title: Belgian National Charged with Crimes Related to Scheme to Illegally Procure Critical U.S. Technology for End Users in China and Russia

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: In two separate indictments unsealed yesterday, Hans Maria De Geetere, 61, of Knokke-Heist, Belgium, is charged with crimes related to a years-long scheme to unlawfully export sensitive, military-grade technology from the United States to end users located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation. Concurrent with the unsealing, authorities in Belgium, in coordination with the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Brussels, Belgium, executed search warrants and arrested De Geetere and others for questioning on Dec. 5 in connection with a Belgian investigation into De Geetere’s global illicit procurement scheme. In addition, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added De Geetere and his companies, Knokke-Heist Support Management Corporation and European Trading Technology BV, to the BIS Entity List and the OFAC Specially Designated and Blocked Person (SDN) List for acquiring and illicitly diverting U.S.-origin electronic components used in missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare receivers, and military radar on behalf of parties in the PRC and Russia. “As alleged, Hans Maria De Geetere orchestrated multiple smuggling schemes to unlawfully re-export advanced U.S. technologies to China and Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department is committed to working with partners, including through our leadership of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, to hold accountable those who violate U.S. export control laws, and place personal profit over the security of the United States and our allies. We are grateful to the Belgian authorities for their coordination with U.S. law enforcement as they work to hold the defendant accountable under Belgian law.” “Hans De Geetere allegedly acquired and illicitly diverted U.S.-origin electronic components to China and Russia that can be used in missiles, drones, and military radar,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “These coordinated actions, which include the unsealing of federal indictments against De Geetere, his arrest abroad, and additions to our Entity List, demonstrate our commitment to cutting off the flow of critical U.S. electronics to the PRC and Russia.” “These indictments of Hans Maria De Geetere highlight years of deceit and deception for the benefit of the governments of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “These charges demonstrate the commitment of the FBI and our partners to coordinate and make the world safer, together, by preventing the illegal transfer of military-use technology to our adversaries.” U.S. v. De Geetere et al., Eastern District of Texas According to court documents in the Eastern District of Texas, between March 2016 and February 2018, De Geetere and co-defendant Eddy Johan Coopmans, 62, of Ponte Verda, Florida, conspired to illegally smuggle from the United States export-controlled field programmable gate array (FGPA) circuits to Russia and short-wave infrared surveillance (SWIR) cameras to the PRC. As alleged, the defendants wired partial payments totaling over $1.2 million in an attempt to acquire these items. Coopsmans pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on Oct. 5, 2022, and is pending sentencing. “As alleged, Mr. De Geetere conspired with others to violate U.S. export controls and illegally smuggle sensitive American-made technologies to Russia and the PRC,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “This indictment should be an example that the Eastern District of Texas will aggressively pursue and prosecute those — no matter where they are in the world — who seek to avoid U.S. export laws to supply Russia and the PRC with microelectronics that can be used for nefarious purposes.” U.S. v. De Geetere, District of Oregon Separately, according to court documents in the District of Oregon, between April 2021 and August 2023, De Geetere attempted to illegally procure for export to the PRC controlled accelerometers valued at more than $930,000. Accelerometers are electronic devices that measure the vibration, tilt and acceleration of motion of a structure and are often used in aerospace and military systems. During an investigation into De Geetere’s activities, he falsely told a BIS agent that the accelerometers were intended for export to Belgium, whereas in truth, he sought to obtain them for end users in the PRC. “Export control laws and regulations serve an important role in protecting our national security and this case demonstrates our commitment to holding individuals accountable wherever they reside,” said U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight for the District of Oregon. “We urge anyone with information about violations of export control laws to contact OEE and the FBI immediately.” In the Eastern District of Texas, De Geetere is charged with one count of conspiring to smuggle goods and one count of conspiring to launder funds. He is further charged with three counts of making false statements and one count of smuggling goods in the District of Oregon. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to smuggle goods and for each count of making false statements, 10 years in prison for smuggling of goods, and 20 years in prison for conspiracy to launder funds. The case in the Eastern District of Texas was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, with assistance from BIS’s Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern District of Texas are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Derek Shugert of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES). The case in the District of Oregon was investigated by OEE, with assistance from the FBI Portland Field Office and HSI Oregon. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Nyhus for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case, with assistance from CES Trial Attorney Derek Shugert. These actions were coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. De Geetere Texas Indictment De Geetere Oregon Indictment Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office Press Release


title: Marion County tax preparer charged with filing false tax returns

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jack Lee Oliver, age 55, of Rivesville, West Virginia, has been charged with filing false tax returns. Oliver was indicted on 32 counts involving the preparation and filing of false tax returns. According to court documents, Oliver is the owner of an insurance sales and tax return preparation business, Insurance Depot, in Fairmont, West Virginia. Oliver is accused of making false claims on his personal tax returns and tax filings for customers, resulting in overpayments of more than $800,000 from the Internal Revenue Service. Oliver is facing up to three years in federal prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service investigated. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Local Business Owner Sentenced for Failure to Pay Employment Taxes and File Federal Tax Return

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Bondurant man was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison for failure to pay over employee trust fund taxes and failure to file a federal tax return. According to court documents, from 2015 to 2020, Thomas James Morford, 50, who operated a local concrete business, failed to pay $355,049 in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This included the failure to pay taxes that he had collected from employees through withholding, as well as matching employer contributions to Social Security and Medicare. Morford also failed to file federal tax returns for 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. After completing his term of imprisonment, Morford will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Morford was also ordered to pay $355,049.68 in restitution to the IRS. “Withholding employment taxes from employee wages and willfully failing to remit them to the IRS is a serious offense,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock. “Not only does this harm employees, but it also robs the Treasury of funds and that has the potential to harm all those who rely on support from government programs.” United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Federal Hate Crimes Against Haitian Nationals

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A Springfield, Ohio, man was sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday to 20 years in prison for committing federal hate crimes targeting and attacking Haitian nationals 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 eight 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 targeted for violent abuse and robbery because of who they are, will not be tolerated. The Justice Department will continue to enforce our federal criminal civil rights laws to protect all people in this country, and we will prosecute predators who commit violent, bias-motivated crimes.” “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 for the Southern District of Ohio. “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 Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office. “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, 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 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/or other personal belongings. On Jan. 29, 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 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, Eubanks directed juveniles to help him complete four separate attacks on five additional victims. The FBI Cincinnati Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Ryan A. Saunders for the Southern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.


title: Four Russia-Affiliated Military Personnel Charged with War Crimes in Connection with Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

component: Civil Rights - Appellate Section

body_text: War crimes charges against four Russia-affiliated military personnel were unsealed today in the Eastern District of Virginia. The charges include torture, inhuman treatment, and unlawful confinement of a U.S. national in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, 45, Dmitry Budnik, Valerii LNU (last name unknown), and Nazar LNU were each charged in connection with their unlawful detainment of a U.S. national in the context of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The defendants are alleged to have interrogated, severely beaten, and tortured the victim. They also allegedly threatened to kill the victim and conducted a mock execution. “As the world has witnessed the horrors of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, so has the United States Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department has filed the first ever charges under the U.S. war crimes statute against four Russia- affiliated military personnel for heinous crimes against an American citizen. The Justice Department will work for as long as it takes to pursue accountability and justice for Russia’s war of aggression.” “Thanks to the tireless and unprecedented work of federal law enforcement agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Justice Department, four Russian soldiers, accused of unthinkable, unacceptable human rights violations against an American citizen, have been charged with war crimes and will be brought to justice,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The indictments unsealed today send a clear message to Russia – our government will spare no effort and spare no resource to hold accountable those who violate the fundamental human rights of an American.” “Since the start of their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russia has weaponized human rights abuses to wreak unimaginable tragedy,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Today’s indictment – the first ever under the U.S. war crimes statute – makes clear that the FBI will work with the full cooperation of international law enforcement to bring justice to the victims of these atrocities. The human toll of the conflict in Ukraine weighs heavily on the hearts of the FBI, and we’re resolved to hold war criminals accountable no matter where they are or how long it takes.” “Torturing and unlawfully confining a protected person are serious human rights abuses that must not go unpunished,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These historic criminal charges – the first ever brought under the U.S. war crimes statute – are an important step in the Justice Department’s continuing efforts to pursue every avenue of accountability for those who commit war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine.” According to allegations in the indictment, Mkrtchyan and Budnik were commanding officers of military units of the Russian Armed Forces and/or the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and Valerii and Nazar were lower-ranking military personnel. The defendants are alleged to have been fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine when they allegedly committed war crimes. In April 2022, Mkrtchyan and soldiers under his command allegedly abducted the victim, a U.S. national, from his home in the village of Mylove in the Kherson Oblast region in southern Ukraine and unlawfully confined him for at least 10 days. During the abduction, Mkrtchyan, Valerii, Nazar, and others allegedly threw the victim face down to the ground while he was naked, tied his hands behind his back, pointed a gun at his head, and severely beat him, including with the stocks of their guns. Mkrtchyan, Valerii, Nazar, and others then allegedly transported the victim to an improvised military compound in Mylove. “These charges reflect that the defendants’ alleged actions are not only grave breaches of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, but also violations of U.S. law,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are proud to be at the forefront of the Justice Department’s effort to hold perpetrators of war crimes violations accountable in Ukraine and will continue to pursue them. We thank our investigative partners on this case, the War Crimes Accountability Team, the FBI Washington Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations for their outstanding efforts to gather evidence required for these charges.” The indictment also alleges that Mkrtchyan and Budnik led and participated in at least two interrogation sessions during which the four defendants and others tortured the victim. During one interrogation, Mkrtchyan, Valerii, and Nazar allegedly stripped off the victim’s clothes and photographed him. The defendants and others then allegedly severely beat the victim, pointed guns at the back of his head, and threatened to shoot him. Budnik allegedly threatened the victim with death and asked for his last words. Shortly thereafter, Nazar and others allegedly conducted a mock execution. They allegedly forced the victim to the ground, put a gun to the back of his head, then moved the gun slightly and shot a bullet just past the victim’s head. “These historic charges are the culmination of a complex investigation by the FBI and our partners that spans the globe,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work alongside our domestic and international partners to pursue justice and hold those accountable who commit such atrocities against others.” “Acting on behalf of the Russian Armed Forces and the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, these four individuals allegedly violated the human rights of an American citizen,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “According to the charges, they unlawfully detained and tortured the American citizen, and even went so far as to carry out a mock execution. The unsealing of these charges for war crimes is an important step in bringing the responsible parties to justice. HSI will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who violates the human rights of our American citizens – at home or overseas.” The defendants are charged with three war crimes – unlawful confinement, torture, and inhuman treatment – and one count of conspiracy to commit war crimes. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of life in prison. The FBI Washington Field Office and HSI Washington, D.C., Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit and HSI’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, investigated the war crimes allegations in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Justice Department’s War Crimes Accountability Team, which is based in the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. HRSP Trial Attorney and Lead Prosecutor for the War Crimes Accountability Team Christian Levesque, HRSP Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas W. Traxler for the Eastern District of Virginia. HRSP historians and other staff provided substantial assistance in the investigation and prosecution. The Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Appellate Section, Office of Enforcement Operations, and Office of International Affairs, as well as the National Security Division, also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department is grateful for the substantial assistance the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has provided in furthering the investigation. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States or the location of the defendants named in this indictment are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or through the FBI online tip form or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or through the ICE online tip form . All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Indictment


title: Четырем российским военнослужащим предъявлены обвинения в военных преступлениях в связи с вторжением России в Украину

body_text: Сегодня в суде Восточного округа штата Вирджиния были оглашены обвинения в военных преступлениях, предъявленные четырем российским военнослужащим. Они обвиняются в пытках, бесчеловечном обращении и незаконном лишении свободы гражданина США на территории Украины после полномасштабного вторжения России в Украину в феврале 2022 года. 45-летнему Сурену Сейрановичу Мкртчяну, Дмитрию Буднику, Валерию (фамилия неизвестна) и Назару (фамилия неизвестна) были предъявлены обвинения в связи с незаконным задержанием гражданина США в контексте вооруженного конфликта между Россией и Украиной. Обвиняемые, как утверждается, допрашивали, жестоко избивали,пытали,угрожали убить жертву и устроили инсценировку казни. “Сейчас, когда мир становится свидетелем ужасов жестокого вторжения России в Украину, Министерство юстиции Соединенных Штатов наблюдает то же самое, — заявил министр юстиции США Меррик Б. Гарланд. — Именно поэтому Министерство юстиции впервые в истории выдвинуло обвинения в соответствии с законом США о военных преступлениях против четырех российских военнослужащих за зверские преступления против американского гражданина. Министерство юстиции приложит все усилия , чтобы добиться привлечения к ответственности и правосудия за агрессивную войну, которую ведет Россия”. “Благодаря неустанной и беспрецедентной работе сотрудников федеральных правоохранительных органов из отдела расследований Министерства национальной безопасности и Министерства юстиции четырем российским военнослужащим, совершившим немыслимые, неприемлемые нарушения прав человека в отношении американского гражданина, предъявлены обвинения в совершении военных преступлений и они будут привлечены к ответственности, — заявил министр национальной безопасности Алехандро Н. Майоркас. — Обнародованные сегодня обвинительные заключения ясно дают понять России: наше правительство не пожалеет усилий и ресурсов, чтобы привлечь к ответственности тех, кто нарушает фундаментальные права американских граждан”. “С начала своего незаконного вторжения в Украину Россия использует нарушения прав человека в качестве оружия, причиняя людям невообразимые страдания, — заявил директор ФБР Кристофер Рэй. — Сегодняшнее обвинительное заключение – первое в истории в соответствии с законом США о военных преступлениях – ясно дает понять, что ФБР будет работать при полном содействии со стороны международных правоохранительных органов, чтобы добиться справедливости для жертв этих злодеяний. Человеческие жертвы конфликта в Украине тяжелым грузом ложатся на сердца сотрудников ФБР, и мы полны решимости привлечь военных преступников к ответственности независимо от того, где они находятся и сколько времени это займет”. “Пытки и незаконное содержание под стражей являются серьезными нарушениями прав человека, которые не должны оставаться безнаказанными, — заявила исполняющая обязанности помощника Генерального прокурора Николь М. Арджентьери из Криминального управления министерства. — Эти беспрецедентные уголовные обвинения, впервые в истории предъявленные в соответствии с законом США о военных преступлениях, являются важным шагом в продолжающихся усилиях Министерства юстиции по привлечению к ответственности всех, кто совершает военные преступления и другие злодеяния в Украине”. Согласно обвинительному заключению, Мкртчян и Будник были командирами воинских частей Вооруженных сил России и/или вооруженных формирований так называемой Донецкой Народной Республики, а Валерий и Назар были военнослужащими более низкого ранга. Обвиняемые, как утверждается, воевали на стороне России в Украине, когда они совершали вменяемые им военные преступления. В апреле 2022 года Мкртчян и военнослужащие под его командованием предположительно похитили жертву, гражданина США, из его дома в селе Мыловое Херсонской области на юге Украины и незаконно удерживали его под стражей по меньшей мере 10 дней. Во время похищения Мкртчян, Валерий, Назар и другие предположительно бросили жертву раздетым, лицом вниз на землю, связали ему руки за спиной, приставили пистолет к его голове и жестоко избили его, в том числе прикладами автоматов. Затем Мкртчян, Валерий, Назар и другие предположительно перевезли жертву на импровизированный военный объект в Мыловое. “Эти обвинения свидетельствуют о том, что предполагаемые действия обвиняемых являются не только серьезными нарушениями Женевской конвенции о защите гражданского населения во время войны, но и нарушением законодательства США, — заявила федеральный прокурор Восточного округа штата Вирджиния Джессика Эйбер. — Мы гордимся тем, что находимся в авангарде усилий Министерства юстиции по привлечению к ответственности лиц, виновных в совершении военных преступлений в Украине, и будем продолжать преследовать их. Мы благодарим наших партнеров по расследованию этого дела, Группу по привлечению к ответственности за военные преступления, оперативный отдел ФБР в Вашингтоне и Отдел расследований Министерства Национальной Безопасности за их выдающиеся усилия по сбору доказательств, необходимых для предъявления этих обвинений”. В обвинительном заключении также утверждается, что Мкртчян и Будник участвовали и руководили по меньшей мере двумя допросами, в ходе которых четверо обвиняемых и другие лица пытали жертву. Как утверждается , во время одного из допросов Мкртчян, Валерий и Назар сняли с жертвы одежду и сфотографировали его, жестоко избили, приставили пистолеты к его затылку и угрожали застрелить его. Будник, как утверждается, угрожал жертве смертью и требовал от него произнести последнее слово. Вскоре после этого Назар и другие лица, как утверждается, устроили инсценировку казни, повалили жертву на землю, приставили пистолет к его затылку, затем немного отвели пистолет в сторону и произвели выстрел рядом с головой жертвы. “Эти беспрецедентные обвинения являются кульминацией сложного расследования, которое проводилось ФБР и нашими партнерами в разных странах мира, — сказал помощник директора ФБР и руководитель вашингтонского отделения Дэвид Сандберг. — ФБР продолжит тесно сотрудничать с нашими партнерами в стране и международными партнерами, чтобы добиться правосудия и привлечь к ответственности тех, кто совершает подобные злодеяния”. “Действуя в составе российских Вооруженных сил и вооруженных формирований так называемой Донецкой Народной Республики, эти четверо обвиняемых предположительно нарушили права американского гражданина, — заявила исполнительный помощник директора Катрина Бергер из Отдела расследований Министерства национальной безопасности. — Согласно обвинениям, они незаконно задержали и пытали американского гражданина и даже устроили инсценировку казни. Обнародование этих обвинений в военных преступлениях является важным шагом в процессе привлечения виновных к ответственности. Отдел расследований продолжит активно преследовать любого, кто нарушает права наших американских граждан, будь то в США или в других странах”. Указанные лица обвиняются в военных преступлениях по трем пунктам, которыми являются незаконное лишение свободы, пытки и бесчеловечное обращение, и по одному пункту обвинения во вступлении в сговор с целью совершения военного преступления. В случае признания виновным каждому из подсудимых грозит максимальное наказание в виде пожизненного заключения. Вашингтонское отделение ФБР и местное отделение следственного управления Министерства национальной безопасности в Вашингтоне, округ Колумбия, при содействии Международного отдела ФБР по правам человека и Центра по борьбе с нарушениями прав человека и военными преступлениями при следственном управлении МНБ провели расследования по обвинениям в военных преступлениях совместно с окружной прокуратурой США по Восточному округу штата Вирджиния и Группой по привлечению к ответственности за преступления Министерства юстиции США, базируется в отделе по правам человека и специальным судебным преследованиям (HRSP) Криминального управления Министерства юстиции. Уголовное преследование по этому делу ведут судебный адвокат HRSP и ведущий обвинитель Группы по привлечению к ответственности за военные преступления Кристиан Левеск, судебный адвокат HRSP Патрик Джасперс и помощник прокурора США Александр Бланчард из Восточного округа штата Вирджиния. Важное содействие им оказывают бывший помощник федерального прокурора по Восточному округу штата Вирджиния Томас У. Тракслер. Сотрудники архивного отдела HRSP и другие сотрудники оказали существенную помощь в расследовании и судебном преследовании. Ценную помощь также оказали Отдел по расследованию компьютерных преступлений и преступлений в отношении интеллектуальной собственности Криминального управления, апелляционный отдел Управления по контролю за соблюдением законодательства и Управление международных отношений, а также Отдел национальной безопасности. Министерство юстиции благодарит Генеральную прокуратуру Украины за существенную помощь, оказанную в проведении расследования. Представителям общественности, располагающим информацией о нарушителях прав человека в Соединенных Штатах или о местонахождении обвиняемых, названных в этом обвинительном заключении, настоятельно рекомендуется связаться с ФБР по телефону 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) или заполнив форму онлайн-оповещения ФБР, или с Отделом расследований Министерства национальной безопасности (HSI) по телефону 1-866DHS-2-ICE или заполнив форму онлайн-оповещения Иммиграционно-таможенной службы (ICE). Все они работают круглосуточно, и сообщения принимаются на условиях анонимности. Предъявление обвинения – это еще не доказательство вины. Обвиняемый считается невиновным до тех пор, пока его вина не доказана судом вне всяких разумных сомнений. Indictment


title: Чотирьох пов’язаних з Росією військовослужбовців звинувачують у військових злочинах у зв’язку з вторгненням Росії в Україну

body_text: Сьогодні в суді Східного округу Вірджинії було оприлюднено звинувачення у військових злочинах проти чотирьох пов'язаних з Росією військових. Вони обвинувачуються в катуванні, нелюдському поводженню та незаконному ув’язненні громадянина США в Україні після повномасштабного вторгнення Росії в Україну в лютому 2022 року. 45-річному Сурену Сейрановичу Мкртчяну, Дмитру Будніку, Валерію (прізвище невідоме) та Назару (прізвище невідоме) висунуто звинувачення у незаконному затриманні громадянина США в умовах збройного конфлікту між Росією та Україною. Ці особи підозрюються в тому, що вони допитували, жорстоко били та катували потерпілого. Вони також нібито погрожували вбити жертву та влаштували імітацію страти. «Відколи світ став свідком жахіть жорстокого вторгнення Росії в Україну, за ними також спостерігає і Міністерство юстиції Сполучених Штатів, – сказав міністр юстиції США Меррік Гарленд. – Саме тому Міністерство юстиції висунуло перші в історії звинувачення згідно зі статутом США про військові злочини чотирьом військовослужбовцям, пов’язаним з Росією, за жахливі злочини проти американського громадянина. Міністерство юстиції працюватиме стільки, скільки буде потрібно, щоб привести винних до відповідальності та відновити справедливість, яку було порушено в результаті агресивної війни Росії». «Завдяки невтомній і безпрецедентній праці федеральних правоохоронних агентів із відділу розслідувань Міністерства внутрішньої безпеки та Міністерства юстиції, чотирьом російським солдатам, звинуваченим у неймовірних, неприйнятних порушеннях прав людини американського громадянина, висунули звинувачення у військових злочинах і їх буде притягнуто до відповідальності, – зауважив міністр внутрішньої безпеки Алехандро Майоркас. – Звинувачення, які сьогодні було оприлюднено, надсилають чітке повідомлення Росії — наш уряд не пошкодує зусиль і ресурсів, щоб притягнути до відповідальності тих, хто порушує фундаментальні права людини американських громадян». «З початку свого неспровокованого вторгнення в Україну Росія використовувала порушення прав людини як зброю, щоб завдати людям неймовірних страждань, — заявив директор ФБР Крістофер Рей. – Сьогоднішнє обвинувачення – перше в історії згідно зі статутом США про військові злочини – чітко показує, що ФБР працюватиме у тісній співпраці з міжнародними правоохоронними органами, щоб відновити справедливість для жертв цих жорстокостей. Людські втрати внаслідок конфлікту в Україні важким тягарем лягають на серця агентів ФБР, і ми сповнені рішучості притягнути військових злочинців до відповідальності незалежно від того, де вони перебувають і скільки часу це займе». «Катування та незаконне ув’язнення особи, яка перебуває під захистом, є серйозними порушеннями прав людини, які не повинні залишатися безкарними, – сказала виконувач обов’язків помічника генерального прокурора Ніколь Арджентьєрі з кримінального відділу Міністерства юстиції. – Ці історичні кримінальні звинувачення — перші в історії, висунуті згідно зі статутом США про військові злочини — є важливим кроком у постійних зусиллях Міністерства юстиції, спрямованих на притягнення до відповідальності тих, хто чинить військові злочини та інші жорстокі дії в Україні. Згідно з актом обвинувачення, Мкртчян і Буднік були командирами військових частин збройних сил РФ і/або так званої ДНР, а Валерій і Назар – військовослужбовцями нижчого складу. Як стверджується, звинувачені воювали на боці Росії в Україні, коли вони скоїли військові злочини, про які було повідомлено. У квітні 2022 року Мкртчян і солдати під його командуванням, відповідно до свідчень, викрали потерпілого, громадянина США, з його будинку в селі Милове Херсонської області на півдні України та незаконно утримували його щонайменше протягом десяти днів. Під час викрадення Мкртчян, Валерій, Назар та інші притисли голого потерпілого обличчям до землі, зв’язали йому руки за спиною, приклали до голови пістолета і жорстоко били його, в тому числі прикладами. Потім Мкртчян, Валерій, Назар та інші нібито перевезли потерпілого до імпровізованої військової бази у Миловому. «Ці звинувачення свідчать про те, що дії обвинувачених, про які було засвідчено, є не лише серйозними порушеннями Женевської конвенції про захист цивільного населення під час війни, але й порушенням законодавства США, — заявила прокурор Східного округу штату Вірджинія Джессіка Абер. – Ми пишаємося тим, що виступаємо в авангарді зусиль Міністерства юстиції щодо притягнення до відповідальності осіб, які вчинили військові злочини в Україні, і продовжуватимемо їх переслідувати. Ми дякуємо нашим партнерам по розслідуванню цієї справи, групі аналізу військових злочинів, польовому офісу ФБР у Вашингтоні та Міністерсиву національної безпеки за їхні видатні зусилля зі збору доказів, необхідних для цих звинувачень». В акті обвинувачення також зазначається, що Мкртчян і Буднік керували та брали участь щонайменше у двох допитах, під час яких четверо підсудних та інші катували потерпілого. На одному з допитів Мкртчян, Валерій і Назар нібито зняли з потерпілого одяг і сфотографували його. Тоді обвинувачені та інші нібито жорстоко побили потерпілого, спрямували пістолети йому в потилицю та погрожували розстріляти. Будник нібито погрожував вбити потерпілого і вимагав сказати прощальні слова. Незабаром після цього Назар та інші влаштували імітацію страти. Вони нібито змусили жертву впасти на землю, приставили пістолет до потилиці, потім відвели пістолет і випустили кулю прямо повз голову жертви. «Ці історичні звинувачення є кульмінацією складного розслідування ФБР і наших партнерів, яке охоплює весь світ, — повідомив помічник директора ФБР і керівник вашингтонського офісу Девід Сандберг. – ФБР продовжуватиме співпрацювати з нашими внутрішніми та міжнародними партнерами, щоб досягти правосуддя та притягнути до відповідальності тих, хто вчиняє такі звірства». «За свідченнями, діючи від імені російських збройних сил і так званої Донецької народної республіки, ці четверо осіб порушили права людини американського громадянина, – заявила виконувачка обов‘язків помічника директора з розслідувань внутрішньої безпеки (HSI) Катріна Бергер. – Згідно з обвинуваченнями, вони незаконно затримали і катували американського громадянина і навіть дійшли до імітації страти. Оприлюднення цих звинувачень у військових злочинах є важливим кроком у притягненні винних до відповідальності. HSI продовжуватиме агресивно переслідувати всіх, хто порушує права людини наших американських громадян – вдома чи за кордоном». Зазначені особи звинувачуються у трьох військових злочинах – незаконному ув’язненні, тортурах і нелюдському поводженні – і в одному пункті – у змові з метою вчинення військових злочинів. У разі доведення вини обвинуваченим загрожує максимальне покарання у вигляді довічного ув'язнення. Відділення ФБР та HSI у Вашингтоні (округ Колумбія), за сприяння Міжнародного відділу прав людини ФБР та Центру переслідування порушників прав людини та військових злочинців HSI, розслідували звинувачення у військових злочинах у партнерстві з Офісом прокурора Східного округу Вірджинії та Групою з питань підзвітності військових злочинів Міністерства юстиції, яка базується у Відділі прав людини та спеціального судового переслідування (HRSP) кримінального відділу Міністерства юстиції. Справу ведуть судовий адвокат HRSP і провідний адвокат обвинувачення групи розслідування військових злочинів Крістіан Левеск, судовий адвокат HRSP Патрік Джасперс і помічник прокурора у Східному окрузі Вірджинії Олександр Бланшар за вагомої підтримки колишнього помічника прокурора Східного округу Вірджинії Томаса Тракслера. Суттєву допомогу в розслідуванні та судовому переслідуванні надали Історики HRSP та інші співробітники. Цінну допомогу надали Офіс боротьби з комп’ютерними злочинами та порушенням прав інтелектуальної власності Кримінального відділу, Апеляційний відділ, Управління правоохоронних операцій і Управління міжнародних справ, а також Відділ національної безпеки. Міністерство юстиції висловлює вдячність Генеральній прокуратурі України за суттєву допомогу в розслідуванні. Представників громадськості, які мають інформацію про порушників прав людини в Сполучених Штатах або місцезнаходження обвинувачених, зазначених у цьому звинуваченні, просимо зв’язатися з ФБР за номером 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) або через онлайн-форму на сайті ФБР. Посилання на інші урядові та неурядові сайти зазвичай відображатимуться разом із піктограмою «зовнішнього посилання», які вказують, що ви залишаєте веб-сайт Міністерства юстиції, коли натискаєте на посилання. Зв’яжіться з HSI за номером 1-866-DHS-2-ICE або через онлайн-форму ICE. Посилання на інші державні та неурядові сайти зазвичай відображатимуться разом із позначкою «зовнішнього посилання», яка вказуватиме на те, що ви залишаєте веб-сайт Міністерства юстиції, коли переходите за посиланням. Усі колл-центри працюють цілодобово, а інформацію можна надавати анонімно. Обвинувальний висновок — це лише твердження. Усі обвинувачені вважаються невинуватими, доки їх вину не буде доведено в суді поза логічними сумнівами. Indictment


title: Bomb hoaxes lead to indictment of Chatham County man

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been indicted for making bomb hoaxes targeting a Savannah mosque and an office park. Mohammed Arafat Afaneh , 27, of Savannah, was indicted by a U.S. District Court Grand Jury on two counts of False Information and Hoaxes, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Afaneh was located and arrested on state charges in Louisville, Kentucky, and remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals after an initial appearance hearing in federal court in the Western District of Kentucky. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 17, Afaneh conveyed information that a bomb that would detonate at 3 p.m. at an office park on Chatham Parkway in Savannah, near the federal court building, and that a bomb would detonate seven minutes before Maghrib, or afternoon prayers, inside the Islamic Center of Savannah. Responding law enforcement agencies determined both warnings were hoaxes. Indictments contain only charges. Afaneh is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darron J. Hubbard.


title: Española Trio Face Charges in Relation to String of Armed Robberies that Led to Shooting Death

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Ricky Eddie Martinez, Jr., Adelene Urquijo and Ashley Thompson have been charged in relation to a string of robberies in 2022 that culminated with the shooting death of a Blake’s Lotaburger employee on Aug. 16. Martinez, 32, of Española, is charged with 3 counts of interference with commerce by robbery, 1 count of interference with commerce by attempted robbery, 2 counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count of discharging said firearm, and 1 count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Urquijo, 37, of Española, is charged with aiding and abetting an interference with commerce by attempted robbery. Urquijo and Thompson, 33, of Santa Fe, are charged with being accessories after the fact. Martinez and Urquijo are detained pending trial. Thompson was recently arrested and will be scheduled for a detention hearing at a later date. According to the criminal complaint, from Aug. 9 through Aug. 16, 2022, Martinez allegedly robbed at least seven businesses in Española, Taos and Santa Fe. In each robbery, Martinez allegedly entered the business, brandished a pistol and demanded money. During a robbery of a Walgreens in Española, Martinez became agitated when a store employee had trouble opening the cash register. Martinez allegedly fired a shot in the direction of the employee, who sustained burns due to the proximity of the gun power from the shot. On Aug. 16, Martinez allegedly entered a Blake’s Lotaburger in Española and, while ordering food, brandished a firearm and demanded money. Martinez then allegedly fatally shot an employee. Martinez allegedly climbed over the counter and pistol whipped another employee, striking the employee repeatedly in the back of the head. Martinez allegedly attempted to open the cash register, but failed and fled the building on foot. According to the indictment, Urquijo aided and abetted Martinez during the Aug. 16 incident. Following the incident, Urquijo and Thompson allegedly provided Martinez with assistance in order to prevent his apprehension. Martinez was previously convicted on three counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle in 2013, assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country in 2019, and escape or attempt to escape from jail, aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, robbery and burglary of a vehicle in 2021. As a previously convicted felon, Martinez cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Martinez faces up to life in prison. Urquijo faces up to 20 years in prison and Thompson faces up to 10 years in prison. The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case. View the Superseding Indictment # # # 23-278


title: Adams County Man Sentenced To 300 Months’ Imprisonment For Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Sealover, age 45, of Adams County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 5, 2023, by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 300 months’ imprisonment for producing child pornography. Judge Wilson also ordered Sealover to serve 15 years on supervised release after the conclusion of his prison sentence and to pay $5,100 in assessments. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Sealover previously pleaded guilty and admitted to contacting multiple pre-adolescent girls online in July 2020, and coercing and enticing them to send him sexually explicit images at his direction. As part of the scheme, Sealover often posed as a teenage boy to gain the girls’ trust and then enticed his victims to send him sexually explicit images, falsely promising to give the victims cell phones as compensation. When Sealover’s victims resisted his instructions or expressed despair at being exploited, Sealover would threaten to publish their images online unless they complied with his demands. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Adams County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. # # #


title: Two charged in $1.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud conspiracy

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A Houston area brother and sister have been indicted for submitting fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jonathan Flores, 31, Willis, and Bianca April Flores, 29, Houston, are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan at 2 p.m. The six-count indictment, returned Nov. 29, alleges both committed one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, Jonathan and Bianca Flores conspired to submit nine false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications. They allegedly falsified the number of employees and the average monthly payroll expenses of the applicant businesses. According to the charges, Jonathan and Bianca Flores fraudulently obtained approximately $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. If convicted, each face up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, while wire fraud carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin R. Martin is prosecuting the case. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Owners of Brooklyn Plumbing Company Indicted for Evading Taxes on More Than $10 Million in Income

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: An indictment was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Alexander Figliolia, Jr., and Kenneth Sutherland, the owners of Liberty Water & Sewer (Liberty Water), a Brooklyn-based plumbing company which they operate as a partnership, with tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Figliolia, Jr., and Sutherland were arrested earlier today, and their initial appearances are scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the arrests and charges. “Business owners like everyone else have an obligation to pay their fair share of taxes,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “As alleged, the defendants made millions of dollars repairing water and sewer lines for New York City residents, but instead of dutifully paying the taxes they owed, they improperly classified more than $10 million of personal expenses as business expenses. Their greed drained the government’s coffers of nearly $4 million in tax revenue.” “Figliolia and Sutherland were living the lavish life while allegedly failing to report more than ten million dollars in income. The yachts, jewelry and family trips were all paid for with money owed to the federal government. Today’s indictment is a message to all those who choose to evade taxes, one day your extravagant lifestyle on the taxpayer dime will come to an end, and you will be prosecuted for your actions,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso. “The defendants, as charged, evaded taxes on millions of dollars of income from the business they conducted in New York City, by misclassifying lavish personal expenses as business expenses to reduce their tax burden. I thank our federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to hold corrupt contractors in this City accountable,” stated DOI Commissioner Strauber. "The alleged greed and abuse of trust here are unconscionable. Pocketing funds to support an extravagant lifestyle is an afront to hardworking taxpayers who depended on these men to do honest work," said James Smith, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI New York Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of significant financial crime and holding the people behind them accountable for their actions.” As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, between January 2017 and June 2020, the defendants evaded personal income taxes by issuing checks and wiring money from Liberty Water’s bank account to pay for personal expenses. The defendants classified these payments of their personal expenses as business expenses of Liberty Water, thereby reducing Liberty Water’s profits and reducing the defendants’ personal income tax burdens. For example, Figliolia, Jr., and Sutherland classified more than $1.75 million of personal credit card expenses, including home renovations, a family trip to Disney World, jewelry, clothing and veterinary expenses, as business expenses. As another example, Figliolia, Jr., and Sutherland obtained loans of more than $2.8 million on personal life insurance policies, and repaid the loans using Liberty Water funds, allowing them to siphon that money out of the business without paying taxes. As still another example, Figliolia, Jr., issued more than $4 million in checks from Liberty Water’s bank account to a law firm for the payment of personal expenses, including the purchase of multiple properties and a yacht, but classified them as business expenses of Liberty Water. In total, Figliolia, Jr., and Sutherland intentionally diverted approximately $10,225,213 from Liberty Water between tax years 2017 and 2019, resulting in the evasion of approximately $3,933,046 in federal taxes. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment on each count. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Pilmar and Dana Rehnquist. The Defendants : ALEXANDER FIGLIOLIA, JR. Age: 50 Staten Island, NY KENNETH SUTHERLAND Age: 62 Staten Island, NY E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-498


title: California Man to Serve 17 Years for Supplying Fentanyl  Causing Wise County Overdoses

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A California man, who supplied the fentanyl linked to teenage overdoses that occurred in Wise County, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 17 years in federal prison. Alexander Ortiz, 26, a.k.a. “LoLife,” of Fullerton, Calif., pleaded guilty in January 2023 to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, Ortiz and his co-conspirators, Jorge Efrain Perez and Destiny Raeann Perez, were the suppliers of fentanyl for Paul Mason Perkins, Aaron Stidham, Austin Jeremiah Lane, Cheyenne Cassie Carico, and others, all of Southwest Virginia. Between November 2020, and June 2022, Ortiz sold thousands of pressed pills containing fentanyl to Perkins and others. Ortiz sold 1,000 pills at a time to Perkins using the social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram, making sales to Perkins every few weeks. Ortiz had the pills mailed to Perkins at his residence in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Perkins then distributed the pills to other individuals in Wise County, including multiple sales to co-conspirators Lane and Carico. Jorge Perez and Destiny Perez assisted Ortiz in mailing the illicit packages from California to Virginia, as well as other locations throughout the country. On November 24, 2021, Perkins sold Carico and Lane three pressed pills. Lane and Carico had purchased two of the pills for a 17-year-old female the two knew from school. Later that night, the 17-year-old female was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. Later the same night, an 18-year-old male who had purchased pressed pills containing fentanyl from Perkins was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. Further investigation revealed that pills from both overdoses were linked to Ortiz. Search warrants executed at Ortiz’s residences in Los Banos and Santa Ana, California, resulted in the recovery of over 6,000 pressed pills containing fentanyl, approximately $60,000 cash, and 13 firearms. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Atlanta Division made the announcement. The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Police Department, Southwest Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Police Department, Big Stone Gap Police Department, and Virginia State Police), Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana (CA) Police Department, Anaheim (CA) Police Department, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case.


title: Marion Man to Serve 25 Years for Role in Large-Scale Meth Conspiracy

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A Marion, Virginia man, who trafficked multiple pounds of methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia since 2021, was sentenced to 25 years in prison this week for his role in the conspiracy. Brian Cory Hoover, 34, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one additional count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, twice a month, Hoover transported up to 10 pounds of methamphetamine from Atlanta, Georgia into Southwest Virginia. That methamphetamine was redistributed in Southwest Virginia by Hoover and his co-conspirators Amanda Wain, Travis Farmer, Larry Whittaker, Borve Fisher, and others. Wain, Farmer, Whittaker, and Fisher were all previously convicted for their roles in the conspiracy. Shortly after law enforcement learned of Hoover’s activities, Hoover fled, leaving Virginia and eventually the United States. He was apprehended in Mexico in June 2023. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Virginia State Police’s Holston River Regional Drug Task Force, the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department, the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce is prosecuting the case.


title: Belgian National Faces Federal Charges for Illegally Procuring Critical U.S. Technology for End Users in China and Russia

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal indictment was unsealed Tuesday in the District of Oregon charging a Belgian national in connection with the export of sensitive, military-grade technology from the United States to end users in the People’s Republic of China. Hans Maria De Geetere, 61, of Knokke-Heist, Belgium, has been charged with one count of obtaining goods intended for China in violation of the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) and four counts of making false statements. “Export control laws and regulations serve an important role in protecting our national security. This case demonstrates our commitment to holding individuals accountable wherever they reside,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We urge anyone with information about violations of export control laws to contact OEE and the FBI immediately.” “The Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) is focused on aggressive enforcement of violations of U.S. export controls. Today’s indictment of De Geetere for seeking to export controlled items with military and aerospace applications to China demonstrates OEE’s commitment to focusing our investigative efforts on transactions of the highest national security significance,” said John D. Masters, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Export Enforcement, San Jose Field Office, Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce. “According to this indictment, Hans De Geetere was breaking laws and risking national security to benefit himself, the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “This investigation was a well-coordinated effort between the FBI and our federal and international partners, and it demonstrates how far we will go to prevent the illegal transfer of military-use technology to our adversaries.” According to court documents, between April 2021 and August 2023, De Geetere, who owned and operated a Belgium-based supply chain management and procurement services company called Knokke Heist Support Corporation Management (KHSCM), attempted to illegally procure for export to China controlled accelerometers valued at more than $930,000. On or about April 9, 2021, a company in the United States shipped approximately $13,249 worth of accelerometers to a German reseller to fulfill an order for KHSCM. On or about April 14, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement detained the shipment for inspection to confirm its end user and avoid potential diversion and improper military use. OEE contacted the German reseller to request that its customer, KHSCM, complete a required BIS form identifying its end user for the accelerometers and how the devices would be used. On or about April 15, 2021, De Geetere is alleged to have completed the form and in it falsely claim the accelerometers were for use by Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer, a government agency in the Flemish region of Belgium. Later, on a phone call with an OEE special agent and in an email to the agent written by De Geetere falsely claiming to be a Flemish export control official, De Geetere again falsely stated the accelerometers were for use in Belgium when, in truth, he intended to divert the items to China. Accelerometers are electronic devices that measure the vibration, tilt, and acceleration of structures in industrial, aerospace, and military systems. In aerospace and military applications, accelerometers play a critical role in structural testing and monitoring, impact survival tests, flight control systems, weapons and craft navigation systems, active vibration dampening, stabilization, and other systems. The export of these accelerometers to certain countries, including China and Russia, is restricted under U.S. law. In a separate indictment unsealed Tuesday in the Eastern District of Texas, De Geetere and a co-defendant are alleged to have conspired with one another to illegally smuggle from the United States export-controlled field programmable gate array circuits to Russia and short-wave infrared surveillance cameras to China. De Geetere was arrested Tuesday in Belgium by Belgian authorities. Obtaining goods in violation of ECRA and making false statements in connection with or during an export enforcement investigation are each punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine, per count of conviction. This case was investigated by OEE with assistance from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Greg Nyhus, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Today’s actions were coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. 23-cr-374-de_geetere-indictment_unsealed.pdf


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Hosts Fraud Awareness Seminar for Seniors

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office partnered with the Holland Police Department and Stop Abuse Today, Inc. to host a financial fraud awareness seminar for older adults from Brimfield, Holland, Sturbridge and Wales yesterday at the Holland Community Center. The seminar provided education and awareness to local seniors about financial fraud and featured a number of presentations from seasoned professionals, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Elder Justice Coordinator, with assistance from members of the Internal Revenue Service and United States Postal Service. Topics covered included common scams directed at older adults; ways to avoid being victimized; what to do if victimized; and local, state and federal resources available. Yesterday’s event is in support of the Department of Justice’s ongoing commitment to fighting for justice for older adults and stopping elder abuse and financial fraud by actively promoting public awareness. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2022 report, victims over 60 experienced an 84% increase in loss from 2021. The total loss reported was over $3 billion, including nearly 5,500 victims who lost over $100,000. Millions of older Americans fall prey to various financial scams, including tech support schemes; romance scams; and sweepstakes scams just to name a few. Perpetrators establish trust through online, phone, or mail communication, as well as indirectly through TV and radio. The financial exploitation of older adults often leads to a diminished quality of life through the potential loss of independence, declined health and psychological or emotional distress caused by the victimization. “Protecting seniors from abuse and exploitation is one of my top priorities. Outreach activities like this are essential to raise awareness and educate communities about potential threats and how to report them, steps people can take to protect themselves from being victimized, and available resources,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Scams targeting the elderly are not just about the money lost – they also rob victims of their dignity and self-confidence. Our office will continue its strong track record of prosecuting individuals who prey on vulnerable seniors.” “The Holland Police Department was proud to partner with such a fine group of colleagues about this very important subject. The ability to learn how to prevent from becoming a victim of fraud in the first place is a critical component to safeguarding the finances of our older adults. One of the most important responsibilities of law enforcement is to provide our community members with information pertaining to public safety and crime prevention while seeking information from them to assist us with criminal investigations. Information sharing between law enforcement personnel and the community is vital to safety, crime prevention, and to solving crimes,” said Holland Police Chief Bryan C. Haughey. To learn more about common elder fraud schemes and ways to protect yourself, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/elder-fraud . A free brochure with this information can be accessed here: Elder Fraud brochure . You can also visit Responding to Elderly abuse in Massachusetts to learn more about warning signs of elder abuse and reporting resources in Massachusetts. For more information and resources from the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative, please visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice . If you need assistance or to report elder abuse, please contact your local adult protective services agency through the Eldercare Locator or by call the helpline at 1-800-677-1116 Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm EST. To report elder fraud, please visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center or contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311 Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm EST.


title: Southfield Man First to Plead Guilty to  $28,000,000 Cell Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT -- A Southfield man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in connection with an extensive, multi-million-dollar cell phone upgrade fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in the announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Delano Bush, 34, entered his guilty plea this afternoon, before United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg. According to court records, beginning at least as early as June 2017 and continuing through at least September 2019, the defendant and others fraudulently obtained the personally identifiable information (PII) of other people to purchase cellular devices on credit, by charging those devices to accounts opened in the names of ID-theft victims, without the victims’ authorization. In total, the scheme involved more than 26,000 fraudulent transactions and resulted in a loss of more than $28,000,000. “Today’s guilty plea marks a significant event in a years-long investigation and prosecution. As this case shows, identity theft is constantly evolving, and fraudsters continue to find new ways to use and abuse their victims’ personal information,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office remains committing to unraveling sophisticated fraud schemes such as this one, and to bringing the perpetrators of these schemes to justice.” “Cooperation between federal, state and local partners is essential to successfully investigating and prosecuting these complex fraud operations,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “By putting a stop to these schemes, HSI special agents and our partners help protect the livelihoods of hard-working Americans both here in Michigan and across the country.” Bush faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Bush’s plea agreement also requires him to pay restitution to AT&T in the minimum amount of $1,500,000. Sentencing is set for April 25, 2024. The case was investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General (DOL-OIG), the Detroit Metro Airport Police Department, the Taylor Police Department, and the Wayne State University Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Particka.


title: Silver Spring Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Charges Related to a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced William Reyes Garcia, a/k/a “Will,” age 33, of Silver Spring, Maryland, yesterday to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, as well as for being a felon in possession of ammunition. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department. According to Reyes Garcia’s plea agreement and other court documents, between September 2020 and January 2022, Reyes Garcia and his co-conspirators participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed at least five kilograms of cocaine. Based on chats, phone calls, and other intercepted communications and evidence, Reyes Garcia was a manager or supervisor of the DTO. As detailed in the statement of facts, during the investigation four packages containing approximately 15.65 kilograms of cocaine were seized by law enforcement. The packages were shipped from Brownsville, Texas to an address associated with the DTO, Business 1 in Beltsville, Maryland. Reyes Garcia’s fingerprints were obtained from one of the lids on the cocaine containers in the packages. Law enforcement identified three additional packages, which investigators believe also contained narcotics, that were sent to Business 1 and to a co-conspirator’s residence. Tracking information obtained from the shipping company revealed that an IP address associated with Reyes Garcia tracked the seized packages containing cocaine as well as the additional packages. In October 2021, law enforcement seized an approximately two-kilogram package of cocaine that was sent to Reyes, Jr. Intercepted communications following the seizure allegedly showed that this package of cocaine was intended for distribution by the DTO. Search warrants were executed at locations associated with Reyes Garcia’s residence on January 20, 2022, and law enforcement recovered: more than 139 grams of cocaine and more than 101 kilograms of marijuana; a privately manufactured 9mm semi-automatic handgun, commonly known as a “ghost gun”; a magazine loaded with 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition; 53 rounds of .40-caliber ammunition; 42 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition; 50 rounds of .380-caliber ammunition; firearms parts, including a frame, slide, barrel, barrel spring, and magazine; and drug paraphernalia, including digital scales with drug residue and a money counter. Reyes knew that he had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Co-defendants Fabricio Alexis Rivera, a/k/a “Breeze,” age 32, of Rockville, Maryland and Rodney Ricky Rivera, a/k/a “Rodney,” age 29, of Beltsville, Maryland previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Fernando Josue Garcia, a/k/a “Nando,” age 32, of Glenn Dale, Maryland and Noel Reyes, Jr., a/k/a “June,” age 30, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to 63 months and 72 months in federal prison, respectively. Charges remain pending against three other co-defendants. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI, the DEA, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland State Police, the ATF, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and their offices for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Crespo and Elizabeth Wright, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Fentanyl Conspiracy, Illegal Firearms

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and for illegally possessing firearms. Jerry Wheeler, also known as “Love,” 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Nov. 21, 2023, to 35 years in federal prison without parole. On Dec. 15, 2022, Wheeler pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Wheeler admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Christian and Greene counties from Sept. 23, 2018, to Nov. 14, 2019. Wheeler was a supplier of fentanyl to a number of other fentanyl distributors in Springfield. Wheeler also admitted that he was in possession of a Sig Sauer .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, an Izmash .308-caliber semi-automatic rifle, and a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. According to court documents, Wheeler was responsible for multi-kilogram fentanyl distribution. Often, the fentanyl was sold as heroin. Law enforcement officers stopped co-defendant Sheron Loggins, also known as “Bane,” 50, of Florissant, Mo., while he was driving on Interstate 44 toward Springfield on Sept. 8, 2019. Loggins was transporting approximately 496 grams of fentanyl (which represents over 4,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl). Wheeler admitted that he was the intended recipient of that fentanyl and that he intended to distribute the fentanyl in Springfield. On Nov. 14, 2019, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Wheeler’s residence. Officers found the loaded Sig Sauer pistol on top of a cabinet in the kitchen. Agents found the loaded Hi-Point pistol in a nightstand drawer in one bedroom and the Izhmash rifle underneath a mattress in another bedroom. Agents also found a small amount of cocaine and fentanyl, as well as drug paraphernalia. According to court documents, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that Missouri was one of only nine states west of the Mississippi River with an age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths of more than 21.1 per 100,000 in 2020. The most recent statistics provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services show that, in 2022, 1,577 Missourians fatally overdosed on opioids. This means that one in every 45 deaths in Missouri in 2022 can be attributed to an opioid overdose, and potent non-heroin opioids such as fentanyl have increasingly taken over as the primary killer. Court documents also cite a widely reported analysis of CDC data by Families Against Fentanyl that fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death among adults between ages 18 and 45 in the United States. Wheeler is the second of 14 defendants to be sentenced in this case. Marquise D. Martin, 33, of Springfield, was sentenced on June 14, 2023, to 12 years in federal prison without parole. Loggins has pleaded guilty to participating in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and awaits sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department; the Greene County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Phelps County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Department; the Bourbon, Missouri, Police Department; and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.


title: Former Kentucky Federal Corrections Supervisor Sentenced to 66 Months for Leading Cover-Ups of Inmate Assaults and Making False Reports

body_text: A former Bureau of Prisons supervisor, Kevin X. Pearce, 39, was sentenced yesterday to 66 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for leading two cover-ups of assaults of inmates held at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy. Pearce was convicted after a six-day trial. His co-defendants, former corrections officers Samuel Patrick and Clinton Pauley, previously pleaded guilty and were respectively sentenced to 36 and 40 months in prison. “As a supervisor, this defendant was responsible for safeguarding the rights of thousands of inmates, but he abused his authority by leading cover-ups of two violent assaults of inmates in his custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officials who violate federal civil rights laws or who cover up violations. We will protect the rights of all people, including those held inside our jails and prisons.” “Not only did Pearce have a profound responsibility to protect people in his custody and care, he had an even greater one – to ensure that those under his supervision also protected them,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “He fell well short on both counts. Instead of honoring his obligations, he acquiesced in the abuse by his subordinates and then tried to cover it up. He now faces the consequences of this betrayal of the public trust placed in him.” “Identifying and investigating law enforcement officials who deliberately violate the oath they take to protect and serve is of utmost importance at the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Pearce not only carried a badge, but he was responsible for ensuring those under his supervision protected the civil rights of all inmates in their facility. FBI Louisville will continue to aggressively pursue public officials who choose to abuse their position of authority.” “As a supervisor, Pearce had a duty to hold accountable Patrick and Pauley for assaulting inmates in their custody and care,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Midwest Region. “Instead, Pearce lied repeatedly to try to cover up these horrific crimes. The Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate allegations of abuse in federal prisons and any efforts to conceal these heinous acts.” According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial and sentencing, Pearce, who at that time held the rank of Operations Lieutenant, covered up assaults committed by his co-defendants, Patrick and Pauley, on March 30 and April 29, 2021. On March 30, Patrick and Pauley assaulted an inmate by spraying him in the face with pepper spray and kicking him in the head and upper body. Witnesses, including those who assaulted the inmates, testified that the inmate was not a threat and was compliant, and was assaulted for walking too slowly to his cell, rather than for any legitimate penological purpose. Pearce tried to cover up what happened by writing a false report and pressuring lower-ranking corrections officers to join the cover-up. On April 29, 2021, Patrick and Pauley assaulted a second inmate by elbowing him in the head and punching him in the body. The victim of that assault had requested protection from other inmates. When the victim, who is white, revealed that he used to affiliate with Black gangs, Patrick referred to him as a “race traitor,” after which Patrick and Pauley both repeatedly struck him in the head and body. Pearce once again tried to cover up what happened by writing a false report and pressuring lower-ranking officers to join the cover-up. Pearce continued to stick with the cover-ups over a year later by making false statements to OIG and FBI agents who were investigating the assaults. DOJ OIG and the FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky and prosecuted the case.


component: Criminal - Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – War crimes charges against four Russia-affiliated military personnel were unsealed today. The charges include unlawful confinement, inhuman treatment, and torture of a U.S. national in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, 45, Dmitry Budnik, Valerii LNU (last name unknown), and Nazar LNU were each charged in connection with their unlawful detainment of a U.S. national in the context of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The defendants are alleged to have interrogated, severely beat, and tortured the victim. They also allegedly threatened to kill the victim and conducted a mock execution. “These charges reflect that the defendants’ alleged actions are not only grave breaches of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, but also violations of U.S. law,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are proud to be at the forefront of the Department of Justice’s effort to hold perpetrators of war crimes violations accountable in Ukraine and will continue to pursue them. We thank our investigative partners on this case, the War Crimes Accountability Team, the FBI Washington Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations, for their outstanding efforts to gather evidence required for these charges.” “As the world has witnessed the horrors of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, so has the United States Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department has filed the first ever charges under the U.S. war crimes statute against four Russia- affiliated military personnel for heinous crimes against an American citizen. The Justice Department will work for as long as it takes to pursue accountability and justice for Russia’s war of aggression.” “Torturing and unlawfully confining a protected person are serious human rights abuses that must not go unpunished,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These historic criminal charges – the first ever brought under the U.S. war crimes statute – are an important step in the Justice Department’s continuing efforts to pursue every avenue of accountability for those who commit war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine.” According to allegations in the indictment, Mkrtchyan and Budnik were commanding officers of military units of the Russian Armed Forces and/or the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic. Valerii and Nazar were lower-ranking military personnel. The defendants are alleged to have been fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine when they allegedly committed war crimes. In April 2022, Mkrtchyan and soldiers under his command allegedly abducted the victim, a U.S. national, from his home in the village of Mylove in the Kherson Oblast region in southern Ukraine and unlawfully confined him for at least 10 days. During the abduction, Mkrtchyan, Valerii, Nazar, and others allegedly threw the victim face down to the ground while he was naked, tied his hands behind his back, pointed a gun at his head, and severely beat him, including with the stocks of their guns. Mkrtchyan, Valerii, Nazar, and others then allegedly transported the victim to an improvised military compound in Mylove. “Since the start of their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russia has weaponized human rights abuses to wreak unimaginable tragedy,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Today’s indictments – the first ever under the U.S. war crimes statute – makes clear that the FBI will work with the full cooperation of international law enforcement to bring justice to the victims of these atrocities. The human toll of the conflict in Ukraine weighs heavily on the hearts of the FBI and we’re resolved to hold war criminals accountable no matter where they are or how long it takes.” “These historic charges are the culmination of a complex investigation by the FBI and our partners that spans the globe,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work alongside our domestic and international partners to pursue justice and hold those accountable who commit such atrocities against others.” The indictment also alleges that Mkrtchyan and Budnik led and participated in at least two interrogation sessions during which the four defendants and others tortured the victim. During one interrogation, Mkrtchyan, Valerii, and Nazar allegedly stripped off the victim’s clothes and photographed him. The defendants and others then allegedly severely beat the victim, pointed guns at the back of his head, and threatened to shoot him. Budnik allegedly threatened the victim with death and asked for his last words. Shortly thereafter, Nazar and others allegedly conducted a mock execution. They allegedly forced the victim to the ground, put a gun to the back of his head, then moved the gun slightly and shot a bullet just past the victim’s head. “Acting on behalf of the Russian Armed Forces and the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, these four individuals allegedly violated the human rights of an American citizen and his family,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “According to the charges, they unlawfully detained and tortured the American citizen, and even went so far as to carry out a mock execution. The unsealing of these charges for war crimes is an important step in bringing the responsible parties to justice. HSI will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who violates the human rights of our American citizens – at home or overseas.” The defendants are charged with three war crimes – unlawful confinement, torture, and inhuman treatment – and one count of conspiracy to commit war crimes. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard, Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) Trial Attorney and Lead Prosecutor for the War Crimes Accountability Team Christian Levesque, and HRSP Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas W. Traxler provided significant assistance to this case. HRSP historians and other staff provided substantial assistance in the investigation and prosecution. The FBI Washington Field Office and HSI Washington, D.C. Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit and HSI’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, investigated the war crimes allegations in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the Justice Department’s War Crimes Accountability Team, which is based in the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property and Appellate Sections, National Security Division, Office of Enforcement Operations, and Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department is grateful for the substantial assistance the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has provided in furthering the investigation. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States or the location of the defendants named in this indictment are urged to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or through the FBI online tip form or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or through the ICE online tip form . All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-161. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Melrose Man Sentenced for $375,000 Bank Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A bank teller supervisor was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in defrauding his employer out of $375,000. Pablo Rocha, 32, of Melrose, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to six months in prison and two years of supervised release. Rocha was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $375,000. In July 2023, Rocha pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Between July 2022 and December 2022, Rocha worked as a bank teller supervisor at a federally insured bank in Massachusetts. Rocha used his access to the bank’s vault to steal cash. Rocha then covered his tracks by writing false entries in the bank’s records and by processing fake transactions in the electronic records system to make it appear that the cash had been shipped to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In total, Rocha stole approximately $375,000. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Gainesville man pleads guilty after fraudulently obtaining Unemployment Insurance benefits in more than 15 states

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Ronald House, who applied for unemployment insurance in his name and the names of others in multiple states during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. “House ran a multi-state scam stealing benefits allotted for those in need,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “COVID-19 pandemic funds provided vital aid for citizens who qualified for them. Congress did not intend for individuals to illegally profit from the CARES Act program. House compounded his fraudulent conduct by stealing the identities of others to perpetrate his scheme.” “During the COVID-19 pandemic when so many Americans desperately needed unemployment assistance, Ronald House submitted numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims to multiple state workforce agencies in his own name, as well as in the names of his relatives, including a deceased family member. As a result, House collected over $170,000 in fraudulent UI payments; benefits which were intended for individuals adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special-Agent- in-Charge, Southeast Region, US. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to safeguard unemployment benefits programs for those who need them.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provided emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance that provided up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits and funding to states for administration of the program. An individual receiving these benefits might also have received a $600 weekly benefit in federal funds under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program if he or she was eligible for such compensation for the week claimed. To take advantage of the additional weekly federal benefit, House applied online for fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits using his personal identifying information in California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington State. He also applied for fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits using the personal identifying information of others in several states, including Georgia and Michigan. He fraudulently obtained more than $150,000 in benefits. Sentencing for House, 66, of Gainesville, Georgia, is scheduled for March 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Klapman is prosecuting the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .