title: Australian Man Sentenced to Serve More Than 18 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: Defendant to Face Lifetime of Supervised Release Following Prison Sentence OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, NATHAN BENFALL , 35, an Australian citizen living in Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve 220 months in federal prison for producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On October 5, 2022, Benfall was charged with two counts of production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession of material containing child pornography. An affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint previously in the case indicates that during an FBI online undercover investigation beginning April 1, 2022, authorities identified several videos depicting child pornography. Those videos had been uploaded to the BitTorrent network, from an IP address that linked to Benfall’s Oklahoma City home. On September 6, 2022, authorities arrested Benfall. During the arrest, a camera inside a law enforcement vehicle depicted Benfall deleting an app from his cell phone. The FBI ultimately found 520 child pornography videos and 1,104 child pornography photographs on devices seized from Benfall, including videos depicting child pornography Benfall produced of boys with a camera hidden in his downstairs bathroom. On March 8, 2023, Benfall pleaded guilty to production of child pornography. At yesterday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Benfall to serve 220 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Friot noted that Benfall had worked at a metro children’s theater, where he met and groomed multiple boys over several years, showed them pornography, and gave them marijuana. Evidence presented at sentencing indicated that Benfall had overnight stays at his house with the boys, took them on hiking and out-of-state trips, and engaged in sexual misconduct with them. Judge Friot further noted that Benfall’s “protracted periods of grooming” of the boys involved “multiple stunningly egregious breaches of trust” and “hands-on predation,” which “cried out for a stern sentence.” This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Long-time Laredo drug dealer heads to prison for selling “China White”

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 39-year-old man has been sentenced for possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jose Pedro Garcia pleaded guilty Aug. 8. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has now ordered Garcia to serve 286 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Garcia was selling poison and had been trafficking drugs that have been killing people for a long time. The court also emphasized the harm Garcia had done over the years in selling these drugs. On May 26, authorities executed a search warrant at Garcia’s residence. At that time, they found multiple small plastic baggies, each containing various types of suspected narcotics. Authorities seized, separated, weighed and ultimately identified them as heroin, meth, cocaine base and fentanyl. Garcia later admitted to selling drugs for approximately 10 years and started with crack cocaine, then meth, but ultimately moved on to “China White,” because it gave people a stronger high and was more popular. Garcia also color coded the bags to differentiate between the drugs. “China White” is slang for fentanyl, a Schedule II-controlled substance. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and the Laredo Police Department Narcotics Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew prosecuted the case. The case was prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage . More information on the dangers of fentanyl can be found on the DEA’s website. #OnePillCanKill


title: Baytown woman imprisoned after embezzling millions from her employer

body_text: HOUSTON – A 55-year-old Baytown woman has been ordered to prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Judy M. Green pleaded guilty April 27, admitting to embezzling over $3 million from her employer for approximately 10 years. U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has now ordered Green to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Bennett also ordered Green to pay $3.4 million in restitution, with $10,000 due immediately. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that because of the her theft, the victim company had to lay off employees and could not give bonuses to the remaining employees. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the length and depth of Green’s betrayal of people who trusted her. Green worked as an account manager for a Houston-based building and maintenance supply company. As part of the scheme, she submitted fraudulent invoices to induce payment from the company and pocketed the funds for personal expenses. Ultimately, authorities uncovered the scheme when one of the business owners noticed a large payment to an unknown credit card company in the summer of 2022. An audit revealed the fraud had been ongoing since 2012. Green was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.


title: Florida Medical Clinic Owner and Pharmacy Technician Sentenced to Prison in Clinical Trial Fraud Scheme

component: Civil Division

body_text: A federal judge sentenced a medical clinic owner and a pharmacy technician for their involvement in a clinical trial fraud scheme that included the falsification and fabrication of clinical trial data, the Justice Department announced. Miguel Angel Montalvo Villa, 53, of Miami, and Ivette Maria Portela Martinez, 53, also of Miami, were convicted by a jury on Sept. 5 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Montalvo Villa also was convicted of making a false statement to a regulatory investigator with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On Nov. 30, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore sentenced Montalvo Villa to 71 months in prison and Portela Martinez to 46 months in prison. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Montalvo Villa was a co-owner, president and CEO of AMB Research Center Inc. (AMB), a medical clinic located in Miami that conducted clinical trials of new drugs for pharmaceutical companies and sponsors. Portela Martinez was an employee who served as recruiter, site manager, data entry specialist and pharmacist. The evidence showed that Montalvo Villa and Portela Martinez used the names and personal information of individuals without their knowledge or consent and listed them as enrolled subjects in a clinical trial for a drug that was being developed to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), a moderate to severe form of diarrhea. The trial evidence further showed that the defendants enlisted and used the names of family members and friends who purportedly participated as eligible subjects in the CDAD clinical trial – but no subject fully participated in that clinical trial, as required by the protocol. The trial evidence showed that Montalvo Villa and Portela Martinez falsified, at a minimum, hundreds of pages of documents and entered that information and data into the clinical trial’s electronic databases to make it appear as though the purported clinical trial subjects were fully participating in the clinical trial. The trial evidence also showed that as part of the conspiracy, Montalvo Villa submitted falsified and fraudulent invoices for AMB to receive payments for conducting the clinical trial that totaled $277,920. “Accurate clinical trial data is critical to the evaluation of new drug treatments,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with its agency and law enforcement partners to uncover and prosecute clinical trial fraud.” “The cornerstone of FDA’s evaluation of a new drug is reliable and accurate data from clinical trials,” said FDA Assistant Commissioner Justin D. Green of Criminal Investigations. “Compromised clinical trial data could impact the agency’s decisions about the safety and effectiveness of the drug under review. We will continue to monitor, investigate and bring to justice those whose actions may subvert the FDA approval process and endanger the public health.” The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office, investigated the case. The Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida provided critical assistance. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, visit www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl .


title: Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal  Controlled Substances and Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering Acts

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – VINH NGUYEN , age 39, of Gretna, pled guilty on November 29, 2023 to one (1) count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846, and eight (8) counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1952(a)(3), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, in July 2019, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Agents learned that NGUYEN, and others, participated in a drug and money trafficking network that spanned from California to Louisiana. Text messages confirmed that NGUYEN worked with a supplier in California, who negotiated the cost and strains of marijuana with growers in San Francisco for NGUYEN . NGUYEN paid for the marijuana by having other co-conspirators fly the cash to the supplier in San Francisco. Another co-conspirator owned a shipping company that shipped the marijuana from San Francisco to a warehouse in Kenner. Yet another co-conspirator would pick up the marijuana shipments from the Kenner warehouse and deliver them to various unknown locations in the New Orleans area and other cities throughout the country. This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. This case was investigated by the Office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Russian National Pleads Guilty to Trickbot Malware Conspiracy

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Russian national pleaded guilty today to his role in developing and deploying the malicious software known as Trickbot, which was used to launch cyber-attacks against American hospitals and other businesses. According to court documents and public reporting, Vladimir Dunaev, 40, of Amur Blast, provided specialized services and technical abilities in furtherance of the Trickbot scheme. Trickbot, which was taken down in 2022, was a suite of malware tools designed to steal money and facilitate the installation of ransomware. Hospitals, schools, and businesses were among the millions of Trickbot victims who suffered tens of millions of dollars in losses. While active, Trickbot malware, which acted as an initial intrusion vector into victim computer systems, was used to support various ransomware variants. “Dunaev’s guilty plea and our collaboration with South Korea that made his extradition possible are a prime example of what we can accomplish together with our foreign partners,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Cybercriminals should know that countries around the world stand ready to bring them to justice and hold them accountable for their crimes.” Dunaev developed browser modifications and malicious tools that aided in credential harvesting and datamining from infected computers, facilitated and enhanced the remote access used by Trickbot actors, and created a program code to prevent the Trickbot malware from being detected by legitimate security software. During Dunaev’s participation in the scheme, 10 victims in the Northern District of Ohio, including Avon schools and a North Canton real-estate company, were defrauded of more than $3.4 million via ransomware deployed by Trickbot. “As set forth in the plea agreement, Vladimir Dunaev misused his special skills as a computer programmer to develop the Trickbot suite of malware,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Dunaev and his codefendants hid behind their keyboards, first to create Trickbot, then using it to infect millions of computers worldwide — including those used by hospitals, schools, and businesses — invading privacy and causing untold disruption and financial damage. The Justice Department and our office have prioritized investigating and prosecuting cybercrime, and today’s guilty plea demonstrates our willingness to reach across the globe to bring cybercriminals to justice. We will continue to work closely with our partners, foreign and domestic, and use all resources at our disposal to stop similar behavior.” “Combating bad actors in cyberspace is a team sport, and we are proud of the collaboration and coordination at the international level that went into today’s plea,” said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “The FBI will pursue criminals who target the American people with malware no matter where they reside.” “As the world of technology is ever-changing, cybercrime continues to evolve. This case underscores the FBI’s relentless pursuit of cyber criminals and highlights our expertise to find and dismantle criminal networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “We appreciate the coordinated work among our public and private sector global colleagues together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to further protect the public from destructive malware.” In 2021, Dunaev was extradited from the Republic of Korea to the Northern District of Ohio. Dunaev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison on both counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The original indictment returned in the Northern District of Ohio charged Dunaev and eight other defendants for their alleged roles in developing, deploying, managing, and profiting from Trickbot. In June, one of Dunaev’s co-conspirators, Alla Witte, who was a Trickbot malware developer and Latvian national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. In February and September, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued financial sanctions against multiple suspected Trickbot members. The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Candy Heath of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Duncan Brown and Daniel Riedl for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and National Security Division, as well as the Treasury Department’s OFAC, provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the International Criminal Affairs Division of the South Korean Ministry of Justice to secure the arrest and extradition of Dunaev.


title: Berwick Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Berwick man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland today to distributing, and possessing with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, in January and February of 2023, Bo Rodden , 33, sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to a confidential source. On February 14, 2023, Rodden was pulled over by a police officer in a traffic stop in Lebanon, Maine. He possessed five bags containing approximately 49 grams of fentanyl in total and two bags containing approximately 150 grams of methamphetamine in total. Rodden faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI, Strafford (NH) County Sheriff’s Office and York County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. ###


title: District Man Sentenced to 42-Month Prison Term for Burglary

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Marcus Hawkins, 34, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a 42-month prison term for burglarizing a home located in the 400 block of Florida Avenue, NW, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Hawkins pleaded guilty in June 2023 to one count of second-degree burglary in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Erik Christian. Following his prison term, Hawkins will be placed on three years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, Hawkins broke into the Florida Avenue residence around midnight on June 15, 2023. He stole several items from the home, including Sony over-ear headphones, a debit card, and a computer backpack. He used the debit card in a nearby convenience store then returned to the same residence, entered a bedroom where a resident was sleeping, and fled from the home only after the victim woke up and shouted at Hawkins. Members of the Metropolitan Police Department used footage from the convenience store to identify the suspect, and a patrol officer spotted Hawkins two days later wearing the stolen backpack. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos A. Valdivia.


title: Three Montanans admit roles in trafficking fentanyl in Missoula, Helena

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MISSOULA—Three Montanans accused of trafficking fentanyl in the Missoula and Helena communities admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Nikolas Loren Pellant, 34, and Lynsi Noel Barnes, 32, both of Missoula, and Beau James Breneman, 44, of Helena, each pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants face a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing for Barnes and Breneman was set for March 28, 2024, while sentencing for Pellant was set for March 29, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. All the defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that in October 2022, federal agents intercepted a package that contained more than 300 fentanyl pills and was addressed to Pellant. Officers arrested Pellant when he accepted the package in a controlled delivery. The investigation determined that Pellant and his girlfriend, Barnes, had been selling fentanyl in the Missoula are for several months and that they acquired the drug through the mail and by making weekly trips to Spokane, Washington. The government further alleged that in January, the Montana Highway Patrol stopped Barnes as she was returning from one such trip and seized more than 450 fentanyl pills and other evidence of drug distribution from her vehicle. In addition, the government alleged that in January 2022, law enforcement received reports of a rash of fentanyl overdoses in Lewis and Clark County. An investigation determined that co-defendant Breneman was distributing heroin laced with fentanyl and that he had warned at least one customer to use small and diluted quantities of the drug because it was dangerous. Breneman admitted to distributing heroin laced with fentanyl. On May 31, Breneman and Barnes were passengers in a vehicle that was stopped in Shoshone County, Idaho. Law enforcement searched the car and found more than 300 fentanyl pills. Officers also found a plastic bag containing more fentanyl pills concealed on Breneman’s person. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Shoshone County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. XXX


title: St. Charles County Man Admits Unlicensed Sales of Firearms

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Charles County, Missouri on Thursday admitted selling firearms without a license, including over 30 that were recovered at or after crimes. Harry Trueblood, 69, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being an unlicensed firearms dealer. As part of his plea, Trueblood admitted selling firearms to multiple customers of at least 15 gun shows from January of 2021 through May of 2023 despite never having been licensed to deal in firearms and even after being warned that he was committing a crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Trueblood after multiple guns recovered in unrelated crimes were traced back to him as the original purchaser. Trueblood sold AR-15-type pistols and handguns to undercover ATF agents before the ATF on Feb. 1, 2023 sent him a cease and desist letter ordering him to stop dealing in firearms without a license. Trueblood continued to sell guns, his plea agreement says. Agents found at least 250 bills of sale reflecting firearms sales and have traced at least 30 guns recovered in connection with crimes to Trueblood. Trueblood is scheduled to be sentenced March 4, 2024. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.


title: Castle Shannon Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Castle Shannon, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Michael Hunsinger, age 58, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 3, 2022, the Castle Shannon Police Department executed a state court search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During the search, the officers seized large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from a vehicle located in the driveway of the residence and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with digital scales, and $1,046 in U.S. currency from inside the house. The defendant informed the agent and officers that the quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine found in the car and in the house were his and that he intended to distribute those drugs. Senior Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Castle Shannon Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hunsinger. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement from Pennsylvania Jail to Provide Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has agreed to offer treatment with any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) to all individuals booked into the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) for whom such treatment is medically appropriate. Allegheny County will also pay $10,000 to an individual allegedly denied access to methadone in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and protects people in recovery from OUD, including individuals who are taking OUD medication at the direction of a medical provider. “Too many individuals with opioid use disorder cycle in and out of jails because they can’t find a path to recovery,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will ensure that Allegheny County Jail provides access to medications that can help break that cycle. These effective, evidence-backed treatments provide viable paths to recovery for those struggling with substance use disorders and help our communities begin to heal.” “Allegheny County, like so much of the country, has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This agreement ensures that effective OUD treatment will be available to those in Allegheny County who need it most. We appreciate the county’s cooperation in reaching this agreement and look forward to continuing to collaborate in making improvements to ACJ and demonstrating what other jails and prisons must do to address the needs of individuals with opioid use disorder and comply with the ADA.” Under the three-year agreement, Allegheny County will implement new policies and personnel training programs to ensure that people with OUD who are incarcerated at ACJ receive medically appropriate treatment for their disability. Specifically, Allegheny County will medically evaluate all individuals for OUD at the start of their incarceration. It will ensure that individuals who were receiving OUD medication from a licensed treatment provider before their incarceration are continued on that medication. The county will also offer all individuals with OUD booked into the jail the option to receive treatment with any FDA-approved medically appropriate OUD medication, even if they were not being treated with that medication before their incarceration. Allegheny County will not change or discontinue an individual’s use of a particular OUD medication unless doing so is based on an individualized determination by a qualified medical provider. The county also will not use incentives, rewards or punishments to encourage or discourage individuals at ACJ from receiving any particular OUD medication. The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section handled this matter in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Justice Department plays a lead role in combatting the opioid epidemic, including by removing barriers to treatment for OUD. For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/ . For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov . us_and_allegheny_county_settlement_agreement_accessible_copy_for_web_posting.pdf


title: East Feliciana Parish Man  Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – CLARENCE “BILLY” BURKETTE , age 55, a resident of Slaughter, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 9, 2023, to wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to his guilty plea, BURKETTE admitted to defrauding the Town of Pearl River in connection with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program. This program provides grants for state, territorial, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of non-profits, and is administered by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). BURKETTE , who contracted to provide disaster assistance services to the Town of Pearl River, misrepresented, among other things, the amount of public assistance grant funds available to the Town of Pearl River. BURKETTE further misrepresented that his own fees would be reimbursed by FEMA. The Town of Pearl River paid BURKETTE $185,200 for services related to the Disaster Assistance Agreement that he falsely claimed to have provided. BURKETTE faces a maximum sentence of thirty years in prison. After imprisonment, he faces up to five years of supervised release, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Pursuant to the plea agreement, BURKETTE will also owe the Town of Pearl $598,196.25 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office, 22 nd Judicial District, for their handling of the matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit and J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Fitchburg Man Sentenced to 56 Months  For Illegal Gun Possession

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Wayne Nance, Jr. (a.k.a., Wayne Evangelista), 44, Fitchburg, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 56 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nance pleaded guilty to this charge on January 6, 2023. In the spring of 2022, two citizen witnesses reported to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that Nance was committing gun crimes. The witnesses both met Nance at an area shooting range and he falsely claimed that he had a federal firearms license (FFL), saying that he had law enforcement letters that allowed him to legally manufacture machine guns and suppressors, also known as silencers. The witnesses both initially believed Nance and assisted him in making and testing firearms suppressors. However, they soon began to doubt his story when one learned that Nance’s purported firearms license was actually registered to a different business in another state. On May 4, 2022, ATF agents executed a search warrant at Nance’s residence in Fitchburg, and they found two 9mm handguns in Nance’s bedroom. In a basement workshop, agents found tools and supplies to manufacture firearms and suppressors, the fraudulent FFL, illegal suppressors, and 22 firearms. In 2014 Nance was convicted in the District of Connecticut of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon. In that case he was sentenced to 63 months in prison. At sentencing, Judge Conley found that Nance had an extensive criminal history with a longstanding pattern of fraud, manipulation, and firearms possession. Judge Conley said that after serving his previous federal firearms sentence, Nance started to accumulate guns, joined a local gun club, and began manufacturing and test firing suppressors. Judge Conley concluded by saying that Nance had a hardened and cynical mindset. Nance was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release. The charge against Nance was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.


title: Former City Commissioner Sentenced for Role in Bribery Conspiracy

body_text: A former Weslaco, Texas, city commissioner was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison for his role in a bribery conspiracy that involved city contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gerardo Tafolla, 57, along with former Weslaco City commissioner John F. Cuellar, accepted bribes from Arturo C. Cuellar Jr., Ricardo Quintanilla, and others in exchange for official action favorable to engineering companies seeking large contracts with the city. From approximately March 2008 through December 2015, one of the participants in the scheme received approximately $4.1 million from two engineering companies and shared nearly $1.4 million with Arturo Cuellar, a former Hidalgo County commissioner. Arturo Cuellar then used a company he controlled to facilitate the payment of approximately $405,000 in bribes to his cousin, John Cuellar, which were disguised as legitimate legal expenses. In exchange for these payments, John Cuellar took several official actions to benefit the companies, including helping to award contracts worth approximately $38.5 million to rehabilitate Weslaco’s water treatment facilities. Quintanilla received approximately $85,000 during the course of the scheme and used that money to pay cash bribes to Tafolla for his official actions to benefit the companies that received the water treatment plant contracts. In October 2022, a jury convicted Arturo Cuellar and Quintanilla for their roles in the bribery conspiracy. Arturo Cuellar was later sentenced to 20 years in prison and Quintanilla was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. John Cuellar was sentenced to three years in prison after previously pleading guilty in August 2019. Tafolla pleaded guilty in April 2019 to federal program bribery. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office made the announcement. The FBI San Antonio Field Office and IRS-CI Houston Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta and Acting Deputy Chief Marco A. Palmieri of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Peter M. Nothstein and former PIN Trial Attorneys Erica O’Brien Waymack and Jessica C. Harvey provided valuable assistance.


title: Former city commissioner sentenced for role in bribery conspiracy

body_text: McALLEN, Texas - A former Weslaco city commissioner has been sentenced 30 months for his role in a bribery conspiracy that involved city contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gerardo Tafolla, 57, along with former Weslaco City commissioner John F. Cuellar, accepted bribes from Arturo C. Cuellar Jr., Ricardo Quintanilla and others in exchange for official action favorable to engineering companies seeking large contracts with the city. From approximately March 2008 through December 2015, one of the participants in the scheme received approximately $4.1 million from two engineering companies and shared nearly $1.4 million with Arturo Cuellar, a former Hidalgo County commissioner. Arturo Cuellar then used a company he controlled to facilitate the payment of approximately $405,000 in bribes to his cousin, John Cuellar, which were disguised as legitimate legal expenses. In exchange for these payments, John Cuellar took several official actions to benefit the companies, including helping to award contracts worth approximately $38.5 million to rehabilitate Weslaco’s water treatment facilities. Quintanilla received approximately $85,000 during the course of the scheme and used that money to pay cash bribes to Tafolla for his official actions to benefit the companies that received the water treatment plant contracts. In October 2022, a jury convicted Arturo Cuellar and Quintanilla for their roles in the bribery conspiracy. Arturo Cuellar was later sentenced to 20 years in prison and Quintanilla was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. John Cuellar was sentenced to three years in prison after previously pleading guilty in August 2019. Tafolla pleaded guilty in April 2019 to federal program bribery. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division and Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation Houston Field Office made the announcement as well. The FBI San Antonio Field Office and IRS-CI Houston Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta and Acting Deputy Chief Marco A. Palmieri of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN). Trial Attorney Peter M. Nothstein and former PIN Trial Attorneys Erica O’Brien Waymack and Jessica C. Harvey provided valuable assistance.


title: Two Men Sentenced for Gun Crimes Committed During the Robbery of a U.S. Postal Mail Carrier

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Nathan Suaste, 20, of West Valley City, Utah, and Lorenzo Saavedra, 20 of Saratoga Springs, Utah, were each sentenced today after they pleaded guilty to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Suaste was sentenced to 60 months Saavedra was sentenced to 84 months. A third defendant, Exodus Matua, is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2024. According to court documents, and admissions made during their change of plea hearing, in August 2022, Suaste, Saavedra, and Matua targeted a U.S. Postal Mail Carrier with the intent to threaten and steal his arrow key. An arrow key is a Postal Service key used by USPS employees who deliver and pick up mail from mail receptacles. Suaste was the driving force behind the robbery and recruited Saavedra and Matua to participate. Saavedra, armed with a firearm provided by Suaste, confronted and pulled the mail carrier out of his mail truck. While detaching his arrow key, Matua, who was also armed with a firearm, punched the mail carrier in the face and pointed his firearm at the mail carrier. Suaste, Saavedra, and Matua intended to use the stolen arrow key to open mail receptacles, steal mail belonging to third parties, and use the contents of the stolen mail – including checks and other financial instruments – to obtain money under false and fraudulent pretenses. Matua will be sentenced March 18, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. in courtroom 7.2 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. See prior news release here . “Mail carriers should never be worried about being held at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute people who harm public servants. We will use every resource available to protect the United States mail system, its critical workforce, and the community.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service takes any acts of violence against our employees very seriously. U.S. Postal Inspectors relentlessly investigated this robbery until all responsible parties were identified and brought to justice. Attacks against our dedicated public servants will not be tolerated,” stated Dominique Giroux, Acting Inspector in Charge of the USPIS Phoenix Division. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Saratoga Police Department, Salt Lake City Police Department, and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Y. Hirata of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Dallas Man Indicted for Alleged Smuggling Attempt of 187 Firearms into Mexico

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A Dallas man was indicted in a federal court in Del Rio with four counts related to smuggling firearms into Mexico from the United States. According to court documents, Santiago Ramirez, 26, was subjected to a vehicle inspection at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in the early morning of Oct. 30. Customs and Border Protection Officers noticed that the interior sidewall of the trailer Ramirez was hauling appeared to have been altered. Further inspection allegedly revealed 187 firearms wrapped in cellophane and hidden in the trailer’s wall. Ramirez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters on Oct. 31. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms; one count of trafficking firearms; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States; and one count of smuggling goods from the United States. If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each of the two charges related to trafficking firearms. The smuggling of goods conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, while the remaining smuggling of goods count could result in up to 10 years imprisonment. All four counts also carry fines of up to $250,000 each. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement. ATF is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Garland and Zachary Bird are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Los Angeles Man Convicted in Large-Scale Marriage Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Los Angeles man was convicted on Thursday by a federal jury in Boston for his role in operating a large-scale marriage fraud “agency” that arranged hundreds of sham marriages entered into for the primary purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Engilbert Ulan, 42, a Philippine national residing in Los Angeles, was convicted of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2024. Ulan was arrested and charged along with 10 others in April 2022 in connection with the marriage fraud “agency” operated by Marcialito “Mars” Benitez. “Mr. Ulan played a key role in operating a fraudulent marriage “agency” that arranged over 300 sham marriages that aimed to subvert immigration laws. It was a systematic fraud on the U.S. government.” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Marriage fraud is a serious offense that undermines the foundation of our nation’s immigration system. Mr. Ulan and his co-conspirators not only exploited our immigration system for personal gain, but also compromised the United States’ principles of welcoming immigrants and prospective citizens. The swift and decisive enforcement action taken in this case reflects our commitment to preserving the integrity of the immigration process and upholding the values that have defined this nation.” “It is the utmost honor and privilege to become an American citizen, but Engilbert Ulan made an absolute sham of that process. Mr. Ulan and his co-conspirators broke immigration laws that are in place to protect public safety and created an unfair disadvantage for those seeking to earn their citizenship lawfully,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s conviction should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are united in our efforts to disrupt and dismantle large-scale criminal enterprises like this one that seek to circumvent our laws by fraudulent means.” “For six years, this fraudster made thousands of dollars by operating a fake agency aimed at creating marriage fraud,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “The sham marriages and illicit immigration benefits discovered in this case wasted countless federal resources which delayed an unknown number of legitimate marriages between foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, and threatened national security by enabling individuals to remain in the country through deceit. HSI and our partnered agencies will dismantle organizations that look to exploit our nation’s immigration system.” Ulan worked for what he and others referred to as an “agency” that arranged hundreds of sham marriages between foreign national “clients” and United States citizens, including at least one foreign national who resided in Massachusetts. The agency then prepared and submitted false petitions, applications and other documents to substantiate the sham marriages and secure adjustment of clients’ immigration statuses for a fee of between $20,000 and $30,000 in cash. After pairing foreign national clients with citizen spouses, the agency booked appointments to stage fake wedding ceremonies at chapels, parks and other locations, performed by hired online officiants. For many clients, the agency would take photos of undocumented clients and citizen spouses in front of prop wedding decorations for later submission with immigration petitions. Evidence presented at trial established that, starting in or around 2019, Ulan worked out of brick-and-mortar offices in Los Angeles with Benitez and other co-conspirators. Among other things, Ulan conducted practice interviews with the agency’s clients and their fake spouses for the purpose of preparing the couples to pass required interviews with immigration authorities. Ulan coached the sham couples to provide the same, fabricated answers to questions posed during green card interviews and conceal the fraudulent nature of the marriages. Ulan assisted clients with preparing fraudulent marriage and immigration documents, including fabricating supporting documents submitted as “evidence” of the marriage’s legitimacy. Ulan also rented out the use of his apartment address to clients who lived outside of Los Angeles so they could list his address as their own on green card applications and related documents, to make it appear to immigration authorities that they were living with their sham spouses in the Los Angeles area. Ulan also received cash commissions for referring new clients to the agency. During Ulan’s involvement in the conspiracy, between approximately December 2019 and March 2022, the agency arranged sham marriages and submitted fraudulent immigration documents for over 300 clients. Ulan is the 10th defendant to be convicted in this case, with nine of his co-defendants having pleaded guilty. Benitez pleaded guilty on Sept. 27, 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2024. The charge of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Cohen, HSI SAC Plantz and Alanna Ow, Director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, San Diego District made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Leslie A. Wright of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Final smuggler sentenced for stealing and selling people and for scheme resulting in death

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – The final man involved in a fatal smuggling conspiracy has been ordered to federal prison for two separate smuggling events that occurred just weeks apart, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Orlando Andres Garcia, 24, Mission, pleaded guilty to human smuggling resulting in death and conspiracy to harbor undocumented aliens within the United States Feb. 3, and Nov. 29, 2022, respectively. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Garcia to serve 120 months for the conspiracy to harbor in addition to 151 months for the smuggling event resulting in death. The sentences will be served in part consecutively for a total of 251 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Garcia had been communicating with the other driver in the fatal smuggling event and encouraged him to reach dangerous speeds. Judge Alvarez also considered the life-altering and permanent injuries the survivors sustained in the accident and that Garcia was involved in stealing people and holding them for ransom a mere 18 days after the fatal accident. In handing down the sentences, Judge Alvarez considered how the smugglers utilized multiple weapons, including firearms and a machete, further noting Garcia’s disregard for the well-being of the migrants and emphasizing the repetitiveness of his smuggling and the effects and harm his conduct has had on the victims and their families. “Garcia trafficked in humans, not caring about the multiple lives he destroyed,” said Hamdani. “His actions led to the death of three migrants and to the kidnapping of nearly 50 at gunpoint. He saw migrants not as human beings but as property to buy and sell. Now, the only property he can buy or sell for years to come is what he can find in the prison’s commissary.” “The fact that this unscrupulous smuggler put lives in danger to support his criminal activity is reprehensible. Today, justice was served,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio. “These deaths could have been prevented were it not for this individual’s concern more for his own greed rather than the safety of others. HSI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and utilizing our unique investigative authorities to bring to justice those responsible for horrible tragedies like this.” On Oct. 22, 2021, Brandon Cibriano-Gonzalez acted as a brush guide to smuggle a group of 10 non-U.S. citizens from Mexico into the United States. Francisco Javier Quintanilla-Alcocer and Garcia then picked them up and began to drive them in a Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Malibu, respectively. Law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but both vehicles failed to yield and a high-speed chase ensued. Evidence showed that Garcia had been communicating with Quintanilla-Alcocer and telling him to go faster. They reached speeds of 130 miles per hour. Quintanilla-Alcocer eventually turned onto a dirt road in Mission where the Impala rolled and crashed into a homeowner’s fence. Authorities located a total of seven individuals on scene. Three had been ejected, two of whom died at the scene. Three months following the crash, a third migrant succumbed to his injuries. Just a couple weeks after this event, Garcia was involved in another smuggling scheme and holding people for ransom. On Nov. 9, 2021, several conspirators had arrived at a stash house, screamed “immigration” and directed 47 fleeing individuals to multiple vehicles staged outside the residence. They then transported them in the backseats and trunks of vehicles to multiple residences before being transported once again. While held at the stash houses, conspirators possessed and brandished firearms and contacted the families for additional funds to facilitate transportation north. Garcia also used the aliens as payment to co-conspirators for their assistance in the stealing the aliens. But when they were unable to secure monies for some of the aliens, several conspirators sold them to members of a third alien smuggling organization. 12 others have been convicted in relation to this scheme and received sentences of up to 80 months. Mexican nationals Quintanilla-Alcocer, 39, and Cibriano-Gonzalez, 22, also pleaded guilty in the case resulting in death and have also been sentenced. HSI led the investigations of both cases. Border Patrol, Palmview Police Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety assisted with the case resulting in death. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Devin Walker prosecuted the cases.


title: Colorado Springs Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Xanax to Her 16-Year-Old Son

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Maria Davis-Conchie, age 49, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing alprazolam (Xanax) to her 16-year-old son and his friends. According to the plea agreement, on a regular basis over the course of at least one year leading up to January 30, 2022, Davis-Conchie illegally distributed controlled substances to her teenage son and his teenage friends. Davis-Conchie repeatedly sold the kids alprazolam (Xanax), a Schedule IV controlled substance. Davis-Conchie provided her son and his friends with Xanax for $5 to $10 per pill and gave them cautionary instructions to not use too many of the pills at one time. For a period of time, Davis-Conchie’s son and one of his friends used Xanax every weekend, although some of the Xanax was from people other than Davis-Conchie. The plea agreement explains Davis-Conchie assumed her son would do drugs no matter what, so she decided to sell him and his friends drugs she felt were “safe.” In addition to Xanax, Davis-Conchie also provided the boys with marijuana, marijuana concentrate, and acid (LSD). Around December 31, 2021, Davis-Conchie purchased Xanax bars and LSD for her son and his friends. Davis-Conchie acquired these drugs and gave them to the boys because her son and his friends wanted to try something different on New Years Eve, and Davis-Conchie believed psychedelic drugs like LSD were “safe.” Davis-Conchie claims she bought those drugs from co-defendant Marlene McGuire at a fire station near McGuire’s residence and she brought her son and two of his friends with her. Evidence considered at sentencing also established that Davis-Conchie introduced her son to co-defendants Douglas Floyd and Marlene McGuire, so he could buy fentanyl pills from them. Floyd pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl which resulted in the death of Davis-Conchie’s son and was sentenced to 157 months in federal prison on November 21, 2023. A federal jury convicted McGuire of distributing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl which resulted in the death of Davis-Conchie’s son and several other charges on September 22, 2023. McGuire’s sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2024. “This case brings into stark relief the nightmare that is occurring daily in America,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “Catastrophic decision-making paired with a deadly poisonous drug killed a child and destroyed a family.” “Fentanyl continues to kill members of our communities at an alarming rate. This case is almost beyond belief: A mother provided drugs to her son and then introduced him to the dealers that supplied him with fentanyl, resulting in his death,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “This woman’s son is gone because of the chain of events she started, and this sentence is a consequence of her actions. We cannot ignore the devastation this drug continues to bring to countless lives here in Colorado and across the nation." United States District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez sentenced Davis-Conchie on November 29, 2023. The FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter McNeilly and Alyssa Christine Mance handled the prosecution of the case. Case Number: 22-cr-00080-RMR


title: Lutcher Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Controlled Substances Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – Today, United States District Judge Carl Barbier sentenced JUAN CAZES to 216 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. CAZES was indicted on November 4, 2021 for possessing with intent to distribute approximately two (2) pounds or 909 grams of crystal methamphetamine. According to court documents, CAZES planned to sell the crystal methamphetamine to a confidential source. Following completion of his prison term, CAZES will face five years of supervised release. He is also required to pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee per count. U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachal Cassagne and J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Felon Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Stolen Firearms and Ammunition

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jerime Montoya, 29, of Salt Lake County, Utah, was sentenced today to 60 months’ imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to being a previously convicted felon in possession of stolen firearms and ammunition. According to court documents, and admissions made during his change of plea hearing, Mr. Montoya possessed a Springfield Arms Co. AR-15 rifle, a Taurus G3c 9mm handgun, a Walther PPS M2 LE edition 9mm handgun, and ammunition. Montoya admitted that he knew it was illegal for him to possess firearms after a previous felony conviction. He also admitted that he knew the firearms were stolen because he stole them from their lawful owners. The firearms were manufactured outside of Utah, and then traveled to Utah in interstate commerce. U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Ruth Hackford-Peer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Gang Member Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Racketeering and Firearms Charges

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy and for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Rahjon Cox, aka “Tsu Surf,” 32, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to two counts of a superseding indictment that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Cox was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in New Jersey and elsewhere. Cox held a leadership role within the enterprise. On March 18, 2017, Cox shot a firearm at a gang rival. On July 24, 2019, in Essex County, New Jersey, Cox, a convicted felon, knowingly possessed two loaded firearms. In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Cox to three years of supervised release and fined him $15,000. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, as well as investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under Marshal Juan Mattos’ direction; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fragé, the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura’s direction, the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi, the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves, the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel, the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Unit.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office hosts United Against Hate meeting with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Indian Reservation

body_text: BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office held a United Against Hate meeting Wednesday evening in Pablo, on the Flathead Indian Reservation, with members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes community and federal, tribal and local law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. United Against Hate is an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Through this initiative, the Justice Department seeks to create and strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, community leaders and residents. “Hate crimes and incidents create fear, divide our communities, and tragically, can turn violent. Through our United Against Hate initiative, the U.S. Justice Department is committed to fighting hate crimes and preventing violence by bringing people together to discuss how we can combat this behavior. Last month, the FBI released its statistics for 2022, which showed that less than 2 percent of all reported hate crimes were committed against an American Indian or Alaska Native, and that none of those was reported to have occurred in Montana—a first since 2015. We know that statistics tell only part of the story, and we know more hate crimes against American Indian or Alaska Natives are occurring and are going unreported or are underreported. Our hope is that by having meetings like this, we can stress the importance of identifying hate incidents and crimes and reporting them to law enforcement. If we can prove a person violently acted out due to their racist beliefs, we will seek to hold such conduct accountable by aggressively pursuing a hate crime prosecution. I thank our close partner, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, for joining us in this important work,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes appreciate the United Against Hate initiative led in Montana by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. We know that many of these types of crimes against Indigenous peoples are underreported or go unreported altogether. With this type of community outreach, we want our community to feel empowered when they are faced with hate crimes, and that people have the tools and knowledge to engage with law enforcement to help stop these destructive instances,” CSKT Chairman Tom McDonald said. The meeting with CSKT is one in a series of meetings the U.S. Attorney’s Office is holding throughout Montana and provided an opportunity for the tribal community to have a better understanding of hate crimes and hate incidents, how to report them to law enforcement and to learn about available resources. Approximately 30 persons attended the meeting, which was held at the Tribal Council Chambers in Pablo. Additional Justice Department information and resources about hate crimes are available at https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes . Speakers at the event included U.S. Attorney Laslovich and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, from the Missoula Division Office. In addition, the event featured a Hate Crimes Panel Discussion and question and comment session that included U.S. Attorney Laslovich, FBI Special Agent Charles Sampson and CSKT Police Chief Craige Couture. CSKT Chairman Tom McDonald and CSKT Councilwoman Jennifer Finley provided welcoming and concluding remarks. The District of Montana will be holding additional United Against Hate events in coming months in communities across the state. XXX


title: Man Charged in $148M Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme

body_text: A federal grand jury in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, returned an indictment today charging a Louisiana man for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid of over $148 million in medically unnecessary definitive urine drug testing services. According to court documents, Brad Paul Schaeffer, 48, of Zachary, was a co-owner and chief executive officer of MedComp Sciences LLC (MedComp), a diagnostic laboratory located in Zachary. From approximately January 2013 through approximately August 2022, MedComp, at the direction of Schaeffer, allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for definitive testing of at least 15 substances in urine specimens it received, regardless of the patient’s treatment plan and history, or the request of the referring provider. To perpetuate the fraud, Schaeffer, through MedComp, allegedly took several actions, among them, writing off patient co-pays, directing MedComp staff to fill out and submit order forms on providers’ “behalf,” concealing the true nature, permissibility, and extent of testing from providers, orchestrating a pass-through billing scheme using hospitals, and paying kickbacks to physicians disguised as laboratory ownership interests. Schaeffer then allegedly used the fraudulent proceeds for his own benefit, including spending thousands of dollars to renovate a pool and on a pool house in his backyard, and to restore a truck. Schaeffer is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, five counts of health care fraud, and three counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr. for the Middle District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry made the announcement. HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Kelly Z. Walters and Samantha E. Usher of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth E. White for the Middle District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Houstonian imprisoned for two child pornography crimes

body_text: HOUSTON – A 51-year-old local man has been sentenced following his convictions of possession and distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Amado Garcia III pleaded guilty June 9. U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge has now sentenced Garcia to 96 months for each count of distribution and possession of child pornography, which will run concurrently. He was further ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Garcia will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Garcia came to the attention of law enforcement during communications in an online group with participants interested in the sexual abuse of children. In the group, he was found distributing videos of children under the age of 10 being sexually assaulted by adults. During the investigation, authorities discovered 180 videos and 166 images of child pornography on multiple devices. The images depicted sexual abuse of babies, toddlers and sexual abuse of children involving bondage and sadomasochism. Garcia was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender at a later date. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Anna Swanson prosecuted this case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.


title: Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Girlfriend on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for assaulting his girlfriend and leaving her lying injured in the driveway of her home on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Maron Brent Graybael, Jr., 38, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on May 16, 2023, Graybael Jr. became angry at his girlfriend, grabbed her by her hair, and punched her more than ten times with a closed fist in her abdomen. After the woman fell to the ground, Graybael Jr. kicked her, grabbed her by her hair again, and slammed her head into the ground multiple times. He then left the woman, seriously injured, lying in her driveway, and walked away. After several minutes, the woman called 911 to report her own assault and injuries. Police responded and she was transported to a local hospital. On June 1, 2023, Graybael Jr. was charged by criminal complaint with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. One week later, on June 7, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland indicted him on the same charge. On August 31, 2023, Graybael was convicted at trial. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso and Suzanne Miles, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. Domestic violence is a serious crime that can include both physical and emotional abuse, and it is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members, friends, and communities. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have also created support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery. The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.


title: Substitute teacher sentenced for extorting sexual images via SnapChat

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old Mission resident has been sent to federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Edgar Aaron Hernandez pleaded guilty March 31. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now sentenced Hernandez to 120 months in prison. The court also heard additional information today including that Hernandez admitted to requesting nude images from numerous minor victims via Snapchat and would engage in this conduct while at work. Hernandez also possessed over 1,000 additional images and videos of child pornography across various platforms. The Court also heard from victim impact statements detailing the lifelong effects of fear and shame victims of coercion feel. Hernandez was further ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to a known victim and will serve 7 years of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Hernandez will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. “We leave our children with teachers on a daily basis because we trust them,” said Hamdani. “Hernandez breached that trust when he used his experience with children to abuse and exploit them. He extorted our most vulnerable to get what he wanted with no regard for their well-being or how his actions would affect them. But, thankfully, with this sentence, justice has forced this predator to exchange one piece of clothing for another; a teacher’s cape for an orange prison jumpsuit.” “With the ever-increasing access criminals have to communication platforms, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) must stay a step ahead of those who utilize the technology to exploit victims. The defendant in this case will serve the next 10 years in prison for his unfathomable acts,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “This sentencing sends a powerful message to those who would prey on the innocent and serves as a reminder that HSI will unceasingly pursue child predators.” “Today’s sentencing is a reminder that the Secret Service is committed to investigating electronic crimes involving child exploitation,” said Resident Agent in Charge Brian Gibson, U.S. Secret Service - McAllen Resident Office. “The success in this case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the Secret Service and the collaborative efforts with our law enforcement partners. Together we will continue pursing these bad actors and protect the nation’s most vulnerable population.” Between April 1-4, 2022, a 13-year-old minor child reported she sent nude images via SnapChat to a man in Texas named Edgar. He claimed to be 17-years-old and threatened to disseminate them if she did not send him additional nude images. Law enforcement identified the IP address and traced it to a residence associated with Hernandez in Mission. On Dec. 5, 2022, authorities contacted Hernandez at Mission High School where he was employed as a substitute teacher. He admitted he believed the minor to be 13, soliciting sexually explicit images and videos via SnapChat and threatening the victim when she refused to send additional images and videos. Hernandez further admitted to soliciting nude images and videos over the last two years from other minor children. If they refused, he threatened to expose them to their family and friends. Some of the minors told Hernandez they would commit suicide or harm themselves if he exposed them. Hernandez admitted that this did not bother him and would block the victim before seeking additional victims to coerce images from. Law enforcement discovered approximately 1,000 videos and images of child exploitation materials on his Dropbox, Mega, and SnapChat accounts. Hernandez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation with assistance from the Springfield, Illinois, Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations – Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigations Task force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexa D. Parcell and Cahal McColgan prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.


title: Fake car loans and payroll scams send fraudulent College Station pastor to prison

body_text: HOUSTON – A 61-year-old man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. William Dexter Lucas pleaded guilty Dec. 8, 2022, for his role in orchestrating a scheme to steal funds from the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) and various car dealerships by faking forms to obtain car loans. U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge has now ordered Lucas to serve 97 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $286,359.14 in restitution to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the victimized car dealerships. In handing down the sentence, Judge Eskridge noted the lengths Lucas had gone to steal from his victims, including forging multiple documents and manipulating potential witnesses against him. The court also heard additional evidence describing Lucas’ lengthy criminal history and refusal to acknowledge portions of his guilt. “William Dexter Lucas, a con man who worked several schemes at once, cloaked himself in the robes of a fake church so he could defraud local businesses and steal from taxpayers,” said Hamdani. “And he stole not to give to the poor, but to line his own pockets with money meant to help those struggling with the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully the law has caught up to William Lucas, giving have ample time to think over his past sins as he sits in a prison cell.” At the time of the plea, Lucas admitted conspiring with several others to defraud car dealerships and the U.S. government from on or around 2017 to 2020. To facilitate his scheme, Lucas set up and claimed to operate the “Jesus Survives Ministry,” a church existing only on paper. Upholding the title of “pastor” of the non-existent church, Lucas applied for a $50,000 PPP loan to cover the fictitious payroll needs. Additionally, using one of roughly 20 different known aliases, Lucas applied for multiple car loans by submitting various fraudulent forms and financial statements. In total, the scheme cost the SBA and various car dealerships across the country over $400,000 in losses, leaving U.S. taxpayers to fund his fraud. When authorities began investigating Lucas’s crimes, he attempted to cover them up by filing false claims of stolen identity with the Federal Trade Commission. Previously released on bond, he was ordered into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the SBA and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Thomas Carter and former AUSA Zahra Fenelon prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Rexburg Man of Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for Stealing from a Construction Partnership

body_text: POCATELLO – A federal jury found Kelly McCandless, 52, of Rexburg, guilty of four counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft after a six-day trial, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. The evidence established that McCandless defrauded his partners in a construction project out of nearly $500,000. According to court records, in 2017, three individuals formed a partnership with the goal of putting their respective resources and skills together to build a 96-bed student housing property in Rexburg, Idaho. McCandless was one of those three individuals. His contribution was to build the property, using a loan secured by the partnership, at cost. In exchange for his efforts, he would be entitled to 24.5% of the building equity and all future proceeds. Over the course of the next year, however, and beginning with the very first bank withdrawal, McCandless falsified subcontractor invoices, bank withdrawal requests, and unlawfully used subcontractors’ signatures to withdraw loan proceeds from the bank at a higher amount than what was invoiced to build the project. The bank relied on those documents and wired McCandless the proceeds from the loan. McCandless continued this scheme to the tune of nearly $500,000 and used the money to purchase personal items like a brand-new pickup truck, several snow mobiles, several dirt bikes, toy haulers, a Jeep, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, $5,000 in dental work, vacations, etc. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye accepted the jury’s verdict on November 29, 2023, and scheduled McCandless to be sentenced on March 26, 2024, at 11:00 am at the federal courthouse in Pocatello. McCandless faces a mandatory minimum of two, and up to twenty years in federal prison. “The defendant defrauded partners who put their trust in him and spent the funds he stole on a lifestyle he could not legitimately afford,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will not tolerate this illegal conduct, which truly harms victims and threatens our local economies. I’m grateful for the FBI’s hard work in this case, and we thank the jury for its service.” “Mr. McCandless betrayed his partners’ trust, and like most fraudsters, he was simply motivated by greed,” said Shohini Sinha, Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Financial fraud has far-reaching consequences, and the FBI and our partners will continue to hold those who engage in these types of schemes accountable.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Morse and John Shirts prosecuted this case. ###


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement from Pennsylvania Jail to Provide Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

body_text: WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced today that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has agreed to offer treatment with any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) to all individuals booked into the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) for whom such treatment is medically appropriate. Allegheny County will also pay $10,000 to an individual allegedly denied access to methadone in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and protects people in recovery from OUD, including individuals who are taking OUD medication at the direction of a medical provider. “Too many individuals with opioid use disorder cycle in and out of jails because they can’t find a path to recovery,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will ensure that Allegheny County Jail provides access to medications that can help break that cycle. These effective, evidence-backed treatments provide viable paths to recovery for those struggling with substance use disorders and help our communities begin to heal.” “Allegheny County, like so much of the country, has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This agreement ensures that effective OUD treatment will be available to those in Allegheny County who need it most. We appreciate the county’s cooperation in reaching this agreement and look forward to continuing to collaborate in making improvements to ACJ and demonstrating what other jails and prisons must do to address the needs of individuals with opioid use disorder and comply with the ADA.” Under the three-year agreement, Allegheny County will implement new policies and personnel training programs to ensure that people with OUD who are incarcerated at ACJ receive medically appropriate treatment for their disability. Specifically, Allegheny County will medically evaluate all individuals for OUD at the start of their incarceration. It will ensure that individuals who were receiving OUD medication from a licensed treatment provider before their incarceration are continued on that medication. The county will also offer all individuals with OUD booked into the jail the option to receive treatment with any FDA-approved medically appropriate OUD medication, even if they were not being treated with that medication before their incarceration. Allegheny County will not change or discontinue an individual’s use of a particular OUD medication unless doing so is based on an individualized determination by a qualified medical provider. The county also will not use incentives, rewards or punishments to encourage or discourage individuals at ACJ from receiving any particular OUD medication. The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section handled this matter in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Justice Department plays a lead role in combatting the opioid epidemic, including by removing barriers to treatment for OUD. For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Note: View the agreement here .


title: Russian National Pleads Guilty to Trickbot Malware Conspiracy

body_text: A Russian national pleaded guilty today to his role in developing and deploying the malicious software known as Trickbot, which was used to launch cyber-attacks against American hospitals and other businesses. According to court documents and public reporting, Vladimir Dunaev, 40, of Amur Blast, provided specialized services and technical abilities in furtherance of the Trickbot scheme. Trickbot, which was taken down in 2022, was a suite of malware tools designed to steal money and facilitate the installation of ransomware. Hospitals, schools, and businesses were among the millions of Trickbot victims who suffered tens of millions of dollars in losses. While active, Trickbot malware, which acted as an initial intrusion vector into victim computer systems, was used to support various ransomware variants. “Dunaev’s guilty plea and our collaboration with South Korea that made his extradition possible are a prime example of what we can accomplish together with our foreign partners,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Cybercriminals should know that countries around the world stand ready to bring them to justice and hold them accountable for their crimes.” Dunaev developed browser modifications and malicious tools that aided in credential harvesting and data mining from infected computers, facilitated and enhanced the remote access used by Trickbot actors, and created a program code to prevent the Trickbot malware from being detected by legitimate security software. During Dunaev’s participation in the scheme, 10 victims in the Northern District of Ohio, including Avon schools and a North Canton real-estate company, were defrauded of more than $3.4 million via ransomware deployed by Trickbot. “As set forth in the plea agreement, Vladimir Dunaev misused his special skills as a computer programmer to develop the Trickbot suite of malware,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Dunaev and his codefendants hid behind their keyboards, first to create Trickbot, then using it to infect millions of computers worldwide — including those used by hospitals, schools, and businesses — invading privacy and causing untold disruption and financial damage. The Justice Department and our office have prioritized investigating and prosecuting cybercrime, and today’s guilty plea demonstrates our willingness to reach across the globe to bring cybercriminals to justice. We will continue to work closely with our partners, foreign and domestic, and use all resources at our disposal to stop similar behavior.” “Combating bad actors in cyberspace is a team sport, and we are proud of the collaboration and coordination at the international level that went into today’s plea,” said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “The FBI will pursue criminals who target the American people with malware no matter where they reside.” “As the world of technology is ever-changing, cybercrime continues to evolve. This case underscores the FBI’s relentless pursuit of cyber criminals and highlights our expertise to find and dismantle criminal networks,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “We appreciate the coordinated work among our public and private sector global colleagues together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to further protect the public from destructive malware.” In 2021, Dunaev was extradited from the Republic of Korea to the Northern District of Ohio. Dunaev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison on both counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The original indictment returned in the Northern District of Ohio charged Dunaev and eight other defendants for their alleged roles in developing, deploying, managing, and profiting from Trickbot. In June, one of Dunaev’s co-conspirators, Alla Witte, who was a Trickbot malware developer and Latvian national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. In February and September, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued financial sanctions against multiple suspected Trickbot members. The FBI Cleveland Field Office is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Candy Heath of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Duncan Brown and Daniel Riedl for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and National Security Division, as well as the Treasury Department’s OFAC, provided significant assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the International Criminal Affairs Division of the South Korean Ministry of Justice to secure the arrest and extradition of Dunaev.