title: Distribution and Possession of Controlled Substances and Illegal Possession of Firearm Leads to Federal Prison Time for Two Men

body_text: SHREVEPORT/LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of two men in Shreveport and Lake Charles for their role in the trafficking of drugs in those cities. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Paul Vincent Williams , 38, of Bossier City, Louisiana, to 216 months (18 years) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to evidence introduced in court, law enforcement agents working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were involved in an ongoing investigation of drug trafficking activities in the Shreveport/Bossier City area. Through their investigation, agents had specific information that Williams had sold and distributed various amounts of methamphetamine in February and March 2021. These amounts of methamphetamine were confirmed through testing by the DEA laboratory to be a total of 1,250 grams of pure methamphetamine. Agents conducted surveillance of Williams in February 2022 and subsequently conducted a traffic stop of Williams. A federal search warrant was obtained for Williams’ vehicle and inside agents recovered approximately 232.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 4.4 grams of suspected heroin, 37.4 grams of suspected marijuana, 56.3 grams of assorted pills, as well as five firearms, ammunition and over $8,500 in cash. The seized narcotics were sent to the DEA laboratory for testing and the methamphetamine was confirmed to be 216.9 grams of pure substance, while the suspected heroin was found to be fentanyl, containing 0.5 grams of the purse substance. Williams pleaded guilty on March 13, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The case was investigated by the FBI and ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan. Trevor Selwyn Daniel, Jr., 50, of Decatur, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. to 120 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On February 12, 2020, Daniel was stopped by a Louisiana State Police trooper while traveling along Interstate 10. A K-9 officer arrived on the scene to assist and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was then conducted by law enforcement officers, and they found over five kilograms of cocaine wrapped in bricks and stored in duffel bags in the cargo area. Daniel admitted that the cocaine belonged to him and pleaded guilty to the charge on April 12, 2023. This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen. # # #


title: Two Firefighters Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – Two New Jersey firefighters were sentenced to prison today for their respective roles in a multi-million-dollar health care fraud conspiracy, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced. Thomas Sher, 50, of Northfield, New Jersey, was sentenced to 96 months in prison. Sher, a Margate firefighter, was found guilty on Sept. 8, 2022, of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud following a 12-day trial before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court. Christopher Broccoli, 51, of West Deptford, New Jersey, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Broccoli, a Camden firefighter, pleaded guilty before Judge Kugler on July 28, 2022, to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. According to documents filed in these cases, statements made in court, and the evidence at trial: Sher and Broccoli were part of a criminal conspiracy in which state and local government employees were recruited and compensated to receive medically unnecessary compound prescription medications. Sher and his direct conspirators recruited almost 70 people into the scheme and caused the pharmacy benefits administrator to pay out more than $7 million for medically unnecessary compound prescription medications. Sher directly received approximately $115,000 from the scheme. At today’s sentencing, Judge Kugler likewise found that Sher obstructed justice when he lied during his trial testimony and when he attempted to tamper with witnesses and devise a cover-up story in advance of trial. Broccoli caused the pharmacy benefits administrator to pay out millions of dollars for medically unnecessary compound prescription medications for individuals he recruited into the scheme and directly received $150,315. To date, 50 people have been charged in the overarching conspiracy, and 46 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to the sentencings. The government is represented by Christina O. Hud, Senior Trial Counsel of the Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit; Desiree L. Grace, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division; and R. David Walk Jr., Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.


title: Baton Rouge Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of  a Firearm While Under Indictment

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TEREROI THORNTON , a resident of Baton Rouge, was sentenced on Julu 11, 2023 by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to twenty-four (24) months incarceration, three (3) years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. THORNTON had previously pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm while under indictment, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(n) and 924(a)(1)(D). This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Northshore Man Pleads Guilty  to Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CODY SHAUGHNESSY , age 38, pled guilty today before United States District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. On each count, SHAUGHNESSY faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hammond Police Department, and the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Local man sent to prison after helping traffic over 250 kilograms of meth in gas tank

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 42-year-old Brownsville resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute liquid meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ernesto Vargas pleaded guilty March 7 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 253.2 kilograms of liquid meth. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Vargas to serve 240 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted his extensive criminal history and the seriousness of his conduct. Vargas was responsible for helping Pedro Rodriguez III, 45, San Benito, transport the narcotics. On Jan. 11, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Rodriguez was driving after he switched lanes without signaling. They soon discovered Rodriguez had several pending state arrest warrants and took him into custody. As they conducted a search of his vehicle, they found approximately 253.2 kilograms of liquid meth hidden inside an auxiliary gas tank. Rodriguez admitted he knew the meth was inside the gas tank and had agreed to transport the narcotics from South Texas to Dallas. The meth had an estimated street value of over $650,000. The investigation revealed Vargas and Rodriguez received the liquid meth from co-conspirators in Mexico and planned to transport the meth northwards so it could be divided for distribution. Law enforcement took Vargas into custody June 12, 2022. Rodriguez was previously ordered to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Vargas will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the San Benito Police Department. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage .


title: Federal Bureau of Prisons Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate Resulting in His Death

component: Civil Division

body_text: A federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) lieutenant pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs, resulting in his death. According to court documents, on Jan. 9 and 10, 2021, Michael Anderson, 52, was working in his official capacity as a BOP correctional officer, with a rank of lieutenant, at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, Virginia. In that capacity, Anderson was responsible for the care of federal inmates. On Jan. 9, 2021, a correctional officer notified Anderson that a 47-year-old inmate, W.W., was experiencing symptoms of an apparent medical emergency and asked the defendant to help W.W. obtain medical care. Anderson personally observed W.W.’s symptoms and stated that he would get medical help for W.W. Anderson nevertheless failed to notify medical staff, obtain a medical assessment, contact the facility’s on-call physician or notify any other staff members of W.W.’s condition. The next day, a correctional officer notified Anderson that W.W. had fallen to the ground in his cell. Even with this information, Anderson failed to obtain any assistance for W.W. whatsoever. W.W. then laid on the ground, dead or dying, for over an hour and a half before any correctional or medical staff entered his cell. By the time correctional and medical staff entered the cell, life-saving efforts failed, and W.W. was later pronounced dead. “Correctional supervisors are responsible for the care and custody of inmates entrusted to their care, particularly those with serious medical needs,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those correctional officers who deliberately disregard inmates’ serious medical needs.” “Despite Anderson’s knowledge of the victim’s medical condition and his knowledge of BOP policies, he failed to provide potentially life-saving medical care to an inmate in need,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “People have a constitutional right to basic care while incarcerated.” “Anderson’s appalling indifference and disregard for his responsibility to provide a humane environment for inmates resulted in the needless loss of life,” said Special Agent in Charge Russell W. Cunningham of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office. “Incarcerated individuals should never be denied medical care, and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate anyone who does so.” Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 28. Anderson faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Any sentence will be determined by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Aber and Special Agent in Charge Cunningham made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.


title: South Texan guilty of trafficking cocaine through checkpoint

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted a 42-year-old Mission resident for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani today. The jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes hours before convicting Juan Pablo Ramirez following a one-day trial. At trial, the jury heard that on Jan. 19, Ramirez drove his pickup truck to the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. At initial inspection, Ramirez consent to a z-portal examination of his truck. The z-portal x-ray scan revealed anomalies in his truck which turned out to be packages of cocaine. Testimony at trial revealed the total amount of cocaine was five kilograms with a street value of approximately $100,000. Ramirez attempted to convince the jury he did not know the drugs were in his vehicle. However, the jury saw evidence from Ramirez’s cellphone which included pictures of cocaine, scales and cash. The jury ultimately did not believe Ramirez’s claims and found him guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge Nelva Ramos presided over trial and set sentencing for Oct. 11. At that time, Ramirez faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, Jim Wells Police Department and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Martin, John Lamont and John Marck are prosecuting the case.


title: New Jersey woman indicted in email compromise scheme

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Jersey City, New Jersey, woman has been indicted on charges involving wire fraud related to a real estate transaction of more than $330,000. Michelle Graham, 27, was indicted on two counts involving a wire fraud conspiracy. According to court documents, Graham was involved in a scheme that caused a Hampshire County law firm to send proceeds from a real estate sale to a business account she had opened in New Jersey. The parties to the real estate transaction intended the proceeds to be sent to pay off the seller’s lender, not to Graham, who was not part of the transaction. Graham then spent nearly $30,000 of the money before the fraud was detected. Items purchased included a Louis Vuitton handbag, a laptop, furniture, and a purchase at a used luxury car dealership. If convicted, Graham faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the two wire fraud charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. The Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office assisted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: RGV man ordered to prison for sexually exploiting girlfriend’s child

body_text: BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 24-year-old man from Port Isabel has been sentenced for producing child pornography found on his cell phone, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Javier Garza Jr. pleaded guilty July 20, 2022. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered him to serve 325 months in federal prison. Garza was further ordered serve 30 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. “Garza is the definition of a monster,” said Hamdani. “He sexually abused a three-year old little girl—his girlfriend’s daughter--causing severe harm to the most vulnerable amongst us. Thankfully, this deviant is now behind bars. This sentence ensures that Javier Garza will never again exploit a little child.” The investigation began after Garza’s girlfriend discovered child pornography videos on Garza’s cell phone. She quickly recognized the child in the videos as her own three-year-old daughter and contacted authorities.” Authorities ultimately found videos of child pornography on Garza’s cell phone. The investigation revealed he had recorded himself sexually abusing the minor child. Garza has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.


title: Maritime Smuggler Sentenced to Five Years for Alien Smuggling, Intentionally Ramming Coast Guard Vessel

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 12, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Jesus Jeovanny Alcaraz-Valdez was sentenced in federal court today to 60 months in prison for bringing in nearly a dozen undocumented migrants for financial gain and ramming a Coast Guard vessel in an attempt to escape law enforcement. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta described Alcaraz’s actions as “extremely reckless and extremely troubling” and emphasized the danger to human life. During the early morning hours of December 17, 2022, Alcaraz shuttled an estimated 12 undocumented migrants from Mexico across the maritime boundary line to the vicinity of the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California. Before reaching shore, Alcaraz instructed the individuals to remove lifejackets and enter waist-deep surf, even though some could not swim. Eight individuals were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents while four persons were assessed to have absconded. The individuals from Mexico and Guatemala were paying between $13,000 and $24,000 to be smuggled into the United States illegally. The U.S. Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operations Center observed Alcaraz complete the drop-off near Coronado and return to sea on a southerly course toward Mexico. Responding to the event, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel patrolling in the area attempted to compel Alcaraz—the sole operator of the lights-out, panga-style vessel operating at 30-40 knots—to stop. Alcaraz repeatedly ignored the orders of the Coast Guard. Ultimately, after a brief respite from chase while Alcaraz switched fuel barrels, Alcaraz increased speed and steered directly toward the Coast Guard vessel, ramming them twice with his vessel’s pointed bow. The first ramming hit the middle of the Coast Guard vessel, while the second caused the forward starboard window of the Coast Guard vessel to shatter to pieces and nearly hit a Coast Guard officer positioned in the co-pilot’s seat. After the ramming, the Coast Guard fired two shots into the panga’s outboard engine, successfully disabling it. All four law enforcement officers on board sustained minor neck and back injuries as a result of the ramming and were treated by medical personnel once safely ashore. Alcaraz was arrested on December 17, 2022 and indicted in January 2023. He pleaded guilty to 12 counts in March 2023. “Maritime smuggling is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of the passengers being smuggled, and the law enforcement officers safeguarding our borders, at serious risk,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “This defendant not only endangered the individuals he transported by operating an overloaded panga in the dark with no navigation lights, but he double downed on his bad decision-making when he intentionally harmed members of our Coast Guard. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue our efforts to relentlessly pursue justice against smugglers who have no regard for human life and who assault our law enforcement agency partners.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the combined efforts of the Marine Task Force, HSI, and CGIS for their excellent work on this case. “Our highest concern during any mission is the safety of our Coast Guard members,” said Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, Commander, Coast Guard District 11. “When their safety becomes threatened, it becomes clear that these smugglers are operating with a disregard for life. As a service, we will continue to put people first and hold those individuals accountable who continue to jeopardize human life.” DEFENDANT Case Number 23cr0057-JO Jesus Jeovanny ALCARAZ-Valdez Age: 33 Mexico SUMMARY OF CHARGES Counts 1-3: Bringing in Certain Aliens for Financial Gain – Title 8, U.S.C., 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii) Minimum penalty: Five years in prison Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison Counts 7-10: Assault on a Federal Officer – Title 18, U.S.C., 111(a)(1) and (b) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison Counts 11-14: Assault Within Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction – Title 18, U.S.C., 113(a)(2) Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison Count 15: Failure to Heave To – Title 18, U.S.C., 2237 Maximum penalty: Five years in prison AGENCY United States Coast Guard Homeland Security Investigations Coast Guard Investigative Service United States Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations (CBP)


title: Oneida County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Henry C. Albrecht, Jr., age 53, of Forestport, New York, pled guilty today to presenting child pornography, receiving child pornography, and possessing child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Albrecht admitted that from at least May 2021 through February 28, 2023, he received child pornography images and videos using social media messaging applications and from another adult who gave him a flash drive with child pornography files saved onto it. Albrecht admitted further that in December 2022, he had a live video call with another adult and shared his screen with that person and presented multiple videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Albrecht also possessed more than 2,500 files of child pornography on various devices on the day of his arrest. At sentencing on November 8, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd, Albrecht faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison for each count of presenting and receiving child pornography and up to 20 years in prison for each count of possessing child pornography. The judge will also be required to impose a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to a life term. The court also may impose a fine, restitution, and forfeiture of the devices Albrecht used to commit his offenses. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Albrecht will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. HSI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: District Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison For Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: WASHINGTON – Alexus Camero, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison for distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge Emily Odom, and Interim Chief Ashan Benedict, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Cameron pleaded guilty on February 14, 2023. According to court documents, in August of 2021, Camero met an individual online whom he believed was the father of a nine-year-old boy. In reality, this individual was a law enforcement officer, acting in an undercover capacity. Camero exchanged several messages with the undercover officer, and he expressed an interest in sexually abusing the child. At one point during this online chat, Camero asked the undercover officer if he and a friend could borrow the child for a night. Throughout the course of this exchange, Camero sent the undercover two videos depicting the sexual abuse of very young children. On November 30, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Camero’s residence. When interviewed by law enforcement, the defendant admitted to chatting with the undercover and to distributing videos that depicted the sexual abuse of young boys. The defendant also admitted that he had additional videos depicting child pornography saved on his cell phone. Law enforcement recovered Camero’s cellular telephone and found at several images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children confirmed that some of the children depicted in these images have been identified and rescued by law enforcement. Following his prison term, Camero will be place on supervised release for 15 years and must register as a sex offender for a period of 25 years. He will be ordered to pay restitution to the minor victims who are depicted in the child sex abuse images and videos that he distributed and possessed. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Acting SAC Odom, and Interim Chief Benedict commended the work of the agents and detectives who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S, Attorneys Amy Larson and Rachel Forman who investigated and prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.


title: Former Georgia Teacher Charged with Producing, Distributing, Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment this week charging a former Sandersville, Georgia, high school teacher with producing, distributing, receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Michael Allen Dendy, 32, of Milledgeville, Georgia, is charged with five counts of production of child pornography, seven counts of distribution of child pornography, eight counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, Dendy faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison up to a maximum sentence of thirty years in prison for each count of production of child pornography; Dendy faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison up to a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for each count of distribution and receipt of child pornography; and Dendy faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison for possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on July 11. The indictment alleges that Dendy enticed minor children to engage in sexually explicit acts which were filmed or photographed. In addition, Dendy allegedly distributed, received and possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of minors. Dendy was a teacher at Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia, from Aug. 2020 until his arrest on Jan. 20, 2023. Dendy taught at three schools previously: Griffin High School in Griffin, Georgia, from 2018-2020; St. Charles High School in Waldorf, Maryland, from 2017-2018; and Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi, from 2014-2016. Parents and guardians of children who may have encountered Dendy and have concerns related to this investigation can contact the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 1-866-347-2423. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with significant assistance from the Leesburg, Virginia, Police Department, the Charles County, Maryland, Sheriff’s Office and the Middle Judicial Circuit, Georgia, District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: United Bank Of Michigan Senior Vice President Sentenced For Embezzlement And Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: John Figg embezzled approximately $870,000 between 2014 and 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced the sentencing of a former United Bank of Michigan senior vice president for embezzlement and tax evasion. John Figg, 56, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to a prison term of 41 months followed by 36 months of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney. Figg was also ordered to pay restitution of $870,000 to United Bank of Michigan and $146,300 to the Internal Revenue Service. “We trust our financial institutions to be wise stewards of our savings,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “Figg pilfered funds entrusted to him as a bank official and broke both the law and the public’s trust. He must now deal with the consequences of his embezzlement and tax evasion.” This criminal case stems from the discovery of Figg’s embezzlement of over $870,000 from United Bank of Michigan between 2014 and 2021. At the time, he was a senior vice president of the bank. According to court documents, Figg used his access to bank records to obtain funds in a variety of ways. First, he identified customer accounts held by depositors who did not scrutinize their accounts and used his access to them to remove funds for his own use. Second, he obtained phony loans in customer names and used the loan proceeds for his own use. Third, he funneled fees normally collected by the bank in connection with loan closing costs to his own use. This resulted in losses of approximately $870,000. Figg generated taxable income from this activity between 2016 and 2020. However, he concealed this income from his tax preparer when that person prepared his tax returns. As a result, each year Figg underreported his taxable income knowing that it was subject to taxation and with the intent to avoid payment of those taxes. Figg was charged with bank embezzlement in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 656. This carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. He was also charged with tax evasion in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201, which carries a maximum prison term of five years in prison. Figg pled guilty to these charges in March 2023. “The IRS, along with our law enforcement partners, will vigorously pursue those who use their position of trust to victimize clients and violate the law,” said Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office . “Today’s sentence demonstrates the government’s determination to restore and ensure that trust.” "Mr. Figg engaged in illegal conduct that has the potential to undermine the financial health of banks and credit unions," said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Today's sentence sends a message to any corrupt bank employee that the combined efforts of the FBI and IRS will ensure they are held fully accountable for their crimes." This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. Prosecution of the case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. ###


title: Aliquippa Resident Sentenced to One Day of Imprisonment for Bank Fraud and Conspiracy

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one (1) day of imprisonment and three (3) years of supervised release on her conviction of bank fraud and conspiracy, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Lee Ann Benninghoff, age 45, Aliquippa. According to information presented to the court, Benninghoff owned and operated Complete Escrow and Bella Casa Realty. From February 2014 through March 2017, Benninghoff used her position and connections in real estate financing, and conspired with others in the industry, to submit fraudulent gift letters in support of mortgage loan applications. The gift letters misrepresented the source of the funds and their purported purpose. Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Benninghoff.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Conviction of Robbery and Discharging a Firearm During a Robbery

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to over 24 years in prison on his conviction of robbery and discharging a firearm during a robbery, as well as for violations of supervised release, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Deon Reese, age 48, of Pittsburgh. According to information presented during a jury trial earlier this year and to the court, in March 2017, Reese participated in a robbery in which the victim was shot and nearly killed. The victim suffered extensive injures as a result of the shooting. Additionally, Reese engaged in efforts to obstruct justice by trying to convince the victim not to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution of him. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Ranjan stated that the sentence was based on a number of factors, including the seriousness of the offense and Reese’s criminal history. Reese was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense, and the robbery constituted a violation of that supervised release. Judge Ranjan imposed a sentence of 271 months, or around 22 ½ years, of incarceration in connection with the robbery conviction, and an additional sentence of 24 months, or 2 years, of incarceration for the supervised release violations. Assistant United States Attorney Doug Maloney and Assistant United States Attorney Shaun Sweeny prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Reese.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 147 Months for Drug and Firearm Crimes

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Andrew Sackett, 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 10, 2023, in federal court in Omaha after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Sackett to a total of 147 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Sackett will begin a three-year term of supervised release. In September 2021, Omaha police conducted surveillance on an apartment that was suspected of being used to distribute methamphetamine. Sackett lived in the apartment with his girlfriend, co-defendant Racheal Cain. On September 23, 2021, Sacket was arrested during a traffic stop. He consented to a search of the apartment and admitted helping Cain sell methamphetamine. In the apartment, officers found more than 100 grams of methamphetamine with purity of 95%, along with three firearms and $11,902 in cash. Sackett admitted to handling all three firearms. One of the firearms, a Taurus .380 handgun, was found inside a safe mounted to the bed. Sackett had a key to the safe on his keychain. As part of the plea, Sackett forfeited the $11,902 to the United States as being illegal drug proceeds. Cain has pleaded guilty to the same charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 27, 2023. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Kearney Man Sentenced to Five Years for Stealing Firearms

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

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Joshua Thomas Alan Casiano, 36, of Kearney, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 10, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to five years’ imprisonment for possession of stolen firearms. He was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Casiano pleaded guilty to the offense on March 21, 2023. Police discovered that a residence in Phelps County, Nebraska was burglarized on April 13, 2021. Fourteen firearms were stolen from the home during the burglary. Following this event, a witness came forward and told police that Casiano said he wanted to acquire firearms by committing a burglary. Casiano learned that the residence in Phelps County contained several firearms. Casiano left the night of the burglary and then returned later with what the witness estimated to be around a dozen firearms. Most of those firearms were later sold to two other persons. Once police learned of the sale, they obtained a search warrant to search the home of the buyers. Most of the stolen firearms were recovered during that search with the remainder recovered several days later. To date, all the stolen firearms were recovered by law enforcement. Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Kearney Police Department, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office all contributed to this 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.


title: St. Paul Man Sentenced to Four Years for Possessing Firearms

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Robert T. Jaeger, 44, of St. Paul, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 10, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to four years’ imprisonment for possessing firearms after having been convicted of a felony offense. He was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Jaeger pleaded guilty to the offense on February 16, 2023. On August 23, 2022, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) received a report that Jaeger was threatening to murder a person who had recently obtained a protection order against Jaeger. It was reported to the NSP that Jaeger had parked his vehicle near the location where the person who obtained the protection order was employed. NSP Troopers located Jaeger in that area. As police began to approach the area, Jaeger began driving away. Jaeger was stopped and arrested a short distance away from where he had been parked. Jaeger’s vehicle was searched following his arrest. Among the items found in the car were three rifles, two of which were equipped with scopes, a handgun, ammunition, knives, a tactical vest, a ghillie suit (a form of camouflage), three silencers made from oil cans, and a Halloween type mask. Because of a prior felony conviction, Jaeger was prohibited from possessing the firearms, ammunition, and silencers. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives contributed to this 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.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Methamphetamine Possession

body_text: Daniel E. Miller, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 10, 2023, in federal court in Omaha after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Miller to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. On February 20, 2020, Omaha police were dispatched to a bar for a woman who reported being assaulted by Miller. Officers ultimately arrested Miller. During a search of his person, officers found 94 grams of methamphetamine in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. Forensic testing determined the methamphetamine to be 94 percent pure. Because of a previous conviction in 2007 for willful injury in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Miller received a federal sentencing enhancement for having a “serious violent felony” offense on his record. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Arkansas Resident Pleads Guilty To Shooting At Police Officers While Holding Infant

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Elbert Andrew Fuller, Jr., age 24, of Fort Smith, Arkansas entered a guilty plea to a seven-count indictment which includes: one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country; one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country; three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; and one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The charges arose from an investigation by the Roland Police Department, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to investigators, on October 8, 2022, Fuller fired a pistol at a family member. When Roland Police Department officers responded to the scene, Fuller – while holding an infant child – opened fire on them as well. The crimes occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Fuller will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary W. Parsons represented the United States.


title: Warren Man Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND - A Warren, Ohio man with an extensive criminal history that includes Possession of Cocaine and Trafficking in Cocaine has been indicted by a federal grand jury. On July 11, 2023 the grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging Stanley E. Redd, Jr., 44, with Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Using and Maintaining a Drug Premises; Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Sponsoring or Exhibiting Animals in Animal Fighting Venture; and Buying, Selling, Delivering, Possessing, Training, or Transporting Animals for Participation in Animal Fighting Venture. The indictment alleges that on or about May 18, 2021, Redd possessed an Amadeo Rossi .38 caliber revolver, and a RG Industries, Model RG40, .38 caliber revolver, and ammunition. He is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunitions due to his convictions in 2003, 2007, 2013, and 2014 for Possession of Cocaine and in 2008 for Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine. The indictment also alleges on or about May 18, 2021, Redd possessed with the intent to distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine; and possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The indictment further alleges that from on or about May 5, 2021, through on or about May 18, 2021, Redd knowingly used and maintained a premises located in Warren, Ohio for the purpose of distributing controlled substances. Finally, the indictment charges Redd with sponsoring and exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture and buying, selling, possessing, training, or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture beginning in or around December 2020 and ending on or about May 18, 2021. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted the FBI, USDA, and Warren City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McLaughlin and Senior Litigation Counsel Michelle M. Baeppler. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: School Employee Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Over $130,000  From Barnstead and Hampton School Districts

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A bookkeeper from Barnstead was sentenced today in federal court for stealing money from both Barnstead and Hampton School Districts, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Amy Burley, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 12 months and one day in federal prison and 2 years of supervised release. Burley was also ordered to pay $131,261.81 in restitution. On February 23, 2023, Burley pleaded guilty to two counts of Theft from a Program Receiving Federal Funds. “These public-school districts placed trust in Burley as their bookkeeper, and she blatantly abused that trust by stealing funds intended for the school children in these districts,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “I’m proud that we were able to bring restitution to the taxpayers while sending a deterrent message that this type of thievery will result in incarceration.” “Instead of working honestly on behalf of two financially struggling school districts, Amy Burley took advantage of them, betraying the trust they placed in her, by stealing tens of thousands of dollars to line her own pockets,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Her selfish greed is an affront to all the hard-working students and taxpayers struggling to make ends meet, and today’s sentence ensures she’s held accountable for her criminal conduct.” Burley was employed as a bookkeeper for Barnstead School District and then Hampton School District. In her role, Burley processed payroll and handled the payment of invoices. Burley used her access at Barnstead School District to alter her payroll information, make personal student loan payments and payments to personal creditors, and pay for an Amazon account charged to Barnstead but controlled by Burley, totaling $110,295.26. Following her termination from Barnstead, Burley was hired as a bookkeeper at Hampton School District, where she used again her position to use district funds to pay student loans and credit cards belonging to her or her family members, totaling $20,966.52 Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Department of Education Office of the Inspector General, the Barnstead Police Department, and the Hampton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy prosecuted the case. ###


title: Belleville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Exploiting Minors to Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced a Belleville man to spend 15 years in federal prison after he pled guilty to four counts of production, distribution, and transportation of child sexual abuse material. Zachary R. Dennert, 21, will serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. “The defendant targeted young boys on social media, gained their trust by pretending to be a young girl and exploited his victims for sexual images,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “His sentence reflects the severity of his manipulative behavior, and I applaud the investigative agencies for their work in bringing this offender to justice.” According to court documents, Dennert created social media profiles on several platforms purporting to be a teenage female in 2020. Using the profiles, he contacted numerous male minors and requested explicit images. Dennert received images from victims ranging in age from 11 to 15-years-old. Investigators recovered more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material from Dennert’s account. Task force members with the U.S. Secret Service and the O’Fallon Police Department conducted the investigation, with assistance from Saint Clair County State’s Attorney Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandria Burns prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc .


title: Armed Drug Trafficker Receives 135 Months for Distributing Drugs and Discharging a Firearm

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Marlon Porter, 51, of Wilmington, was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in prison for armed trafficking of cocaine base (crack), cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. On March 13, 2023, Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl; possession of a quantity of crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. “Our men and women continue to work tirelessly day in and day out to protect the City of Wilmington,” said Wilmington Police Chief Donnie Williams. “I am extremely grateful for their continued dedication to ensuring that justice is delivered. I appreciate the partnership with the various agencies who assisted with this case to bring it to a close. We will continue to patrol the streets to remove violent offenders and send them to prison where they belong.” said Wilmington Police Chief Donnie Williams. “ATF and our law enforcement partners focus on those individuals who pose the biggest threat to our communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Our collaborative efforts continue to disrupt drug trafficking networks, recover firearms from illegal possessors, apprehend violent offenders, and better public safety in our neighborhoods.” According to court documents and other information presented in court, on June 26, 2019, a Wilmington Police Officer and a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to multiple gun shots in the area of Gores Row and Orange Streets in Wilmington. They observed Marlon Porter running across the street. Porter did not initially respond to commands to stop and ran around a corner. Porter then came back into their sight and surrendered. After searching the area, law enforcement found a stolen 9mm handgun cocked and ready to fire. Law enforcement also observed Porter’s brother, George Porter, reaching into a car in the area. Law enforcement searched the car and found a loaded .380 handgun under the front seat. In addition, numerous shell casings were recovered by law enforcement near the area in which Porter had been observed running from. On July 16, 2019, law enforcement made a controlled purchase from Porter at a Glenn Street address used by Porter as a stash house. On September 23, 2019, Wilmington Police Officers responded to a welfare check in a hotel parking lot on Eastwood Road. Officers saw Marlon Porter and another man asleep in a BMW. As they approached Porter, he threw two ounces of cocaine across the car. A search of the car uncovered crack, fentanyl, multiple wax baggies, digital scales, almost $4,000 and a loaded .357 revolver. Officers discovered that Porter was associated with a room at the hotel. Inside the hotel room, officers found six grams of fentanyl, crack and items used to make crack. On December 13, 2019, New Hanover County Narcotics detectives received information that Porter was selling drugs from the Baymont Inn in Wilmington. Following this, detectives arrested an individual in possession of heroin in the area of South 15 th street. The individual had a room key for the Baymont Inn. Law enforcement went to the room and stopped a female leaving the room with five bindles of fentanyl. Upon entry of the room, they found Porter on the bed, and a search of the room found a .45 caliber handgun, three grams of fentanyl, digital scales and almost $2,000. Law enforcement searched Porter’s jeep which was parked in front of the room and found a small amount of fentanyl and a stolen 9mm handgun and digital scales. Porter has prior North Carolina State convictions for Possession of a controlled substance within 300 feet of a School (1994), Selling Cocaine (2012) Attempted Common Law Robbery and Assault Inflicting Bodily Injury (2012). This is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, 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. 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and 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. 7:20-cr-00029-M-1.


title: Co-Defendants Admit to Violent Carjackings, Get Federal Prison Sentences

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced two co-defendants to federal prison after the pair admitted to participating in a string of violent carjackings in the Metro East. Both men each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of carjacking, and one count of use of a dangerous weapon to commit a crime of violence. Jamariante N. Burgess, 21, of East St. Louis, Illinois, received a 192-month sentence, and Armon R. Simpson, 19, of St. Louis, Missouri, received a 208-month sentence. At the time of the crimes, Simpson was 17. He was certified by the Court to be treated as an adult in the case. “In a one-month span, the co-defendants wreaked serious havoc on numerous victims in the Metro East area,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The pair has proven they have no respect for the law, and their federal prison sentences reflect the severity of the violence and terror they caused.” “The co-defendants showed a total disregard for other people – their safety and welfare – as they terrorized their community on numerous occasions,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP refuses to let people get away with this behavior and will continue to work with local law enforcement and the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Illinois to bring violent criminals to justice.” According to court documents and official proceedings, the co-defendants engaged in a string of violent carjackings around the East St. Louis and St. Louis area during the summer of 2021. Beginning in July, the co-defendants pointed firearms at and carjacked a victim at the Roosevelt Homes public housing complex in East St. Louis. On Aug. 5, 2021, Burgess and Simpson displayed firearms and carjacked a man in the St. Louis Soulard neighborhood. After being unable to drive the car, Burgess and Simpson exchanged gunfire with a citizen who tried to stop the carjacking. Undeterred, the pair then went to downtown St. Louis, robbed three victims of their belongings at gunpoint, and forcibly took their vehicle. Burgess and Simpson fled with the stolen vehicle to the John DeShields Apartments in East St. Louis. Simpson erroneously identified an innocent pedestrian as a member of an opposing gang and both Simpson and Burgess shot at the victim, who sustained injuries. Police in both Illinois and Missouri worked quickly to identify the suspects and arrested Burgess and Simpson later that morning. Officers recovered three firearms and some of the robbery victims’ belongings. Law enforcement officers with the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG), the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandria Burns prosecuted the case.


title: Money Mule Sentenced for Laundering $2,886,578

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Concord man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release, $10,822 restitution, and $100,000 forfeiture for one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. On April 11, 2023, Derrick Donahue Davis pled guilty to the charges pursuant to a plea agreement. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Davis, 51, came to the attention of law enforcement when one of his bank accounts received a $120,000 wire that was sent to his account by a victim of a scam who was acting under the belief the funds were being used towards closing on a home purchase. Davis withdrew that money immediately and transferred it to a number of other individuals and the victim lost the home and thousands of dollars. Investigation ultimately revealed that Davis laundered over two and a half million dollars over three years for an individual he had met online and whom he believed was a female but was actually a Nigerian male engaged in numerous scams. In addition, Davis received 43 debit cards in other people’s names and sent images of those cards to the Nigerian. Davis continued to launder the money even after explicitly being informed by law enforcement that the money he was moving was from criminal activity. Michael F. Easley, Jr., 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. FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe 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. 5:21-CR-141.


title: Former Security Engineer For International Technology Company Arrested For Defrauding Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchange

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Chad Plantz, the Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Tyler Hatcher, the Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging SHAKEEB AHMED with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with his attack on a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange (the “Crypto Exchange”). AHMED was arrested this morning in New York, New York, and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This is the second case we are announcing this week to shed light on fraud in the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem. As alleged in the indictment, Shakeeb Ahmed, who was a senior security engineer at an international technology company, used his expertise to defraud the exchange and its users and steal approximately $9 million in cryptocurrency. We also allege that he then laundered the stolen funds through a series of complex transfers on the blockchain where he swapped cryptocurrencies, hopped across different crypto blockchains, and used overseas crypto exchanges. But none of those actions covered the defendant’s tracks or fooled law enforcement, and they certainly didn’t stop my Office or our law enforcement partners from following the money.” HSI Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz said: “Financial crime strikes at the core of our national and economic banking security. With an attack of this magnitude, it’s crucial we ensure continued consumer confidence in our financial system. Ruthless and reckless attempts aimed to sabotage legitimate commerce for greed must be stopped. It’s cases like these that demonstrate HSI’s commitment and ability to work with a coalition of the willing to dismantle these complicated and technical fraud schemes and identify those responsible regardless of where they operate.” IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher said: “As alleged, Mr. Ahmed used his skills as a computer security engineer to steal millions of dollars. He then allegedly tried to hide the stolen funds, but his skills were no match for IRS Criminal Investigation's Cyber Crimes Unit. We, along with our partners at HSI and the Department of Justice, are at the forefront of cyber investigations and will track these fraudsters anywhere they try to hide and hold them accountable.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] The Crypto Exchange was incorporated overseas and operates on the Solana blockchain. At all relevant times, the Crypto Exchange allowed users to exchange different kinds of cryptocurrencies and paid fees to users who deposited cryptocurrency to provide liquidity on the Crypto Exchange. In July 2022, AHMED carried out an attack on the Crypto Exchange by exploiting a vulnerability in one of the Crypto Exchange’s smart contracts and inserting fake pricing data to fraudulently cause that smart contract to generate approximately $9 million dollars’ worth of inflated fees that AHMED did not legitimately earn, which fees AHMED was able to withdraw from the Crypto Exchange in the form of cryptocurrency. This conduct defrauded the Crypto Exchange and its users, whose cryptocurrency AHMED had fraudulently obtained. Additional details regarding the attack, including AHMED’s use of cryptocurrency “flash loans” to further defraud the Crypto Exchange, are described in the Indictment publicly filed today. After he stole the fees he never legitimately earned, AHMED had communications with the Crypto Exchange in which he decided to return all of the stolen funds except for $1.5 million if the Crypto Exchange agreed not to refer the attack to law enforcement. At the time of the attack, AHMED was a senior security engineer for an international technology company whose resume reflected skills in, among other things, reverse engineering smart contracts and blockchain audits, which are some of the specialized skills AHMED used to execute the attack. AHMED laundered the millions in fees that he stole from the Crypto Exchange to conceal their source and ownership, including through (i) conducting token-swap transactions, (ii) “bridging” fraud proceeds from the Solana blockchain over to the Ethereum blockchain, (iii) exchanging fraud proceeds into Monero, an anonymized and particularly difficult cryptocurrency to trace, and (iv) using overseas cryptocurrency exchanges. After the attack, AHMED searched online for information about the attack, his own criminal liability, criminal defense attorneys with expertise in similar cases, law enforcement’s ability to successfully investigate the attack, and fleeing the United States to avoid criminal charges. For example, approximately two days after the attack, AHMED conducted an internet search for the term “defi hack,” read several news articles about the hack of the Crypto Exchange, and visited several pages on the Crypto Exchange’s website. As another example, AHMED conducted internet searches or visited websites related to the charges in the indictment, including by searching for the term “wire fraud” and for the term “evidence laundering.” Finally, AHMED also conducted internet searches or visited websites related to his ability to flee the United States, avoid extradition, and keep his stolen cryptocurrency: he searched for the terms “can I cross border with crypto,” “how to stop federal government from seizing assets,” and “buying citizenship”; and he visited a website titled “16 Countries Where Your Investments Can Buy Citizenship . . .” * * * AHMED, 34, of New York, New York, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of HSI and IRS-CI. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit and Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David R. Felton and Kevin Mead 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 therein should be treated as an allegation. U.S. v. Ahmed Indictment


title: Winamac Woman Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Laci Lindsey, 49 years old, of Winamac, Indiana, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Lindsey was sentenced to 80 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, between May 2021 and April 2022, Lindsey sold methamphetamine multiple times in an amount totaling approximately 295 grams. A search of her residence resulted in the recovery of more methamphetamine, a scale, drug ledger, packaging material and other drug paraphernalia. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group and the DEA North Central Laboratory. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse . ###


title: Cape Coral Man On Federal Supervised Release Carrying Tactical Swords, Nunchucks, And Loaded Firearm Pleads Guilty To Possessing Firearm As A Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Basilio Amaury Bron, Jr. (43, Cape Coral) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Bron faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on March 12, 2022, at around 5:00 p.m., Bron was driving carelessly and more than 100 miles per hour northbound on Interstate 75 near the Laurel Road exit. A deputy from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office stopped Bron’s vehicle for speeding. The deputy conducted a background check which revealed that Bron was a convicted felon on federal supervised release. During the traffic stop, the odor of marijuana emanated from Bron’s vehicle, and two 20-inch tactical swords were visible near the driver’s seat and the driver’s door. Bron also admitted to having a firearm in the vehicle. The deputy located a SCCY CPX-1 9mm pistol, loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, inside the vehicle’s center console and a bag containing 4 grams of marijuana. The deputy also recovered a pair of nunchucks from the driver’s seat pocket. Bron later admitted to ATF agents that he had possessed the firearm, handled it multiple times, and sold marijuana. In 2016, Bron was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A Chee and Michael Kenneth.


title: Level III Sex Offender Arrested on Child Pornography Charges for a 5th Time

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A level III sex offender has been ordered detained in federal custody following his 5 th arrest on child pornography charges, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Patrick M. O’Donnell, 60, convicted in Rhode Island state court on child pornography charges four times between 2007 and 2020, was most recently released from Rhode Island state prison on June 1, 2023. According to charging documents, O’Donnell allegedly downloaded and accessed child pornography and child erotica on cellphones he was prohibited from possessing as a condition of his probation. He was living at a homeless shelter in Cranston at the time. During a sex-offender compliance check conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Cranston Police, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, O’Donnell was found to be in possession of two cellphones. A live digital preview allegedly revealed child pornography on one of the devices and child erotica on both. O’Donnell was charged in federal court with allegedly knowingly possessing child pornography, which carries a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence if a defendant has previously been convicted of a child pornography offense. The defendants’ sentence will be determined by a federal judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams. ###


title: Felon Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Escape from Halfway House in Addition to 15-Year State Sentence for Killing a Person After Escape

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Dallas Jones, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to an additional 27 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to escape. According to court documents, on November 17, 2015, Jones was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of illegally possessing a firearm. On July 25, 2018, Jones was transferred to the Volunteers of America (“VOA”) in Indianapolis Indiana, to complete his sentence. The Bureau of Prisons contracts with residential reentry centers, also known as halfway houses, to aid inmates who are nearing release as they transition back into the community. Inmates serving a portion of their sentence at a residential reentry center are only authorized to leave through sign-out procedures for approved activities. Jones was to remain in, and abide by the rules of, the facility until his projected release date of May 26, 2019. On April 12, 2019, Jones was transported to Eskenazi Hospital for medical treatment. Jones removed his GPS monitor and left the hospital in the early hours of April 13, 2019. On June 12, 2019, after absconding from the VOA, Jones was dealing drugs and participating in an illegal dice game on Dearborn Street. He got into a physical altercation that quickly escalated to a gun battle. During the shooting, Jones killed one person, and injured two others who were caught in the crossfire. Jones was arrested by Deputy United States Marshals the next day. In February 2023, Jones was convicted in Marion County Superior Court of Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon. Jones was sentenced to serve 15 years in the custody of the Indiana Department of Corrections. Jones will serve his 27-month federal prison sentence in addition to the 15-year sentence imposed by the state court. Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and Dan McClain, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana, made the announcement. U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Kate Olivier, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Man Admits Fleeing from St. Louis Police with Gun, Drugs

body_text: ST. LOUIS– A man from St. Louis, Missouri who fled from police with drugs and a gun pleaded guilty Tuesday to three federal felonies. Anthony B. Jones, 29, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp to two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On July 18, 2021, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers on patrol in O’Fallon Park spotted Jones, who was wearing a mask and appeared to be carrying a gun. The officers made a U-turn, at which point Jones ran across the road and hid behind a car before running away. Police found a .223-caliber, CBC Industries AR-style pistol with a brass catcher and a large-capacity magazine in the car. Jones had left the car door open, his plea agreement says. Jones then dropped a messenger-style bag that contained a baggie of fentanyl and 46 capsules containing fentanyl. Police ultimately had to use a Taser to take Jones into custody, his plea says. On October 8, 2021, St. Louis police saw Jones accelerate and run a red light in the College Hill neighborhood. Jones, who was in a gray Pontiac Grand Prix, refused to stop and instead accelerated to a high speed after police activated their lights and siren. Officers used a spike strip to deflate Jones’ rear tires, but he drove another three miles before bailing out of the car on College Avenue and running into the backyard of a home. Officers found Jones crouching in a small stairwell at the back of the house. He was holding a pistol with a large-capacity magazine raised in the direction from which he expected the police to approach, but dropped it when several officers simultaneously converged on the area, his plea agreement says. He also had a satchel containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Jones told officers that he ran the red light because he saw the police and was concerned that the Grand Prix had been stolen. At his sentencing in October, both prosecutors and Jones’ lawyer have agreed to recommend 15 years in prison. The gun charge carries a mandatory minimum term of five years consecutive to any other sentence. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case.


title: Senior Adviser To The Operator Of The Silk Road Online Black Market Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ROGER THOMAS CLARK, a/k/a “Plural of Mongoose,” a/k/a “Variety Jones,” a/k/a “VJ,” a/k/a “cimon,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for conspiring to distribute massive quantities of narcotics, arising out of his role as the top adviser to Ross Ulbricht, a/k/a “Dread Pirate Roberts,” the owner and operator of the “Silk Road” online illicit black market. During its operation from 2011 until 2013, Silk Road was used by thousands of drug dealers and other unlawful vendors to distribute illegal drugs and other illicit goods and services to more than 100,000 buyers and to launder hundreds of millions of dollars derived from those unlawful transactions. CLARK advised Ulbricht on all aspects of the enterprise, including urging and facilitating an attempted murder-for-hire. CLARK’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein. CLARK previously pled guilty before the late U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III on January 30, 2020. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Silk Road was a secret online marketplace for illegal drugs, computer hacking services, and a host of other criminal activity. Roger Thomas Clark was a central figure in helping to lead Silk Road and in advocating violence, even murder, to protect this digital drug empire. Today’s sentence is another reminder that criminal marketplaces, like Silk Road, are a road to prison.” According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, court filings, statements made in court, and evidence presented during the 2015 trial of Ross Ulbricht, Silk Road’s founder: Ulbricht created Silk Road in approximately January 2011 and owned and operated the underground website until it was shut down by law enforcement in October 2013. Silk Road emerged as the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the Internet at the time and one of the first online marketplaces to exclusively use cryptocurrency to facilitate illegal transactions. Silk Road was massive in scope; there were more than 1.5 million transactions on the site, involving more than 115,000 buyer accounts and 3,000 seller accounts. These transactions had a total value of approximately $213 million, including more than $183 million in drug sales. The drugs sold on Silk Road included more than 82 kilograms of cocaine and 26 kilograms of heroin. Silk Road was also used to launder hundreds of millions of dollars deriving from these unlawful transactions. Silk Road was specifically designed to allow its users to buy and sell drugs and other illegal goods and services anonymously and outside the reach of law enforcement through the use of the Tor network and a Bitcoin-based payment system. In his journal, Ulbricht described CLARK as a “real mentor” who advised Ulbricht about, among other things, security vulnerabilities in the Silk Road site, technical infrastructure, the rules that governed Silk Road users and vendors, and the promotion of sales on Silk Road, including the sales of narcotics. CLARK also provided advice to Ulbricht on developing a “cover story” to make it appear as though Ulbricht had sold Silk Road. In addition, CLARK assisted Ulbricht with hiring a programmer to help improve and maintain the infrastructure of Silk Road. CLARK also was responsible for gathering information to counter law enforcement’s efforts to investigate Silk Road. CLARK advised Ulbricht on how to protect the Silk Road criminal empire. For instance, when a Silk Road staff member was suspected of stealing approximately $350,000 in Bitcoin from the site, CLARK suggested to Ulbricht that Ulbricht commission a murder-for-hire. Ulbricht took that suggestion. Although the attempted murder-for-hire did not result in any harm to the intended target, Ulbricht paid the purported hitman $80,000 for the job. * * * In addition to his prison sentence, CLARK, 61, a citizen of Canada, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $1,606,150. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation’s New York Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Chicago-O’Hare, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Field Division, and the New York City Police Department. Mr. Williams also thanked the HSI Attaché Bangkok, the Royal Thai Police, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their support and assistance. This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Neff and Vladislav Vainberg are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Justice Department Announces Settlement with J.R. Simplot to Improve Hazardous Waste Management and Reduce Emissions at Idaho Facility

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with J.R. Simplot Company involving Simplot’s Don Plant manufacturing facility located near Pocatello, Idaho. The settlement resolves allegations primarily under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at the facility, including that Simplot failed to properly identify and manage certain waste streams as hazardous wastes. The settlement requires Simplot to implement process modifications designed to enable greater recovery and reuse of phosphate, a valuable resource. The settlement also requires Simplot to ensure that financial resources will be available when the time comes for environmentally sound closure of the facility. Simplot will also pay a civil penalty of $1.5 million. “After our 2020 settlement with Simplot’s phosphoric acid and fertilizer plant in Wyoming, we are pleased to reach this settlement with Simplot’s other major phosphoric acid and fertilizer operation at the Don Plant in Pocatello, Idaho,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This proposed consent decree will comprehensively address the waste management, air emissions and reporting issues EPA identified with respect to the Don Plant’s operations.” “This is an important settlement which reduces the environmental impacts from one of the leading fertilizer manufacturers,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This settlement advances EPA’s goals by creating environmentally beneficial waste management practices and ensures that the U.S. taxpayer will not be responsible for future costs associated with closure of this facility. Additionally, this settlement ensures that any future expansion of Simplot’s operations will be conducted according to strict requirements to minimize impacts to surrounding communities, including the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.” Simplot’s Don Plant facility manufactures phosphate products for agriculture and industry, including phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer, through processes that generate large quantities of acidic wastewater and a solid material called phosphogypsum. The phosphogypsum is deposited in a large pile known as a gypstack, and acidic wastewater is discharged to the gypstack. The gypstack, which has a capacity to hold several billion gallons of acidic wastewater, was fully lined in 2017 in accordance with a previous consent orders Simplot entered into with the State of Idaho and the United States. The settlement also resolves alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) that relate to fluoride emissions from the facility, and of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) that relate to reporting and notification requirements for hazardous substances and toxic chemicals. Under the settlement, Simplot agrees to implement specific waste management measures it has valued at nearly $150 million. Significantly, these measures include extensive new efforts to recover and reuse the phosphate content within these wastes and avoid their disposal in the gypstack. Simplot will implement requirements that ensure gypstack stability and containment that will protect the environment even should climate change result in more severe weather events. The settlement also includes a detailed plan setting the terms for the future closure and long-term care of the gypstack. The settlement requires Simplot to immediately secure and maintain approximately $108 million in dedicated financing to ensure that funding will be available when the facility is eventually closed. Simplot also agrees to cease operation of the facility’s cooling towers no later than June 27, 2026, and replace them with one or more newly constructed cooling ponds, which will significantly reduce fluoride emissions to the air. Additionally, Simplot agrees to submit revised Toxic Release Inventory forms for the years 2004-2013 that include estimates of certain metal compounds manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility. In addition to paying the $1.5 million civil penalty, Simplot is providing $200,000 in funding for environmental mitigation work that will be administered by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in conjunction with the City of Pocatello and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The mitigation work will address habitat degradation on the Portneuf River that has resulted in part from excess phosphorus releases, especially from the facility’s formerly unlined gypstack. “This settlement will bring important benefits to Idaho and the communities that have been affected by the Don Plant’s operations,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit for the District of Idaho. “We are grateful that our state partner, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, helped formulate and will oversee work that Simplot will fund to mitigate the impacts of its phosphate operations on water quality and the environment along the Portneuf River, working in cooperation with both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the City of Pocatello.” EPA previously required through judicial and administrative settlements at 14 phosphate fertilizer facilities across the U.S. extensive injunctive relief, requiring the companies to establish financial assurance and bring their operations into compliance with RCRA. A consent decree formalizing the settlement was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for Idaho and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. For a copy of the consent decree, visit www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.


title: Man Accused of Fatal Hit and Run in St. Louis Charged with Federal Gun Crime

body_text: ST. LOUIS– A man accused of a fatal hit and run in St. Louis appeared in court Monday after being arrested on a federal gun charge. Martez D. Lindsey, 31, was indicted June 14 on one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A motion seeking to have him held in jail until trial says police found the gun in April while investigating a November 22, 2022 hit and run and while conducting a court-approved search of his home. It also says “Lindsey continued joyriding through downtown St. Louis in a reckless manner” after the November incident. Lindsey pleaded not guilty to the charge in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Monday. Lindsey is currently facing charges in St. Louis Circuit Court of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and unlawful possession of a firearm. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Private Prisoner Transport Officer Sentenced to Nine Years for Sexually Assaulting Pretrial Detainee

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A former private prisoner transport officer was sentenced in federal court in the Western District of Missouri to nine years in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for violating a female pretrial detainee’s civil rights by sexually assaulting her. According to the plea agreement, at the time of the offense, Rogeric Hankins, 37, worked as a private prisoner transport officer for Inmate Services Corporation. As a private prisoner transport officer, Hankins performed the government function of picking up individuals who were arrested on out-of-state warrants and transporting those individuals back to the jurisdictions that issued the warrants. On March 31, 2020, Hankins picked up the victim, a female pretrial detainee, from a jail in Olympia, Washington, to transport her to a jail in St. Paul, Minnesota. On April 3, 2020, before arriving in Minnesota, Hankins stopped the transport van at a rest stop in Joplin, Missouri. Hankins brought the victim into the rest stop to use the bathroom. After the victim used the women’s bathroom, Hankins led her into the men’s bathroom, and told her to go into the stall furthest from the door. Once inside the stall, Hankins began to try to pull the victim’s shirt up. The victim resisted and told Hankins to stop. In response, Hankins told the victim to be quiet and made her perform a sexual act on him. Hankins then bent the victim over a toilet seat and raped her. “The defendant sexually abused and violently assaulted a woman in his custody, exploiting his authority and depriving this survivor of her constitutional right to bodily integrity,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This sentence sends a clear message that the Justice Department is committed to protecting victims of sexual violence carried out at the hands of any and all law enforcement officials. The privatization of positions in law enforcement does not change the fact that these individuals can and must be held accountable when they violate our federal civil rights laws.” “This former prisoner transport officer sexually assaulted a detainee who was in his custody while transporting her through Missouri,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore for the Western District of Missouri. “Today he is being held accountable for abusing his position of trust and authority. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, including those in custody.” “Hankins abused his power and sexually assaulted the victim while she was extremely vulnerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “Today's sentencing sends a clear message that those who abuse their position of power to sexually assault the very people they are sworn to protect will be held accountable. The FBI is committed to protecting the Constitutional rights of all citizens and pursuing justice on behalf of the victims in cases like this.” The FBI Minneapolis Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorney Laura Gilson and former Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted this case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.


title: “Wrecking Ball” lands LPR in federal prison

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: GALVESTON, Texas - A 56-year-old legal permanent resident from Mexico has been sentenced in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury convicted Juan Gonzalez-Cardebas following an 11-day trial in August 2022. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and one or more kilograms of heroin as well as possession with intent to distribute 18 kilograms of cocaine. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown has now ordered him to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison. He could also lose his status to reside in the United States. The investigation focused upon a group of distributors and their associates, primarily citizens of the Dominican Republic, who used common sources of drugs in Mexico to supply their customers in numerous states other than Texas. This group of distributors sold cocaine and heroin throughout the United States but operated out of the Houston area. Gonzalez worked within the drug trafficking organization by transporting cocaine from the Dallas and Houston areas to other states such as Virginia. He received shipments of cocaine and used his son-in-law’s moving company to deliver the cocaine to drug customers. The defense attempted to convince the jury that he was an honest hard-working man trying to provide for his family and that his son-in-law set him up. They did not believe those claims and found Gonzalez guilty as charged. Gonzalez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation dubbed “Wrecking Ball” with the assistance of the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage .