foreign banks. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As it has admitted today, Banque Pictet knowingly conspired to conceal from the IRS the income generated by accounts which held more than $5.6 billion. Thanks to the hard work of the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners, Banque Pictet has agreed to pay more than $122.9 million and will continue to cooperate with the Department of Justice. Rooting out financial malfeasance remains a priority for this Office, and we encourage companies and financial institutions to come to us to report wrongdoing before we come to you.” Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg said: “Today, Banque Pictet et Cie admitted to actively helping U.S. taxpayers use coded accounts, foreign trusts and entities, nominee beneficiaries and other deceits to conceal their income and assets abroad. For this criminal conduct the bank will be paying nearly $122.9 million in restitution, disgorgement of fees and a financial penalty, and is required to fully cooperate with investigations relating to these secret accounts.” IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee said: “This case should provide a clear message to others who try to hide their assets and income offshore. Our special agents are experts in following the money, and they are the best at uncovering schemes that try to defraud the U.S. tax system. Offshore tax evasion is a priority for IRS Criminal Investigation, and today’s deferred prosecution agreement with Bank Pictet collects more than $120 million owed to the U.S. government.” According to documents filed today in Manhattan federal court: The Pictet Group was founded in 1805 and is a privately held Swiss financial institution headquartered in Geneva that has historically operated as a general partnership and, since 2014, as a corporate partnership. A limited number of managing partners, generally eight or fewer, collectively known as “The Salon,” own and manage the Pictet Group. As of December 31, 2014, the Pictet Group had approximately 3,800 employees in various locations, primarily in Switzerland, but also in Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Bahamas. The Pictet Group operates two main business divisions: institutional asset management and private banking for individuals. From 2008 to 2014, the Pictet Group’s private banking division was operated by the group’s following banking entities: the Swiss bank (BANQUE PICTET & CIE SA); Pictet & Cie (Europe) SA, headquartered in Luxembourg; Bank Pictet & Cie (Asia) Ltd. in Singapore; and the Bahamian bank, Pictet Bank & Trust Ltd. The Pictet Group provided offshore corporation and trust formation and administration services to certain U.S. taxpayers, first through the Estate Planning and Trust Services unit and later through a wholly owned subsidiary called Rhone Trust and Fiduciary Services SA (Rhone). As of December 31, 2014, the Pictet Group’s private banking division managed or held custody of approximately $165 billion in assets under management (“AUM”). From 2008 to 2014, the Pictet Group served approximately 3,736 private accounts that had U.S. taxpayers as beneficial owners, whose aggregate maximum AUM, including declared assets, was approximately $20 billion. Though the Pictet Group adopted early measures to confirm that U.S. clients complied with U.S. law, from 2008 through 2014, the Pictet Group assisted certain U.S. taxpayer-clients with Pictet Group accounts in evading their U.S. tax obligations and otherwise hiding undeclared accounts [1] from the IRS. In total, from 2008 through 2014, the Pictet Group held 1,637 U.S. Penalty Accounts, [2] with aggregate maximum AUM of approximately $5.6 billion in January 2008, on behalf of U.S. taxpayer-clients, who collectively evaded approximately $50.6 million in U.S. taxes. The Pictet Group assisted U.S. taxpayer-clients with evading their U.S. taxes by opening and maintaining undeclared accounts for U.S. taxpayer-clients at the Pictet Group, either directly or through external asset managers. The Pictet Group also maintained accounts of certain U.S. taxpayer-clients within the Pictet Group in a manner that allowed the U.S. taxpayer-clients to further conceal their undeclared accounts from the IRS. The Pictet Group and certain of its employees knew or should have known that some of their U.S. taxpayer-clients were evading U.S. taxes. In every instance, managing partners approved the opening of new private client relationships and were informed of the closing of U.S. taxpayer-clients’ accounts, which included some undeclared accounts. As further detailed below, the Pictet Group used a variety of means to assist U.S. taxpayer-clients in concealing their undeclared accounts, including by: Forming or administering offshore entities in whose name the Pictet Group opened and maintained accounts, some of which were undeclared, for U.S. taxpayer-clients; Opening and maintaining undeclared accounts in the names of offshore entities formed by others for U.S. taxpayer-clients; Opening and maintaining Private Placement Life Insurance policy accounts, also called insurance wrappers, held in the name of insurance companies but beneficially owned by U.S. taxpayers and improperly managed or funded through undeclared accounts at the Pictet Group; Transferring funds from undeclared U.S. taxpayer-client accounts to accounts nominally held by non-U.S. clients but still controlled by U.S. taxpayer-clients via fictitious donations, thus assisting U.S. taxpayer-clients in continuing to maintain undeclared funds offshore; and Providing traditional Swiss banking products such as hold-mail account services, where account-related mail is held at the bank rather than sent to the client, and coded or numbered accounts; and Accepting IRS Forms W-8BEN [3] or Pictet Group’s substitute forms that the group knew or should have known falsely stated or implied under penalty of perjury that offshore entities beneficially owned the assets in the undeclared accounts. The $122.9 million BANQUE PICTET agreed to pay to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the DPA consists of (i) $52,164,201 to the United States, which represents gross fees (not profits) that the bank earned on its undeclared accounts between 2008 and 2014; (ii) $31,844,192 in restitution to the IRS, which represents the unpaid taxes resulting from BANQUE PICTET’s participation in the conspiracy; and (iii) a $38,950,998 penalty. The penalty considers the nature and seriousness of the Pictet Group's conduct, the Bank’s extensive internal investigation, the Bank’s substantial provision of documents to the Justice Department, and the Bank’s facilitation of witness interviews. The Bank further implemented remedial measures to protect against the use of its services for future tax evasion. In addition to the payment, BANQUE PICTET also agrees under the DPA to accept responsibility for its conduct by stipulating to the accuracy of an extensive Statements of Facts. BANQUE PICTET further agreed to refrain from all future criminal conduct, implement remedial measures and cooperate fully with further investigations into hidden bank accounts. Specifically, the Bank is required to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations and affirmatively disclose any information it may later uncover regarding U.S.-related accounts. The Bank is also required to disclose information consistent with the Justice Department’s Swiss Bank Program relating to accounts closed between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2022. The agreements provide no protection from criminal or civil prosecution for any individuals. If BANQUE PICTET continues to comply with its agreement, the United States has agreed to defer prosecution of BANQUE PICTET for a period of three years, after which time the United States will seek to dismiss the charge against BANQUE PICTET. * * * Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the special agents of IRS-CI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Justice Department’s Tax Division and the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Senior Litigation Counsel Nanette Davis of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel G. Nessim and Olga Zverovich are in charge of the prosecution. [1] An “undeclared account” was a financial account beneficially owned by an individual subject to U.S. tax obligations and maintained in a foreign country that had not been reported by the individual account owner to the U.S. Government on an income tax return or an FBAR—a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, FinCEN Form 114 (formerly known as Form TD F 90 22.1). [2] “U.S. Penalty Accounts” are defined as U.S. accounts valued over $50,000 that the parties agree should be subject to a penalty for the offense conduct. [3] The IRS Form W-8BEN is a tax form that identifies the foreign status of non-U.S. persons for U.S. tax withholding purposes.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearm

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on November 28, 2023. Ahmed Belhage, 27, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Belhage was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 11, 2023. In April of 2023, in Rapid City, Belhage, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, was found in possession of a Savage Arms semi-automatic rifle, which was found after Belhage came into contact with law enforcement. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Belhage was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Second Degree Murder

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Murder. The sentencing took place on November 28, 2023. Trent Brewer, age 21, was sentenced to 16 and a half years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Brewer was indicted for Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 28, 2023. The conviction stems from Brewer shooting another man after a verbal argument on April 1, 2023, in Pine Ridge. The victim succumbed to his injuries. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Brewer was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Russell County Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding Two Local Non-Profit Organizations

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Russell County man was sentenced last week to 2 years and 3 months in federal prison for defrauding two Russell County area non-profit organizations. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement. According to court records, Charles Davis, 57, was sentenced last week to 2 years and 3 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for two counts of wire fraud. The charges were in in connection with his thefts while working as treasurer from two Russell County non-profit organizations, ArtWorks Community Arts Education Center, a local non-profit in Jamestown, Kentucky, that provides arts education to children, and the Russell County Arts Council, another non-profit that provides arts education to children and the community. Davis was also ordered to pay $352,336.72 in restitution to ArtWorks Community Arts Education Center and the Russell County Arts Council. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Madison Sewell, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case. ###


title: Fort Myers Man Sentenced For Possessing Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Deshon G. Walker (27, Fort Myers) to three years and one month in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Walker to forfeit the firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense. Walker had pleaded guilty on August 21, 2023. According to court documents, on September 21, 2023, officers from the Fort Myers Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with Walker was the front seat passenger. Officers located a loaded Glock pistol under Walker’s seat. DNA analysis later linked Walker to the pistol. Walker had previously been convicted of a felony and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark R. Morgan. 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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Mexican National Sentenced To 15 Months In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry

body_text: Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Ibarra (32, Mexico) to 15 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States after deportation. Gonzalez-Ibarra had pleaded guilty on August 17, 2023. According to court documents, Gonzalez-Ibarra was arrested on July 16, 2023, by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence. He was also charged in state court with felony possession of a controlled substance after officers found methamphetamine on him during a search incident to his arrest. Gonzalez-Ibarra was found in the United States without legal authorization. He had previously been removed from the United States on eight occasions. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO). It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.


title: Arizona Man Sentenced to 45 Years is the Last Co-Conspirator Sentenced in a Multi-Defendant International Meth Conspiracy

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Kingman, Arizona, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on November 27, 2023. Rusty James Driscoll, 39, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Driscoll was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He was found guilty by a federal jury on August 4, 2023. In 2022, Driscoll, and at least 17 other co-conspirators, who were all previously indicted and sentenced, were involved in a large-scale multiple pound methamphetamine conspiracy stretching from Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana, then finally making its way to South Dakota. Driscoll had a direct connection to import methamphetamine from a source in Mexico. He coordinated shipments of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in South Dakota and Louisiana, who then distributed it to others in those areas. Agents identified the South Dakota cell leader of this organization as Christopher Daniels, who previously received a sentence of 30 years for his involvement in the conspiracy. Daniels obtained methamphetamine from Sean Gross, who lived in Arizona and sourced methamphetamine from Driscoll. Gross was sentenced to 26 years and eight months in prison for his involvement. In addition to Daniels in South Dakota, Gross and Driscoll also sent multiple pounds of methamphetamine to Jessica Johnson in Louisiana. Johnson received a sentence of 14 years for her involvement. Agents determined that Daniels was personally responsible for distributing at least 120 pounds of methamphetamine in South Dakota. Driscoll played a lead role in this conspiracy and was responsible for directing the quantities, prices, payments, and shipments of multiple multi-pound deliveries of methamphetamine to South Dakota and elsewhere. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS, SD Division of Criminal Investigation, SD Highway Patrol, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. Driscoll was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Repeat, Violent Felon Sentenced to Four and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Handgun

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Michael Spencer, 31 of Indianapolis has been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. According to court documents, on December 8, 2022, IMPD officers arrested Michael Spencer at a gas station on an outstanding warrant for intimidation of a domestic partner and a probation violation associated with a previous armed robbery conviction. During a search of Spencer’s person, officers found a .40 caliber Glock 24 pistol with an extended magazine containing 20 live rounds in his waist band. Spencer was convicted of armed robbery in 2010 and 2015. These felony convictions prohibit Spencer from ever legally possessing a firearm. “Abusers with guns pose an extreme danger to those closest to them. That’s why it’s so important to prosecute illegally armed criminals and disrupt the domestic violence cycle,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This defendant continued to illegally carry a gun even after multiple armed robbery convictions and an outstanding warrant for domestic violence. The serious prison sentence imposed will protect the public from the defendant for several years and sends a message to him and others like him about the consequences of continuing to illegally carry guns.” The FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Spencer be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $900 fine. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms. ###