title: Man Extradited from Peru on International Money Laundering Charges

component: Criminal - Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Belize City, Belize, man was extradited to the United States Tuesday on charges of laundering tens of millions of dollars of drug proceeds on behalf of notorious international drug trafficking organizations. According to court documents, Jianxing Chen, 42, led and controlled a network of couriers who transported cash generated by the domestic sale of controlled substances. Some of the cash came from cocaine sales throughout the United States – including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, as well as in the Eastern District of Virginia. At Chen’s direction, couriers transported drug money across the country to locations in New York City. From there it was laundered through a variety of methods until it, or its equivalent value, was remitted to drug trafficking organizations in Latin America, including Mexico. Chen received “contracts” to transport and launder this money through Xizhi Li, who was also prosecuted and convicted based on the same superseding indictment. Below is a table of defendants also named in the superseding indictment along with their sentences: Name Charges Conviction/Sentence Xizhi Li Counts 1-3 (drug trafficking and money laundering Money laundering, 180 months Jiayu Chen Counts 1-3 (drug trafficking and money laundering Money laundering, 60 months Eric Yong Woo Count 3 (money laundering) Money laundering, 18 months Jingyuan Li Counts 1-3 (drug trafficking and money laundering) Money laundering, 84 months Tao Liu Counts 1-14 (drug trafficking, money laundering, attempted identity fraud, bribery Money laundering, bribery, 84 months Chen was arrested in Lima, Peru, on June 14, 2021, based on the superseding indictment and held in that country until his extradition was approved and executed on February 21, 2023. Chen is charged with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, knowing and intending and having reasonable cause to believe it will be unlawfully imported into the United States, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Chen faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wendy C. Woolcock, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Special Operations Division; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA-Louisville; Frank. A. Tarentino III , Special Agent in Charge for the DEA-New York; Jessica Moore, Chief of the Criminal Investigations Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and James M. Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Peters and Michael P. Ben’Ary, along with Trial Attorneys Mary Daly, and Stephen A. Sola of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, are prosecuting the case. Significant assistance was provided by law enforcement partners in Australia, Guatemala, Mexico, and New Zealand. The case was investigated as part of two Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), Operation Dark Castle and Operation Taishan Triangle. The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. 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. 1:19-cr-334. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


component: Tax Division

body_text: A North Carolina man pleaded guilty today to preparing false tax returns for clients. According to court documents and statements made in court, Montanna Gore of Garner provided tax return preparation services from his cell phone store in Fayetteville from at least 2013 through 2018. Gore reported false items on clients’ tax returns in order to inflate the tax refunds they would receive. He also fraudulently claimed education credits on his personal tax returns for 2015 and 2016. Gore did not file tax returns for himself for 2017 and 2018, even though he continued to earn income by preparing returns for clients in those years. In total, Gore’s conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $1.7 million. Gore is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23 and faces a statutory maximum of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. 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 Michael F. Easley, Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Mitchell Galloway, Michael L. Jones, and Andrew Ascencio of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Woman Sentenced to Prison for Straw Purchase of Firearm Used in Fatal Nicholas County Shooting

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Melanie Clodfelter, 41, of Summersville, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. Clodfelter admitted to purchasing a semi-automatic firearm used to kill one Nicholas County deputy sheriff and seriously injure another in June 2022. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 17, 2021, Clodfelter bought a Radical Firearms, model RF-15, multi-caliber rifle in Nicholas County. Clodfelter admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473, by falsely certifying that she was the buyer of the firearm when she knew she was purchasing it for Richie Holcomb. Clodfelter gave Holcomb the firearm on the day of the purchase. Clodfelter admitted that Holcomb gave her the money to buy the firearm. Clodfelter further admitted that she knew Holcomb was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had a prior felony conviction. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Holcomb was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a felony conviction for unlawful wounding in Webster County Circuit Court on July 30, 2014. Clodfelter was prohibited from possessing a firearm because she was an unlawful user of methamphetamine. Prior to purchasing the firearm for Holcomb, Clodfelter knew that Holcomb was also an unlawful user of methamphetamine. On June 3, 2022, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the Birch River area and encountered Holcomb and another individual. During the encounter, Holcomb fatally shot Nicholas County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Edward Baker III with the semi-automatic rifle purchased and provided by Clodfelter. Corporal Joshua Ellison was wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Holcomb was fatally shot. Baker’s widow, Jamie D. Baker, addressed the court and described the impact of Clodfelter’s act on her life and the lives of his children, their family and the Nicholas County community. The court stated that Clodfelter’s “reckless act” led to the “loss of the life of a man of valor, courage and dedication.” “It may have taken only a few seconds for Clodfelter to answer falsely on that ATF form, but the tragic consequences will last a lifetime,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “This case is why the statute was enacted. Some people may think that the straw purchase of a firearm is not a big deal, but when you have a dead deputy, a widow, children who will grow up without their father, and another wounded deputy, it’s a pretty significant crime.” Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which assisted the Nicholas County Sheriff's Office and the West Virginia State Police in response to the shooting of the two deputies. “The tragic death of Nicholas County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Edward Baker III, and the injury of another deputy, is another terrible example of what happens when guns are supplied to those who are prohibited from possessing them,” said Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the Louisville Division. “ATF will continue to focus on those who drive violent crime, which includes those who commit violence using firearms and those that help them obtain firearms illegally. This case should serve as a strong warning to those involved in straw purchasing, there will be consequences to your actions.” Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Steve Loew, Negar M. Kordestani and Alex Hamner prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-135. ###


title: Forsage Founders Indicted in $340M DeFi Crypto Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in the District of Oregon returned an indictment today charging four founders of Forsage, a purportedly decentralized finance (DeFi) cryptocurrency investment platform, for their roles in a global Ponzi and pyramid scheme that raised approximately $340 million from victim-investors. According to court documents, Vladimir Okhotnikov, aka Lado; Olena Oblamska, aka Lola Ferrari; Mikhail Sergeev, aka Mike Mooney, aka Gleb, aka Gleb Million; and Sergey Maslakov, all Russian nationals, allegedly touted Forsage as a decentralized matrix project based on network marketing and “smart contracts,” which are self-executing contracts on the blockchain. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants aggressively promoted Forsage to the public through social media as a legitimate and lucrative business opportunity, but in reality, the defendants operated Forsage as a Ponzi and pyramid investment scheme that took in approximately $340 million from victim-investors around the world. “Together with our partners, the department is committed to holding accountable fraudsters who cheat investors, including in the emerging DeFi space,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s indictment showcases the department’s ability to use all available investigative tools, including blockchain analysis, to uncover sophisticated frauds involving cryptocurrency and digital assets.” According to court documents, the defendants allegedly coded and deployed smart contracts that systematized their combined Ponzi-pyramid scheme on the Ethereum (ETH), Binance Smart Chain, and Tron blockchains. Analysis of the computer code underlying Forsage’s smart contracts allegedly revealed that, consistent with a Ponzi scheme, as soon as an investor invested in Forsage by purchasing a “slot” in a Forsage smart contract, the smart contract automatically diverted the investor’s funds to other Forsage investors, such that earlier investors were paid with funds from later investors. “Today’s indictment is the result of a rigorous investigation that spent months piecing together the systematic theft of hundreds of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight for the District of Oregon. “Bringing charges against foreign actors who used new technology to commit fraud in an emerging financial market is a complicated endeavor only possible with the full and complete coordination of multiple law enforcement agencies. It is a privilege to work alongside the agents involved in these complex cases.” As further alleged in the indictment, the defendants falsely promoted Forsage to the public as a legitimate, low-risk, and lucrative investment opportunity through Forsage’s website and various social-media platforms. However, blockchain analytics confirmed that over 80% of Forsage investors received fewer ETH back than they had invested in Forsage’s Ethereum program, with over 50% of investors never receiving a single payout. Additionally, according to court documents, the defendants coded at least one of Forsage’s accounts (known as the “xGold” smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain) in a way that fraudulently siphoned investors’ funds out of the Forsage investment network and into cryptocurrency accounts under the founders’ control, which was contrary to representations made to Forsage investors that “100% of the [Forsage] income goes directly and transparently to the members of the project with zero risk.” “While advancements in the virtual asset ecosystem bring new opportunities to investors, criminals are also finding new ways to orchestrate illicit schemes,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI remains committed to working alongside our domestic and international law enforcement partners to investigate and pursue subjects who orchestrate these scams and attempt to defraud investors.” “Technology is always changing and scams and swindles evolve alongside it,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Criminal Investigations Group. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating those who engage in schemes involving cryptocurrency investment fraud, which can cause significant financial harm to unsuspecting victims. We urge individuals to be cautious when considering investments and to always do their due diligence before providing money or personal information to any individual or organization.” “These individuals are alleged to have used trendy technology and opaque language to swindle investors out of their hard-earned cash,” said Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. “But, as the indictment alleges, all they were doing was running a classic Ponzi scheme. The technology may change, but the scams remain the same and with the collaboration amongst all our partners, we’re able to see through the phony promises and bring the schemes to light. HSI is committed to being at the forefront of financial investigations, using the full extent of our investigative capabilities to track down criminals no matter what new tricks they use.” Okhotnikov, Oblamska, Sergeev, and Maslakov are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The FBI Portland Field Office, USPIS, and HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Sara Hallmark and Tian Huang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Quinn Harrington and Meredith Bateman for the District of Oregon are prosecuting the case. All investor victims of the Forsage scheme are encouraged to visit the webpage www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-vladimir-okhotnikov-et-al to identify themselves as potential victims and obtain more information on their rights as victims, including the ability to submit a victim impact statement. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: U.S. Attorney Sellinger Announces Implementation of New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy released earlier today. The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), and provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate. “The intent of this new policy is to incentivize corporate responsibility and a culture of compliance,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “We hope that companies will come forward when misconduct occurs, and cooperate with the government so that individual wrongdoers can be held accountable. When they do, they will have a far better and more predictable outcome.” The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s Sept. 15, 2022, memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy. Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by – in the absence of any aggravating factor – fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50 percent below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50 percent and up to a 75 percent reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy. The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), under the leadership of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, requested that the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, under the leadership of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, develop policies in response to the Deputy AG’s memo. The policy announced today was prepared by a Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group comprised of U.S. Attorneys from geographically diverse districts, including U.S. Attorney Peace, U.S. Attorney Sellinger, and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare Connors, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds, and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Christopher Kavanaugh. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel, White Collar Crimes Coordinator for the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, also participated in the development of the policy.


title: Former Kentucky Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charges for Assaulting Two Federal Inmates

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A former Kentucky correctional officer pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins to two charges of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting two federal inmates. According to court documents, Samuel J. Patrick, 42, of Inez, Kentucky, a former Bureau of Prisons corrections officer who held the title of Case Management Coordinator, admitted during his plea hearing that he assaulted two federal inmates while he worked at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy. Regarding the first assault, Patrick acknowledged that he punished a non-violent inmate by taking him to the ground and repeatedly elbowing him in the head, and that one of his co-defendants, Clinton L. Pauley, assisted him with the assault. Patrick also acknowledged that he entered an unlawful agreement with other corrections officers, including Pauley and another co-defendant, then-supervisor Kevin C. Pearce, to cover up what happened. Patrick admitted that the cover-up included steps such as writing false reports and pressuring other corrections officers to join the cover-up. Regarding the second assault, Patrick acknowledged that he punished another non-violent inmate for walking too slowly to his cell, and that both of his co-defendants also later assaulted the same inmate. Patrick admitted that he wrote a false report and spread a false cover story about the incident in order to cover up his and other correctional officers’ unlawful uses of force. Patrick faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 10 years of imprisonment for each of the assault offenses. Pauley and Pearce have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to begin trial on March 6. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge William Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Chicago Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Officemade the announcement. The DOJ-OIG and FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Man Pleads Guilty for Sexually Assaulting a 14-Year-Old and Strangling a Dating Partner

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: A man who sexually abused a 14-year-old victim and later assaulted his then-girlfriend has pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. Andrew Don Rector, 32, of Kiefer, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country and assault of an intimate/dating partner by strangling and attempting to strangle in Indian Country. In his plea agreement, Rector admitted that on Aug. 15, 2020, to Aug. 16, 2020, he sexually abused a 14-year-old victim while she was at his home. Officers dispatched to locate the teenager, who was reported as a runaway, discovered the victim in the defendant’s home. Law enforcement were able to prove the sexual assault after interviewing the victim and analyzing DNA evidence. Rector further admitted that from May 3, 2022, to May 4, 2022, he strangled his dating partner. During the domestic violence assault, he strangled the victim multiple times and also threatened to kill the victim and her family. The FBI and Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Childress and Cymetra Williams are prosecuting the case.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Thomas Costanza, 52, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of a firearm by a felon. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Costanza to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for that offense. There is no parole in the federal system. On August 4, 2020, Costanza sold a Colt Government Model .45 caliber handgun to Sol’s Jewelry and Loan in Omaha. During the transaction, Costanza provided his driver’s license, and Sol’s photocopied it. Costanza also provided a fingerprint and took a photograph. The sale was recorded on a sales ticket. Surveillance video from Sol’s showed Costanza enter the store with a brown bag, present it to the front counter, and remove the firearm. Costanza was subsequently arrested and admitted to law enforcement that he sold the firearm to Sol’s. That firearm was later determined to have been reported stolen. On August 4, 2020, Costanza had a prior felony conviction for Theft by Shoplifting-Third Offense in Douglas County District Court, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. 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. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: North Platte Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Crime

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Catherine Gibson, 45, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for her role in a methamphetamine conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Gibson to 46 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release. In February and March of 2021, Gibson was part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in western Nebraska. As part of the conspiracy, on both February 22, 2021, and February 23, 2021, Gibson sold approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine to an informant. On March 3, 2021, law enforcement searched Gibson’s rental car and located approximately 110 grams of methamphetamine (actual) and ten fentanyl pills. On the same day, officers searched Gibson’s Alliance, Nebraska, residence and located an additional approximately 92 grams of methamphetamine. Gibson told officers that she picked up methamphetamine and was bringing it to Alliance, Nebraska, to sell. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, the Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More than 6 Years in Prison on Gun Charge

body_text: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Demopolis man for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. Chief U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Terrance Jamela Armstead, 31, of Demopolis, Alabama, to 80 months in prison. Armstead pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in October 2022. According to court documents, on October 13, 2020, the assistant police chief of the Eutaw Police Department was at the One Stop gas station in Eutaw. While there, he observed a fight between Armstead and another individual. The assistant chief intervened and sprayed both individuals with pepper spray. Armstead succumbed to the pepper spray and attempted to run, but fell. In taking him into custody, the assistant chief recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from Armstead's waistband. The pistol had been reported stolen to the Eutaw Police Department a few months prior to the incident. "The illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon risks turning any minor dispute into a deadly confrontation," said U.S. Attorney Escalona. "We are grateful for the actions of the Eutaw Police in this case to prevent further violence." The FBI investigated the case, along with the Eutaw Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty prosecuted the case.


title: United States Attorney Clare E. Connors Announces Implementation of New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Hawaii has implemented the new national USAO Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy released earlier today. The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a USAO, and provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate. The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy. Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), in the absence of any aggravating factor will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50% below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50% and up to a 75% reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy. The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, requested that the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, develop policies in response to the Deputy AG’s memo. The policy announced today was prepared by a Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group comprised of U.S. Attorneys from geographically diverse districts, including U.S. Attorneys Peace and Connors, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Avery, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Christopher Kavanaugh, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel, White Collar Crimes Coordinator for the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, also participated in the development of the policy.


title: Hughes County Resident Pleads Guilty To Murder In Indian Country

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael David Patton, age 30, of Wewoka, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to an Information charging him with Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree, which is punishable by up to life imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both. The Information alleged that on or about October 19, 2022, the defendant, with malice aforethought, did unlawfully kill the victim. During the plea hearing, the defendant admitted he entered a residence in Wewoka, Oklahoma by force and stabbed the victim over ten times while the victim was sleeping. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Seminole County, within the boundaries of the Seminole Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges arose from an investigation by the Seminole Lighthorse Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. The defendant was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal pending imposition of sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Casey Richmond represented the United States.


title: Tampa Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Double Murder, Robbery, And Conspiracy

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Jy’Quale Samari Grable (21, Tampa) to life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and first-degree premeditated murder of two individuals. A federal jury had found Grable guilty on November 18, 2022. According to evidence presented at trial, on December 22, 2020, Grable orchestrated a plan in which he and two co-conspirators drove to the Valrico Station Apartments in Brandon to conduct a robbery of marijuana. Grable went to the victims’ third floor apartment. On the back patio of the apartment, Grable shot B.B. in the neck, severing his spinal cord, and killing him instantly. Grable then shot M.M. in the chest, perforating his heart and lung, which lead to his death. Neighbors heard the gun shots and observed blood dripping from the third floor back balcony apartment down to the lower floors. Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded and secured the scene. According to evidence presented in court, Grable deleted messages and phone calls from his phone, had family members dispose of the murder weapon, and burned his bloody clothing. “Combatting the drug-related violence plaguing our communities is one of DEA’s top priorities,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “Our joint partnerships were pivotal to the success of this investigation, and we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and healthy.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes and David P. Sullivan.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced To Six Years For Firearm Possession Related To Illegal Gun Sales

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Covington has sentenced Robert Humberston (39, Sarasota) to six years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Humberston had pleaded guilty on December 2, 2021. According to court documents, in March 2021, law enforcement officers recovered three firearms from a felon during a probation search. The felon was prohibited from possessing firearms and informed the officers that they had purchased all three firearms from Humberston, as recently as January 2021. The felon showed the officers a series of Facebook messages where Humberston arranged for the sale of a firearm. Law enforcement officers secured a search warrant for Humberston’s Facebook account. The account contained several pictures of Humberston holding various firearms, along with numerous posts and messages relating to the sale of firearms. The officers discovered the chain of messages where Humberston agreed to sell the firearm to the felon. Tattoos in the photos also matched those on Humberston. Humberston has multiple prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Pike County Man Convicted of Making a False Statement to a Federal Officer

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Pike County man pled guilty to making a false material statement to a federal officer in connection with an investigation into pandemic relief fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). According to court documents, Austin Darnel Bahm, 25, made a false statement to a special agent from the DOL-OIG who was investigating COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud. Bahm made the statement while he was an inmate at South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville, Mississippi. Bahm later admitted that he had lied to the federal agent. Bahm is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie is prosecuting the case.


title: Orange Park Man Arrested For Receiving And Accessing Child Sex Abuse Materials

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that James Allen Randall (70, Orange Park) has been arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with receiving child sex abuse materials and accessing with the intent to view child sex abuse materials. Randall faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Randall has been detained pending a hearing scheduled for February 21, 2023. According to the complaint, an investigation was initiated by law enforcement after they had received a CyberTip from an internet service provider indicating a user had uploaded child sex abuse materials. Further investigation determined the upload was tied to an IP address for Randall’s residence. On February 16, 2023, agents and task force officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Randall’s residence and located a computer that was being used by Randall that had the search results for child sex abuse materials displayed on the screen. A preliminary review of the computer showed Randall had previously downloaded a file containing child sex abuse material. A criminal complaint is only an allegation and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Pasco Felon Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Firearm And Trafficking In Methamphetamine

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Thomas Bellere (40, Pasco), a/k/a Tommy Gunz, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Bellere has also agreed to forfeit the firearm, which is traceable to the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, on January 30, 2022, Bellere was in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle with a stolen tag. A deputy from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office with a drug canine conducted an investigation (sniff) of the vehicle. The canine alerted on the car. Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and observed a firearm (Smith & Wesson model 642, .38 caliber) partially under the driver’s seat. The firearm had been reported stolen. In addition, deputies located 107 grams of pure methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Bellere has multiple felony convictions, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, and felony battery. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Denison Youth Pastor Sentenced for Child Exploitation Violations

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – A former youth pastor has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today. Chad Michael Rider, 49, of Anna, Texas, was found guilty by a jury on July 22, 2022, of three counts of sexual exploitation of children, also referred to as the production of child pornography. Today, Rider was sentenced to a total combined sentence of 720 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant. According to the court documents and testimony at trial, in August 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents were investigating David Pettigrew, of Denison, for child pornography offenses. Agents seized a computer hard drive from Pettigrew’s office at the Denison Church of the Nazarene. Forensic review of the device revealed videos of Pettigrew and Rider setting up to film children while bathing at the church. Additional videos were located in which Rider filmed two other children in residential settings. “Justice has been served on Chad Michael Rider for his role in the production of child pornography,” said U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. “He used his trusted roles as a church leader, care giver to at-risk teens, and as a trusted member of his community to plant secret recording devices in bathrooms and other places where children would be disrobed. This shocking breach of trust was committed by an individual who had falsely sewn a firm belief of good character of himself in so many parents in his community. This case stands as a stark reminder of our common duty as citizens to watch out for the most vulnerable among us. I appreciate the members of law enforcement, community members, and especially the victims who had the courage to stand up and stop Rider before he could victimize others.” “This defendant and his cohort routinely preyed on the innocence of several children that looked to him for guidance as members of his church. He had no concern for the life-altering harm his devious actions would cause those he victimized,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “Unfortunately, no amount of prison time can restore their innocence but rest assured, this community is safer with this sexual deviant behind bars.” This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to 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.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Anna Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa J. Miller and Jay Combs. ###


title: Federal Jury Convicts Cyberstalker Who Used Fake LinkedIn Profile in Harassment Campaign

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Texas man on Friday on charges of cyberstalking. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Christopher Kevin Morris, 45, attempted to ruin the life of a victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina, as well as harass two other victims elsewhere. Morris attempted to defame his North Carolina victim by creating a fake LinkedIn profile describing the victim as a child molester and rapist, sending emails to co-workers pretending to be a respected colleague alleging that the victim was a convicted child molester, and sending emails to co-workers pretending to be the victim that used racist language. In addition, Morris sent harassing and confrontational emails to each of the victims using a variety of email accounts implying that he was watching them or their family, calling them inappropriate things, and using racist and offensive language. He sent a message to one of the victims saying, “dead man walking.” Finally, Morris attempted to ruin the life of the North Carolina victim by posting source code on the public internet on multiple occasions, code that the victim worked extensively on for six years and was worth millions of dollars. Morris engaged in this criminal conduct after making inappropriate comments to the North Carolina victim in a forum public to other employees and, after refusing to apologize for his conduct, was removed from his job. Morris faces a maximum sentence of 60 months in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced in May 2023. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the verdict. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:21-CR-370-FL. ###


title: Schuylkill County Man Sentenced To Five Years’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking And Firearm Offense

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alnaldo Perez-Rodriguez, age 36, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Perez-Rodriguez, previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing a loaded Walther .380 caliber pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charge stems from an incident on December 3, 2021, in Shenandoah, in which State Parole Agents, members of the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force arrested Perez-Rodriguez for a violation of the conditions of his state parole. Perez-Rodriguez was found in possession of a loaded Walther .380 caliber pistol, an additional 35 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition, packets of fentanyl for distribution, packages of methamphetamine for distribution, and $875 in U.S. currency. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, State Parole Agents, and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case. This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: South Georgia man faces substantial prison time after admitting he distributed child pornography

body_text: BRUNSWICK, GA: A Brantley County man faces up to 20 years in prison after admitting he distributed images of child sexual exploitation. Gary Kreitzman , 35, of Nahunta, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said David H. Estes. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Kreitzman’s guilty plea subjects him to a statutory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to 20; substantial financial penalties and restitution to victims; a requirement to register as a sex offender; and, at least five years of supervised release, up to life, after completion of his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. “Protection of our most vulnerable citizens is vitally important,” said U.S. Attorney Estes. “The vigilance of our law enforcement partners helps ensure our communities are protected from predators like Kreitzman.” As described in court documents and testimony, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in June 2020 after detecting images of child sexual exploitation uploaded through an online chat application. With assistance from the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office, agents determined the images had been uploaded through an account operated by Kreitzman, and in September 2020 conducted a search of his residence. During that search, the agents found multiple electronic devices containing images of child sexual activity, and Kreitzman admitted sharing them through the Internet. Pursuant to a federal indictment out of the Southern District of Georgia, the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office and FBI Brunswick Resident Agency executed the arrest warrant for Kreitzman in September 2022. Sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood will be scheduled upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services. “The GBI will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent victims of online exploitation,” said Michael Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We are grateful for the partnerships we maintain with our state and federal agencies to bring these predators to justice.” “The internet is a very important and useful resource, but unfortunately can also be used for illegal activity as criminals like Kreitzman seek to prey on the most vulnerable of our population,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. “The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to victimize children and prosecute those predators to the fullest extent of the law.” Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/ . The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office, and the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Tara M. Lyons.


title: Former Fresno IRS Employee Pleads Guilty to Selling Morphine and Contributing to Co-worker’s Death

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Margarita Aispuro-Camacho, 46, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to illegally selling morphine and contributing to the death of her co-worker at the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court records, Aispuro-Camacho was a clerk at the IRS in Fresno. In May 2020, she sold morphine pills that she had been prescribed to one of her co-workers. The co-worker died the next day from an overdose of the morphine that Aispuro-Camacho had provided and other prescription drugs that the co-worker obtained from other sources. Aispuro-Camacho had previously sold morphine and other drugs she had been prescribed to the co-worker on at least five occasions. She profited a few thousand dollars from the sales. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case. Aispuro-Camacho is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Aispuro-Camacho faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Gary Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison

body_text: HAMMOND- Joshua Jensen, 27 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon on his plea of guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Jensen was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, Jensen produced child pornography with a victim who was less than five years of age. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . ###


title: Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced To 300 Months’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tysheen Gott, a/k/a, “LB,” age 46, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 17, 2023 to 300 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gott was responsible for having conspired to distribute in excess of 14 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin throughout Luzerne and surrounding counties. Gott was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release upon release from custody. Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020. With the exception of Gott, all other co-conspirators pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Gott was convicted on all charges by a jury after a trial that took place in August 2021. This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case. This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses. # # #


title: Fifteen Members of Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club Conspiracy Sentenced to a Total of Over 155 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Jesse Wilson, 37, of Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for his part in a larger conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Wilson is the last of fifteen members of a large-scale methamphetamine distribution conspiracy based in Evansville. Central Holman, IV, 31, of Owensboro, Kentucky was the main source of methamphetamine for the conspiracy, whose ringleaders were Gary Forston, 42, and Jason Kyle Wilson, 45, both of Evansville. Many of the defendants were members and associates of the Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club. “The members of this conspiracy will spend many years in federal prison for pumping large quantities of methamphetamine onto our streets,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Methamphetamine use devastates so many families and kills hundreds of Hoosiers every year. That’s why we will work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to dismantle armed organizations trafficking in deadly drugs. The sentences imposed in this case demonstrate our commitment to protecting the public from these dangerous criminals.” “Drugs destroy communities by themselves, but the deadly results are compounded as criminal enterprises use firearms enforce their illegal trade.” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to lock up those putting poison into our community.” “Individuals like Mr. Wilson who are part of a violent methamphetamine trafficking organization must be held accountable for their actions. The DEA remains committed to working hand in hand with our state, local and federal partners in order to keep our communities safe,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “The DEA commends the outstanding work of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Owensboro, KY Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the countless hours spent bringing these individuals to justice.” According to court documents, beginning in at least 2018, Central Holman, IV, served as the main source of supply of methamphetamine for the conspiracy, while Gary Forston and Jason Kyle Wilson served as ring leaders of the conspiracy to distribute to mid and low-level distributors. The investigation began in 2019 when law enforcement officers arrested Jason Kyle Wilson for the armed dealing of methamphetamine in Evansville, Indiana. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found that Holman first began distributing methamphetamine to Jason Wilson and Clarence Grubbs in late 2018 or early 2019. Holman resided in Owensboro, Kentucky and often met members of the conspiracy there or in Evansville to distribute the methamphetamine. Holman distributed approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine to members of the conspiracy in 2019 and at least 50 pounds in 2018. Once they acquired the drug, Forston and Wilson distributed the methamphetamine to mid-level distributors, Adam Lafferty, Shane Lewis, James Benton, Brian Eden, Paul Overby, Kimberly Wilson, Jesse Wilson, Matthew Meredith, Clarence Grubbs, Daniel Wiscaver, and April Martin. Among the locations used to distribute and receive money for the substances was The Grim Reapers Motorcycle Clubhouse located on East Diamond Avenue in Evansville. Law enforcement officers seized over 20 firearms and over $10,000 in United States currency during the course of the investigation. The conspiracy was responsible for over 80 pounds of methamphetamine distributed in the Southern District of Indiana. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently in litigation to seeking to forfeit the Grim Reapers Motorcycle Clubhouse as the proceeds and instrumentality of criminal conduct. As of today, all 15 defendants have been sentenced as follows: DEFENDANT OFFENSES SENTENCE Central Holman IV, 31, Owensboro, KY. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, 21 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Gary Wayne Forston, 42, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine 16 years’ imprisonment 5 supervised release Jason Kyle Wilson, 45, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Felon in Possession of a Firearm 18 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Adam Lafferty, 41, Evansville, IN Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 10 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Shane Lewis, 35, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Providing a Firearm to a Prohibited Person 12.5 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release James Benton, 69, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 5 years’ imprisonment 3 years supervised release Brian Eden, 43, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 12.5 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Paul Overby, 48, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine 15 years’ imprisonment 7 years supervised release Kimberly Wilson, 41, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 7.25 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Jesse Wilson, 37, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 8 years’ imprisonment 3 years supervised release Matthew Meredith, 43, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 11 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Clarence Grubbs, 51, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 16 years’ imprisonment 5 years supervised release Daniel Wiscaver, 64, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Time served 3 years supervised release April Martin, 51, Evansville, IN. Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 3 years’ imprisonment 2 years supervised release Derek Sander, 51, Evansville, IN. Providing a Firearm to a Prohibited Person Time served 3 years supervised release ATF and DEA Evansville investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who prosecuted this case. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation . OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. See previous press release here .


title: Sulphur Springs Shooter Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Thaddeus Timeaus Howard (30, Tampa) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Howard to forfeit the firearm and ammunition seized during his arrest. Howard had pleaded guilty on December 15, 2022. According to court documents, on July 9, 2022, Howard fired approximately seven shots at his ex-girlfriend in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood of Tampa. After firing his weapon, Howard entered his vehicle and chased the victim, who had fled in a car driven by her cousin. That chase ended when Howard caused a multi-vehicle accident near the intersection of North Nebraska Avenue and East Broad Street, after swerving in and out of oncoming traffic. Howard fled the scene of that crash on foot and was apprehended by officers from the Tampa Police Department. Upon searching Howard, officers located a pistol in the pocket of his jeans. At the time of the incident, Howard had prior felony convictions for armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Cape Girardeau Man Admits Possessing Machine Gun

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

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – A man from Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday admitted being caught with a fully automatic Glock pistol during a traffic stop in October. Kaydence K. Robertson, 21, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp to one count of possession of a machine gun. Robertson admitted that he was inside a speeding vehicle that was pulled over by the Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 23, 2022. A deputy found a .45-caliber Glock pistol modified with an illegal 3D-printed “switch” to make it fully automatic. The deputy also found marijuana, suspected crack cocaine, oxycodone and a 9mm Glock pistol, Robertson’s plea says. Glock switches, sometimes referred to as “auto sears,” are considered machine guns under federal law, even if not installed in a firearm. Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced May 15. The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. The case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton is prosecuting the case.


title: Owner of Suburban Manufacturing Company Sentenced to 9 Months and Ordered To Pay $3.3 Million on Tax Fraud

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — The owner of a suburban Chicago manufacturing company has been sentenced to 9 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $3,329,701 in restitution to the U.S. Treasury and the Illinois Department of Revenue following his conviction for payroll tax fraud. In June 2022, EDWARD T. ARNIERI, 71, of St. Charles pleaded guilty to a federal tax offense for withholding approximately $3.9 million dollars in employee payroll taxes and failing to remit the money to the Internal Revenue Service. Arnieri was the president and sole owner of Lane Tool & Manufacturing Company Inc., located in South Elgin. Payroll taxes are made up of both contributions by the employer and employee for Social Security and Medicare that are collected and remitted on a quarterly basis; as well as Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA) that are paid by the employer annually. Additionally, as an employer, Arnieri was required to withhold federal income tax from employees’ wages and send those amounts to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis. For approximately eight years, Arnieri caused his company to issue Forms W-2 and paychecks to its employees which falsely reflected that the company had withheld income and payroll taxes from their wages. Arnieri’s conduct also resulted in the filing of inaccurate individual tax returns for himself, resulting in additional tax loss of approximately $450,000. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jorge L. Alonso on September 15, 2023. The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. King, Jr.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Gun Charges

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Eric D. Colclasure, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Colclasure to 151 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge, and a consecutive 60 months on the gun charge. After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system. On February 2, 2022, Douglas County Sheriff Deputies executed a search warrant on an Omaha hotel room rented by Colclasure, who was found inside. Officers located approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of heroin, and drug dealing paraphernalia. A gun was also found in a bag near the drugs with Colclasure’s identification. While deputies were collecting DNA evidence, Colclasure asked what would happen if his DNA wasn't on the gun. An officer responded that the gun was still located in a bag with Colclasure’s identification card and near narcotics. Colclasure responded, “That doesn't look too good, does it? You guys really caught me slippin.” This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Lexington Man Sentenced for Unlawful Firearm Possession

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Bath Par Kuol, 27, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Kuol to 63 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from federal prison, Kuol will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On January 29, 2022, Omaha police officers observed a vehicle fail to signal its turn. Officers conducted a traffic stop and upon contact with the vehicle observed two open containers of alcohol. Kuol was seated in the front passenger seat. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a Glock 19x 9mm handgun with a loaded 33-round magazine inside of the center console. Further investigation showed the firearm was not registered with the City of Omaha. A records check revealed that both Kuol and the driver were convicted felons and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. Both were taken into custody. Detectives obtained a search warrant to obtain a buccal swab of Kuol’s DNA and compared it to DNA found on the firearm. A forensic laboratory analysis determined the probability of the DNA being from Kuol as 108 trillion times more likely than from an otherwise unknown individual. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Old Forge Man Sentenced To Six Years’ Imprisonment For Bribery, Perjury, And Related Offenses

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on February 17, 2023, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced James J. Peperno, Jr., age 58, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, to 72 months of imprisonment. Peperno was convicted following a jury trial of nine counts of conspiracy, federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud, Travel Act, false statement, and perjury offenses. Peperno was convicted of soliciting cash payments and debt forgiveness from a local business owner, to provide to Robert Semenza, Jr., the former President of the Old Forge Borough Council. Peperno also was convicted of providing and promising cash and future employment to Semenza, in exchange for Semenza performing and promising to perform official acts, in relation to a state court civil litigation between Old Forge Borough and the local business owner. Semenza advocated on behalf of the local business owner with the Old Forge Borough Council, the Old Forge Borough Solicitor, and Old Forge zoning officials, including by proposing a resolution to the civil litigation that had been prepared by Peperno. Peperno kept the majority of the cash payments paid by the local business owner. Peperno also was convicted of providing false statements and perjured testimony, in connection with an outstanding restitution obligation owed from a prior federal conviction for mail fraud. Peperno claimed, in a written filing and when testifying under oath, that he did not have any income or access to any bank accounts, despite receiving approximately $6,000 from the local business owner, in the weeks immediately preceding his false statements and perjured testimony. Peperno, who owed approximately $390,000 on his outstanding restitution obligation, had not made any payments towards that debt in approximately one and one-half years. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Mannion labeled political corruption as “among one of the worst crimes one can commit,” describing how it “undermines the public’s trust in the people they elect,” and deeming it something “terrible for democracy.” Peperno also was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. Robert Semenza, Jr., pleaded guilty in June 2021 to federal program bribery, and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. The case was investigated by the Scranton Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of members of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and federal agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Omaha Man Sentenced For Felon in Possession of Ammunition

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Claude Parker, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Parker to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. In October 2021, Parker was on bond for a Douglas County charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. As a condition of that bond, he was ordered to submit to drug testing. On October 27, 2021, Parker was called in for a urinalysis exam. He placed his possessions on the desk of the officer administering the exam. Parker’s urine sample tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, and he was booked into the Douglas County Jail. His property was placed into evidence, searched, and inventoried. Included in his property was a small black case, inside of which were six rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. Parker is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Omaha Police Department.


title: Minnesota Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Darrel B. Twombly, 40, of Bayport, Minnesota, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, to 15 years and eight months for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and an unspecified amount of heroin by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. Following his release from prison, Twombly will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. On December 10, 2020, Twombly was stopped by a Lincoln Police officer on Interstate 80 for traffic violations. Twombly told the officer he had a methamphetamine pipe in his pickup which was then searched. During the search, officers found five packages of methamphetamine, each weighing approximately one pound. Testing of one of the packages showed at least 410 grams, (just under one pound), of actual methamphetamine. In addition to the methamphetamine, officers found a total of 892 fentanyl pills, 44 grams of fentanyl powder and three grams of heroin. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.


title: Boston Man Charged with Armed Robbery of Postal Worker

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man has been arrested and charged in connection with the Jan. 4, 2023 armed robbery of a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier in Massachusetts. Anthony Diaz, 20, was charged with forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with a United States Postal Employee, while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties, and did so by use of a deadly weapon, a firearm. In addition, Diaz was also charged with assaulting a person having lawful charge, custody, and control of United States mail, money, and other property of the United States, with the intent to rob, steal and purloin that mail, money, and other property of the United States, and in doing so put the life of that victim in jeopardy by the use of a firearm. Diaz was arrested on Feb. 17, 2023 and, following an initial appearance in Worcester this afternoon, was detained pending a hearing set for Feb. 27, 2023. According to the charging documents, USPS has seen a rise in the use of Arrow Keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail. An Arrow Key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These Arrow Keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. Since July 2022, there have been at least 12 assaults on USPS letter carriers while in the performance of their official duties in Boston and surrounding cities and towns. These incidents included the attempted or successful robbery of USPS Arrow Keys from letter carriers in at least 10 instances. Additionally, of these 10, six of the robberies were instances where the perpetrators were reportedly armed with a knife, firearm, or both. It is alleged that, on Jan. 4, 2023, in Peabody, Mass., Diaz approached a USPS letter carrier and stated, “Give me the keys,” while pointing a semi-automatic pistol at the victim. After the victim handed Diaz the USPS vehicle key, Diaz allegedly responded, “Give me the rest of the key,” and “Hurry up or I’ll shoot you.” The victim removed his keychain, which was attached to his belt, containing his USPS Arrow Key and asked if he could have his vehicle key back. Allegedly, Diaz did not respond, as he turned, placing the firearm in his right jacket pocket, and walked directly to the dark grey sedan parked in the area of 3A Veterans Memorial Drive. It is further alleged that Diaz stopped at the rear of the vehicle with the trunk open, before getting into the driver’s seat and departing. “The national trend of threatening, assaulting and robbing United States postal employees for Arrow Keys has sadly made its way to Massachusetts. Postal workers are essential to countless aspects of our community and often go to great lengths to provide their invaluable services, at times in incredibly challenging circumstances,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We allege Mr. Diaz targeted a mail carrier and robbed the victim at gun point for an Arrow Key. I commend the excellent investigative work by our USPIS partners, and issue warning to anyone seeking to harm postal workers for financial gain: you will be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in federal court.” “Today’s arrest has been a true team effort,” said Darnell Edwards, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service would like to thank Peabody Police, Boston Police, and the Massachusetts State Police for their assistance in this investigation. Let today’s arrest serve as an example to criminals: if you target U.S. Postal Service employees and accost them with a gun, you will be identified and prosecuted. Postal Inspectors are watching, and we will tirelessly pursue you to bring you to justice.” The charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Rollins; USPIS Acting INC Edwards made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Member of Brockton Drug Crew Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison

body_text: BOSTON – A member of a Brockton drug crew has been sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl. Jason Miranda, 27, of Brockton, was sentenced on Feb. 17, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 78 months in prison and six years of supervised release. On Sept. 14, 2022, Miranda pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, three counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In 2019, an investigation began into a violent Brockton-area drug crew that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The drug crew ran a fentanyl delivery service that encompassed all of Brockton as well as neighboring cities. Specifically, drug users/customers placed orders for fentanyl by contacting a cell phone maintained and shared by crew members, which included brothers Jason Miranda and Natalio Miranda, Placido Pereira and Djoy Defrancesco, who worked together to deliver the fentanyl order. “Despite having two previous convictions for drug distribution, and while out on release for a new drug distribution charge, Mr. Miranda chose to continue engaging in violent and destructive criminal activity. When you pump poison into our communities and profit off of people’s pain, we will find you and remove you from our communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This career criminal and his fellow crew members plagued Southeastern Massachusetts with large quantities of deadly fentanyl. Massachusetts has lost far too many people to the opioid crisis. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, South Shore residents are safer. This case should be another warning to drug traffickers, especially those who are career criminals: the time you are facing in federal court is significant and we will find you.” “Today’s sentencing of Jason Miranda is an excellent example of the amazing cooperation between HSI New England and our state and local law enforcement partners,” said Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Mr. Miranda’s sentence reflects the damage he and his co-conspirators have done to the Brockton community. HSI New England will continue to exhaust every resource at our disposal to ensure criminals like Mr. Miranda are held accountable for their actions.” Beginning in September 2019, an undercover law enforcement officer made six purchases of fentanyl from members of the crew. Jason Miranda participated in three of the six fentanyl sales. At the time of his sales, he was on release from state court on distribution of cocaine charges and had been twice convicted of state court drug distribution offenses. Placido Pereira participated in three of the six sales after he had previously been convicted in U.S. District Court in Boston of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Natalio Miranda engaged in one fentanyl sale while he was on probation for a state drug trafficking offense. During a search where Jason Miranda had been residing, a black Glock .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol with a defaced serial number; two different ammunition clips containing 9 millimeter ammunition; a money counter; $28,000 in cash; and a painting of Jason Miranda holding up a large stack of cash were seized. On Dec. 2, 2022, Placido Pereira pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2023. On Feb. 8, 2023, Natalio Miranda, the last of the four charged defendants, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and six counts of distribution of fentanyl. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for June 8, 2023. U.S. Attorney Rollins; HSI SAC Millhollin; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Bridgewater State University Police Departments as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: California man who shipped meth from Sinaloa Cartel to Butte community sentenced to eight years in prison

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — A California man who admitted to a drug trafficking crime for shipping methamphetamine from the Sinaloa Cartel into the Butte community for redistribution was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Heriberto Tavares, 30, of Anaheim, California, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. In court documents, the government alleged that from about November 2018 to November 2019, Tavares served as a stash house for the Sinaloa Cartel. Tavares acted as the Amazon shipping services for the cartel, shipping drugs from Mexico into the United States at the direction of the drug trafficking leaders. In some instances, Tavares had 20 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of approximately 72,480 doses, at a time in his home. Law enforcement learned that Tavares was shipping drugs, which originated in Mexico, into Montana. During an undercover operation, an agent ordered meth from Humberto Villareal, of Sinaloa, Mexico, who was sentenced in 2021 to 17 years in federal prison for conviction of meth trafficking in the Butte area. In July 2019, law enforcement received a package, sent from Tavares, that contained 474 grams, or a little more than one pound, of meth and heroin. Agents paid for the drugs Tavares sent by wiring money to Ricardo Ramos Medina, in Sinaloa, Mexico. Medina was sentenced in 2020 to eight years in federal prison for conviction on trafficking pounds of meth and other drugs to the Butte area. Tavares was indicted as part of an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization that brought massive quantities of meth, counterfeit oxycodone pills and heroin into Butte for redistribution through out the state. The investigation resulted in federal convictions of 22 persons. Tavares is the last defendant to be sentenced. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Butte-Silver Bow Police. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX