title: Chinese Nationals Arrested for Alleged $12.3 Million Fraud Involving Fraudulent Return of Counterfeit Apple iPhones and Other Devices

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Five Chinese nationals are scheduled to be arraigned today after their arrest on federal charges alleging they operated a large-scale, trans-Pacific counterfeit Apple Inc. device scheme that included the fraudulent returns of thousands of iPhones, iPads, and other Apple goods and caused the Cupertino-based technology company at least $12.3 million in losses. A federal grand jury charged the following defendants in a 22-count indictment that was returned on May 23 and was unsealed today: Yang Song, 40, of Corona, the alleged ringleader; Junwei Jiang, 37, of East Los Angeles; Zhengxuan Hu, 26, of Alhambra; Yushan Lin, 30, of Corona; and Shuyi Xing, 34, of Corona. All of the defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, seven counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods. They were arrested on Thursday and are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “The defendants are accused of taking advantage of Apple’s customer-service policies to steal more than $12 million in merchandise,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Companies should not be victimized and defrauded for being responsive to customer needs, and these federal charges send a message that our office will take decisive action to uncover and prosecute those who perpetrate fraud.” “Protecting American ingenuity, ensuring economic security, and shielding the consumers across the nation is a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “Due to the outstanding work of HSI Los Angeles with our law enforcement and private sector partners targeting this large-scale fraud operation, we have prevented millions of dollars from lining the pockets of this transnational criminal organization.” “The defendants allegedly sought to introduce more than 16,000 fraudulent devices into Apple’s product line with the purpose of exchanging them for genuine devices to be sold for profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “CI follows the money, and our expertise helps us safeguard U.S. businesses when faced with fraud. We are committed to our partnerships with fellow law enforcement agencies like Homeland Security Investigations to protect our country’s commerce ecosystem by investigating those who seek to take advantage of businesses’ consumer protection programs.” According to the indictment, from at least December 2015 to March 2024, Song and Jiang coordinated with co-conspirators in China to ship counterfeit Apple iPhones, iPads, and other devices to them and other U.S.-based co-conspirators. The counterfeit Apple devices shipped to Song, Jiang, and others in the U.S. were designed to look like genuine Apple devices and included identification numbers matching the numbers on real Apple products that had been sold in North America, were owned by real people, and were under warranty through Apple’s manufacturer warranty and AppleCare+, Apple’s extended warranty program. The defendants allegedly then fraudulently returned the counterfeit iPhones, iPads, and other devices to Apple as if they were genuine and had been legitimately purchased, were eligible for Apple’s warranty programs, and as if they were the lawful possessor of the Apple devices. The real identification numbers and serial numbers on the counterfeit devices that defendants allegedly retuned were designed to essentially impersonate the real Apple devices owned by real people throughout the United States, which defrauded Apple’s warranty programs and potentially deprived the Apple devices’ lawful owners of the warranty benefits to which they were entitled. The defendants allegedly knowingly and fraudulently represented that the counterfeit Apple devices they returned were genuine but were broken or non-operational and were covered by the company’s warranty programs. Some of the false reasons given to Apple store employees were because the devices purportedly would not power on, were physically damaged, or had other defects. But the defendants allegedly knew that the Apple devices they were returning were counterfeit and fraudulently used the identification numbers and serial numbers of real people’s Apple devices to victimize both Apple and the device owners. As part of the scheme, the defendants allegedly visited multiple Apple stores throughout Southern California, including Apple stores in Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, Irvine, Northridge, Manhattan Beach, Brea, Rancho Cucamonga, Cerritos and at shopping malls such as The Grove in Los Angeles, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, and The Americana at Brand in Glendale. In many cases, they would drive all over Southern California in a single day and visit as many as 10 different Apple stores where they would allegedly return counterfeit devices. Once at the Apple stores, Apple employees then either replaced or repaired the counterfeit Apple device with a genuine Apple device in the same visit or, on other occasions, took the defendants’ counterfeit devices and ship them to a repair center. Apple then shipped to the defendants a genuine replacement Apple device or a repaired device to either an Apple store, where the defendants returned to pick up the new device or at the dozens of mailboxes that the defendants allegedly rented across Southern California. As part of the scheme, the defendants allegedly took multiple steps to disguise their identities and hide their fraud over the years. For example, they allegedly rented dozens of mailboxes at UPS stores across Southern California for use in the scheme, including to receive counterfeit devices from China and receive genuine replacement devices from Apple. They allegedly also misspelled the mailing addresses they provided to Apple and added or removed extra characters to the mailing addresses, to disguise the fact that they were processing numerous fraudulent returns of Apple devices. Other times, they allegedly used aliases to make appointments at Apple stores to process their fraudulent returns of devices. After successfully returning the counterfeit Apple devices for genuine ones, the defendants allegedly shipped the genuine devices to co-conspirators both in the United States and abroad, primarily in China, where the genuine Apple devices were resold at a substantial profit. In total, the defendants fraudulently returned and attempted to return more than 16,000 counterfeit Apple devices, causing Apple at least $12.3 million in losses. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud charges, a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of two years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft charge, and a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods charge. Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles Police Department provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew M. Roach of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Systems Engineer Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling from Houma Company

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SCOTT P. RICHARD (“RICHARD”) , age 48, of Raceland, La. was sentenced on May 23, 2024 to a year and a day in prison by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon. RICHARD had previously pleaded guilty to access device fraud in relation to his theft from his former employer, a Houma-based company identified in court records as “Company A.” According to those records, RICHARD was a systems engineer for Company A, entrusted with the specification, purchase, installation, and support of equipment and systems used by the company’s technology infrastructure. RICHARD admitted to fraudulently using the corporate credit card issued to him by Company A for his own personal benefit. RICHARD embezzled money from his employer by creating false invoices for a shell company he controlled and using his corporate card to make fraudulent purchases from the shell company. RICHARD also made unauthorized purchases of equipment, for his own personal use, with his corporate card. From January 1, 2012 through September 27, 2021, RICHARD fraudulently diverted $526,569.42 from Company A to himself. In addition to his incarceration sentence, RICHARD was ordered to pay restitution of $526,569.42 to Company A. Judge Fallon also sentenced RICHARD to three years of supervised release as well as payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Orleans Field Office, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Five Rochester Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – Five Rochester residents pleaded guilty this week in federal court to drug offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. The following defendants pleaded guilty to drug offenses: Monty Granger, age 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2024. Michelle Fredette-Chatman, age 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for September 13, 2024. Edward Deal III, age 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for September 18, 2024. Charged in a separate indictment, the following defendants also pleaded guilty to drug offenses: Felix Urrutia, age 51, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and four counts of distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2024. Hailey Cahill, age 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2024. Between October 3 and October 12, 2023, Mr. Granger sold methamphetamine to a confidential source on three occasions. On October 23, 2023, the confidential source paid Mr. Granger for another methamphetamine purchase. Therefore, Mr. Deal organized the drug transaction and Ms. Fredette-Chatman ultimately sold the methamphetamine to the confidential source. Between July 27, 2023 and October 2023, Ms. Cahill sold methamphetamine to Mr. Urrutia on several occasions. Thereafter, Urrutia sold the methamphetamine to a confidential source. Investigators uncovered the conspiracy through surveillance of Ms. Cahill, who left her home and met with Mr. Urrutia prior to each drug transaction between Mr. Urrutia and the confidential source. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and the distribution of controlled substances provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least a three-year term of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 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. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender Task Force led the investigation. The Major Offender Task Force is comprised of federal agents partnered with law enforcement officers from police departments state-wide. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover and Rochester Police Departments, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Nashua Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: CONCORD – A Nashua man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Dwayne Frechette, 60, pleaded guilty to possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography. U.S. District Court Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2024. Frechette was identified during an undercover investigation involving a peer-to-peer network used to exchange CSAM. During the investigation, agents identified an IP address in Nashua that was using the peer-to-peer network to make images of CSAM available for others to download. The target IP address geolocated to a restaurant in Nashua, where it was later determined that Frechette was a delivery driver. A search warrant for the restaurant resulted in the seizure of Frechette’s cell phone, which was found to contain hundreds of cached images of CSAM. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and mandatory restitution. 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. Homeland Security Investigations and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. The Homeland Security Investigations and the Nashua Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Pocahontas County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jose Dominguez, 42, of Snowshoe, was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 29, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Dominguez in Beckley. During the traffic stop, a police K-9 alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. Officers observed an open bag containing methamphetamine on the driver’s side floorboard. Dominguez admitted that he possessed the approximately 659 grams of methamphetamine found in the bag, that he had just acquired the controlled substance and that he intended to distribute it within the Southern District of West Virginia. Dominguez has a long criminal history that includes a dozen prior convictions including six convictions for drug-related offenses in California and Florida. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the Beckley Police Department, and the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office. The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beckley Police Department. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-15. ###


title: Former Southern Pine Credit Union President Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay Nearly $4.5 Million Restitution

body_text: VALDOSTA, Ga. – The former President of Southern Pine Credit Union in Valdosta was sentenced to serve four years in prison and pay back nearly $4.5 million in restitution after she admitted to a long-running multimillion-dollar bank loan and aggravated identity theft scheme. Leah Lehman, 63, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 24 months imprisonment for aggravated identity theft and 48 months imprisonment for bank fraud, for a total of 72 months in prison, on May 30. In addition, Lehman was ordered to pay $4,491,253.97 in restitution to Southern Pine Credit Union. Lehman pleaded guilty to these charges on Oct. 26, 2023. Co-defendant Teresa Paulo, of Valdosta, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on Nov. 2, 2023. Paulo faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for bank fraud, and a mandatory two years in prison in addition to any other prison term imposed for aggravated identity theft, to be followed by a maximum of five years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands is presiding over this case. The defendants are not eligible for parole. “Lehman chose greed and deception, abusing her trusted leadership role to steal millions of dollars at this credit union over the course of many years,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office, alongside our law enforcement partners, take financial crimes seriously, and we will work to hold fraudsters accountable.” “This sentencing is the direct result of a diligent investigation by hardworking FBI employees and our partners at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General,” said Rich Bilson, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Valdosta office. “Lehman’s greed driven scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and damaged the financial security of innocent victims. They will now be held accountable for their blatant misuse of the power of their positions.” “The criminal behavior in this case represents the most egregious betrayal of trust by two of this institution’s leaders, resulting in years of ill-gotten gains for the defendants, all while violating the faith that SPCU’s members placed in them,” said Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Region. “We are grateful to our regulatory and law enforcement partners in this case and will continue to vigorously investigate allegations of financial crime at FDIC-supervised institutions and in support of our fellow financial regulators.” According to court documents, Lehman served as President of Southern Pine Credit Union (SPCU) in Valdosta from 1990 to 2020. Paolo was SPCU’s controller from Oct. 2011 to June 2020. The Credit Union’s members are employees of the local paper mill and their families. Lehman and Paolo were both authorized to originate all types of loans, were responsible for filing quarterly reports to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and had access to all SPCU employees’ usernames and passwords for all SPCU computers and software. Lehman began her fraud in June 2003, when she created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Feb. 2012 to May 31, 2020, Lehman paid off the loan and rebooked it multiple times with additional advances. She would take the proceeds and put them in a joint share draft account she had with the individual, using the proceeds to pay for a boat, a hunting club share, personal expenses and gifts to family members. This loan was repaid in full. However, Lehman created another share secured loan in another individual’s name without their knowledge and would also pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times for personal spending. To conceal these activities, Lehman created false credit transactions using the names and passwords of SPCU employees. These transactions would advance the due date on the loans, which prevented these loans from appearing on quarterly call reports to the NCUA and allowed Lehman to defer or not make payment on these loans. Following these transactions, Lehman created debit entries to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. She made additional fraudulent loan advances simultaneously with those entries to advance the loan dates. She reflected the loans as being paid off at the end of the quarter to prevent possible detection of artificial growth in the SPCU loan portfolio. In total, the drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $4,112,870.63, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020. Paulo committed a similar fraud scheme to Lehman. In Oct. 2011, Paulo created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Nov. 2011 until May 29, 2020, Paulo took out additional advances on the loan as well as additional loans from the account. Paulo would transfer the loan proceeds into a joint account for personal spending purposes. She created another share secured account using the personal identity of another individual and would pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times with additional advances, using the proceeds for her own personal expenses or electronically transfer money into her family’s accounts. Paulo concealed her schemes as Lehman concealed hers: creating false credit transactions using the usernames and passwords of SPCU employees to simulate the payoff of the loans, which would advance the due date on the loans. Paulo also created debit entries using other people’s usernames and passwords to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. The drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $1,233,201.77, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020. Paulo made $7,736.16 in legitimate payments to the loan balances. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch is prosecuting this case for the Government.


title: USA Ross commemorates Pride Month/Week in Buffalo, Rochester, and Elmira communities

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. – June 1, 2024, marks the beginning of Pride Month in the U.S. and June 2, 2024, begins Pride Week in the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, and Elmira, in the Western District of New York, celebrating members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. As Pride Month/Week get underway, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross is reminding the public that all members of our community are protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. “As U.S. Attorney, I take very seriously any violation of an individual’s civil rights, including members of the LGBTQ community,” said U.S. Attorney Ross” “Since becoming U.S. Attorney, I have increased resources in the Western District of New York, including appointing three Assistant U.S. Attorneys to work on civil rights cases in the district. These AUSAs, as well as support staff members, engage with the community to increase awareness of civil rights and investigate any violations.” The Library of Congress states, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.” The Stonewall Uprising was a series of protests fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community. As the community celebrates, our FBI partners encourage vigilance: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/detroit/news/fbi-brings-awareness-to-safety-resources-during-pride-month#:~:text=In%20a%20May%2010%2C%202024,LGBTQIA%2B%20events%20during%20Pride%20Month # # # #


title: Informational: Federal Court arraignments

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt: Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on May 28 was: Jordan Charles Kirsch, 34, of Bozeman, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kirsch faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Kirsch was detained pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-14. Oscar Enrique Ruiz Rojas, 25, of Gallatin Gateway, on charges of alien in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rojas faces maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rojas was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-17. Cameron Lee Richard Carr, 34, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and prohibited person in possession of firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Carr faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Carr was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-23. Nicole Elice Anderson, 39, of Post Falls, Idaho, on charges of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Anderson faces a maximum of four years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Anderson was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-24. Jeri Angeline Phillips, 36, of Butte, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Phillips faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Phillips was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-16. Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on May 31 was: Darrien Christian Snow, 23, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snow faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Snow was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-75. Appearing on May 30 was: Juan Ortiz, 47, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ortiz faces a maximum of 15 years prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ortiz was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-42. Appearing on May 28 was: Richard Dale Wright, 46, of Big Fork, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wright faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wright was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Highway Patrol, Golden Valley Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-127. Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on May 28 was: Melody Rose Bernard, 51, of Box Elder, and Ashley Jocelyn Cortez, 23, of California, on a criminal complaint charging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bernard and Cortez face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Bernard and Cortez were detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Tri Agency Task Force and Fort Belknap Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-46. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl . XXX


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – BRISON SHELTON (“SHELTON”), age 50, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on May 29, 2024 after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, and possession with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. Specifically, SHELTON was sentenced to twelve months and one day of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, SHELTON , and other co-conspirators, are responsible for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana. During the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, seized over forty (71) kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, twelve (12) kilograms of fentanyl, four and a half (4.5) kilograms of heroin, and nearly $1,200,000.00 in U.S. Currency and other seized property. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office, and was assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Lawrence Man Sentenced to More Than Three and a Half Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lawrence was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Fraily Rodriguez Morillo, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 46 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. In February 2024, Morillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue; three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue. Morillo was indicted by a federal grand jury along with Melvin Antonio Perez Medina and Manuel Fredis Guerrero Guzman in November 2022. Between March 2022 and August 2022, Morillo, Perez Medina and Guzman conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, in Lawrence, Woburn, Wilmington and Andover. In March 2022, Morillo and Guzman met with a cooperating witness to negotiate future drug deals, including the price that Guzman would charge for fentanyl and for cocaine. On two separate occasions in April 2022 Morillo distributed 50 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Lawrence. In July 2022, Morillo worked with Perez Medina to distribute nearly 130 grams of fentanyl on one occasion, and over 560 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) on another occasion, to a cooperating witness and Woburn. In total, Morillo is responsible for the distribution of approximately 230 grams of fentanyl and 560 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue). In August 2022, Perez Medina was arrested and found in possession of nearly two kilograms of a mixture containing fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue. The nearly two kilograms were found secreted inside of a cereal box. On Jan. 18, 2024 , Perez Medina was sentenced to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleasing guilty to his role in the conspiracy. In March 2024, Guzman pleaded guilty and on May 30, 2024 Guzman was sentenced to 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Department of Correction; the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Watertown, Reading, Peabody, Hudson, Concord and Waltham Police Departments provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Waterloo Marijuana Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Waterloo man who possessed over 1,000 grams of marijuana and two firearms was sentenced May 29, 2024, to more than three years in federal prison. Daquavion Marquise Walker, age 21, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 10, 2024 guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user. Information disclosed at sentencing showed that, in March 2022, Walker was charged in state court with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp. In June 2022, while the state charge was pending, Walker had someone buy him a Glock pistol from a federal firearms licensee in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In January 2023, law enforcement officers searched an apartment and a vehicle associated with Walker and they seized two Glock pistols, including the Glock purchased for Walker in June 2022, which had a thirty‑one‑round magazine attached to it; a fifty‑round drum magazine; and over 1,000 grams of marijuana. Walker was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Walker was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment, and he must also serve a three‑year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Walker is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23‑CR‑02053. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Akron Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Second Meth Conspiracy Conviction

body_text: A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced in federal court in Sioux City on May 30, 2024, to 30 years’ imprisonment. Britt Lander, 42, from Akron, Iowa, was convicted by a jury on December 6, 2023, of conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. In 2012, Lander was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The evidence at trial and sentencing showed that Lander, along with others, conspired to receive at least 88 pounds of methamphetamine by mail and vehicle transport from California and Mexico to distribute in the Sioux City and Akron, Iowa areas. Evidence also showed Lander assisted in unloading 5 to 15 pound loads of methamphetamine, and audio/video recordings showed Lander and another using cutting tools to remove 7 kilograms (roughly 15 pounds) of methamphetamine from inside a spare tire that was used to transport the methamphetamine from Mexico. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Lander was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment and must serve term of 10 years supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Lander remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-4071. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former Clutier City Clerk Sentenced to Nearly Two Years in Federal Prison for Stealing from the City

body_text: A woman who formerly worked as the city clerk for the City of Clutier, Iowa, and who committed wire fraud to steal from the city was sentenced today to nearly two years in federal prison. Keri Kopriva, age 44, from Elberon, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 26, 2023, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud. Information from a plea agreement and at sentencing showed that Kopriva was working as the city clerk for the City of Clutier between January 2016 and December 2018. During this time, Kopriva stole money from the city in various ways, including writing checks to herself and to family members, using city credit cards for personal expenses, and pocketing money meant for utility payments from citizens of the city. Information at sentencing showed that over the nearly three years, Kopriva stole more than $107,000 from the city. Kopriva was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Kopriva was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. She was ordered to make more than $108,000 in restitution to the City of Clutier. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Kopriva is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-cr-13. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Clearwater Man Sentenced To Seven Years In Federal Prison For Multiple Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Robert Boyan Carra (44, Clearwater) to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Carra to pay $15,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense. Carra entered a guilty plea on January 12, 2024. According to court documents, in April 2023, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Carra’s residence and discovered more than 300 videos and images of child sexual abuse material on several electronic devices belonging to Carra. Federal agents arrested Carra in June 2023 at Tampa International Airport and seized his cellphone. A forensic search revealed more than 700 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. “This sentencing for the receipt, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material reaffirms HSI’s unwavering commitment to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to seek out those who exploit our children’s innocence,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Tampa, with substantial assistance from the Pinellas Park Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Maryland Felon Convicted After Four Day Jury Trial Of Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – After a four-day trial, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict today convicting John Robert Williams III, age 42, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland on the federal charge of possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief of Police Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department. According to the evidence at trial, the defendant possessed a firearm and ammunition, specifically, a Kel-Tec P-11 semi-automatic pistol loaded with one round of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition – after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. Specifically, on the evening of September 10, 2022, members of the Prince George’s County Police Department (“PGPD”) were conducting proactive patrols in a specific area of Oxon Hill, Maryland in response to recent gun and drug-related crime in this area. An officer noticed a white Chevy Trailblazer stopped next to a business in this area and saw what he believed to be an interrupted drug transaction as he drove by. After additional officers returned to do an investigative stop, law enforcement saw what appeared to be a firearm in the back right pocket of Mr. Williams’ pants. Mr. Williams was placed into handcuffs for the officers’ safety, and law enforcement pulled from Mr. Williams’ back right pocket a Kel-Tec P-11 semi-automatic pistol loaded with one round of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition. Trial testimony further showed that the officers also recovered from Mr. Williams the keys to the Trailblazer and approximately $2,458 in cash. A subsequent search of the Trailblazer found a number of bags of marijuana, as well as two more firearms: a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver, and a loaded Ruger Model P89 9mm pistol. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Chuang has scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. 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. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Rosenthal and William Moomau, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BART GREEN (“GREEN”) , age 62, of Nashville, Tennessee, pled guilty on May 30, 2024 to Bank Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a). GREEN faces a maximum of twenty years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release following his release from prison, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. GREEN admitted that on March 1, 2024, he entered the Regions Bank in New Orleans, and presented a note to a teller demanding $2,000. GREEN admitted that he received $2000 in $100 bills before leaving the bank. Sentencing is scheduled in this matter for September 19, 2024, before United States District Judge Eldon Fallon. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.


title: Final Defendant Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy Against Rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Convictions Related to 2020 D.C. Clinic Invasion and Blockade

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Paulette Harlow was sentenced today to 24 months in prison following her convictions for federal conspiracy against rights and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offenses in connection with the blockade of a Washington, D.C., area reproductive health clinic on Oct. 22, 2020. Previously, Lauren Handy was sentenced to 57 months in prison, John Hinshaw was sentenced to 21 months in prison, William Goodman was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jonathan Darnel was sentenced to 34 months in prison, Herb Geraghty was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jean Marshall was sentenced to 24 months in prison, Joan Bell was sentenced to 27 months in prison and Heather Idoni was sentenced to 24 months in prison. A 10th defendant, Jay Smith, was sentenced to prison following his guilty plea to a felony FACE Act offense on March 1, 2023. “These 10 defendants have been held accountable for using force, threatening to use force and physically obstructing access to reproductive health care in the District of Columbia,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to protect both patients seeking reproductive health services and providers of those services. We will hold accountable anyone who seeks to unlawfully obstruct or block access to reproductive health services in our country.” “Today, the final defendant was sentenced in an elaborate conspiracy by 10 people to intentionally and forcibly block patients and workers from accessing a reproductive health clinic while streaming it live online,” said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI will not stand for anyone who violates federal laws causing destruction, injury and violent attacks like this one. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of all Americans to safely access medical services and ensuring providers can perform their duties freely.” These defendants were convicted following three separate trials in 2023. Idoni is scheduled to be sentenced in a separate matter on July 30, following conspiracy and FACE Act convictions in an unrelated clinic blockade from Tennessee. Evidence presented at trial established that the defendants used force and physical obstruction to execute a clinic blockade that was organized by the group’s leaders, Handy and Darnel. The defendants planned and organized the clinic invasion using social media, text messages and telephone calls, and several co-conspirators, including defendants Hinshaw, Goodman, Geraghty, Marshall, Bell, Harlow, Idoni and Smith traveled from northeast and midwestern states to participate in the blockade. Prior to the clinic incursion, the defendants met with other co-conspirators to plan their crime, which included making a fake patient appointment to ensure the group’s entry into the clinic, using chains and locks to barricade the facility and passively resisting their anticipated arrests to prolong the blockade. The clinic invasion was advertised on social media as a “historic” event that was live-streamed on Facebook. The defendants’ forced entry into the clinic at the outset of the invasion resulted in injury to a clinic nurse. During the blockade, one patient had to climb through a receptionist window to access the clinic, while another laid in the hallway outside of the clinic in physical distress, unable to gain access to the clinic. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.


title: Ozark Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Luis Vuitton Bracelets Online

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Ozark, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton bracelets and other items online. Carissa L. Bedford, 46, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to a federal information that charges her with trafficking in counterfeit goods. Bedford operated JOVEE, LLC, an online wholesale business that sold to boutique stores and which operated out of Bedford’s residence. By pleading guilty today, Bedford admitted she sold various counterfeit Louis Vuitton bracelets, hair ties, and other products through JOVEE from April to December 2022. The counterfeit consumer goods and apparel were typically manufactured in Hong Kong and China and shipped to the United States for distribution. Numerous shipments were delivered from Hong Kong or China to Bedford and another individual who operated JOVEE, who is not identified in court documents, from May 4 to Nov. 14, 2022. Bedford specifically admitted to ordering 200 Louis Vuitton-branded, counterfeit bracelets from Hong Kong in April 2022. She also admitted to selling three Louis Vuitton-branded, counterfeit hair ties to an individual working in an undercover capacity in association with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on May 26, 2022. Bedford received $70,770 in criminal proceeds from her illegal actions. Under federal statutes, Bedford is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.


title: Binghamton Man Sentenced on Federal Gun and Drug Convictions

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dupray Jordan, 34, of Binghamton, was sentenced yesterday to serve 97 months in federal prison for possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Sergeant Daniel VanWie of the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force (BCSIUTF). In pleading guilty previously, Jordan admitted that he possessed for distribution methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as a loaded .38 caliber revolver in a Binghamton apartment on November 12, 2021. Jordan threw the gun to the ground as police entered to execute a search warrant at the apartment on that date. The defendant was at that time a convicted felon, having previously been convicted in New York state court of Assault in the Second Degree. Dupray Jordan was also sentenced yesterday to serve a post-incarceration term of supervised release of 3 years following his release from federal prison. This case was investigated by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, (consisting of members of the City of Binghamton Police Department, the Broome County Sheriff’s Department, and the Johnson City Police Department), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Broome County Metro SWAT Team assisted in the execution of the search warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick prosecuted this case as 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: Orlando Jury Convicts Deerfield Beach Man For Bank Robbery And Brandishing Firearm During A Violent Crime

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Johnson Saint-Louis (39, Deerfield) guilty of bank robbery using a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Saint-Louis faces up to 25 years in prison for the armed bank robbery, followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of between 7 years, up to life, imprisonment for brandishing a firearm during the offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2024. Saint-Louis was indicted on December 14, 2022. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Saint-Louis was a former ATM technician who traveled around the southeast tampering with ATMs serviced by his former employer. On February 16, 2021, Saint-Louis robbed an ATM technician who was sent out to fix an ATM malfunction caused by Saint-Louis at a bank in Longwood. Saint-Louis was previously convicted of a similar robbery in Tallahassee that took place in September 2021. In addition, during the trial, the government introduced evidence of similar robberies committed by Saint-Louis in Boca Raton in November 2019, and in Raleigh, North Carolina in August 2021. As part of the FBI’s investigation into the bank robberies, Saint-Louis was surveilled by deputies from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on November 4, 2021, who observed Saint-Louis traveling to various bank locations in Seminole County. Deputies eventually stopped Saint-Louis, and during that traffic stop, they observed that Saint-Louis had a firearm inside his car with black tape covering its serial numbers, as well as several pieces of paper listing the branch locations in Jacksonville. The listed bank branches were annotated with whether the ATM at each location was manufactured by Saint-Louis’s former employer or by another company, as well as notes like “too open,” “not enough exit route,” and “two man job.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tallahassee Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel S. Lyons and Chauncey A. Bratt.


title: Lake City Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Minors

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Lake City, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $4,000 and to pay a $5,100 special assessment on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on William Joseph Leuschen, 39. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around May 2020 to in and around February 2022, Leuschen received and possessed images depicting prepubescent minors, some as young as infants and toddlers, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Erie County Detectives Bureau, and Erie County Adult Probation and Parole Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Leuschen. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: New Orleans Man Indicted for  Federal Gun Charges

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – WARDELL FLETCHER (“FLETCHER”) , age 48, a resident of New Orleans, was indicted on May 30, 2024, on three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. As to each count, if convicted, FLETCHER faces up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, on December 27, 2023, FLETCHER, knowing he was a convicted felon, possessed a Taurus Model 608, .357 Magnum caliber revolver, and ammunition. On January 25, 2024, FLETCHER possessed a Intratec Model TEC-9, 9-millimeter pistol, bearing a partially obliterated serial number as well as the above-referenced Taurus Model 608, .357 Magnum caliber revolver and ammunition. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Arcadia Man And Eight Co-Conspirators Sentenced For Committing Multiple Armed Robberies, Home Invasions, Shootings While Dressed As Police Officers

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Mizelle today sentenced Darius Hudson (44, Arcadia) to 39 years and 2 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, three separate Hobbs Act robberies, and brandishing and discharging a firearm during the commission of those robberies. On January 22, 2024, a federal found Hudson guilty as charged. He is the last of his co-conspirators to be sentenced in the conspiracy. Name (Age, City of residence) Sentence Imposed Reginald Roberts, Jr. a/k/a “Rudy” (24, Lakeland) 41 years Darius Hudson a/k/a “Toot” (44, Arcadia) 39 years, 2 months Nathaniel Keith Carr a/k/a “Nate” (24, Avon Park) 26 years, 6 months Daniel Jackson a/k/a “D-Jack” (31, Winter Haven) 22 years, 11 months Chrishawn Butler a/k/a “Baby” (24, Bartow) 20 years, 6 months Jeremy Bernard Hazelton “Presto” (28, Bartow) 15 years, 8 months O’Marie Danyell Hudson a/k/a “Mari” (26, Orlando) 11 years, 3 months Jasmine Weber (30, Deltona) 5 years Elyana Bazail a/k/a Cuban (25, Lakeland) 5 years According to evidence introduced during the trial, between December 2020 and April 2021, a group of individuals conspired with each other to commit armed robberies throughout Pasco, Polk, Lee, and Hillsborough counties, as well as Georgia and Arizona. Members of this conspiracy, including Hudson, impersonated law enforcement officers by wearing black clothing, gloves, and masks, often with law enforcement insignia, or vests with “Sheriff” affixed. They drove a black SUV equipped with lights, and often handcuffed their victims. During these robberies, victims and their family members were awoken in the middle of the night at home, beaten, pistol whipped, threatened, and, on several occasions, shot. Hudson was identified as the individual who brought a white backpack to his robberies, which he used to store zip ties that he would later use on his victims. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Bartow Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, the Dade City Police Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Arcadia Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes. 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: Final Defendant Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Offenses

component: Civil Division

body_text: WASHINGTON – Paula Paulette Harlow, 75, of Kingston, Massachusetts, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 24 months incarceration for her role in a conspiracy that created a blockade at a Washington, D.C. reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. Harlow is the 10th member of the conspiracy to be sentenced on charges of civil rights conspiracy and Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act violations. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced eight other members of the conspiracy. Another of the defendants, the only one to plead guilty, Jay Smith, 34, of Freeport, New York, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release in March 2023. As the evidence at trial showed, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the reproductive health care clinic to prevent the clinic from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. As part of the conspiracy, many of the defendants traveled to Washington, D.C. from various northeast and midwestern states, to meet with Lauren Handy and participate in a clinic blockade that was directed by Handy and was broadcast on Facebook. According to the evidence, on October 22, 2020, Handy – along with her co-conspirators Jonathan Darnel, John Hinshaw, William Goodman, Jean Marshall, Joan Bell, Herb Geraghty, Heather Idoni, and Paula Harlow, among others – forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains, and ropes. Once the blockade was established, they live-streamed their activities. The evidence also showed that the defendants violated the FACE Act by using a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere with the clinic’s employees and a patient, because they were providing or obtaining reproductive health services. DEFENDANTS NAME AGE GUILTY OF SENTENCE Lauren Handy Alexandria, VA 30 Found Guilty on August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Sentenced May 14, 2024, to 57 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release John Hinshaw Levittown, NY 69 Found Guilty August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 14, 2024, to 21 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release William Goodman Bronx, NY 54 Found Guilty August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 14, 2024, to 27 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Jay Smith Freeport, NY 34 Pleaded Guilty March 1, 2023, to Violating the FACE Act Sentenced Aug. 17, 2023, to 10 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Jonathan Darnel Arlington, VA 42 Found Guilty September 15, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 15, 2024, to 34 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Jean Marshall Kingston, MA 74 Found Guilty September 15, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 15, 2024, to 24 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Joan Bell Montague, NJ 76 Found Guilty September 15, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 15, 2024, to 27 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Herb Geraghty Pittsburgh, PA 27 Found Guilty August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 15, 2024, to 27 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Heather Idoni Linden, MI 59 Found Guilty August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 22, 2024 to 24 Months Incarceration and Three Years of Supervised Release Paula Harlow Kingston, MA 75 Found Guilty August 29, 2023, of Felony Conspiracy Against Civil Rights and Violating the FACE Act Sentenced May 31, 2024 to 24 Months Incarceration This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh and Detroit provided valuable assistance. It was prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Fraud, Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of New York; and FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston, and Detroit provided valuable assistance. 22cr96


title: Norway Man Sentenced to 2 Years for PPP Loan Fraud

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Norway man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for filing fraudulent applications for loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Merton Weed Jr., 52, to 24 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $253,646. Weed pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023. According to court records, between May 2020 and January 2021, Weed filed eight fraudulent PPP loan applications with four different lenders and received $243,745 in PPP funds. The applications listed false average monthly payrolls and numbers of employees for phony businesses that did not exist. Weed supported the applications with falsified bank records. The FBI investigated the case. “Motivated by greed, Merton Weed took advantage of a program intended to help small businesses survive economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee . “Mr. Weed has a lengthy history of enriching himself through fraud, so it is perhaps not surprising that he made not one but eight attempts to take advantage of a time of international turmoil. The Department of Justice and my office will continue to bring to justice those who, like Mr. Weed, sought to capitalize on an unprecedented crisis to line their own pockets.” Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA. ###


title: As MMIP Awareness Month Draws to a Close, U.S. Attorney's Office Reaffirms Its Commitment to Public Safety in Indian Country

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - It has long been a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by Native Americans living in reservations in our state, and relatedly, the high rates of indigenous persons reported missing. As Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Month draws to a close, the U.S. Attorney’s Office renews its commitment to work with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners to respond to the crisis of violence and abuse in our tribal communities with the urgency these matters demand. In the last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has demonstrated its commitment by securing additional resources for Indian country prosecutors, including an MMIP AUSA that is now located in Pierre and serving the Great Plains Region. We have resolved previously unsolved cases, including the 1992 murder of a minor victim in Roberts County. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Peterman served as a Department of Justice representative on the Not Invisible Act Commission, which held seven in-person hearings and one national virtual hearing. In all, the Commission heard from 260 witnesses who shared their suffering and hope, expertise, experiences, and recommendations. In November of 2023, the Commission published “ Not One More: Findings & Recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission ,” which detailed their findings and included hundreds of recommendations to the Departments of Justice and Interior. As Chair of the AGAC’s Native American Issues Subcommittee, U.S. Attorney Ramsdell participated in and led national conversations about the Department of Justice’s response to this report, including at the White House Tribal Nations Summit in December 2023. And throughout the year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office engaged in regular outreach to tribal communities to address MMIP issues and other public safety concerns, including at tribal council meetings, school assemblies, tribal law enforcement trainings, tribally organized conferences, and community forums. Lastly, federal prosecutors and victim witness specialists engaged in monthly multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings in each reservation, and the District’s Law Enforcement Coordinator joined with federal prosecutors and investigators to conduct in-person opioid training for federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement in Rosebud, Eagle Butte, Pine Ridge, Yankton, and Mobridge. Most recently, on May 14, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted a Tribal MMIP Summit in Pierre, SD, to introduce tribal leaders to the concept of Tribal Community Response Plans (TCRP), which are guides for how tribal communities will respond to reports of missing persons. Importantly, the development of these plans is led by Tribes, allowing each Tribe to incorporate culturally appropriate protocols into every aspect of the TCRP. Leadership from all nine South Dakota Tribes were invited to the Summit, where participants heard presentations from federal and state law enforcement partners, including the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Social Security Administration, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, as well as prosecutors and personnel from within the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Participants also heard from members of the Fort Peck Tribes, including Fort Peck’s chief tribal judge, lead criminal investigator, and Chief of Police, who jointly discussed the challenges and advantages to developing a TCRP and other opportunities for cross-jurisdictional collaboration with state and federal partners. Lastly, representatives from the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College were in attendance to discuss training and technical assistance available to Tribes, including resources to assist with the development of TCRPs. Representatives also discussed the availability of AMBER Alert training to improve the investigative response of local law enforcement to high-risk victims and children in crisis. As part of this outreach, each Tribe received AMBER Alert in Indian Country Toolkits, which will assist officers in quickly gathering necessary information to ensure AMBER Alerts and NCIC entries include as much information as possible. Items included tools such as mobile printers, scanners, and hotspots. This engagement follows on decades of work by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota to develop meaningful relationships with tribal leaders and their communities. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been unwavering in its commitment to improving public safety in Indian country,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We remain committed to listening closely to tribal communities and working collaboratively with our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to address public safety concerns throughout Indian country.”


title: Pharmacy Owner Sentenced for Paying Illegal Kickbacks and Engaging in a Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Texas pharmacy owner was sentenced today to four years and four months in prison and ordered to pay over $59 million in restitution for paying illegal kickbacks and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Richard Hall, 53, of Fort Worth, worked with others to create and market expensive compounded medications, which are intended to be custom-tailored to individual patient needs. Hall paid marketers to recruit area doctors to write prescriptions for these expensive compounded medications, including by creating so-called “investment opportunities” so that doctors who wrote prescriptions to the pharmacy could profit from the pharmacy operations. Hall paid illegal kickbacks to these marketers and engaged in a conspiracy to launder the unlawful proceeds. A federal jury in the Northern District of Texas convicted Hall in July 2023 of four counts of paying and receiving unlawful kickbacks and one count of conspiring to launder money. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Chad B. Yarbrough of the FBI Dallas Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Casey Howard of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Central Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) South Central Field Office made the announcement. The DCIS, HHS-OIG, FBI, DOL-OIG, and VA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant Chiefs Kate Payerle and Brynn Schiess and Trial Attorneys Lee Michael Hirsch and Jacqueline DerOvanesian of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted 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 .


title: Art Dealer Found Guilty of Embezzling More Than $260,000 from the Bankruptcy Estate of Miracle Mile and Beverly Hills Art Gallery

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An internationally-known art dealer was found guilty by a jury today of embezzling more than $260,000 from the bankruptcy estate of Ace Gallery Los Angeles, an art gallery located in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, while acting as the estate’s trustee and custodian. Douglas J. Chrismas, 80, of the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles, was found guilty of three counts of embezzlement against a bankruptcy estate. Chrismas was the president and CEO of Art and Architecture Books of the 21st Century, which did business as Ace Gallery and had offices located in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles as well as in Beverly Hills. According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, in February 2013, Ace Gallery filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in Los Angeles and continued to operate while in bankruptcy with Chrismas acting as its fiduciary and trustee. Chrismas remained in control over Ace Gallery until April 2016, when the bankrutpcy court appointed an independent trustee to run Ace Gallery’s bankruptcy estate and Chrismas was removed. In late March and early April of 2016, Chrismas embezzled approximately $264,595 that belonged to the Ace Gallery bankruptcy estate, including a $50,000 check that Chrismas signed, was drawn against the estate, and was paid to Ace Museum, a separate non-profit corporation that Chrismas owned and controlled. Chrismas also embezzled $100,000 owed to Ace Gallery by a third party for the purchase of artwork. Instead, the funds were paid – at his direction – to Ace Museum. Finally, Chrismas embezzled approximately $114,595 owed to the gallery by a third party that purchased artwork, but which Chrismas instead had paid to Ace Museum’s landlord to keep current with its $225,000 monthly rent. United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi scheduled a September 9 sentencing hearing, at which time Chrismas will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count. The FBI’s Art Crime Team investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section and David W. Williams of the Criminal Appeals Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Two Previously Convicted Felons Sentenced For Possessing Firearms Inside a “No Rats Allowed” Stash House

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Leroy Frye, 32, of Waldorf, Md., and Francis White, 28, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to 60 months in prison and 46 months in prison, respectively, on firearms possession charges. The sentences were announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). According to court documents, both guilty pleas stemmed from a residential search warrant that occurred on November 3, 2021, at 215 K Street, Southwest, a known trap house operated by members of the “No Rats Allowed” (NRA) crew which they used to stash their narcotics and firearms. Members of NRA would refer to 215 K through text messages as the “Dope Hole.” During a search of the trap house, 457 blue pills containing fentanyl (approximately 48.6 grams), 37 grams of crack-cocaine, and approximately 980 grams of suspected marijuana. NRA is a known violent street crew that operated on the 200 block of K Street, Southwest, in the District’s Greenleaf Gardens neighborhood. The NRA crew is responsible for distributing thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl and possessing firearms as part of their distribution schemes. Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients than the actual medication. They may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient, or have the right ingredient but in an incorrect quantity. Counterfeit pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and are extremely dangerous because they often appear identical to legitimate prescription pills, and the user is likely unaware of how lethal they can be. One example of these counterfeit pills that the NRA crew are known to traffic are blue pills stamped with “M” and “30.” Legitimate M30 Pill Counterfeit M30 Pill During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement also seized four firearms, three of which were inside of the same kitchen drawer near where the drugs were found. One of the firearms was an FN FNS.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, with a high-capacity magazine, with one round the chamber and 14 total rounds in the magazine. In his plea, Frye admitted the FN FNS was his. From the same kitchen drawer, law enforcement also seized a Glock 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol, with a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 31 rounds, with one round in the chamber and 28 total rounds in the magazine. In his plea, White admitted the Glock 17 was his. Judge Friedrich recently sentenced two co-defendants in this case. On May 29, 2024, the judge sentenced Bartwone Copeland, 28, to 144 months (12 years) in prison and five years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution of fentanyl, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Copeland was also linked by DNA to one of the pistols found in the kitchen drawer that was modified with a “giggle switch,” a device that converted the firearm to function as a fully automatic machine gun. On January 10, 2024, Judge Friedrich sentenced Adrian Wade to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. This case was investigated by the MPD and the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin F. Song and Joshua Gold. 22cr378


title: Former Commercial Airline Pilot Convicted by Federal Jury of Tax Crimes

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury found a former commercial airline pilot guilty of tax evasion, filing false tax returns, failing to file tax returns, and making false claims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to the evidence presented at trial, Charles Randall Sorensen, 72, of Minnetonka, was a commercial airline pilot who retired in 2016. In January 2017, Sorensen filed a fraudulent tax return for the 2015 tax year, falsely claiming that he was entitled to a $55,365 tax refund. In reality, Sorensen owed more than $49,000 in income taxes that year. In March 2017, Sorensen filed a fraudulent tax return for the 2016 tax year, falsely claiming that he was entitled to a $123,370 tax refund. In reality, he owed more than $175,000 in taxes that year. The IRS conducted an audit of Sorensen’s 2015 and 2016 tax returns and found that Sorensen fraudulently received more than $150,000 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled and owed more than $290,000 in taxes, interest, and penalties for those tax years. According to the evidence presented at trial, Sorensen refused to pay his tax debt and took steps to actively evade the IRS’s collection efforts by hiding his income and assets in bank accounts in the name of shell religious non-profits and by liquidating his retirement accounts and converting the funds into cryptocurrency. Sorensen also failed to file federal income tax returns for 2017, 2018, and 2019. Sorensen owes the United States more than $300,000. Following a four-day trial before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court, Sorensen was found guilty today on two counts of filing a false tax return, one count of tax evasion, three counts of failing to file a tax return, and one count of making a false claim. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS – Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. McBride and Campbell Warner tried the case.


title: Atchison man charged with sex trafficking

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man made his initial appearance after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, indicted him on multiple charges related to sex trafficking multiple victims, including children. According to court documents, Elijah Z. Haley, 21, of Atchison was indicted on two counts of sex trafficking of a child, two counts of sex trafficking accomplished by force, fraud, or coercion, two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity. The defendant made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kansas Highway Patrol, Atchison, Kansas Police Department, and the Boone County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick is 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: Danville Man Sentenced for Trafficking  Fentanyl Resulting in Overdose Death

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Danville, Ky., man, Akili O. Simpson, 23, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 26 years in prison, for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl that resulted in death. According to his plea agreement, from March 2022 until July 2023, Simpson conspired with others to distribute quantities of fentanyl in Danville. Simpson also admitted the quantity of the drugs involved in the conspiracy was at least 40 grams of fentanyl. Following a distribution of drugs by Simpson, on November 3, 2022, a victim in Danville overdosed and died, due to the ingestion of fentanyl. The fentanyl distributed by Simpson was in a counterfeit pill, which was marked to resemble an oxycodone pill. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered Instagram messages on the victim’s phone that showed Simpson was the source of the fentanyl that caused the overdose death. After Simpson’s federal indictment, multiple search warrants were executed and law enforcement located two firearms, ammunition, marijuana, drug trafficking paraphernalia, a drug ledger, and a money counting machine. Simpson admitted to law enforcement agents that he obtained approximately 300 to 500 of the counterfeit pills per month for distribution in Danville. Simpson further admitted that he knew that the pills contained fentanyl. “This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of illicit fentanyl, its prevalence in our communities, and the devious methods of those selling it,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “These drugs are extremely dangerous and there is little way to know for certain what a drug dealer may be selling. Dealers often distribute fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills; but while they may look like legitimate pharmaceuticals, the pills contain fentanyl – about 100 times stronger than oxycodone. Any disruption of this illicit fentanyl trade will surely spare others from tragic results, and this prosecution would not have been possible without the outstanding work of the Danville Police and the DEA. Their efforts will energize the committed pursuit of those placing so many people in grave danger.” “Illicit Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat facing America today, and people like Mr. Simpson, who sow misery and death in our communities, should expect to meet the full weight of the justice system for their actions,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. Under federal law, Simpson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. United States Attorney Shier; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; and Chief Tony Gray, Danville Police Department, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Danville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. — END —


title: Lancaster Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lancaster, Ky., man, Brett M. Martin, 33, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to 180 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to his plea agreement, on October 12, 2022, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at Martin’s residence, locating six firearms and 93.53 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, officers located $36,685.99 in cash at Martin’s grandmother’s residence. Martin admitted to drug trafficking and to possessing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Under federal law, Martin must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); Sheriff Willie Skeens, Garrard County Sheriff’s Office; and Sheriff Shawn Hines, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF, KSP, Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. — END —


title: Nevada felon sentenced for gun possession

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Justin Hall, 43, of Wellington, Nevada, who was convicted of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms, was sentenced to time served (24 months) by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett Fitzsimmons, who handled the case, stated that in May 2021, Hall was arrested in Gardnerville, Nevada, for possessing a firearm. Subsequently, in May 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Buffalo, received information from the Nevada FBI that Hall was traveling around the Buffalo area. On May 22, 2022, law enforcement conducted a motor vehicle stop of Hall’s vehicle on Interstate 90 near the Transit Road exit. A search of Hall’s vehicle recovered three firearms, as well as over 1,200 rounds of various caliber ammunition and five magazines. In March 2017, Hall was convicted a misdemeanor crime of Domestic Battery in Nevada, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Additional assistance was provided by the Douglas County, Nevada Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada FBI. # # # #