title: Justice Department Awards Over $4.4 Billion to Support Community Safety

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – The Justice Department has announced that it is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants, from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies. “The fact that nearly $60 million in grant money is being pumped into Louisiana alone is staggering,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These grants will provide much needed funding for our local agencies to continue their work in making our communities a safer place to live. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with these local agencies in that effort.” “Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.” The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges. “Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.” “The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.” “Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.” Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities: Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust , helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country. More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders. Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse. More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization. Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims. In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards . An interactive map that shows where grants are going can be found at: Workbook: OJP Awards Dashboard (usdoj.gov) . # # #


title: Sioux Falls Man Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering (Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity.) Richard Kamolvathin, a/k/a Danuj Richard Kamolvathin, d/b/a Zolvent Pro, LLC, age 57, was indicted in August of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 12, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The Indictment alleges that beginning on or about October 13, 2020, and continuing through June 30, 2021, Kamolvathin knowingly devised a scheme to defraud where he fraudulently submitted two applications to the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management for Small Business Start-Up Grants for his business, Zolvent Pro, LLC. Kalmovathin’s grant applications and supporting documentation contained false statements, including the date of the registration of the business and the claimed business expenses. As the result, Kamolvathin received two grants: one for $350,000 and one for $13,800. Kamolvathin then used the funds for his own purposes, including the purchase of a luxury watch for $26,710.19. The charges are merely accusations and Kamolvathin is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case. Kamolvathin was released on bond pending trial which has been set for February 20, 2024.


component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Justice Department announced today that it is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local, and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants, from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies. “Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.” “In the Western District of Virginia, addressing the root causes behind criminal behavior involves impactful diversion initiatives like Adult Drug Courts, which have emerged as catalysts for bolstering community security while curbing repeat offenses through treatment services, defendant supervision, and graduated levels of incentives and sanctions related to program compliance,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. Through its focus on addressing the root causes contributing to criminal conduct, programs such as Adult Drug Courts play a pivotal role in The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges. “Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.” “The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.” “Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.” Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities: Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust , helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country. More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders. Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse. More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization. Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims. In the Western District of Virginia, several communities that will receive grant money as part of today’s announcement include, but are not limited to: The Alleghany County/City of Covington Adult Drug Court (ACADTC) will receive $999,805 in order to assist in finding housing and transportation, increase the number of visits per week, improve family and peer supports, assist with job training and employment skills, and address the mental health needs of the ACADTC participants. The grant will provide funding for multiple staff positions and operating costs for 48 months. Piedmont Regional Community Services (Piedmont) in Martinsville will receives $1 million to expand the adult drug court that supports Henry County. This grant funding will allow Piedmont to expand its capacity to serve an additional 60 participants over the next four years. In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards .


title: U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh Appointed to Serve on Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s Advisory Committee

body_text: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has appointed United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). The AGAC was created in 1973 and advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys on essential matters facing the Department of Justice. “I am honored to have been selected by Attorney General Garland to serve on the AGAC,” said United States Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh. “Working collaboratively with other United States Attorneys from across the country to collectively shape Department policy and reaffirm the rule of law has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this job. I appreciate having the opportunity to amplify the contributions our team here in the Western District of Virginia is making toward achieving the Department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.” Mr. Kavanaugh was appointed by the President Biden and sworn in as United States Attorney on October 7, 2021. As United States Attorney, Mr. Kavanaugh is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Virginia. He also serves as chair of the Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and co-chair of the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee. Prior to his nomination, Mr. Kavanaugh had been an Assistant United States Attorney for 14 years, having served in United States Attorney’s Offices for both the Western District of Virginia and the District of Columbia. During his career, Mr. Kavanaugh directed numerous multi-agency investigations and prosecutions, with a focus on national security, civil rights, white-collar crime, and violent crimes involving racketeering and homicides. The AGAC is comprised of 14 United States Attorneys, and U.S. Attorney Kavanaugh will serve alongside the Committee’s Chair: U.S. Attorney Damian Williams (SDNY), Vice-Chair: U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino (DAZ), as well as U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee (DME), U.S. Attorney Trini Ross (WDNY), U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan (WDPA), U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown (WDLA), U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison (EDMI), U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris (CDIL), U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger (DMN), U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight (DOR), U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez (DNM), U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan, (NDGA), and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves (DC).


title: Rock Hill Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Davon Thompson, 29, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Evidence presented to the court showed that on August 31, 2020, Rock Hill Police Department officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. During their investigation, a loaded .45 caliber pistol was found in a diaper bag belonging to a woman who was on scene. Thompson later admitted to hiding the pistol in the diaper bag. Thompson’s federal sentence was enhanced in part due to arrests in November 2020 and August 2021 for possessing firearms and drug trafficking. In the August incident, Thompson admitted to possessing a firearm equipped with a gun sight and a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Thompson was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to previous state court convictions for burglary, failure to stop for a blue light, attempt to purchase oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., sentenced Thompson to 84 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD), the Fort Mill Police Department (FMPD) and the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Mobile Check Fraudsters and Identity Thieves Sentenced in Federal Court

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – More than a dozen defendants from Mobile were sentenced for their roles in an organized scheme to commit bank fraud and identity theft. The leader of the scheme was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison. According to court documents, Arrington Jaylun Gardner, 22, led a ring of individuals that committed widespread fraud and identity theft involving checks stolen from the U.S. mail, which the defendants later altered and deposited at various financial institutions. The fraudulent checks bore the personal identifying information of numerous victim businesses and individuals in the Mobile area and elsewhere. Gardner and his coconspirators used social media and other means to recruit individuals with accounts at various banks, who provided their account information, debit cards, and other support to Gardner to further the scheme. Victims of the scheme suffered more than $125,000 in financial losses. Federal agents executed a search warrant at Gardner’s apartment in Mobile in July 2022, recovering dozens of altered and stolen checks, fake identifications, counterfeiting tools, stolen vehicles, and more than $2,600 in cash. Agents also uncovered evidence that Gardner had used the stolen identity of a victim in New Jersey to finance and purchase luxury automobiles at a car dealership in Mobile, causing more than $75,000 in losses. Gardner pleaded guilty to two separate conspiracies to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. In addition to the 102-month prison term, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Gardner to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment, and will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Gardner to pay $201,293.05 in victim restitution and $300 in special assessments, and forfeited $2,609.50 to the United States. For their roles in the scheme, the court sentenced Gardner’s codefendants as follows: Reginald Martez Robinson, Jr. (46 months’ imprisonment); Johnathan Earl Kyser (36 months’ imprisonment); Delvin Lee Andrews (33 months’ imprisonment); D’Undra Norwood (24 months’ imprisonment); Travis Ladell Morrissette (13 months’ imprisonment); Jimmy Dejuan Parnell (nine months’ imprisonment); Justin Deandre Betties (six months’ imprisonment); Barbara Jackson (six months’ imprisonment); Kenessa Denise Hackworth (one day in custody and 12 months’ home confinement); Markisha Jakeria Johnson (time served); Danquile Nakrica Westbrook (time served); and Calvin Davis (time served). The court also ordered each of those defendants to serve supervised release terms and pay restitution and special assessments. Codefendants Jairice Lynn Shelton and Edmund Jamarquis Davis are scheduled to be sentenced in October 2023 and January 2024, respectively. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, Mobile Police Department, and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Rock Hill Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Donnell S. Durham, 35, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Evidence presented to the Court showed that on July 27, 2021, Rock Hill Police Department officers stopped a car with a suspended license tag. Durham was a passenger in the car. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the car and asked Durham and the others inside the car to step out. Officers soon learned that Durham had an outstanding arrest warrant. When officers tried to arrest Durham, he resisted arrest leading to a struggle between Durham and the officers over a loaded pistol Durham had hidden in his waistband. After officers gained control of the pistol, Durham was placed under arrest. Durham was also found to be in possession multiple drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Durham was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to various state felony convictions. In 2012, Durham was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault and battery after striking one RHPD officer with a car and almost hitting another officer while trying to flee from the officers. In 2014, Durham was convicted of aggravated assault and battery after shooting another man. In 2016, Durham was convicted of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Durham to 180 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD) and the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case. ###


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Partners with City of Detroit to Gather for a Community Huddle and Peace March as Part of the One Detroit Partnership

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – As part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and One Detroit partners, local community organizations, and state and federal law enforcement agencies will gather for a Community Huddle and Peace March on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 3pm starting at Mike’s Fresh Market located at 14383 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. The peace march is part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership, a targeted strategy aimed at reducing gun violence in Detroit’s neighborhoods with the highest incidence of violent crime – Detroit’s 8th and 9th Precincts. The strategy has three components—enforcement, prevention, and reentry. One Detroit is a coalition of community and law enforcement partners working together to develop and execute the best strategies to reduce violent crime. During the peace march, One Detroit partners will report on the results of the summer enforcement strategy while in the community and walk with residents in the name of peace. Other activities include yoga and mindfulness sessions and other community bonding experiences. Residents in the 9th Precinct, as well as residents citywide, are welcome and encouraged to attend the march. Media is welcome to attend the event and should contact Gina Balaya at Gina.Balaya@usdoj.gov or contact her directly at (313)226-9758.


title: Readout of Department of Justice Federal/Tribal Regional Summit in the Twin Cities in Minnesota

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Office of Environmental Justice and Office of Tribal Justice helped convene a Federal/Tribal Regional Summit in Minnesota’s Twin Cities on Sept. 26 and 27; the event was hosted by the Regional Solicitor’s office of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Summit participants also included Justice Department personnel from the Community Relations Service and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys as well as Tribal nations representatives from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa and South Dakota. Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Todd Kim of ENRD challenged the group to identify new ways to work together to support Tribal sovereignty and ensure the preservation of sustainable Tribal homelands. “The United States supports Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and has a unique government-to-government relationship with Tribes,” he said. “And, like the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, treaties are the supreme law of the land. This administration is fully committed to using all available authorities to protect Tribal treaty and reserved rights and to supporting Tribal efforts to strengthen Tribes’ resilience in responding to climate impacts that include erosion, drought, wildfires and rising sea levels.” AAG Kim pointed to last week’s historic settlement of litigation by Tribes over management of the Columbia River System . AAG Kim noted that all parties hope the settlement “will further a comprehensive solution to restore salmon populations in the Basin while also advancing clean energy goals.” The Summit featured an address by Midwest Regional Administrator Debra Shore of the Environmental Protection Agency as well as short presentations and in-depth discussions on environmental justice; Tribal treaty rights related to hunting, fishing and gathering of natural resources; Tribal jurisdictional issues; trespass on Tribal lands; identification and enforcement of environmental crimes; and climate adaptation strategies. Additional sessions focused on best practices for working with federal agencies on ensuring protection of Tribal rights and resources. This meeting was the second of three Regional Summits planned for 2023, and follows national conversations with Tribes held in Washington, D.C., in November 2022 and Columbia, South Carolina, earlier this year. The Summits are intended to deliver on the promise in the Department’s Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy to work with Tribal governments and other federal agencies to “address and incorporate Tribal concerns into the Department’s enforcement work.” The next Regional Federal/Tribal Summit is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.


title: Montgomery Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing Ammunition Used During  Shooting at Gas Station

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Alabama – On September 28, 2023, a federal jury convicted Maricas Rondell Taylor, 40, from Montgomery, Alabama, on one count of unlawfully possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony offense, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. According to court records and evidence presented during his trial, on September 30, 2022, Taylor and a cousin entered a gas station on West Fairview Avenue in Montgomery. Taylor’s cousin had been previously barred from entering the store. When the clerk informed the cousin that she was not allowed inside, Taylor became upset and got into a verbal altercation with the clerk. Taylor then left the premises. About 45 minutes later, Taylor returned to the store and again confronted the clerk. Surveillance video from inside the store showed Taylor pulling a gun from his pocket and firing multiple times at the clerk. The clerk was able to seek cover behind the counter and avoid being struck by the bullets fired by Taylor. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered shell casings from the store. In finding Taylor guilty, the jury determined that the shell casings recovered from the scene came from ammunition possessed by Taylor during the shooting. Taylor has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Following the guilty verdict, Taylor faces a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for Taylor in the coming months. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Michelle R. Turner prosecuting.


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced on Thursday, Sept. 28, that it is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local, and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants, from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies. Montana will receive $19,728,000 in grants in 35 awards from the Justice Department. “Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.” “I am pleased to announce that Montana is receiving nearly $20 million in grant funding, which will further assist our office in making our communities safer, help reduce violent crime, and expand services for victims of crime. This money will provide much needed support to law enforcement and public safety professionals who work hard every day to keep us safe,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges. “Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.” “The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.” “Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.” Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities: Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust , helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country. More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders. Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse. More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization. Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims. In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards . OAG/ODAG/OASG/OJP 23-1066


title: Florida Men Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Fraud Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Orlando returned an indictment, unsealed yesterday, charging three Florida men with crimes related to their respective roles in a tax refund fraud scheme. According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2018, Christopher Johnson, of Orlando, and Jasen Harvey, of Tampa, allegedly conspired to promote a scheme in which Harvey and others prepared returns for clients falsely reporting large amounts of income tax withholdings to the IRS, resulting in tax refunds to which the clients were not otherwise entitled. Johnson and Harvey allegedly charged each client a fee per return – Johnson allegedly did not report his portion of those fees on his personal tax returns. The indictment also charged that in January 2020, a federal judge issued an order enjoining Harvey from preparing tax returns for others but, despite the court’s injunction, Harvey allegedly continued to prepare and file returns from 2020 to 2021. In addition, the indictment alleges that Arthur Grimes, of Orlando and Ocoee, Florida, participated in the scheme and caused to be filed four false income tax returns prepared by Harvey. When the IRS attempted to recover a refund allegedly issued to Grimes based on a false income tax return, Grimes allegedly (1) made false statements to an IRS revenue officer, (2) submitted false documents to the IRS, (3) transferred funds to a nominee bank account and (4) otherwise obstructed IRS collection efforts. Johnson, Harvey and Grimes are each charged with aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Johnson and Harvey are charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison; Johnson is charged with filing false personal tax returns, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison; Harvey is charged with criminal contempt, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison; and Grimes is charged with corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the due administration of the internal revenue laws, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Real Estate Executive Pleads Guilty to Multi-Year Conspiracy to Falsify Financial Statements

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A California real estate executive pleaded guilty yesterday to engaging in an extensive multi-year conspiracy to falsify financial statements. According to court documents, Tyler Ross, 37, formerly of Michigan, served as co-chief executive officer of ROCO Real Estate LLC and ROCO Management LLC, both of which are based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The ROCO companies, and related entities, operated as a commercial real estate firm engaged in the business of purchasing, managing, and selling multi-family residential properties, such as apartment complexes, located in Michigan and elsewhere. “Tyler Ross falsified corporate records to deceive lenders by fraudulently inflating the income of ROCO properties,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The guilty plea demonstrates the Department’s commitment to holding accountable those who lie to lenders and banks, including executives in commercial real estate.” “Honest financial reporting is the foundation of our banking and lending system,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “My office will not hesitate to prosecute those who lie in order to engage in financial crimes, regardless of the titles they may have.” Between 2015 and 2019, Ross and his co-conspirators caused false financial documents to be submitted to mortgage-lending businesses for underperforming ROCO properties, making the properties appear to be more profitable than they were. Ross, who is also a licensed attorney, personally falsified historical operating statements during the conspiracy and directed other members of the conspiracy to assist with the creation and submission of falsified financial statements to submit to mortgage-lending businesses. Ross and his co-conspirators deleted or reduced actual expenses from historical operating statements for certain underperforming ROCO properties and caused the falsified statements to be submitted to lenders. “The Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) aggressively investigates allegations of mortgage fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Catherine Huber of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We investigate and hold accountable anyone who has engaged in unlawful activities to illegally profit through the mortgage loan process, whether residential or commercial.” “Those who willfully provide false financial information limit the amount of money that is available for individuals and companies who are doing the right thing,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG). “This case demonstrates HUD-OIG’s commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who violate the law.” “Mortgage fraud is a serious offense that affects lenders and borrowers alike,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to protecting our banking and mortgage industry by going after anyone who obtains loans under false pretenses.” Ross pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit an offense against the United States. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FHFA-OIG, HUD-OIG, and FBI are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Andrew Tyler and Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind for the Eastern District of Michigan are prosecuting the case.


title: El Paso, Texas, Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An El Paso, Texas, man, Raul Morales, 42, was sentenced on September 25, 2023, to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing over 29 kilograms of fentanyl and xylazine. At the sentencing hearing in front of Senior United States District Judge Sue Myerscough, the government presented evidence that the Illinois State Police stopped Morales while he was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 in Sangamon County, Illinois. Morales was driving a pick-up truck and pulling a trailer holding two vehicles. Documents showed Morales started the trip in Texas and was heading to Joliet, Illinois. During the stop, Illinois State Police troopers located over 29 kilograms of a substance containing fentanyl and xylazine; it was packaged in 30 separate bundles, each of which was wrapped in black tape, and located in a suitcase in one of the vehicles being hauled on the trailer. Morales was indicted in November 2022 and pleaded guilty in May 2023. He has been detained by the United States Marshals Service since November 2022. The statutory penalties for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl are not less than 10 years up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. The Illinois State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Morales 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: Former Journalist Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, while visiting South Carolina in February 2020, James Gordon Meek, 53, used an online messaging platform on his iPhone to send and receive images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to discuss his sexual interest in children. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12, including an infant being raped. Meek brought the iPhone containing the child sexual abuse material back with him when he returned to Virginia. Additionally, Meek possessed multiple electronic devices containing images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell and Trial Attorney Whitney Kramer for the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington County Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-65.


title: U.S. Attorney participates in United Against Hate community event at Temple Israel

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee participated in a United Against Hate outreach event bringing DOJ officials and FBI partners to community members to elevate effective strategies to prevent, report, and respond to hate crimes and incidents. United Against Hate is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to inform communities about hate crimes and reporting hate-related incidents. The Department launched the initiative in 2022 with the goal of building trust, opening lines of communication, and strengthening coordination between relevant partners and the community to help combat a growing number of hate and bias-related incidents since 2021. “One of our biggest concerns is that people may not know what a hate crime looks like, or who to tell if they have concerns, so these serious violations may never come to our attention,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz. “We can’t fight what we can’t find. When hate crimes go unreported, it becomes more difficult for law enforcement agencies to allocate resources for the fight.” This recent event took place on September 25 at Temple Israel, the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in Tennessee, and featured U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz, Rabbi Micah Greenstein, former U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton, and FBI Special Agent Taneka Blacknell. The event also featured the story of Mickey Wright, the Shelby County code enforcement officer who was murdered in 2001 while on the job, after he wrote a citation to a business owner on Lamar Avenue. Dale Mardis was eventually convicted of civil rights violations for dismembering Wright’s body and disposing him. Wright’s remains were never located. Mardis, who is currently serving life in federal prison, admitted to murdering Wright because of the ticket, but also because Wright was African American. Wright’s wife and daughter were honored guests at the Temple Israel event. The following is an excerpt from U.S. Attorney Ritz’s remarks as prepared for delivery: “As federal law enforcement, we have a fundamental obligation to protect the right of each person to dwell in their home, work at their job, jog down a street, shop at a store and engage in acts of daily living without fear of attack based on how they look, where they are from, how they worship or who they love. From Charleston to Charlottesville to Pittsburgh to El Paso to Buffalo—the threat of hate-based and extremist violence is real. My oath commands me to protect our country from threats foreign and domestic. I’m going to do that. But we can’t fight what we can’t find. When hate crimes go unreported, it becomes more difficult for law enforcement agencies to allocate resources for the fight. If there aren’t enough officers to investigate, or prosecutors to try those cases, people may never see justice served. That’s why we were so proud earlier this summer to announce our district’s new National Security and Civil Rights Unit. We now have a dedicated team of prosecutors within the Criminal Division focusing on prosecuting hate-based crimes, civil rights violations, violent extremism, and related crimes. This is a major part of our mission and deserves to always have a clear, formal home in our office. But staying silent in the face of hate crimes and incidents also sends a chilling message to our neighbors of various races, religions, and genders: that what happens to them isn’t important. That they don’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, I want to urge you to take action. You can help us to prevent hate crimes from happening, hold people who commit acts of hate accountable for their actions, and support those who have been targeted. Over the weekend, Rabbi Greenstein wrote in a local publication about the significance of Yom Kippur. He wrote that ‘the big idea is that what God cares about most is not that a person believes what is right, but that a person does what is right.’ We work hard every day in my office to do the right thing. As you listen to the presenters today, I want you remember that our work begins with raising awareness on attacks against people based on prejudice, bias, and hate.” Community organizations or leaders that wish to partner with the United States Attorney’s office to explore holding such an event in their community should contact the District at 901-544-4231. Anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime or may have witnessed a hate crime should immediately report the crime to state or local police by dialing 9-1-1, then quickly report the incident to the FBI at tips.FBI.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Next, please report the incident to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov or by contacting the Civil Rights Coordinator in the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 901-544-4231.


title: Justice Department Secures Settlement in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Koreatown Property Manager and Apartment Owner

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: Settlement agreement can be viewed HERE . LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department announced today an agreement to resolve a federal lawsuit alleging sexual harassment at an apartment building in Koreatown, where a property manager was accused of violating the Fair Housing Act by sexually harassed multiple female residents over a period of years. Under the consent order filed today in United States District Court, M&F Development, LLC, the owner of the apartment building on South Western Avenue, has agreed to pay $120,000 to compensate individuals harmed by the harassment by property manager Abraham Kesary. In addition to the compensation payment, M&F Development agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order permanently bars Kesary from property management and requires the retention of an independent property manager approved by the Department of Justice for the Koreatown rental property. The consent order also bars future discrimination and retaliation, mandates Fair Housing Act training, and requires extensive monitoring and reporting regarding property management activities and compliance with the terms of the consent order. The lawsuit, which is part of the Justice Department’s nationwide Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative , alleged that from at least 2012 until at least 2020, Kesary subjected female residents at the apartment complex to unwanted harassment. The complaint alleged Kesary offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual acts, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances, entered female residents’ homes without their permission, and subjected these tenants to unwelcome sexual acts. “Our office will not stand for unlawful discrimination of any type,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The lengthy course of sexual harassment against female residents alleged in this case is disturbing and unacceptable. We will continue to be vigilant in holding landlords and property managers accountable for discrimination and harassment, and the Fair Housing Act gives us a powerful tool to seek justice for victims.” “Tenants have the right to live in their homes free from sexual harassment by their landlords,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce fair housing laws against landlords who prey on vulnerable residents.” Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination may contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291. Individuals may also email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online . Reports also may be made by contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online . Individuals in the seven counties of the Central District of California may file a complaint about housing discrimination or other civil rights violations with the Civil Rights Section, Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office by completing and submitting this form ( English ) ( Spanish ) by email to USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov . Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Chen of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section and attorneys from the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the United States Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division litigated this matter.


component: USAO - Florida, Middle


title: KC Man Charged with Three Fentanyl Deaths, Illegal Firearms

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged with three fentanyl overdose deaths in Belton, Mo., alongside six other metropolitan area residents indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that included illegal firearms and money laundering. Tiger Dean Draggoo, 23, his brother, Colt Justin Draggoo, 20, Jose Amparan, also known as “Lil Mex” and “Jose Garcia,” 20, Luis Manuel Morales, also known as “Trulu,” “Lulu,” “Luis,” and “Luis Mor,” 23, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Andrew R.A. Williams, also known as “DrewB Grittin,” 22, of Grandview, Mo.; Alexander D. Barnett, also known as “Alex” and “Cobra,” 22, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and Javier Armanmdo Alvarez, also known as “Mexxican,” Gomi,” and “Gummi,” 21, of Kansas City, Kan., were charged in a 13-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Sept. 27. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrest and initial court appearances of Barnett and Morales. Colt Draggoo also was arrested today and will have an initial court appearance tomorrow. The superseding indictment replaces the original indictment returned on Feb. 7, 2023, which only charged Tiger Draggoo, and includes additional charges and defendants. The federal indictment charges Tiger Draggoo with three counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death. Tiger Draggoo allegedly distributed fentanyl on Sept. 3, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Tiger Draggoo allegedly distributed fentanyl between Aug. 22 and Sept. 13, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Tiger Draggoo allegedly distributed fentanyl between Dec. 7 and 20, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint that was filed against Draggoo on Jan. 23, 2023, three Belton teenagers who were associated with Draggoo died from acute fentanyl intoxication. On at least three more occasions, the affidavit says, Belton police officers were called because a juvenile was under the influence of fentanyl (one of those juveniles, who turned 18 after being contacted by police officers, is among the three fentanyl deaths). The indictment alleges that all seven defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl from Dec. 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023. The indictment also alleges that Tiger Draggoo, Alvarez, Amparan, Morales and Williams participated in a money-laundering conspiracy. Tiger Draggoo is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of possessing an unregistered firearm. According to the indictment, Draggoo was in possession of a Jimenez Arms .380-caliber pistol, an Armscor .45-caliber pistol, a Taurus .357-caliber revolver, a Palmetto State Armory multi-caliber rifle, and a short-barreled Savage 12-gauge on Jan. 20, 2023. Those charges are related to Draggoo’s arrest on the federal complaint. Officers seized the fentanyl and firearms from Draggoo’s residence and vehicle when he was taken into custody. Additionally, Tiger Dragoo is charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of illegally possessing machine guns. Those charges were basis of the original criminal complaint filed against Draggoo. According to an affidavit filed in support of that complaint, police officers were conducting surveillance at an apartment complex on Sept. 22, 2022, when Tiger and Colt Draggoo left the apartment and got into a Jeep Renegade. Officers followed the Jeep and saw it commit numerous traffic violations while displaying erratic driving. A Jackson County sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled from the deputy. A few minutes later, the Jeep returned to the apartment complex and Tiger and Colt Draggoo entered the apartment. Tiger Draggoo carried a large laundry bag from the apartment and placed it in the backseat of the Jeep. When a Jackson County, Mo., sheriff’s deputy drove into the parking lot, Tiger Draggoo ran back into the apartment building. When officers knocked on the door of Tiger Draggoo’s apartment, the affidavit says, his girlfriend initially told them he wasn’t there. After she allowed officers to enter the apartment, she admitted that Tiger Draggoo had run into the apartment and out the back door. Officers searched the apartment and found 17 firearms, including two machine guns, ammunition of various calibers, $246,769 in cash, a ballistic vest with plates, a money counter, numerous pills that contained fentanyl, eight suspected LSD tabs, and marijuana. The 17 firearms included a Del-Ton 5.56-caliber rifle (converted into a machine gun), a Glock switch (used to convert a Glock pistol into a machine gun), three Marlin .22-caliber rifles, a Norinco 7.62-caliber rifle, a Mosin-Nagant rifle, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223-caliber rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, an Armscorp USA .308-caliber rifle, a Century Arms 7.62-caliber rifle, a Herbert Schmidt .22-caliber revolver, a New England Firearms .22-caliber revolver, a Kimber 9mm pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, and a Metro Arms .45-caliber pistol. Williams is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Williams allegedly was in possession of a Springfield Armory 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a Girsan .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun on April 19, 2023. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Raymore, Mo., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.


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 Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Sept. 28 was: Garrell Robert Snell, 33, of Hardin, on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snell faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Snell was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-113. Brian Allen Kruger, 61, of Lodge Grass, on charges of assault of a dating or intimate partner resulting in substantial bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kruger faces a maximum of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Kruger was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-148. Appearing on Sept. 26 was: Marilee Dawn Hoffman, 36, a transient, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hoffman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Hoffman was released pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-93. Appearing on a criminal complaint on Sept. 25 was: Luke Dovel, 28, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dovel faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dovel was detained pending further proceedings. PACER case reference. 23-143. 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: Justice Department Sues Colorado for Violating the Americans with Disabilities Act

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department sued the state of Colorado today for unnecessarily segregating adults with physical disabilities, including older adults, in nursing facilities in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C . The department previously notified Colorado of its findings of civil rights violations in a March 2022 letter to Colorado Governor Polis. The letter identified steps that Colorado should take to remedy the identified violations. “Far too often, people with physical disabilities – including older adults – are institutionalized in nursing facilities when they could live in their own homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is steadfast in its commitment to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure the promise of community integration enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.” The ADA and the Olmstead decision require state and local governments to make their services for people with disabilities available in the most integrated setting appropriate to each person’s needs, regardless of their age or type of disability. These include services that help with bathing, dressing, managing medications and preparing meals. But many Coloradans with physical disabilities are denied a meaningful choice to receive the services they need in their own homes and communities, instead of in nursing facilities. Many of Colorado’s Medicaid-funded nursing facility residents are interested in moving back to their homes and communities and could live at home successfully if the needed services were provided at home. Yet few Coloradans with physical disabilities who want to move out of nursing facilities, or who are at risk of having to enter nursing facilities, get these community-based State services. Most nursing facility residents are unaware of the services available to help them move to and live successfully in the community. The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section investigated this case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov/topics/community-integration/ . For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . The letter of findings can be viewed here . colorado_complaint_filed.pdf


title: Louisiana Bounty Hunter Convicted of Federal Kidnapping, Conspiracy Charges in Missouri

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A bounty hunter from Louisiana was convicted of kidnapping and conspiracy charges Thursday for forcibly removing a woman from a St. Peters, Missouri home and taking her across state lines. Jurors in U.S. District Court in St. Louis took less than two hours to convict Wayne D. Lozier Jr., now 44, of the New Orleans area, of the two felony counts. Testimony and evidence presented at trial, including from Lozier’s body camera, showed that the victim had an arrest warrant from the 22nd Judicial District Court in St. Tammany Parish for two misdemeanor offenses. Lozier and his partner, Jody L. Sullivan, had been hired by A Affordable Bail Bonds as surety recovery agents to locate and retrieve the victim. Sullivan rented an SUV and the pair traveled to St. Charles County. On May 9, 2019, both were armed with firearms and Tasers. Neither was licensed by Missouri’s Department of Commerce and Insurance to operate as surety recovery agents within Missouri. Without notifying local law enforcement, the pair went to the St. Peters home. Lozier told the homeowner he didn’t need her permission to enter the house. They went into the basement, where the Louisiana woman was staying. They handcuffed her and transported her without her consent in their SUV, heading for Louisiana, the trial showed. At a gas station in Sullivan, Missouri the victim pleaded with employees to notify the police after learning that Lozier and Sullivan were not police officers. Lozier shocked the victim multiple times with a Taser and he and Sullivan dragged the victim out of the store by the chain that connected her handcuffs and leg shackles. Lozier told local police that he was a surety recovery agent and was licensed by the state of Louisiana. While they were still in Missouri, a St. Peters Police Department officer told Lozier on a phone call that he was committing crimes and should return the victim to St. Peters or drop her off at the nearest law enforcement agency, according to testimony and evidence. Lozier refused, instead dropping her off at a Mississippi detention facility before returning home and collecting $500 plus expenses. The victim remained at the detention facility for about a week before she was released. Sullivan, 56, of the New Orleans area, pleaded guilty Sept. 18, 2023, to the conspiracy and kidnapping charges and admitted unlawfully seizing the woman and transporting her across state lines. Sullivan is scheduled to be sentenced December 20. Lozier is scheduled to be sentenced January 3. Both charges are punishable by up to life in prison. The FBI and the St. Peters Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Martin and Donald Boyce are prosecuting the case.


title: Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery of Mound City Bank

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Ottawa, Kansas, man who was apprehended after he called a tow truck for his getaway car has pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing a Mound City, Mo., bank. Marvin J. McWhorter III, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Sept. 28, to one count of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, McWhorter admitted that he stole $4,445 from Citizens Bank & Trust, 904 State Street in Mound City, on Dec. 21, 2022. According to his plea agreement, McWhorter approached a teller station at the bank and, while holding what appeared to be a handgun, directed the teller to give him all the money in the drawer. McWhorter ran out of the bank and got into a black Chevrolet Malibu with the word “CHEVY” in block white lettering across the top of the front windshield. Witnesses saw McWhorter drive away from the area. The next morning, McWhorter called a St. Joseph, Mo., towing company to request a tow for the Malibu, which was in Forest City, Mo., about 13 miles southwest of Mound City. The tow driver picked up McWhorter at a nearby café and went to retrieve the vehicle. A local public official, who had heard the vehicle description of the bank robbery suspect the day before, recognized McWhorter’s vehicle being towed and contacted law enforcement. The Holt County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department then contacted the tow company. Dispatch contacted the driver of the tow truck by phone to confirm that he was towing a black Chevrolet Malibu, with the word “CHEVY” in block white lettering across the top of the front windshield, through Oregon, Mo. Dispatch also confirmed that McWhorter was with the tow driver in the tow truck. Dispatch directed the tow driver to pull over and wait for law enforcement to arrive. When the tow driver pulled over, McWhorter attempted to take control of the tow truck. McWhorter fought with the tow driver and a passerby who witnessed the altercation and had stopped to assist. The tow driver and passerby were able to get McWhorter to the ground and hold him until law enforcement arrived. When officers arrested McWhorter, they found in the tow truck a cooler-type bag that contained $3,813 taken in the bank robbery. Officers also found additional evidence in the Malibu, including a box of 9mm ammunition, but no firearm. Under federal statutes, McWhorter is subject to a sentence of up to 20 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 Gregg R. Coonrod. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Holt County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Andrew County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Mound City, Mo., Police Department, and the FBI.


title: IRS Consultant Charged with Disclosing Tax Return Information to News Organizations

body_text: An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) consultant was charged today with disclosing tax return information without authorization. According to court documents, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., while working at the IRS as a government contractor, stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official (Public Official A) and disclosed it to a news organization (News Organization 1). Littlejohn also stole tax return information for thousands of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, and disclosed this tax return information to another news organization (News Organization 2). Littlejohn is charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Trevor Nelson of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement. TIGTA is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney for the Northern District of West Virginia. A criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Santan Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years for Shooting Death

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Fernando Ray White, 42, of Santan, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 210 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. On December 9, 2019, White shot the victim multiple times, killing her. The defendant pleaded guilty on July 14, 2023, to Second Degree Murder. The Gila River Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raynette Logan and Vinnie Lichvar, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-21-00766-PHX-DJH RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-143_White # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Albemarle To Pay Over $218M To Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle), a publicly-traded specialty chemicals manufacturing company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, has agreed to pay more than $218 million to resolve investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) stemming from Albemarle’s participation in corrupt schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple foreign countries. According to the company’s admissions in connection with the Department’s resolution, between 2009 and 2017, Albemarle, through its third-party sales agents and subsidiary employees, conspired to pay bribes to government officials to obtain and retain chemical catalyst business with state-owned oil refineries in Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Albemarle obtained profits of approximately $98.5 million as a result of the scheme. “Albemarle earned nearly $100 million by participating in schemes to pay bribes to government officials in multiple countries,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement makes clear, the Justice Department will work tirelessly with our partners in the ongoing fight against international corruption. Today’s resolution also demonstrates the real benefits that companies can receive if they self-disclose misconduct, substantially cooperate, and extensively remediate.” “Corruption has no borders, but neither does justice. Companies are expected to adhere to the same ethical and legal standards whether they are doing business on U.S. soil or overseas. Albemarle’s eventual voluntary disclosure of fraud and subsequent efforts to remedy its business practices abroad are a step in the right direction for the company. Above all, today’s announcement underscores our commitment to fight corruption affecting the United States no matter where it occurs.” From, Dena J. King, United States Attorney In Vietnam, Albemarle corruptly obtained contracts at two state-owned oil refineries through an intermediary sales agent who requested increased commissions to pay bribes to Vietnam officials and to structure tender requirements to favor Albemarle. In Indonesia, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly obtain catalyst business with Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, even after that third-party intermediary had informed Albemarle that it was necessary to pay bribes to Indonesian officials to obtain business. In India, Albemarle used a third-party intermediary to corruptly retain catalyst business with India’s state-owned oil company by avoiding Albemarle being blacklisted. Albemarle entered into a three-year non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the Department and agreed to pay a penalty of approximately $98.2 million and administrative forfeiture of approximately $98.5 million. The penalty reflects a reduction of $763,453 under Part II of the Criminal Division’s March 2023 Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks Pilot Program for bonuses that the company withheld from qualifying employees. In addition, Albemarle will pay approximately $103.6 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation. The Department has agreed to credit approximately $81.9 million of the forfeiture to be paid to the Department against disgorgement Albemarle has agreed to pay to the SEC. “The $218 million resolution announced today reflects IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) special agents’ commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively expose and disrupt organizations engaged in unscrupulous business practices,” said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. “Thanks to our domestic and international law enforcement partners, we’ve ensured Albemarle will be held accountable for their misdeeds.” Pursuant to the NPA, Albemarle has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this conduct. In addition, Albemarle agreed to continue to enhance its compliance program and provide reports to the Department regarding remediation and the implementation of compliance measures for the three-year term of the NPA. The Department reached this resolution with Albemarle based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. Albemarle voluntarily disclosed to the Department conduct that forms the basis for the resolution; however, the disclosure was not “reasonably prompt” as defined in the Criminal Division Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP) and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines § 8C2.5(g)(1). Albemarle received credit under the CEP for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included (i) voluntarily disclosing the conduct that forms the basis for this agreement before it came to the Department’s attention; (ii) promptly providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own extensive independent investigation; (iii) making regular and detailed presentations to the Department; (iv) proactively identifying information previously unknown to the Department; (v) meeting the Department’s requests promptly; (vi) voluntarily making foreign-based employees available for interviews in the United States; (vii) collecting and producing voluminous relevant documents and translations to the Department, including documents located outside the United States; and (viii) producing documents to the Department from foreign countries in ways that did not implicate foreign data privacy laws. The company promptly engaged in extensive remedial measures including, among other things (i) commencing remedial measures based on its internal investigation of the misconduct prior to the commencement of the Department’s investigation; (ii) disciplining employees involved in the misconduct, including terminating 11 employees and withholding bonuses from 16 employees; (iii) strengthening its anti-corruption compliance program by investing in compliance resources, expanding its compliance function with experienced and qualified personnel, and taking steps to embed compliance and ethical values at all levels of its business organization; (iv) transforming its business model and risk management process to reduce corruption risk in its operation and to embed compliance in the business, including implementing a go-to-market strategy that resulted in eliminating the use of sales agents throughout the company, terminating hundreds of other third-party sales representatives, such as distributors and resellers, and shifting to a direct sales business model; (v) providing extensive training to its sales team and restructuring compensation and incentives so that compensation is no longer tied to sales amounts; (vi) using data analytics to monitor and measure its compliance program’s effectiveness; and (vii) engaging in continuous testing, monitoring, and improvement of all aspects of its compliance program beginning almost immediately following the identification of misconduct. In light of these considerations, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 45% reduction off the bottom of the applicable guidelines fine range. IRS-CI is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Katherine Raut of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Indonesia and India provided substantial assistance in the matter. The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa .


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo en una denuncia por acoso sexual contra un administrador de fincas y un propietario de apartamentos de Koreatown

body_text: LOS ÁNGELES – El Departamento de Justicia ha anunciado hoy un acuerdo para resolver una denuncia federal por acoso sexual en un edificio de apartamentos de Koreatown, donde un administrador de la propiedad fue acusado de violar la Ley de Vivienda Justa por acosar sexualmente a múltiples residentes femeninas durante varios años. En virtud de la orden de consentimiento presentada hoy ante el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, M&F Development, LLC, propietaria del edificio de apartamentos de South Western Avenue, ha acordado pagar 120.000 dólares para indemnizar a las personas perjudicadas por el acoso del administrador de la propiedad, Abraham Kesary. Además del pago de la indemnización, M&F Development acordó pagar una multa civil de 10.000 dólares a Estados Unidos. La orden de consentimiento inhabilita permanentemente a Kesary para la gestión de propiedades y exige la contratación de un gestor de propiedades independiente aprobado por el Departamento de Justicia para la propiedad de alquiler de Koreatown. La orden de consentimiento también prohíbe la discriminación y las represalias en el futuro, impone la formación sobre la Ley de Vivienda Justa y exige una amplia supervisión y presentación de informes sobre las actividades de gestión de la propiedad y el cumplimiento de los términos de la orden de consentimiento. La denuncia, que forma parte de la Iniciativa sobre Acoso Sexual en la Vivienda del Departamento de Justicia a nivel nacional, alegaba que desde al menos 2012 hasta al menos 2020, Kesary sometió a las residentes femeninas del complejo de apartamentos a acoso no deseado. En la denuncia se alegaba que Kesary ofrecía prestaciones relacionadas con la vivienda a cambio de actos sexuales, hacía comentarios e insinuaciones sexuales no deseados, entraba en los domicilios de las residentes sin su permiso y sometía a estas inquilinas a actos sexuales no deseados. “Nuestra oficina no tolerará ningún tipo de discriminación ilegal”, declaró el Fiscal General Martin Estrada. “El prolongado acoso sexual contra las mujeres residentes que se denuncia en este caso es inquietante e inaceptable. Seguiremos vigilando para que los propietarios y los administradores de propiedades rindan cuentas por la discriminación y el acoso, y la Ley de Vivienda Justa nos da una poderosa herramienta para buscar justicia para las víctimas”. “Los inquilinos tienen derecho a vivir en sus casas libres de acoso sexual por parte de sus caseros”, declaró la Fiscal General Adjunta Kristen Clarke, de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “El Departamento de Justicia seguirá aplicando enérgicamente las leyes de vivienda justa contra los propietarios que se aprovechan de los residentes vulnerables”. Las personas que crean que pueden haber sido víctimas de acoso sexual u otros tipos de discriminación en materia de vivienda pueden ponerse en contacto con la Línea de información sobre discriminación en materia de vivienda llamando al 1-833-591-0291. Los particulares también pueden enviar un correo electrónico al Departamento de Justicia a fairhousing@usdoj.gov o presentar una denuncia en línea . También se pueden presentar denuncias llamando al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los EE. UU., al 1-800-669-9777, o presentando una denuncia en línea . Los residentes en los siete condados del Distrito Central de California pueden presentar una denuncia por discriminación en materia de vivienda u otras violaciones de los derechos civiles ante la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil de la Fiscalía General de los Estados Unidos rellenando y enviando este formulario ( Inglés ) ( Español ) por correo electrónico a USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov . La fiscal adjunta Margaret Chen, de la Sección de Derechos Civiles de la División Civil, y los abogados de la Sección de Vivienda y Ejecución Civil de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos litigaron este asunto.


title: San Antonio Business Owner and Associates Arrested for Defrauding SBA Program

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Converse man and six alleged co-conspirators were arrested this week on criminal charges related to their alleged conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to court documents Aaron Sams, 39, owns and operates Sams Contracting Consulting and Training LLC. The indictment alleges he used his business to advertise and market a service to historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) companies. HUBZone is a Small Business Administration (SBA) program designed to provide federal contracting assistance for qualified small businesses to increase employment opportunities, investment and economic development in such areas. The program gives preferences in government contracting to businesses that qualify as a HUBZone small business. To qualify for the HUBZone program a business must maintain its principal office in an SBA-designated HUBZone and have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone. The indictment alleges that Beverly Smith, 40, of Converse; Jesus Rodriguez, 63, of San Antonio; Uchennaya Ogba, 35, of San Antonio; Kristin Harrison, 37, of Killeen; Jonathan Adams, 36, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Barbara Sanders, 41, of San Antonio, all conspired with Sams and his business to defraud the United States. According to the indictment, Sams and Rodriguez worked together to identify a group of close friends and family who would serve as fake employees and provide them with personal identifying information such as their driver’s license and social security card. The fake employees, who are co-defendants in this case, are alleged to have known that Sams would send their information to companies in order to be placed on a particular company’s payroll, and each fake employee purportedly paid a kickback to Sams and/or Rodriguez of approximately 20 percent of each payroll deposit they would receive. The indictment also alleges that Sams and his co-conspirators created email addresses for the fake employees using an email address at a domain that Sams had complete control of, and that Sams and Rodriguez would sanitize the fake employees’ resumes by removing real phone numbers and email addresses from the resumes to ensure that HUBZone companies could never contact any fake employees directly. The seven defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case with valuable assistance from the Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations; Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office; Small Business Administration Office of General Counsel; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General’s Central Region; U.S. General Services Administration Office of Inspector General; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daphne Newaz 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: 미 법무부, 코리아타운 부동산 관리인 및 아파트 소유주를 상대로 한 성희롱 소송에서 합의 확보

body_text: 로스앤젤레스 – 미 법무부는 오늘 코리아타운의 한 아파트 건물에서 성희롱 혐의가 제기된 연방 소송을 해결하기 위한 합의문을 발표했습니다. 그 아파트 부동산 관리인은 수년에 걸쳐 여러 여성 주민을 성희롱하여 공정 주택법을 위반한 혐의로 기소되었습니다. 오늘 미국 지방 법원에 제출된 합의 명령에 따라, South Western Avenue의 아파트 건물 소유주인 M&F Development, LLC는 부동산 관리인 Abraham Kesary의 괴롭힘으로 피해를 입은 개인에게 보상금으로 미화 12만 달러를 지급하기로 합의했습니다. 보상금 지급 외에도 M&F Development는 미국에 미화 1만 달러의 민사 벌금을 납부하기로 합의했습니다. 합의 명령은 Kesary의 부동산 관리를 영구적으로 금지하며, 코리아타운 임대 부동산에 대해 법무부가 승인한 독립적인 부동산 관리자를 고용하도록 요구합니다. 또한 합의 명령은 향후 차별 및 보복을 금지하고, 공정 주택법 교육을 의무화하며, 부동산 관리 활동 및 합의 명령 조건 준수에 관한 광범위한 모니터링 및 보고를 요구합니다. 법무부의 전국적인 주택 내 성희롱 이니셔티브 의 일환인 본 소송은 최소 2012년부터 2020년까지 Kesary가 아파트 단지의 여성 주민들에게 원치 않는 괴롭힘을 가했다고 주장했습니다. 고소장에 따르면 Kesary는 성행위를 대가로 주거 관련 혜택을 제안했고, 원치 않는 성적 발언과 접근을 했으며, 여성 주민들의 가정에 허락 없이 들어갔고, 해당 주민들에게 원치 않는 성적 행위를 가했다는 혐의가 제기되었습니다. 미국 변호사인 Martin Estrada는 "저희 사무실은 어떤 유형의 불법적인 차별도 용납하지 않을 것입니다. 이 사건에서 제기된 여성 주민들을 상대로 한 장기간의 성희롱은 충격적이고 용납할 수 없는 일입니다. 저희는 임대인과 부동산 관리자가 차별과 괴롭힘에 대해 책임을 지도록 계속 주의를 기울일 것이며, 공정 주택법은 저희가 피해자를 위한 정의를 추구할 수 있도록 강력한 도구를 제공합니다."라고 말했습니다. 법무부 민권국의 Kristen Clarke 법무부 차관보는 “임차인은 임대인의 성희롱으로부터 자유로운 자기 집에서 살 권리가 있으며, 법무부는 취약한 거주자를 괴롭히는 임대인을 상대로 공정 주택법을 계속 강력하게 집행할 것입니다.”라고 말했습니다. 성희롱 또는 기타 유형의 주거 차별을 당했다고 생각하는 개인은 주거 차별 팁 라인(1-833-591-0291)으로 문의하실 수 있습니다. 개인은 법무부에 이메일( fairhousing@usdoj.gov )을 보내거나 온라인으로 보고서 를 제출할 수도 있습니다. 또한 1-800-669-9777번으로 미국 주택도시개발부에 연락하거나 온라인으로 불만 사항 을 제기하여 신고할 수 있습니다. 캘리포니아 중부 지구의 7개 카운티 에 거주하는 개인은 본 양식( 영어 )( 스페인어 )을 작성하여 USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov 로 이메일을 보내 미국 연방 검찰청 민사부 민권국에 주거 차별 또는 기타 민권 침해에 대한 불만 사항을 제기할 수 있습니다. 미국 법무부 민권국 민권과 Margaret Chen 연방검사와 미국 법무부 민권국의 주택 및 민법 시행과 변호사들이 이 사안을 소송했습니다.