title: Dos Hombres Acusados de Delitos Ambientales Cometidos en la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos y en la Comunidad Las Mareas en Salinas, Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - El 10 de mayo de 2023, un gran jurado federal del distrito de Puerto Rico emitió dos pliegos acusatorios, por separado, contra Luis Enrique Rodríguez Sánchez y Pedro Luis Bones Torres por violaciones a la Ley de Agua Limpia ( Clean Water Act en inglés) y a la Ley de Ríos y Puertos ( Rivers and Harbors Act en inglés), anunciaron W. Stephen Muldrow, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico, y Todd Kim, Subsecretario de Justicia y jefe de la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU. Los cargos están relacionados a la construcción ilegal y depósito de materiales en los humedales y aguas estadounidenses en el área de la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos (la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos) y la comunidad Las Mareas en Salinas, Puerto Rico. Varias agencias federales participan en esta investigación sobre delitos ambientales en la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos y la comunidad Las Mareas, incluyendo la División de Investigación Criminal de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA-CID por sus siglas en inglés), el Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI), la División de Investigación Criminal del Departamento del Ejército de los EE.UU. (Army-CID por sus siglas en inglés), la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU. (DOC-OIG por sus siglas en inglés), la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA-OLE por sus siglas en inglés) y la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes del Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre (FW-OLE por sus siglas en inglés). Las acusaciones establecen que, desde aproximadamente enero del 2020 hasta octubre del 2022, Luis Enrique Rodríguez Sánchez (Rodríguez Sánchez) y Pedro Luis Bones Torres (Bones Torres) virtieron, a sabiendas, material de relleno de maquinaria de excavación en humedales y aguas estadounidenses en violación a la Ley de Agua Limpia. Además, se acusó a Rodríguez Sánchez y Bones Torres de construir estructuras dentro de aguas navegables estadounidenses sin autorización del Secretario del Ejército, en violación a la Ley de Ríos y Puertos. La Ley de Agua Limpia fue aprobada por el Congreso en 1972 para proteger y mantener la integridad de las aguas de Estados Unidos. El próposito principal de la Ley de Agua Limpia es asegurar la restauración y mantenimiento de la integridad química, física y biológica de las aguas del país. La ley prohíbe la descarga de cualquier contaminante o material de relleno en aguas estadounidenses, excepto cuando se obtenga un permiso de los Estados Unidos. La Ley de Ríos y Puertos fue aprobada originalmente en 1899 y generalmente se considera la ley ambiental más antigua de los Estados Unidos. Sirve para regular y proteger las aguas navegables estadounidenses y prohibir la construcción no autorizada de estructuras en esas aguas. Tanto la Ley de Agua Limpia como la Ley de Ríos y Puertos protegen las aguas costeras de la Reserva Estuarina de Jobos. La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos fue nombrada reserva nacional de investigación estuarina por la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) en el 1981 y consta de aproximadamente 2,800 acres de ecosistema costero en en litoral meriodional de Puerto Rico. La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos contiene islas y bosques de manglares, humedales mareales, arrecifes de coral, lagunas, salinas, bosques secos y praderas marinas. También es hogar del pelícano pardo, el halcón peregrino, la tortuga carey y el manatí antillano, especies en peligro de extinción. La Reserva Estuarina de Jobos es propiedad del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico (DRNA) y es operado por éste. Ambos, Rodríguez Sánchez y Bones Torres, fueron arrestados, y está previsto que comparezcan hoy ante el Juez Magistrado Marshal D. Morgan del Tribunal de Distrito de los EE.UU. del Distrito de Puerto Rico para sus respectivas vistas iniciales. Si son declarados culpables, los acusados enfrentarán hasta un total de cuatro años de cárcel, multas y medidas cautelares para eliminar las estructuras ilegales. “Estos casos demuestran nuestro compromiso para proteger los ecosistemas de los humedales, el cual tiene muchos beneficios públicos y ambientales”, comentó Todd Kim, Subsecretario de Justicia y jefe de la División del Medioambiente y Recursos Naturales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU. “Los humedales costeros protegen a las comunidades de las marejadas ciclónicas y los huracanes, protegen a las especies vulnerables de la explotación, estabilizan los estuarios y proveen una filtración natural del agua que mejora su calidad”. “La Fiscalía Federal está comprometida en hacer cumplir las leyes federales de protección ambiental y responsabilizar a los infractores de los daños causados. Estas leyes protegen a los animales, los recursos y los hábitats en Puerto Rico, la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos y la comunidad Las Mareas. La contaminación, el relleno y la construcción no autorizada dentro de las aguas protegidas de los Estados Unidos también plantean problemas de inundaciones y mitigación de huracanes para las comunidades aledañas. Por lo tanto, son una prioridad para el cumplimiento de las leyes ambientales federales”, expresó W. Stephen Muldrow, Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico. “Los humedales costeros de Puerto Rico son un recurso importante, ya que proveen un hábitat para numerosas especies en peligro de extinción y sirven de amortiguador natural contra los efectos de los huracanes y las inundaciones, fenómenos que van en aumento con el cambio climático”, mencionó el Agente Especial a Cargo Tyler Amon de la División de Investigación Criminal de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los EE. UU. “Los hábitats costeros de Puerto Rico han sido habitualmente explotados y maltratados por desarrolladores y arrendatarios ilegales, pero las acusaciones de hoy demuestran que la EPA y nuestros compañeros federales del orden público están trabajando activamente para detener estas actividades ilegales y proteger estas zonas para las generaciones futuras”. “La conservación y protección del mundo que todos compartimos es nuestra responsabilidad colectiva e individual. Lo que ven hoy es el resultado de esa responsabilidad colectiva que ha sido tomada en serio por quienes estamos llamados a servir y proteger”, dijo Joseph González, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina del FBI en San Juan. “Nuestro compromiso en el FBI es investigar y reducir al máximo las amenazas a nuestra seguridad pública y nacional, y estamos plenamente comprometidos con nuestros compañeros locales y federales para que así sea. Dondequiera que se lleven a cabo violaciones a las leyes federales, espere ver al FBI trabajando mano a mano con nuestros compañeros. El mensaje debe ser claro: se aplicarán las leyes de protección ambientales y los infractores deberían esperar las consecuencias”. “Las acciones de hoy son una clara señal que la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio (DOC-OIG) está dedicada a la investigación de posibles fraudes, despilfarros y abusos en proyectos que reciben fondos de la NOAA. La DOC-OIG aprecia grandemente los esfuerzos de cooperación entre nuestros compañeros fiscales y policiales en la aplicación de las leyes que protegen el ambiente y la belleza natural de Puerto Rico”, comentó Jeffrey Lysaght, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU. El Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes del Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre del Sudeste, Stephen Clark, declaró que, “Continuamos trabajando con nuestros compañeros en proteger los ecosistemas frágiles que sirven de hogar para las especies silvestres autóctonas y seguiremos llevando ante la justicia a quienes pretenden explotar estos recursos con total desprecio de las consecuencias que trae para el pueblo y los recursos naturales de Puerto Rico”. “Estamos dedicados a hacer cumplir las leyes que conservan y protegen los recursos marinos de nuestra nación y su hábitat natural”, dijo Manny Antonaras, Director Auxiliar de la Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes, División Sureste de la NOAA. “Este caso resalta la importancia de nuestra colaboración continua con los compañeros del orden público para exigir responsabilidades a quienes infringen las normas.” “Estamos muy satisfechos con el anuncio de hoy”, declaró el Agente Especial a Cargo L. Scott Moreland de la División de Investigación Criminal de la Oficina de Investigación de Malversación de Adquisiciones del Departamento del Ejército de los EE. UU. “Esto es un verdadero testamento de nuestro compromiso continuo de colaborar estrechamente con nuestros compañeros de las demás agencias para investigar las violaciones a las leyes federales.” El caso está siendo procesado por el Fiscal Federal Sénior Patrick M. Duggan de la Sección de Delitos Ambientales del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar Seth A. Erbe, coordinador de litigios ambientales de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico. Estas acusaciones son parte de una investigación en curso. Si usted tiene alguna información relacionada a esta investigación o a delitos ambientales locales, por favor contacte a los oficiales del órden público. Usted puede hacerlo de manera anónima si lo desea. Para contactar a la EPA, llame al (787) 977-5821 o visite la página web https://echo.epa.gov/denuncie-violaciones-ambientales . Para contactar al FBI, llame al (787) 987-6500 o visite la página web https://tips.fbi.gov/ . Para más información acerca de la Reserva Nacional de Investigación Estuarina de Bahía de Jobos, visite la página web https://www.drna.pr.gov/jbnerr/ o https://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/reserves/jobos-bay.html . Una acusación no es más que una alegación, y todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta que se demuestro su culpabilidad más allá de duda razonable ante un tribunal. ###


title: Husband and Wife Charged in $1.16 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — The husband-and-wife operators of a suburban Chicago company schemed with a social worker to fraudulently obtain more than $1.16 million from Medicare, according to a federal indictment returned in the Northern District of Illinois. RICHARD W. PITTS and TAMMIE J. PITTS operated American Warriors, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation which purported to provide psychotherapy services to residents of senior living facilities in the Chicago area from 2019 to 2021. The indictment alleges that the couple schemed with social worker CHARLO G. JORDAN to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for purported psychotherapy services that were not provided as stated in the claims. The claims falsely stated that residents of the senior facilities had received one-hour, individual psychotherapy sessions, even though the defendants knew that such services had not been provided, the indictment states. As part of the scheme, Richard Pitts invited residents of the senior facilities to attend breakfast meetings, which often included guest speakers or group activities, as a way to identify Medicare beneficiaries whose information would then be used in support of the fraudulent claims, the indictment states. When the Covid-19 pandemic began and American Warriors could no longer host in-person breakfasts, the company collected residents’ phone numbers for purported “telehealth” therapy and continued to bill Medicare for psychotherapy that was never provided, the indictment states. In total, the indictment alleges that American Warriors received $1,164,624.61 as the result of fraudulent claims. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday. It charges Richard Pitts, 67, and Tammie Pitts, 53, both of Calumet City, Ill., and Jordan, 43, of Chicago, with health care fraud. The defendants pleaded not guilty Tuesday during arraignments before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel A. Fuentes. The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Mario Pinto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Chicago Regional Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Mulaney. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each count of health care fraud is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.


title: Felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearm

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — A man with multiple state and federal felony convictions was sentenced today to a total of five years and five months in prison for violating supervised release on prior convictions and for illegally possessing a firearm after law enforcement found a loaded gun in a vehicle he was driving when it crashed, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Travis Alan-Cody Pair, 39, a transient, pleaded guilty in January to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Pair also admitted to violating conditions of supervised release for two earlier convictions. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court imposed a 57-month sentence for the firearm conviction and ordered a consecutive eight months in prison in revocations of supervised release for prior federal convictions on felon in possession of a firearm and a drug trafficking crime. The government alleged in court documents that in August 2022, Billings Police Department officers responded to a traffic accident involving a Subaru and detained the driver, identified as Pair, who attempted to walk away. Officers recovered a fully loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had a round in the chamber from the floor of the driver’s seat. Before the accident, a witness claimed that Pair displayed the gun to the witness after Pair noticed the witness following Pair’s car. At the time of crash, Pair was on state and federal supervision for felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. 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


title: Accounting Manager for Everett, Washington, company pleads guilty to embezzling more than $2.5 million from employer

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 39–year-old Kent, Washington, woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud and tax fraud charges for her 10-year embezzlement scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Christin Guillory, an Accounting Manager at an Everett-based manufacturing company, stole more than $2.5 million from her employer by transferring funds to accounts Guillory set up in the names of fake companies and then routing the funds to her own bank accounts. Guillory faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on August 11, 2023. According to the plea agreement, in April 2013, Guillory set up an account with payment processor Square that used a display name that made it appear it was an account of a commercial shipping company. Between 2014 and 2019, Guillory secretly paid $1,695,591 to that account and then transferred the money to her own bank accounts. She made false entries in the company books to conceal the theft. In 2019, Guillory stopped using Square for her fraud and instead used two PayPal accounts. She gave one of the PayPal accounts a display name similar to that of her employer. For the second account, she used the name of a shipping company with which she had no affiliation. In 2020 and 2021, she caused the transfer of $604,000 to the PayPal accounts and made false accounting entries to cover her tracks. She then transferred the bulk of the money for her own use. Becoming more brazen, between August and November 2021, Guillory transferred $247,000 directly from company accounts to her own bank accounts. Again, she made fraudulent accounting entries and reused legitimate invoices to make it appear the payments were for appropriate business purposes. In all, Guillory made at least 867 secret transactions using interstate wires that totaled $2,536,086. The scheme was detected when a financial institution reported irregularities. Guillory is also charged with making a false tax return for failing to report the more than $2.5 million in income she embezzled. For example, for the tax year 2019, Guillory represented that her income was $38,022, but failed to report the $615,392 in income she received that year from her embezzlement. In all, Guillory failed to pay $590,850 that she owed in taxes. “Ms. Guillory received millions of dollars of ‘involuntary contributions’ from her employer, stolen amounts which she gave herself by abusing her position of trust within the company,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “Financial and tax crime have consequences, and Ms. Guillory’s guilty plea today is a compelling reminder of that.” Wire fraud is punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend no more than 41 months in prison for Guillory. The actual sentence is up to Judge Martinez who will consider a number of statutory factors before determining the appropriate sentence. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service: Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.


component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, United States Attorney Delia Smith for the District of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), and Chief Deborah Harris of the Department of Justice’s Environmental Crime Section announced, along with multiple federal law enforcement Special Agents in Charge, the formation of a Puerto Rico and USVI Environmental Crimes Task Force (Task Force) to investigate and prosecute violations of federal law harming the environment, wildlife and human health, and associated fraud, waste, and abuse. Today’s announcement further underscores each agency’s ongoing commitment to environmental justice - a principle that combines civil rights with environmental protection by examining whether all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income are receiving fair treatment and meaningful involvement with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. On May 5, 2022, the Attorney General announced actions to enhance and advance the U.S. Department of Justice’s environmental justice (EJ) work. These efforts include the issuance of a Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (Strategy), the creation of an Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) within the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), and the issuance of both an interim final rule rescinding the Department’s regulations at 28 C.F.R § 50.28 and a policy allowing the Department’s components to enter into settlement agreements that include payments under limited circumstances to non-governmental persons or entities that are not parties to the underlying litigation. The creation of this Task Force builds upon those efforts by the Justice Department and brings together federal law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those federal agencies will continue to work closely with their local counterparts, including the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources, and the USVI Attorney General’s Office. Task Force Law Enforcement Agencies Army - Criminal Investigation Division Army Corps of Engineers Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General Department of Commerce – Office of Inspector General Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Inspector General Federal Bureau of Investigation Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Office of Law Enforcement U.S. Coast Guard – Sector San Juan U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Environmental justice and ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “This Task Force will combine and leverage resources from many federal agencies to aggressively enforce civil and criminal environmental laws.” “The United States Attorney’s Office, along with our federal and local partners, is committed to enforcing environmental laws. Our goal is to ensure that all our citizens receive protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play and work”, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith said. What Can You Do? Reporting environmental, public health and safety concerns supports a safe community for all. U.S. Attorney Muldrow and U.S. Smith encourage Puerto Rico and USVI residents to use the following contact information to report violations to federal agencies. If the violation concerns air quality, health, water, land, waste, chemicals and toxins (e.g. pesticides and lead paint), and/or a cleanup , contact the Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/report-violation to report violations. Denuncie violaciones ambientales | US EPA If the violation concerns fraud, waste and abuse of an EPA program, operation, grant or contract , contact Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General at www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/forms/epa-oig-hotline-complaint-form If the violation concerns an oil or chemical spill , contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-88022. If the violation concerns a marine environment , contact the Coast Guard at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878 and/or Sector San Juan Command Center: 787-729-2041. If the violation concerns federal marine resources , you should contact the www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/enforcement or hotline at 1-800-853-1964. If the violation concerns harm to wildlife (e.g. pesticide misuse) , contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453 or www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips . If the violation concerns wetlands or navigable waters, contact your local district branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Enforcement/ . If the violation concerns workplace conditions , such as chemicals or noxious fumes, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742 or www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint . If the violation concerns housing conditions , contact the Department of Housing & Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) at 1-800-347-3735 or www.hudoig.gov/hotline/hotline-form . If the violation concerns transportation of hazardous materials or a pipeline , contact the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) at 1-800-424-9071 or www.oig.dot.gov/fraud-hotline If the violation concerns medications, food products, devices, biological products, cosmetics, or other products for human consumption , contact the FDA at 1-800-332-0127 (toll-free) or https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda . If the violation concerns fraud, waste, and abuse related to U.S. Department of Commerce (including any entity receiving DOC funds) contact www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspx If the violation concerns discriminatory environmental and health impacts , contact DOJ Civil Rights at 1-855-856-1247 or https://civilrights.justice.gov/ . If the violation involves public corruption , contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/ . For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/oej ; www.epa.gov ; www.justice.gov/usao/pr # # #


title: Grupo de Trabajo Sobre Delitos Ambientales en Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes Estadounidenses

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - El Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow; la Fiscal Federal para el Distrito de las Islas Vírgenes Estadounidenses (USVI por sus siglas en inglés), Delia Smith; y la Jefa de la Sección de Delitos Ambientales del Departamento de Justicia, Deborah Harris, anunciaron, junto a varios Agentes Especiales A Cargo, la creación de un Grupo de Trabajo ( Task Force, en inglés) sobre Delitos Ambientales en Puerto Rico y las USVI para investigar y procesar violaciones a las leyes federales que perjudican el medioambiente, la fauna y la salud humana, así como fraudes, despilfarros y abusos asociados. El anuncio de hoy destaca aún más el compromiso continuo de cada agencia con la justicia ambiental, un principio que combina los derechos civiles con la protección del medioambiente al examinar si las personas, independientemente de su raza, color, origen nacional o ingresos, reciben un trato justo y participación significativa en el desarrollo, implementación y cumplimiento de las leyes, regulaciones y políticas ambientales. El 5 de mayo de 2022, el Secretario de Justicia de los EE. UU. anunció medidas para mejorar y avanzar la labor del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. en materia de justicia ambiental (EJ por sus siglas en inglés). Estos esfuerzos incluyen la publicación de la Estrategia Integral de Aplicación de la Justicia Ambiental ( Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy ), la creación de la Oficina de Justicia Ambiental (OEJ por sus siglas en inglés) dentro de la División Ambiental y Recursos Naturales (ENRD por sus siglas en inglés) y la implementación de un reglamento final provisional que anula la regulación del Departamento en 28 C.F.R § 50.28 y una política que permite a los componentes del Departamento firmar acuerdos de conciliación que incluyan pagos en circunstancias limitadas a personas o entidades no gubernamentales que no sean parte del litigio subyacente. La creación de este Equipo de Trabajo se basa en los esfuerzos realizados por el Departamento de Justicia y reúne a las agencias federales de ley y orden en Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos. Estas agencias federales seguirán colaborando estrechamente con sus homólogos locales, incluyendo al Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Puerto Rico, el Departamento de Justicia de Puerto Rico, el Departamento de Planificación y Recursos Naturales de las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos y la Departamento de Justicia de las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos. Agencias de Ley y Orden del Equipo de Trabajo Ejército de los EE. UU. - División de Investigación Criminal Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los EE. UU. Departamento de Agricultura - Oficina del Inspector General Departamento de Comercio - Oficina del Inspector General Departamento de Seguridad Nacional - Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional Departamento de Transportación - Oficina del Inspector General Agencia de Protección Ambiental - División de Investigación Criminal Agencia de Protección Ambiental - Oficina del Inspector General Negociado Federal de Investigaciones Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos - Oficina de Investigaciones Criminales Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano - Oficina del Inspector General Servicio de Rentas Internas - División de Investigación Criminal Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica - Oficina para la Implementación de Leyes Guarda Costera de los EE. UU. - Sector de San Juan Servicio Investigativo de la Guardia Costera de los EE. UU. Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre “La justicia ambiental y la garantía de que todos los residentes de Puerto Rico disfruten de un ambiente sano y libre de residuos peligrosos y otros contaminantes es una de las principales prioridades de la Fiscalía Federal y del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU.”, comentó el Fiscal Federal Muldrow. “Este task force combinará y aprovechará los recursos de muchas agencias federales para hacer cumplir enérgicamente las leyes ambientales civiles y penales”. “La Fiscalía Federal, junto a nuestros compañeros federales y locales, está comprometida a hacer cumplir las leyes ambientales. Nuestra meta es asegurar que todos los ciudadanos reciban protección de riesgos ambientales y sanitarios e igualdad de acceso a un ambiente sano en el que vivir, aprender, jugar y trabajar”, dijo la Fiscal Federal Delia L. Smith. ¿Qué puedes hacer? Denunciar los problemas de salud pública, seguridad y ambientales contribuye a una comunidad segura para todos. Los Fiscales Federales Muldrow y Smith animan a los residentes de Puerto Rico y las USVI a utilizar los siguientes contactos para hacer denuncias sobre violaciones a las agencias federales. Si la violación afecta la calidad de aire, agua, tierra, salud, desechos, limpieza, químicos y toxinas (p. ej. pesticidas y pintura con plomo) contacte la Agencia de Protección Ambiental a través de www.epa.gov/report-violation para hacer un reporte. Denuncie violaciones ambientales | US EPA Si la violación se refiere a fraude, despilfarro o abuso de un programa, operativo, subvención o contrato de la EPA, contacte a la Agencia de Protección Ambiental Oficina del Inspector General a través de www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/forms/epa-oig-hotline-complaint-form Si la violación es por derrames de aceite o químicos, contacte al Centro Nacional de Respuesta al 1-800-424-88022. Si la violación es acerca del ambiente marino , contacte a la Guardia Costera a través de www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878 y/o al Centro de Comando del Sector de San Juan: 787-729-2041. Si la violación es acerca de recursos marinos federales, haga la denuncia accediendo a www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/enforcement o contactar la línea directa at 1-800-853-1964. Si la violación es acerca de daños a la fauna (p. ej. uso indebido de pesticidas) , contacte al Servicio Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre al 1-800-344-9453 o a través de www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips . Si la violación afecta humedales o aguas navegables, contacte las oficinas locales del Cuerpo de Ingenieros de Ejército de los EE.UU. a través de https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Enforcement/ . Si la violación es acerca de condiciones del lugar de trabajo, así como químicos o gases nocivos, contacte la Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (OSHA por sus siglas en inglés) al 1-800-321-6742 o www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint Si la violación es acerca de condiciones de vivienda , contacte a la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD-OIG por sus siglas en inglés) al 1-800-347-3735 o www.hudoig.gov/hotline/hotline-form Si la violación es acerca del transporte de materiales peligrosos o de ductos , contacte a la Oficina del Inspector General del Departamento de Transportación (DOT-OIG por sus siglas en inglés) al 1-800-424-9071 o www.oig.dot.gov/fraud-hotline Si la violación es acerca de medicamentos, productos alimenticios, equipos, productos biológicos, cosméticos u otros productos para consumo humano, contacte a la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA por sus siglas en inglés) al 1-800-332-0127 (gratis) o acceda a https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda Si la violación se refiere a fraude, despilfarro o abuso relacionado al Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU., (incluso cualquier entidad que reciba fondos del DOC) acceda a www.oig.doc.gov/Pages/Hotline.aspx Si la violación es acerca de impactos discriminatorios para el ambiente o la salud, contacte a la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia de los EE.UU. at 1-855-856-1247 o https://civilrights.justice.gov/ Si la violación implica corrupción pública, contacte al Negociado Federal de Investigaciones at https://tips.fbi.gov/ Para más información, por favor visite www.justice.gov/oej ; www.epa.gov ; www.justice.gov/usao/pr # # #


title: Silk Road Drug Vendor Who Claimed To Commit Murders-For-Hire For Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Charged With Narcotics And Money Laundering Conspiracies

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Thomas M. Fattorusso, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging JAMES ELLINGSON, a/k/a “redandwhite,” with narcotics trafficking and money laundering offenses in connection with his sale of large quantities of narcotics on the “Silk Road” online marketplace. In connection with his drug trafficking on Silk Road, ELLINGSON claimed to have arranged for the murder of five people for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht , a/k/a “Dread Pirate Roberts,” for which he was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin. Law enforcement does not possess any evidence that the purported murders actually took place. ELLINGSON was previously arrested in Canada. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Ellingson used the Dark Web to ship dangerous drugs around the world, including to New York City. He discussed with Silk Road’s founder a plot to kill five people and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange. Others who would try to hide in the shadows of the Internet should know that federal law enforcement will continue to uncover crime, wherever and however committed.” IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso said: “Ellingson’s alleged criminal actions are far more egregious than just money laundering or the large quantities of narcotics trafficked through the ‘Silk Road’ online marketplace. He also claimed to have acted as the middleman between the Silk Road founder and murderers-for-hire. Now, Ellingson will face the consequences of his actions.” According to the allegations in the Indictment: [1] ELLINGSON is a Canadian citizen who lived in the vicinity of Vancouver, Canada. From 2011 to 2013, ELLINGSON sold large quantities of narcotics through the Silk Road online marketplace under the usernames “MarijuanaIsMyMuse” and “Lucydrop.” Through his Silk Road usernames, ELLINGSON sold more than four kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 100 grams of heroin, more than two kilograms of cocaine, more than six grams of LSD, approximately seven kilograms of the drug commonly known as “ecstasy” or “MDMA,” and more than 19 kilograms of marijuana, among other narcotics, to Silk Road customers in exchange for Bitcoin, including to customers in New York City. In March 2013, ELLINGSON, using the Silk Road username “redandwhite,” contacted Ulbricht, Silk Road’s founder, regarding a purported Silk Road user who had threatened to release personal identifying information of Silk Road drug vendors and customers. In these messages, Ellingson claimed to have control over most drug trafficking in Western Canada. In one message, Ulbricht informed ELLINGSON that “[the murder target] is a liability and I wouldn't mind if he was executed.” In another message, Ulbricht stated: “[the murder target] is causing me problems . . . I would like to put a bounty on his head if it’s not too much trouble for you. What would be an adequate amount to motivate you to find him?” ELLINGSON responded, “[the p]rice for clean is 300k+ USD,” and the “[p]rice for non-clean is 150-200k USD depending on how you want it done.” ELLINGSON further explained, in part, that “[t]hese prices pay for 2 professional hitters including their travel expenses and work they put in.” Ulbricht later sent ELLINGSON $150,000 worth of Bitcoin to pay for the purported murder. ELLINGSON and Ulbricht agreed on a code to be included with a photograph to prove that the murder had been carried out. In April 2013, ELLINGSON and Ulbricht exchanged messages reflecting that ELLINGSON had sent Ulbricht photographic proof of the murder. A thumbnail of a deleted photograph purporting to depict a man lying on a floor in a pool of blood with tape over his mouth was recovered from Ulbricht’s laptop after his arrest. A piece of paper with the agreed-upon code written on it is shown in the photograph next to the head of the purportedly dead individual. Later in April 2013, ELLINGSON and Ulbricht exchanged additional messages regarding a plot to kill four additional people in Canada. Ulbricht sent ELLINGSON an additional $500,000 worth of Bitcoin for the murders. ELLINGSON claimed to Ulbricht in online messages that the murders had in fact been committed. Law enforcement does not possess any evidence that the purported murders ELLINGSON claimed to have arranged actually took place. * * * ELLINGSON, 47, of Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, is charged with one count of narcotics trafficking conspiracy and one count of narcotics importation conspiracy, which each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of IRS-CI’s New York Field Office and thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance in the extradition proceedings. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds & Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sagar Ravi and Drew Skinner are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Raleigh Man Receives More Than 10 years in Federal Prison for Distributing Kilograms of Methamphetamine to Eastern North Carolina

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Alphonso Lewis, 47, of Raleigh, was sentenced to 121 months for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, evidence presented in court, and other documents, on April 22, 2022, a Sampson County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Lewis’s car for a traffic violation on Interstate 40. During the traffic stop, the deputy observed the odor of marijuana and a package that had been mailed from McAllen, Texas to Knightdale, North Carolina. The deputy knew from his training and experience in drug interdiction that McAllen, Texas was a source city for drugs. The deputy also observed the unusual behavior that Lewis continued to grab and eat chicken wings while he was speaking with him. The deputy had probable cause to open the package and found 901 grams of pure methamphetamine and 350 grams of marijuana. During the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that Lewis had distributed more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine to Eastern North Carolina from 2021 until his federal arrest in August 2022. Law enforcement received information that some of the methamphetamine was being provided by a Blood gang member in Greensboro, North Carolina. “Our office is proud to support our local law enforcement partners like Sampson County Sheriff’s Office in their battle to eliminate narcotics trafficking in their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to go after people peddling this poison and should serve as a warning to those considering doing the same.” “The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its partnership with many federal agencies, including the US Attorney Office. Our agency has been proactive in seeking out and apprehending drug criminals. Many such drug peddlers have been located along Interstate 40 in our county. These proactive efforts by our officers and the partnerships with federal agencies are proof that teamwork can help further rid our communities of dangerous drugs and criminals,” said Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and Sampson and Duplin County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case. 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. 4:22-cr-00051-M-KS-1.


title: District of Vermont’s U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes National Police Week

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont - In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, county, and local law enforcement officers in Vermont. This year, the week is commemorated from Tuesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 20, 2023. U.S. Attorney Kerest stated, “Every day in Vermont, our federal, state, county, and local officers show up and run towards danger to keep our communities safe. This is difficult work and is vital to the safety of all Vermonters. My office commends and thanks each of them for their dedication to our Vermont communities. In addition, we should also focus on officer wellness. The pressures of responding to unknown circumstances take a toll on law enforcement officers and deserve attention. I encourage everyone to get in touch with a police officer this week and convey gratitude for their sacrifices.” In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. This week, we encourage Vermonters and citizens across the country to remember and honor those who gave their lives so the rest of us can live peacefully. Based on data from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), the names of 556 officers killed in the line of duty are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The 556 officers include 224 officers who were killed during 2022, plus 332 officers who died in previous years, but whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now. The names of all 556 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil to be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm EDT on May 13, 2023. For more information, go to candlelight vigil . The schedule of National Police Week events is available on the NLEOMF’s website . ### Reference to any specific organization or service(s) offered by an organization is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Department of Justice.


title: Charleston Man Faces Up to 20 Years for Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug Trafficking

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

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Charleston man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Thomas Hammond , 24, conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties. Hammond knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy. Hammond is the ninth defendant to plead guilty in this case; four other participants in the conspiracy were sentenced in prior related cases. Hammond faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, investigated the case. Assistance was provided by police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. # # #


title: Raleigh Woman Pleads Guilty to Using Her Real Estate Business to Fraudulently Obtain PPP Loan

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Shakeerah Kaneisha Yvette Vinson, 32, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loan for her real estate broker business. She faces up to 20 years in prison. “This defendant, along with her network of co-conspirators, took taxpayer money meant to help struggling small businesses during a global pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are investigating and prosecuting those who steal from public programs intended to keep legitimate businesses afloat.” According to the charged criminal information, the defendant conspired with Edward Whitaker, Schunda Coleman, and others to obtain a fraudulent PPP loan on behalf of Vinson’s business. Whitaker and Coleman pled guilty on January 19, 2023 for their role in operating a nation-wide scheme to help people across the country commit millions of dollars of PPP fraud. According to charging documents and information summarized in court, Whitaker and Coleman created fraudulent supporting documents and applications for the PPP loan which they provided to Vinson in exchange for 25% of the total loan proceeds. The fraudulent application falsified the number of employees and gross wages being paid prior to the COVID pandemic, in order to help qualify for the PPP loan. Following the disbursement of the PPP loans, Whitaker instructed Vinson as to how to make it appear that the PPP loans were being paid out to employees, when in reality the money was transferred back to Vinson. The fraudulent payroll records were then submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain 100% loan forgiveness. Late last year , Quentin Jackson pled guilty in the same conspiracy which included the recruitment of numerous individuals in the Eastern District of North Carolina to use Whitaker and Coleman to obtain fraudulent PPP funds. “The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge in the Charlotte Field Office. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.” The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were economically suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the SBA. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II accepted the plea. Sentencing will occur before United States District Judge James C. Dever III later this year. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the case. 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. 5:23-CR-00027-D.


title: U.S. District Court Holds Inaugural Alternative Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia held a ceremony today for two inaugural graduates of the Alternative Treatment Court (ATC) program. The two graduates received congratulations and words of encouragement from Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston, who presided over the ceremony, United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, who presides over the ATC program, and United States Attorney Will Thompson. The ATC program is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and various community-based treatment providers and organizations. The ATC program is a pre-plea, pre-sentence alternative to conviction or imprisonment for certain individuals charged with federal crimes. The ATC program provides a blend of treatment that focuses on drug and mental health treatment, and alternative sanctions to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and education and jobs skills training. The U.S. Probation Office performs oversight and monitoring roles that are integral to the ATC program’s success. Thompson emphasized the value of second chances as he congratulated and encouraged the two graduates. “I think honesty is the cornerstone of your continuing recovery,” Thompson said. “You need to be honest with your families, with your friends, your co-workers, court personnel, recovery coaches, whoever it might be. But do you know the most important person you need to be honest with? You need to be honest with yourself.” Participants must be individuals whose criminal conduct is believed to be motivated by substance abuse issues, mental health, or other underlying causes that appear to be amenable to treatment through programs available as part of the ATC. Defendants with a history of violent offenses, involved in child exploitation offenses or subject to removal by immigration authorities are among those excluded from participating. Eligible defendants must participate for at least 12 months, but may be required to participate for up to 24 months. The inaugural graduates each successfully completed Track One of the program, which allows for the dismissal of charges against them. Participants in Track Two of the program receive a term of probation upon their successful completion of the ATC program. “We are losing multiple generations in this state to drug addiction. I don’t like to give up on people. I do believe in second chances,” Thompson said. “The Alternative Treatment Court and similar programs give people who suffer from addiction or other issues a chance to learn how to control and combat their substance use disorder.” Information about the Alternative Treatment Court, including the program’s Memorandum of Understanding, is available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia: https://www.wvsd.uscourts.gov/programs-services/alternative-treatment-court . 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. ###


title: Los Angeles Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Drug Trafficker Sentenced

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Los Angeles, California, man was sentenced today to 13 years in prison for distributing over 50 grams of fentanyl and over 800 grams of methamphetamine in the Central Virginia region. According to court documents, Mesuron Taylor, 38, plead guilty to one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. On two separate occasions in May 2022, Taylor distributed a total of 59 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating source working for law enforcement in Richmond. During both distributions, Taylor, a previously-convicted felon, illegally possessed within his residence a Glock, Model 36; .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and a Ceska Zbrokovka, Model CZ97, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. On June 1, 2022, DEA and Richmond Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence in the City of Richmond and recovered the two firearms, United States currency, and cutting agents. As part of the conduct in this case, Taylor was also held responsible for his role in brokering the distribution of 843 grams of methamphetamine to a law enforcement cooperating source in September 2020. During that drug transaction, Taylor agreed to supply a large amount of methamphetamine to the cooperating source located in the Charlottesville area. Upon agreeing to supply the cocaine, Taylor arranged for a courier to transport 843 grams of methamphetamine from Richmond to the Charlottesville area. On September 3, 2020, law enforcement interdicted Taylor’s drug courier in Stuarts Draft, and recovered 843 grams of methamphetamine. Following the methamphetamine seizure, Taylor contacted the cooperating source asking details about the law enforcement interdiction, demanded payment for the seized methamphetamine, and discussed potential future drug deals. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; and Rick Edwards, Interim Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik S. Siebert and Stephen Anthony prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, Operation Overdrive. 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. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-86.


title: Great Falls woman charged with defrauding two businesses of more than $200,000

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from two businesses while working as a bookkeeper appeared for arraignment on May 9 on fraud charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Tara Durnell, 63, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging her with 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. If convicted of the most serious charge, Durnell faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Durnell was released pending further proceedings. The indictment alleges that Durnell, while working as a bookkeeper, embezzled from Kronebusch Electric, Inc. (KEI), an electrical services company located in Conrad, and then from Mitchell’s Crash Repair, an auto repair shop in Great Falls, after she left KEI’s employment. From at least November 2013 to 2019, Durnell used her access to KEI’s business bank accounts and software to direct pre-signed checks to cover her personal expenses and then miscode the payments in the software to make the personal payments look like legitimate KEI business expenses. The indictment further alleges Durnell embezzled more than $200,000 from KEI to pay personal credit card debt, personal car loan payments and debts of family members. While employed at Mitchell’s Crash Repair, Durnell allegedly embezzled approximately $15,000 by using pre-signed checks to make unauthorized payments for personal expenses, including taxes on her home and a bar she owned in Conrad. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-27. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl XXX


title: Arundel Resident Agrees to Pay Over $330,000 to Settle Allegations of False Claims Act Violations

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: United States Darcie N. McElwee today announced that Gary S. Winn , D.O. of Arundel, has agreed to pay $330,607 to settle allegations that he had violated the False Claims Act. The civil settlement agreement between Winn and the United States and the State of Maine resolves allegations that Winn, the former medical director and owner of a family medical practice in Biddeford and Sanford, Provider’s Care, submitted false claims to Medicare and MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program) from January 2014 through November 2017. MaineCare is funded primarily by the federal government, which pays approximately two-thirds of all reimbursed claims. On April 27, 2023, the United States filed a Complaint against Winn in the United States District Court for the District of Maine. As alleged in the Complaint, Medicare and MaineCare statutes, regulations and guidelines make clear that participating providers may only bill for services actually provided and which are medically reasonable and necessary. The United States and Maine contended in their Complaint that from January 2014 through November 2017, Winn knowingly submitted to Medicare and MaineCare claims for payment for medical services that were not provided or were not medically reasonable or necessary, including osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) services, evaluation and management services, tobacco use cessation counseling visits, outpatient visits, and patient drug testing services. The Complaint against Winn was brought by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act (FCA), as well as Maine’s false claims statute. The FCA provides that any person who “knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval” or “knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim” is liable to the United States for three times the amount of damages which the United States sustains, plus a civil penalty for each FCA violation. As alleged in the Complaint, by submitting claims for payment for medical services that were not provided or were not medically reasonable or necessary, Winn violated the FCA. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, and the Office of the Maine Attorney General investigated the case. The civil action is docketed United States & State of Maine v. Gary S. Winn, 23-cv-00186-JDL (D. Me.). # # #


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced To 600 Months For Child Production Offenses

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On May 11, 2023, Cameron Ty Bolyard, 35, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison, by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Bolyard pleaded guilty guilty pursuant to Federal Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea agreement to counts one and two of an indictment charging him with use of a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251 (a) and (e) and being a parent of a minor, knowingly permitted such minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251 (b) and (e). According to the written plea agreement filed with the court, investigators received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children where Bolyard uploaded multiple images and videos to his Google Account of child pornography. Multiple images and videos were created by Bolyard where he recorded a minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct with Bolyard. Additionally, Bolyard uploaded over a hundred videos and images of child sexual abuse material, unrelated to the minor victim, to his account. “Victimization of children is particularly heinous when sexual predators knowingly exploit the most innocent and vulnerable.” “Our office remains relentless in the pursuit to ensure the safety of our children.” “Anyone who suspects a child is being victimized is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency or child protective services,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “This significant sentence is a testament to the outstanding collaboration among HSI and our law enforcement partners, including the Knoxville Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This investigation into Mr. Bolyard’s criminally abhorrent conduct is a prime example of our commitment to protect the most innocent and vulnerable population from exploitation by predators. No child should ever fall prey to victimization or endure its trauma,” stated HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations- Johnson City Office and Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes against Children Group. This investigation was led by TFO HSI John Williams. Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan L. Gomez represented the United States. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.” ###


title: Duluth Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Operating Fraudulent Law Firm

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after pretending to operate a law firm and defrauding an individual out of thousands of dollars in legal fees, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, between March and April 2022, Gale Allen Rachuy, 73, devised and executed a scheme to defraud an individual (Victim A) by falsely representing that he could provide legal services in connection with Victim A’s post-conviction motion in exchange for $10,000. Rachuy told Victim A that he operated Midwest Legal Service, a Duluth-area law firm, for more than 38 years and claimed to employ several attorneys, including a retired federal judge who previously served on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (Judge A) and a retired Hennepin County District Court judge (Judge B). According to court documents, on March 10, 2022, Rachuy sent a letter to Victim A on Midwest Legal Service letterhead falsely claiming that Judge A would assist in Victim A’s legal representation and enclosed a copy of a retainer agreement seeking a $2,500 payment. On March 15, 2022, Rachuy received the $2,500 retainer from Victim A. Shortly thereafter, Victim A became suspicious and confronted Rachuy because Victim A had not received a draft of the legal documents Rachuy had promised to file. Rachuy promised Victim A that he would promptly refund the money, but never did so. Instead, Rachuy continued to falsely assure Victim A that Judge A and Judge B were working on the case. Rachuy pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Joan N. Ericksen to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Duluth Police Department, and the Hermantown Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting the case.


title: Las Vegas Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes in Connection with Taiwanese Presbyterian Church Shooting in Orange County

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A Nevada man has been charged with 98 counts of federal hate crimes and weapons and explosives offenses, including the murder of one person and attempted murder of 44 others, for his actions during the shooting and attempted bombing at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on May 15, 2022, the Justice Department announced today. David Chou, 69, of Las Vegas, killed one person and attempted to kill 44 others using firearms and explosive devices that he carried inside the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Southern California, according to the indictment returned Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana. In addition to the victim who Chou fatally shot, five others were injured by gunfire. Chou allegedly acted because of the victims’ national origin and religion, and he intentionally obstructed the victims’ religious exercise. Specifically, the indictment charges Chou with 98 violations of federal law: 45 counts of obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs by force, which resulted in the death of one person, included attempts to kill 44 others, and involved the use of a firearm and attempted use of explosives and fire; 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by attacking the church congregants because of their actual or perceived Taiwanese national origin and Presbyterian faith; One count of attempting to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce by means of fire and explosives; One count of carrying explosives during the commission of a federal felony offense; and Six counts of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Chou faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison without parole. He is currently in state custody pending state criminal charges. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Scally of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Susan Har of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Mark Deakins Convicted Of Sexual Abuse Of A Child, Using Children To Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material, And Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –On May 11, 2023, Mark Deakins, 63, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was convicted at trial before the Honorable Charles E. Atchley, Jr., United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, of multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of minors. The defendant was found guilty of these offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2421, 2251(a), 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2), and 2260A, following a trial in U.S. District Court. According to evidence presented at trial, for over 20 years, Deakins raped and sexually assaulted numerous pre-teen and teen boys from 1995 to 2018 in various locations in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. He also transported a victim across state lines to engage in illegal sexual exploitation and abuse. Deakins secretly recorded his crimes, and the number of child sexual abuse videos and images he possessed numbered in the thousands. After law enforcement agents executed search warrants on his home and computers, they found these images and videos as well as thousands of images of other child sexual abuse material from all over the world. Deakins committed these crimes while already on the Sex Offender Registry for past convictions. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The defendant faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 45 years and a maximum term of life in prison. United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III said, “The defendant’s conduct was egregious. He preyed on young boys desperate for a male role model. I am thankful for the collaborative effort and hard work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and our prosecutors for seeking justice in this appalling case.” F.B.I. Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico said, “Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community. The FBI along with our local, state, and federal partners will continue to meticulously investigate these crimes, which cause irreparable harm and trauma to the victims.” Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to indictment and subsequent conviction of Mark Deakins included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Red Bank Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Brooks and Steven S. Neff represented the United States. This case was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, click on the link for “Publications & Resources.” ###


title: Retired Special Education Teacher Sentenced for Traveling Overseas to Sexually Abuse Children

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Craig Alex Levin, 67, of King of Prussia was sentenced to 35 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Harvey Bartle, III for for traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with children as young as 12 years old. According to court documents, between 2016 and 2019, Levin was a retired special education teacher who traveled to the Philippines nine times, each time for the purpose of engaging in sex with disadvantaged minors who, by Levin’s own words, were hungry or needed money for medicine for family members. In May 2019, the Philippines National Police arrested Levin as he was about to enter the elevator at his hotel with a 15-year-old girl. Upon search of his hotel room, police located several notebooks containing the names and ages of hundreds of girls, scored on a rating system of 1 to 10 in five categories: Face, Body, Sex, Personality, Age. Only girls under the age of 18 received a top score of 10. There were multiple children as young as 12 listed in the notebooks. "At the time of Levin's arrest in the Philippines, he was escorting a 15-year-old girl to his hotel room. Levin's sentencing effectively takes a dangerous predator who targeted vulnerable children in a foreign country off the streets indefinitely," said U.S. Attorney Romero. "No matter their role in society or where they prey on children, child sex offenders must be held accountable." “This predator with a passport traveled halfway around the world, multiple times a year, solely to sexually abuse children,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “He took eager advantage of situations of extreme poverty to gain access to the young girls he victimized, apparently thinking he’d just continue to fly under the radar. This lengthy sentence proves him wrong, and should send a message to anyone else sexually exploiting children: whether you commit your crimes here at home or travel to do so abroad, the FBI will investigate, hold you accountable, and ensure your destination is federal prison.” This case is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc . The case was investigated by the FBI and Philippine National Police and Women and Children Protection Center - Visayas Field Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella and Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.


title: Five Individuals Indicted for Defrauding Non-Profit Medical Organization

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa - Five individuals, residents of Pennsylvania and Ohio, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh in an indictment that variously charges them with Conspiracy to Commit Mail/Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Mail Fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The 17-count Indictment named Drew Pierce, age 55, of West Middlesex, PA, Mark Marriott, age 56, of Sharpsville, PA, John Laeng, age 70, of West Middlesex, PA, John O’Brien, age 60, of Masury, OH, and Christopher O’Brien, age 58, of Masury OH, as the defendants. According to the Indictment, from 2011 through 2019, the defendants combined to defraud Primary Health Network, a non-profit medical organization, of more than $2,000,000 through a series of schemes. Not every defendant is charged with participating in each of the schemes to defraud. “Defrauding a non-profit medical organization not only harms that organization, but it also does great indirect harm to the patients these organizations are created to help,” said Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “Through the great investigative work of and partnership with our law enforcement partners, the U. S. Attorney’s Office is able to prosecute these matters to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable.” “The FBI takes our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain very seriously,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Today’s indictment describes elaborate and egregious schemes to steal money from a non-profit organization. These arrests send the message that the FBI is committed to working with our partners to hold those accountable who think they can get rich through fraudulent means.” “Engaging in a scheme to defraud a non-profit medical organization is a crime that needs to be punished,” said Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation. “Today’s indictment shows that IRS-CI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who commit offenses such as these.” On each of the mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail/wire fraud counts, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000 or no more than twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, whichever is greater. On each of the charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000 or no more than twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, or no more than twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the charged transactions, whichever is greatest. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorneys William B. Guappone and Jeffrey R. Bengel are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Fresno Men Charged for Series of Vehicle Pipe-Bombings

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Scott Eric Anderson, 43, and Paul New, 55, both of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy to destroy by means of an explosive device and malicious destruction by means of an explosive device, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Anderson was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, between November 2022 and February 2023, Anderson and New set off a series of pipe-bombs on unoccupied vehicles and property in Fresno. The bombs damaged vehicles belonging to two auto-related businesses on Clinton Avenue, and on Feb. 19, 2023, a bomb heavily damaged a vehicle used by a home health care business on Fallbrook Avenue. Anderson sometimes recorded his crimes by video. In addition, Anderson was found to be in possession of a pistol. He is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous conviction for carrying a loaded and concealed weapon. This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Tierney is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Anderson and New face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the malicious destruction by means of explosive device charges and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the conspiracy charge. Anderson also faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the felon in possession of a firearm charge. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Former Modesto Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Opioids

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Sawtantra Chopra, 76, of Modesto, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other medication, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Chopra admitted prescribing drugs — including hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), and Promethazine with codeine syrup — outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. These drugs are highly addictive and commonly abused. They affect the central nervous system and may only be prescribed when medically required. Chopra surrendered his medical license in 2020 as the case was pending. This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Drug Diversion Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Tierney is prosecuting the case. Chopra is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 5, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Chopra 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: Siskiyou County Woman Indicted for Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Shasta Lea Schnittker, 41, of Montague, charging her with possessing visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Feb. 22, 2022, law enforcement officers searched the home where Schnittker lived with her boyfriend during an investigation into her boyfriend. The boyfriend was arrested on state charges for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age. A forensic review of the digital devices, computers, and electronic storage media seized during the search revealed Schnittker and her boyfriend had met online and discussed child sexual abuse material. Schnittker was found to have numerous videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material saved on her laptop. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, and the Siskiyou County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Schnittker faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution to the victims of the offense. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Owner of Closed Substance Use Treatment Facility in Florida Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud Health Insurers

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Terrence Livorsi, 68, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud arising from his operation of his company’s Employee Assistance Program (“EAP”) . Livorsi used the EAP to funnel patients to addiction treatment at facilities and programs that he owned in Florida in order to fraudulently bill patients’ medical insurance for treatment that was not medically necessary. Livorsi offered his company’s EAP services free of charge and marketed its services mainly to public sector labor unions in New Jersey. Livorsi and his EAP encouraged union officials and representatives to call when a union member was in distress or facing workplace discipline. Upon referral of a union member for EAP services, Livorsi and/or an employee of the EAP collected information from the person, including asking the prospective patient about his or her use of alcohol or drugs. Many prospective patients did not have substance use disorders but were nevertheless fraudulently referred to Recovery Institute of South Florida (“RISF”), a substance use treatment facility that Livorsi also owned and operated. Patients were pressured to fly to Florida immediately for treatment at RISF, allegedly to save their jobs. The people that Livorsi and his staff members referred to RISF were not told that Livorsi owned RISF or that he would benefit financially by billing their health insurance. From at least January 2014 until RISF closed in April 2018, it was the business of Livorsi’s EAP to send patients to treatment RISF. RISF depended on the EAP to refer patients for treatment, and made money by billing insurers for those referred patients. The EAP, which did not charge anyone for its services, depended on RISF to finance its operations. As the sole owner of both RISF and the EAP, Livorsi controlled every aspect of their operations, including the finances and bank accounts of both organizations. Livorsi directly profited when RISF profited. Livorsi directed RISF to pay bonuses to his staff, including himself, for admissions to RISF that the employee had procured. Although he was not a licensed caregiver and was infrequently present at RISF, Livorsi exercised control over when patients could be discharged from RISF, and would keep patients as long as possible to maximize the opportunities to bill insurance. "Livorsi's guilty plea should send a clear message to those seeking to build their financial empire off the despair of individuals battling addiction by committing health care fraud," said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “The defendant's actions were illegal and unconscionable. Moreover, healthcare fraud impacts all of us by raising costs and compromising quality.” “Over the course of years, Terrence Livorsi defrauded insurers of big money by using patients as pawns,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “He had no compunction about referring all of these people to his own faraway treatment facility, some of whom didn’t even have substance abuse issues. Health care fraud is a costly, consequential federal crime and the FBI will continue to make these investigations a priority as we work to deter such criminal behavior.” Livorsi was charged by Information filed April 11, 2023, and entered a plea of guilty on May 8, 2023. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The cases were investigated by the Philadelphia FBI Healthcare Fraud Task Force, which includes agents from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Employee Benefit Security Administration of the United States Department of Labor, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.


title: Thirty-Month Sentence for Escapee

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Glynn Ford, 35, Jackson, Mississippi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for escaping from a federal correctional institution, specifically, FCI-Oxford located in Oxford, Wisconsin. Ford pleaded guilty to this offense on January 26, 2023. On March 26, 2019, Ford was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after being convicted of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in the Northern District of Illinois. Ford was in custody at FCI-Oxford’s Satellite Camp and on April 23, 2022, was missing during a regular count of inmates. Ford was arrested in Chula Vista, California on October 12, 2022, in connection with a retail theft offense. Ford will serve the 30-month sentence consecutively to the remainder of his previous federal sentence. The charge against Ford was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of local authorities in California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.


title: Statement From U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada today issued the following statement from United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson: “On this day one year ago, I had the honor of taking an oath to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Nevada. “Over the past 12 months, the dedicated, talented Assistant United States Attorneys and professional staff have worked diligently with our law enforcement partners to support and advance the Justice Department’s mission of upholding the rule of law, keeping our communities safe, and protecting civil rights. “I have traveled throughout the Silver State to meet with and talk to law enforcement, community groups, victim service providers, and Tribal Governments to strengthen our partnerships. “As we move forward in 2023, the District of Nevada is building on these partnerships and following our strategic plan to prevent and reduce violent and gun crimes; combat human trafficking and child sex trafficking; fight the opioid and fentanyl crisis; protect Nevada’s environmental resources; seek justice for victims; defend the United States in civil matters; and keep our neighborhoods safe for all to live and work. Additionally, the District of Nevada continues to provide trainings to law enforcement and engage in community outreach opportunities at schools, community centers, and events. “Last but certainly not least, I want to extend my gratitude to each Assistant United States Attorney and professional staff in our Las Vegas and Reno offices; to all levels of state, local, federal, and Tribal law enforcement; to Tribal Governments; and to the various community and victim advocate groups for working in the joint pursuit of Justice for all. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together for Nevada.” ###


title: Waterbury Man Admits Theft of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as “OJ Harrington” 31, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a fraud offense related to his theft of pandemic unemployment benefits. According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program for pandemic unemployment assistance (“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”). Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provided unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits for employed individuals who are not eligible for other types of UI due to their employment status. The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) that provided additional weekly benefits to those eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or regular UI. The Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) administers UI benefits for residents of Connecticut. Using identifying information of real persons (“victims”) without their knowledge, Harrington submitted to CT-DOL numerous fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Relying on the applications, CT-DOL awarded unemployment assistance in the form of debit cards in the names of the victims and mailed the debit cards to addresses provided in the applications. Thereafter, Harrington obtained the debit cards issued in victims’ names and unlawfully used the cards for his own benefit. The government contends that the loss attributable to Harrington through this scheme is as much as $793,254. Harrington was arrested on a criminal complaint on November 30, 2022. Harrington pleaded guilty to access device fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Judge Williams scheduled sentencing for August 23. Harrington is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Connecticut Department of Labor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser. Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Springfield Woman Sentenced for Reselling Stolen Goods and Money Laundering

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield woman was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for reselling stolen goods on eBay and money laundering. Mimi Mai, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Mai was also ordered to pay $3,472 in restitution and to forfeit $1.5 million to the United States. On Dec. 20, 2022, Mai pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods, four counts of money laundering, and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. Mai owned and operated a pawn shop in Holyoke, Mass., called EZ Exchange. Mai purchased stolen goods from people she knew had stolen the items and resold them on eBay at a price well above what she had paid the sellers. The stolen goods included a variety of household goods, including power tools, electronic devices, sunglasses, and beauty and personal care products. Between 2018 and 2021, Mai earned more than $2.1 million from the sale of items she had listed for sale as “new” on eBay. Mai then used her eBay earnings to buy property in Florida. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Springfield Police Department, New England State Police Information Network and investigators from Home Depot, CVS, Target and Stop & Shop. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.