title: Manchester Man Sentenced to 83 Months in Federal Prison  for Fentanyl Distribution and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for distributing fentanyl and for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Thomas Holland, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 83 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On March 28, 2024, Holland pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with three counts of drug distribution and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. “The defendant placed our community in danger by trafficking fentanyl. That danger was magnified by his illegal possession of a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant will now serve a lengthy prison sentence, preventing him from endangering others.” “Drug trafficking, along with the violence that all too often accompanies it, is a serious threat to the safety and security of our communities,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division. “This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. The DEA and our local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.” On three occasions, between August and September 2023, Holland distributed a total of 829 grams of fentanyl to a confidential source. When the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested him for his conduct, he was in possession of a 9 mm handgun. The defendant is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Justice Department Secures Settlement Agreement with Colorado to Ensure Opportunities for People with Physical Disabilities to Live at Home

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement to resolve its lawsuit alleging that Colorado violates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C . by unnecessarily segregating adults with physical disabilities, including older adults, in nursing facilities. The ADA and the Olmstead decision require state and local governments to administer their services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Today’s agreement gives thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the opportunity to move out of nursing facilities into the community — or avoid unnecessary nursing facility admission altogether — and receive the services they need at home. Community-based services that can help people live at home include assistance with bathing, dressing, managing medications and preparing meals. “People with disabilities should not have to give up their lives in the community and be isolated in nursing facilities to get the services they need,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement sends the message that people with disabilities deserve the same kinds of lives as others, and makes clear that our family members, friends, and neighbors with disabilities add value to our lives and strengthen our communities when they can receive the services they need right inside their own home.” “Today’s resolution will give thousands of Coloradans with physical disabilities the information, resources, and opportunity to live in communities rather than being needlessly isolated. The agreement will also save taxpayer money by reducing state-funded institutionalization,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch for the District of Colorado. “We commend our Civil Rights Division colleagues for their dedication and focus on this important issue, and we acknowledge the commitments made by the State of Colorado in this agreement.” The department sued Colorado in September 2023, following a multi-year investigation. The lawsuit alleged that the state failed to provide adults with physical disabilities with the services they need to live at home or avoid moving into a nursing facility. In Colorado, most nursing facility residents and their families are unaware that they can receive services like nursing, personal care and housing assistance in the community. As a result, many move into, or remain in, nursing facilities even though they would prefer to live at home. To increase community integration for adults with physical disabilities, the state has made significant commitments in this agreement to: Help thousands of nursing facility residents move back to the community; Identify people at risk of unnecessary nursing facility admission to help them stay in their homes with the services they need; Provide people with the information they need to make an informed choice about whether to live in a nursing facility or receive the services they need at home; Connect people more quickly to Medicaid long-term care services in the community; Increase opportunities for people with disabilities to hire and supervise their own caregivers; Support family caregivers; Facilitate prompt transitions to the community for interested nursing facility residents, by reducing administrative bottlenecks and problem-solving common transition barriers; and Expand and improve services that help people find and keep affordable, accessible housing in the community. The parties have agreed that the federal district court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the agreement and that an independent monitor will evaluate the state’s compliance. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available at www.justice.gov/crt . Members of the public can report possible civil right violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov .


title: Optometrist Settles Allegations That His Optometry Practices  Submitted False Claims Using Incorrect National Provider Identifiers

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – Dr. Tony Jacob, an optometrist who operated a network of optometry practices in Central Texas, has agreed to pay the United States and the State of Texas $1,055,379.96 to resolve allegations under the Federal False Claims Act and the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the United States will receive $922,071.59 and the State of Texas will receive $133,308.37. The United States alleged that Dr. Jacob’s optometry practices submitted claims to TRICARE, Medicare, and Medicaid using the National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) of optometrists who did not perform the services billed. An NPI is a unique identification number used by healthcare providers in administrative and financial transactions, including enrolling in Federal healthcare programs and submitting claims for reimbursement. Dr. Jacob’s optometry practices allegedly submitted claims under the wrong NPI in circumstances where the optometrist who rendered services was not credentialed or enrolled in the Federal healthcare program billed. “Providers who submit inaccurate billing information threaten the integrity of program funds,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that providers do not circumvent rules meant to ensure patients appropriate, quality services from physicians who are actually approved to participate in Federal healthcare programs.” “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, is steadfastly committed to protecting the integrity of the TRICARE Program, which is vital to the health and well-being of our warfighters, retirees, and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Settle of DCIS’s Southwest Field Office. “DCIS and our prosecutorial partners will tirelessly pursue and prosecute individuals who seek to enrich themselves by jeopardizing the healthcare of TRICARE beneficiaries and defrauding American taxpayers.” The civil settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit is captioned United States and Texas ex rel. Shealy v. Jacob, et al. , No. 1:21-CV-1111 (W.D. Tex.). Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the United States. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Money Mule Sentenced To Federal Prison For Laundering Proceeds From Senior Citizens Victimized In A Government-Imposter Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Viraj Patel (29, Sanford) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court also ordered Patel to forfeit $145,000, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. Patel entered a guilty plea on July 25, 2024. According to court documents, conspirators placed telephone calls, usually from India, to victims in the United States. The victims were predominantly senior citizens. The conspirators falsely identified themselves as government officials or representatives of financial institutions and told the victims that their identities had been compromised and they needed to pay law enforcement officers, government officials, or financial institutions to fund fraud investigations. Patel’s role was as a mule who picked up money and gold from victims and transported it to co-conspirators. The fraud proceeds were then distributed to other conspirators in the United States. For instance, in April 2024, co-conspirators called a senior citizen in Pinellas County and falsely impersonated officials with the Federal Reserve. They falsely told the victim that her identity and bank accounts had been compromised and demanded she pay approximately $71,000 to remedy the identity theft. The co-conspirators instructed the victim to provide them with remote access to her computer, through which the conspirators wired $71,000 from the victim’s bank account to a precious metals company for the purchase and delivery of gold bars to the victim’s residence. The victim provided those gold bars to a conspirator in April 2024. The following month, the conspirators made additional false statements to persuade the victim to provide more gold. On May 8, 2024, Patel traveled to the victim’s home and retrieved from the victim a package containing $50,000. Law enforcement arrested Patel with the $50,000. Investigators determined that between April and May 2024, Patel and his co-conspirators laundered at least $216,000 in fraud proceeds and tried to launder $50,000 in additional proceeds. “Patel and his co-conspirators preyed on law-abiding citizens by pretending to be government officials,” said Robert Engel, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Tampa Field Office. “He showed no regard for the law, or those he scammed. This sentence should serve as a warning to potential thieves that they will be caught and prosecuted. The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating cases of fraud and to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice for victims of financial crime across the country.” This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with inappropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.


title: Drug Courier Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE MARTIN CHAVEZ-VALENCIA, 37, of Bergenfield, New Jersey, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport, to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin. According to court documents and statements made in court, The Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force arranged to purchase three kilograms of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from Chavez-Valencia’s associates. On September 26, 2022, Chavez-Valencia drove to a parking lot in West Haven to complete the transaction. Chavez-Valencia was taken into custody, and a search of his vehicle revealed approximately three kilograms of heroin. Investigators subsequently located and seized nearly two kilograms of heroin that Chavez-Valencia also had possessed. Chavez-Valencia has been detained since his arrest. On March 4, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. Keefe and Nathaniel J. Gentile.


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Recent Mail Theft Arrests

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the filing of three criminal complaints involving the theft of U.S. Mail. On October 23, 2024, Ryan Anthony Aheran (27, Orlando) was charged with mail theft. According to the criminal complaint, on October 1, 2024, Aheran stole mail from cluster mailboxes in Orlando. During the search of a vehicle later that day that was ultimately found to have been used by Aheran, U.S. Postal Inspectors located more than 1,000 pieces of stolen mail taken from multiple zip codes. In November 2023, Aheran was captured on video surveillance cashing a check for $9,500 that had been stolen from the mail. If convicted, Aheran faces up to five years in federal prison. On October 24, 2024, Ottis Nicole McCoy, Jr. (19, Sanford) was charged with mail theft. According to the criminal complaint, McCoy, a contract employee with the United States Postal Service (USPS), was tasked to deliver mail to residences in Orlando. Instead, on October 22, 2024, McCoy transported the mail to a wooded lot, where he dumped more than 1,000 pieces of mail. Among the items that McCoy dumped were over 400 pieces of election-related mail, including an election ballot. Following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), investigators recovered the discarded mail and located video surveillance footage showing McCoy throwing the mail into the wooded lot. If convicted, McCoy faces up to five years in prison. ( Discarded mail recovered by USPIS ) On October 25, 2024, Jaquisha Durant (30, Orlando) was charged with bank fraud. According to the criminal complaint, on April 22 and 23, 2024, Durant obtained debit cards that had been stolen from USPS cluster mailboxes. These debit cards were used to make cash withdrawals from ATMs. If convicted, Durant faces up to 30 years in federal prison. “The individuals arrested demonstrated no respect for the sanctity of the mail. In this election cycle and every election cycle, the United States Postal Inspection Service is committed to the integrity of election mail and ensuring the safe and secure delivery of election mail,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge, USPIS, Miami Division. “We understand the critical role we play, and we are steadfast in our efforts to secure the delivery of ballot mail and all election mail.” A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orlando Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Testerman, Richard Varadan, and Diane Hu. Over the last approximately four years, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District has federally prosecuted more than 50 cases related to theft and/or destruction of mail, obstruction of mail delivery, and robberies of postal carriers (representative cases listed in attachment). Download Defendant Chart


title: Federal Jury Convicts Sumter Man of Gun Trafficking

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. —A federal jury in Columbia has convicted Kelsey Antonio McCallum, 27, of Sumter, of illegally trafficking firearms. Evidence presented at trial revealed that McCallum and his sister, Daeja Hodge, conspired to purchase firearms and resale those firearms for profit. At least 13 times from 2020-2022, McCallum made false statements to acquire firearms at dealers in Columbia, Sumter, and the Upstate. McCallum also purchased firearms from Georgia. During each purchase, McCallum falsely stated that the firearms were intended for his personal use, knowing that he intended to sell them. McCallum would then illegally transport the firearms to Maryland and sell them there. McCallum and Hodge acquired over 100 firearms during this scheme. Most of those firearms ended up in the hands of felons prohibited from possessing firearms or at crime scenes in the Baltimore area. A few firearms were also sold in North Carolina. At trial, the Government introduced more than 30 firearms and ammunition found by law enforcement in the Baltimore area. Hodge pleaded guilty to her role in the offense prior to McCallum’s trial. McCallum faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis will sentence McCallum after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin 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. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in South Carolina and Maryland, investigated the case along with assistance from numerous local agencies in South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Taylor and William K. Witherspoon are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Repeat Sex Offender Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Michael Natale, age 38 of Laurel, Delaware, pleaded guilty on October 29, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to possessing child sexual abuse material. The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly accepted the plea. According to court documents, between August 21 – August 24, 2021, Mr. Natale received 12 videos and one image file depicting child pornography, and he sent six video files and one image to another user on the social media platform known as Kik. All of the files contained child pornography. The other user was also arrested by the FBI in Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Natale will be sentenced on February 27, 2025. Because he has a previous conviction related to child pornography offenses, Natale faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Chief Judge Connolly will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “My office takes child exploitation offenses very seriously. Mr. Natale had an opportunity to learn his lesson and conform his behavior to the law after his first conviction. He failed to do so and is now subject to a substantial prison sentence. I commend the FBI’s diligence in apprehending this repeat offender against our most vulnerable community members: children.” “Every time child pornography is viewed on the internet, it re-victimizes a child,” says FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. “Today’s guilty plea serves as a reminder that protecting children from predators like Natale is a top priority. The FBI will aggressively pursue anyone who exploits and targets children.” This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-34.


title: Illinois Man Charged with Threatening Federal Judge Detained in South Florida

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – During an initial hearing in Miami on Oct. 30, an Illinois resident was ordered detained on charges that he threatened a federal judge in the Southern District of Florida. According to allegations in the six-count indictment, Eric James Rennert, 55, of Champaign, Illinois, transmitted threats to kidnap and injure a U.S. judge and the family of the federal judge, and threatened to assault, kidnap and murder a U.S. judge, with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the judge’s ability to perform official duties and with the intent to retaliate against the federal judge. If convicted of interstate transmission of threats, Rennert faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison on each count. If convicted of threatening to assault, kidnap and murder a U.S. judge, Rennert faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. If Rennert is convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Smukler and U.S. Capitol Police Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler III are prosecuting this matter. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case no. 24-cr-20425. ###


title: Man who Provided Guns to Shooter of Two Jewish Community Members in California Sentenced to Prison

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eric Celaya, 30, of Phoenix, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to eight months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. On May 15, 2024, Celaya pleaded guilty to making a Material False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. On January 19, 2023, Celaya purchased two firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in Tempe. Celaya completed the Firearms Transaction Record, known as ATF Form 4473, and stated that he was the actual purchaser. However, Celaya knew he was purchasing the firearms on behalf of Jamie Tran. After Celaya submitted the ATF Form 4473 to the FFL, he purchased and left with the two firearms. Subsequently, Celaya provided the firearms to Tran. On February 15, 2023, and February 16, 2023, Tran used the firearms to shoot two Jewish community members in California, offenses charged as hate crimes in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Case Number 2:23-CR-00098-GW. Celaya had no prior criminal history and there was no evidence to show that Celaya was aware of Tran’s intentions or beliefs. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01456-PHX-MTL RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-149_Celaya # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI and USMS Target Drug Trafficking Operation Linked to Federal Correctional Facility

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – This week, the FBI Violent Gangs Task Force and U.S. Marshals Service conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a significant drug trafficking network linked to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, NM, with the support of the New Mexico State Police. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into an intergang conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated gang members. On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at 13 identified premises across New Mexico, believed to contain evidence related to multiple federal offenses. The following individuals are among those targeted in this operation: Nora Baca - 417 Monte Alto Place NE, Albuquerque, NM Estrella Gonzalez - 1812 Del Norte Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM Angelo Garcia - 4903 Rincon Road NW, Albuquerque, NM Monalisa Vargas - 1333 Columbia Dr. SE, Apt #95, Albuquerque, NM Theresa Atencio - 9748 Summer Shower Place NW, Albuquerque, NM Johnny Valiterra (aka “Chopper”) - 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM Richard Porras (aka “Deuce”) - 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM Sonia Trinidad - 401 Dunes Court, Apt D, Albuquerque, NM Desiree Benavidez - 3 Jose P Sanchez Road, Los Lunas, NM Ana Romero - 200 E. Jefferson Avenue, Gallup, NM Adolfo Montano - 18 Arroyoito Loop, Seboyeta, NM Kimberly Perry and Kelly Perry - 8 Red Mesa Housing, Crownpoint, NM Monique Gallegos and David Hicks - 7 Hughes Blvd, Grants, NM In addition to the operation, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico announced indictments against several individuals connected to the drug trafficking at Cibola County Correctional Center. Two current inmates, Lupe Vargas, 40, and Edward Vallez, 44, along with two co-conspirators, Monalisa Vargas, 38 (Lupe's wife), and Michael Garcia, 46, have been charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide or obtain prohibited objects in a correctional facility. Additionally, a superseding indictment has been filed against Nora Baca, charging her with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Nora Baca, Monalisa Vargas and David Hicks were arrested during the operation. If convicted, Baca faces between 15 years and life in prison and Vargas faces up to 20 years in prison. Michael Garcia remains a fugitive at this time. As a result of the operation, 15 firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, $6,000 in cash, and 23 cell phones were seized, and six individuals were arrested and charged by federal or state authorities: Angelo Garcia was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the current charges, Garcia faces no less than 10 years and up to 45 years in prison. Theresa Atencio was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with providing contraband to a prisoner. If convicted of the current charges, Atencio faces up to one year in jail. At Benavidez’s residence in Los Lunas, three armed felons were located and arrested: Raymond Lucero was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Lucero faces up to 15 years in prison. Jacob Gonzales, aka “Trigger,” was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Gonzales faces up to 15 years in prison. Nadine Gonzales was arrested on state criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. Jacob Gonzales recently was released from prison after completing a 22-year on a state sentence for felony convictions related to a murder. In addition, Emmanleen Chavez was arrested at the residence in Grants on a state warrant for attempted murder. The operation and ongoing investigation are intended to dismantle the criminal enterprises operating within and outside the correctional facility, which have been implicated in the distribution of controlled substances and other illegal activities. “The Department of Justice protects the safety and dignity of all, including those in federal custody,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez. “Those who seek to profit from the addiction and vulnerability of detainees not only violate the law but perpetuate a cycle of harm that extends beyond the walls of the jail. That is why we are taking a comprehensive approach—leveraging technology to interdict contraband before it enters the facility, enforcing federal criminal laws against detainees and those who support them on the outside, relying on the cooperation of people motivated to do the right thing, and treating opioid use disorder with medical care for federal detainees while in custody. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of addiction for profit in our correctional facilities.” "This week’s operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to continue to dismantle criminal enterprises operating in New Mexico," said Philip Russell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. "The FBI, along with our federal, state, local and tribal partners are determined to bring drug traffickers to justice for crimes committed and damage done to our communities." “The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for prisoners that are under our care,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico David O. Barnett, Jr. “The execution of this joint operation is a testament to the unwavering dedication by our Federal, State, and Local partners to combat crime and improve the lives of our New Mexico communities.” U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico, made the announcement today. The FBI Albuquerque Division Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) and United States Marshals Service jointly investigated this case with assistance from the CoreCivic Intelligence Unit and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and David Hirsch are prosecuting these cases. The VGTF is an FBI led task force comprising of agents and officers from the New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department. View the Search Warrant.pdf View the Indictment (Vargas, et al).pdf View the Criminal Complaint (Lucero and Gonzales).pdf View the Criminal Complaint (Atencio).pdf View the Criminal Complaint (Garcia).pdf View the Superseding Indictment (Baca)_0.pdf An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Manderson Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for  Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in the Pine Ridge Reservation

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Tyler Laforge, age 45, was sentenced on October 31, 2024, to four years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Laforge was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023, and pleaded guilty on June 24, 2024. His conviction stemmed from his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in Rapid City, South Dakota, and in the Pine Ridge Reservation. During this conspiracy Richard Glover and his significant other, Teresa Goodroad, were the source of supply for Mark Bond and Todd Pape in South Dakota. Bond and Pape would make trips to Colorado to pick up pounds of methamphetamine from Goodroad and Glover. Other times Goodroad and Glover would deliver the drugs to Bond and Pape in South Dakota. Once the drugs were in South Dakota they would be distributed by various individuals in the Pine Ridge Reservation, including Laforge, Marlena Pond, Chris Janis, Tessie Laforge, and others. Between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine were distributed during the course of this criminal enterprise. Glover, Goodroad, Bond, Pape, Pond, Janis, and Tessie Laforge were sentenced earlier this summer to federal prison as follows: Bond received a sentence of 26 years and eight months in federal prison Pape received a sentence of 25 years in federal prison Glover received a sentence of 17 years and six months in federal prison Goodroad received a sentence of 17 years and six months in federal prison Pond received a sentence of six years in federal prison Janis received a sentence of six years in prison Tessie Laforge received a sentence of two years and six months in prison. This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, Martin Police Department, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Edward Tarbay prosecuted the case. Laforge was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.


title: Chatham County man sentenced to federal prison for receiving child pornography

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving images of child sexual abuse. David Johnathan Perry , 43, of Savannah, was sentenced to 97 months in prison after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Perry to pay $55,000 in restitution and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “Protecting our most vulnerable citizens is essential, and that includes preventing the spread of sexual abuse material depicting children,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We commend the work of our law enforcement partners for their success in identifying and eliminating these threats.” As described in court documents and testimony, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received multiple CyberTip reports identifying child sexual abuse material stored in a Google account registered to Perry’s residence. Investigators searched the residence and seized multiple electronic devices found to contain thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography. “Every time one of these images is shared or viewed it revictimizes an innocent child and makes the healing process start over again, that is why stopping those who traffic in these disturbing images of abuse so important,” said Steven N. Schrank, acting special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta that covers Georgia and Alabama. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate and prosecute those who seek to exploit our most vulnerable population.” The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Savannah Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. Blanchard. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/.


title: Orlando Man Sentenced To 30 Months For Unlawful Possession Of Machineguns

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza has sentenced Marcelo Manuel Maysonet (23, Orlando) to 30 months in federal prison for the possession of unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons, specifically, a machinegun and 15 machinegun conversion devices. The court also ordered Maysonet to forfeit a Delton INC, DTI-15, 5.56 caliver AR style pistol with an installed machinegun conversion device and 15 additional machinegun conversion devices, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Maysonet entered a guilty plea on July 25, 2024. According to court documents, law enforcement officers from theOrange County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at Maysonet’s residence, where they discovered 15 machinegun conversion devices and a 5.56 caliber AR-style pistol with a machinegun conversion device installed. A machinegun conversion device is an illegal conversion device that converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. Under the National Firearms Act, a machinegun conversion device is classified as a machinegun. None of these items were registered to Maysonet in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson. 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: Habitual Firearms Offender, Prosecuted Under Safe Summer Program, Sentenced To 106 Months

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: George Henry of Kalamazoo sentenced for felon in possession and drug trafficking offenses GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that George William Henry, 48, of Kalamazoo was sentenced to 106 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Henry was charged as part of Safe Summer 2023, a gun-violence enforcement program under which the U.S. Attorney’s Office committed to prosecute all firearms offenders who possess crime guns (that is, guns previously fired in the commission of a crime). Henry earlier pleaded guilty in May 2024. “Everyone, no matter where they live, has a right to live free from gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Our Safe Summer program is one tool to make this right a reality. This program keeps us focused on those few individuals – like George Henry – who are driving violence in our communities.” On January 25, 2023, Police found Henry in his Kalamazoo home with an assault rifle equipped with a bump stock and high-capacity drum magazine, a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun, and cocaine that was packaged for sale. Henry had previously been convicted of several gun and drug felonies. Henry was also charged with possessing another gun and more drugs on August 9, 2023. These charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, but Henry agreed that the court could consider this other conduct as part of the appropriate sentence. This gun, a Smith and Wesson handgun, was linked to a Kalamazoo homicide case earlier in 2023 via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). In addition, during a traffic stop on November 4, 2023, authorities discovered Henry with yet another gun, a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun and a quantity of drugs. This weapon was linked via NIBIN to two Kalamazoo shootings that occurred earlier in 2023. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced the second year of the Safe Summer program on May 23, 2024 in a press release and press conferences in Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Under this program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute all cases that satisfy two criteria. First, the case must involve a federal firearms offense. The two most common offenses are felon in possession, which prohibits previously convicted felons from possessing a gun, and possession of a machine gun, which generally prohibits persons from possessing fully automatic guns. Second, the case must involve a crime gun, which is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. These criteria focus federal efforts on the few individuals driving gun violence in their communities. Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. In 2021, for the first time ever, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for American children, ages birth to 19, according to the New England Journal of Medicine ( see also here ). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have declined since 2021, they remain high. Moreover, while gun violence has the potential to impact everyone, recent studies show that gun violence has a disparate impact on people of color. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the disparity in shooting injuries among children before and after the pandemic in four major cities approximately tripled as between white children and children of color (Black, Hispanic, Asian). This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn . This case was investigated by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. ###


title: St. Louis County Woman Accused of $3 Million Home Health Care Fraud

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis County business owner was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday and accused of defrauding Missouri Medicaid out of more than $3 million over more than a decade. Camille S. Childress, 40, was indicted on four counts of health care fraud. The indictment says Childress owned a home health care company, Inspiring Angels LLC, but concealed her ownership from state officials due to a 2012 criminal conviction. Childress submitted paperwork claiming that someone else owned the company, the indictment says. It also says that Childress submitted or caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Missouri Medicaid seeking reimbursement for home healthcare services that were never provided. In some cases, the care recipients were in the hospital and could not have received home healthcare, the indictment says. On numerous other occasions, Childress or Inspiring Angels submitted claims when the company did not have any timesheet records or documentation of the services because the services that were the subject of those claims were never provided, the indictment says. 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 alleged fraudulent enrollment and submission of false claims by this business owner to Medicaid undermines the integrity of the program and diverts essential resources from those who genuinely need assistance,” said Linda T. Hanley, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue collaborating with the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to combat home health care fraud in Medicaid, ensuring the program remains sustainable for those who truly depend on it.” Each fraud charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both prison and a fine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department To Monitor Compliance In Mecklenburg County

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – United States Attorney Dena J. King announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Mecklenburg County for the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion. On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at 704-344-6222 in Charlotte, and at 828-271-4661 in Asheville. Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov . Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted. More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. #


title: Marion County Man Sentenced for Firearms Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shawn Allen Burns, 46, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, a vehicle driven by Burns, also known as “Shawn Fain,” was stopped by deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service because he was wanted on a state arrest warrant. The deputies discovered a handgun in the vehicle. Burns is prohibited from having firearms because of prior convictions of breaking and entering, unlawful firearms possession, domestic battery and assault, and drug possession. Burns will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the United States Marshals investigated. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

body_text: Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services. “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.” “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.” “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.” “Today’s guilty plea is just the latest in a series of actions taken by the Commerce Department and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who illegally procure American technology for the Russian war machine,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “As this case demonstrates, we are continuing to focus our efforts on dismantling every node of these illicit procurement networks.” According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment. The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.” Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.” To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia. Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large. The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.


title: U.S. and Russian National Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia's Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Vadim Yermolenko, a national of both the U.S. and Russia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez. When sentenced, Yermolenko faces up to 30 years in prison. Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General, Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office of the Office of Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), US Department of Commerce (DOC), and Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI) announced the plea. “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.” “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.” Mr. Peace thanked the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Estonian authorities for their valuable assistance. “As he admitted today, Vadim Yermolenko took part in a conspiracy to evade U.S. sanctions and assist the Russian war machine by unlawfully purchasing and exporting highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components. The FBI is determined to fulfill our mission of protecting the security of our nation. Any individual attempting to evade our national security laws will be held accountable in the criminal justice system,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “Yermolenko and his illicit network supported Russian intelligence services in attempting to procure sensitive American technology,” said Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Office of the Office of Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce. “You can add this guilty plea to the list of the many enforcement actions we’ve brought since the start of the Strike Force to target and dismantle Russian procurement networks.” “Whether it was from misplaced foreign allegiance or pure greed, Yermolenko aided Russia’s military and intelligence agencies in circumventing policies meant to keep the Russian ‘war machine’ in check. Through a sophisticated network of shell companies and bank accounts, he laundered more than twelve million dollars and purchased highly sensitive military equipment for Russia. Law enforcement worked in close collaboration to share information and resources, ensuring that Yermolenko and his associates are no longer in operation, making the world safer,” said Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York. As alleged in court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering (Serniya) and Sertal LLC (Sertal), Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including in the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment. The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing, and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the DOC BIS levied and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies involved in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.” Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom; the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service; and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.” To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance, and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia. Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. On July 29, 2024, Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large. This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, Matthew Skurnik, and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, are in charge of the prosecution, along with assistance from Litigation Analysts Emma Tavangari and Mary Clare McMahon. The Defendant : VADIM YERMOLENKO AGE: 43 Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Other Defendants : ALEXEY IPPOLITOV AGE: 58 Moscow, Russia YEVGENIY GRININ age: 46 Moscow, Russia BORIS LIVSHITS Age: 54 St. Petersburg, Russia SVETLANA SKVORTSOVA AGE: 43 Moscow, Russia VADIM KONOSHCHENOK AGE: 50 Tallin, Estonia ALEXEY BRAYMAN AGE: 37 Merrimack, New Hampshire E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-409 (S-3) (HG) NIKOLAOS BOGONIKOLOS AGE: 60 Athens, Greece E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-MJ-412


title: Georgia CPA Sentenced in Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Georgia accountant was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for his role in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. According to court documents and statements made in court, Herbert Lewis was a CPA and return preparer at an Atlanta-based accounting firm. Beginning at least in 2014 and through at least 2019, Lewis promoted and sold tax deductions to his wealthy clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters organized and created by co-defendants Jack Fisher, James Sinnott and others. According to court documents and statements made in court, Lewis also knew that, contrary to law, the transactions related to these illegal tax shelters lacked economic substance, that his wealthy clients participated only to obtain a tax deduction and that his clients received only a tax benefit for their participation in the shelters. For example, the scheme entailed the creation of partnerships that would purchase land and land-owning companies and then donate conservation easements over that land or the land itself. A client who purchased units in one of these partnerships had a “vote” ostensibly on what to do with the land the partnership owned. However, Lewis knew that the vote held by the partnership each year was just for optics and that the land invariably would be donated largely as a conservation easement. In some cases, in order to make it appear that his clients had joined the partnerships before the date of the conservation easement donation, which was necessary to claim the tax benefits, Lewis also instructed and caused his clients to falsely backdate documents — such as subscription agreements and checks — related to the partnerships. In 2019 alone, Lewis assisted 15 clients with claiming false deductions on their 2018 returns. In total, Lewis assisted in the preparation of tax returns that claimed nearly $14 million in false deductions based on backdated documents, causing a tax loss to the IRS of nearly $5 million. Lewis earned over $1 million in commissions for his role in promoting and selling the illegal tax shelters to clients. Lewis also concealed the amount of commissions he had earned from selling units in these shelters by not fully reporting the commissions on his personal returns and instead fraudulently reporting commission income he had earned as income on the tax returns of nominee entities in his children’s names. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. for the Northern District of Georgia ordered Lewis to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $4,878,990.90 in restitution. Nine additional defendants have previously pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme. These other defendants include appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts, accountant Stein Agee, CPA Corey Agee, CPA Ralph Anderson, CPA James Benkoil, CPA Victor Smith, CPA William Tomasello, CPA and attorney Randall Lenz and attorney Vi Bui. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia and IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco made the announcement. They also thanked U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina for her office’s assistance. IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing, Parker Tobin, Jessica Kraft and Nicholas J. Schilling Jr. of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section of the Northern District of Georgia, are prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department to Monitor Compliance in  Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

body_text: United States Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Broward County and Miami-Dade County for the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion. On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov . Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted. More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. ###


title: Transient from Denver sentenced to 15 years on fentanyl and firearm charges

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Derek Edward Lanctot, 38, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison with five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 31 in Casper, Wyoming. According to court documents, on April 15, 2024, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) stopped a vehicle near mile marker 73 on Interstate 25. The trooper smelled an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and requested assistance for a search. The vehicle then fled and led troopers on a high-speed chase where it eventually wrecked, and all four occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. During a subsequent search of the vehicle a stash book was found in the trunk. A stash book is a lock box designed to look like a book to disguise its contents. Over 600 grams of Fentanyl pills and a small pistol were located inside. Lanctot was indicted on May 16 and pleaded guilty on Aug. 12. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and WHP investigated the crime. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Forwood prosecuted the case. 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. PSN is 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. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . Case No. 24-00058


title: Wichita Man Sentenced After Trial Conviction for  Sex Trafficking and Witness Tampering

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Byron Cordell Thomas, 37, of Wichita, Kansas, to 360 months imprisonment, followed by 12 years of supervised release. In August of 2023 , a jury found Thomas guilty of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, two counts of Witness Tampering by Corrupt Persuasion, four counts of Transporting an Individual for Prostitution, and two counts of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion. Beginning in 2019 through December 2022, Thomas engaged in the recruitment of young, vulnerable victims to work under his direction as prostitutes. He targeted the victim's financial hardship or addiction issues and sold a dream of a safe or sober environment solely to lure them in. Thomas would transport the victims across state lines, train them to avoid the police, and how to recruit others for him. He kept complete control of the money earned with physical violence or physiological coercion. Thomas will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Homeland Security Investigations – Tulsa and Kansas offices, the Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Elmore and Shakema Onias prosecuted the case. 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. For more information about PSN, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office to Monitor Voting Procedures in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Department of Justice announced plans for voting rights monitoring in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties for the November 5, 2024, general election. “Free and fair elections are critical to the democracy of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Every eligible voter is entitled to cast a ballot without fear of intimidation, interference, or discrimination. Our office will dedicate the necessary resources to ensure that this fundamental right is protected for all voters.” The Department of Justice enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The Department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. The Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion. On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the Department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at (404) 581-6001. Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the Department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the Department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov . Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the Department after local authorities have been contacted. More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Lyft to Pay Civil Penalty to Resolve Allegations of Misleading Drivers About Their Potential Earnings

component: Civil Division

body_text: The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), today announced that Lyft Inc. (Lyft) has agreed to resolve allegations that it made false and misleading statements about how much Lyft drivers would earn. The settlement includes an agreement to pay $2.1 million in civil penalties and a permanent injunction prohibiting such false and misleading earnings claims. Lyft operates a mobile app ride-hailing platform that connects consumers seeking rides with those who provide rides with their own personal vehicles. Through marketing campaigns and advertisements, Lyft recruits drivers. After a driver is hired, Lyft sets the rates the driver charges and collects a portion of the fare for each ride. In a civil complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the government alleges that, as early as 2021, Lyft made false and misleading claims in its advertising and marketing regarding potential earnings and incentives to be earned by drivers who signed up to drive for Lyft. Lyft allegedly continued these practices even after it received a Notice of Penalty Offenses in October 2021 that placed the company on notice that false and misleading earnings claims were unlawful. The complaint alleges that Lyft disseminated advertisements promoting specific hourly amounts that drivers throughout the United States could earn. The company, however, did not disclose that the potential hourly amounts were based on the earnings of the top 20% of its drivers. The complaint also further alleges that Lyft also tried to induce drivers to offer more rides by promoting “earnings guarantees,” which guaranteed that drivers would be paid a set amount if they completed a specific number of rides in a certain time. These guarantees allegedly did not clearly disclose that drivers were paid only the difference between what they otherwise earned for the rides and Lyft’s advertised guaranteed amount, rather than receiving the full guaranteed amount in addition to their regular earnings for the rides. In the stipulated order entered today by the federal district court, Lyft is required to pay a $2,100,000 civil penalty. The order also enjoins Lyft from making any misrepresentations regarding driver earnings and includes other monitoring and reporting provisions aimed at promoting Lyft’s compliance with the order. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the law to stop companies from misleading Americans about their potential earnings in the gig economy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to work with the FTC to stop unfair and deceptive marketing practices.” “Lyft drivers deserve accurate information about how much they will be paid for the work they do,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our settlement with Lyft bans exaggerated earnings claims and underscores the FTC’s commitment to ensuring gig workers are treated fairly.” Trial Attorney Paulina Stamatelos and Assistant Director Zachary Dietert of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekta Dharia for the Northern District of California and Abdiel Lewis and Evan Rose of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection handled the matter. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . For more information about the FTC, visit www.FTC.gov .


title: Fort Washakie man sentenced for murder in the second degree

body_text: Ezekiel Frank James Ute, 23, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced to 192 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release for second degree murder. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 31. According to court documents, on Jan. 2, 2024, a group of five people, including Ezekiel Ute, were drinking alcohol and driving around the Wind River Indian Reservation when Ute began driving recklessly and saying he was going to intentionally wreck the car. When Ute stopped the car, one of the passengers (P1) got out and refused to get back in. The victim also got out to coax P1 back into the car. As they argued, Ute got out and stabbed the victim multiple times. After the stabbing, Ute forced P1 back into the car then drove away, leaving the victim by the side of the road. The passengers urged Ute to turn around so they could help the victim. Ute eventually drove back, but as soon as P1 and another passenger (P2) got out of the car Ute sped off with the remaining passenger in the back seat. Despite P1 and P2’s attempts to save the victim, he died from his injuries the following morning. In addition to the passengers’ statements, Ute acknowledged during an interview that he may have stabbed the victim while under the influence of alcohol. Ute was arrested on Jan. 4, indicted on March 13, and pleaded guilty on July 15. This crime was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Wind River Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist. 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. PSN is 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. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . Case No. 24-CR-00040


title: West Chester Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact on an Aircraft

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Edward Decker, 46, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to six months’ imprisonment, one year of supervised release, and $4,000 in restitution for abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. The defendant pleaded guilty to that offense in May of this year. On July 29, 2022, while on board an American Airlines flight from San Diego, California, to Philadelphia, Decker intentionally touched the thigh and breast of a minor while she was sleeping. The victim woke up from her sleep on this overnight flight to find Decker, who was seated in her row, with his hands and face under her clothes and on her body. “Edward Decker’s actions on that plane are profoundly disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “There’s no excuse for touching anyone in a sexual manner without their consent — let alone a sleeping underage stranger. The victim in this case has shown remarkable courage throughout this entire process. My office and the FBI will continue to seek justice for victims of crimes within our jurisdiction, whether committed on the street or on a flight thousands of feet above.” “Every person has an expectation of and, indeed, the right to fly on a U.S. aircraft without being abusively sexually contacted,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Our office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to ensure both that victims of such crimes are supported and that those who commit such crimes are held accountable. We also thank our partners at the Philadelphia International Airport for their assistance in this case.” The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.


title: Lab Owner and Marketing Company Owner Both Found Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme

body_text: NASHVILLE – After a seven-week trial, a jury yesterday found defendants Fadel Alshalabi, 57, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, and Samuel Harris, 30, of American Fork, Utah, guilty of conspiracy to violate and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, arising out of a multi-million dollar, multi-state Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme, announced Thomas J. Jaworski, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Alshalabi was also convicted of money laundering. Alshalabi was the owner and Chief Executive Officer of a series of laboratories based in Spring Hill, Tennessee, called Crestar Labs, LLC (“Crestar Labs”). Harris was the owner of Flojo Recruiting d/b/a Secure Health, a Utah-based marketing company that contracted with Crestar Labs. According to the evidence presented at trial, the co-conspirators entered into sham contracts and paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for laboratory genetic tests. This included targeting and recruiting elderly and low-income patients who were federal health care program beneficiaries in order to obtain their genetic material for conducting genetic tests. Marketers, who were not health care professionals, obtained buccal swabs of DNA from patients at senior health fairs, door-to-door marketing, low-income housing and elsewhere. The tests were then approved by purported telemedicine doctors who were paid kickbacks in exchange for signing off on the laboratory orders sent to Crestar Labs. Alshalabi and co-conspirators paid marketers kickbacks for the genetic testing samples and doctor orders. During the conspiracy, Alshalabi and his co-conspirators billed Medicare and Medicaid over $100 million for laboratory tests procured through the payment of these illegal kickbacks. "Decisions to order health care items and services should not be coerced and influenced by the payment of illegal kickbacks. These defendants' criminal scheme to pay and receive kick-backs corrupts our country's healthcare system and costs the taxpayers millions of dollars that should go to pay for legitimate health care services for the elderly and poor," said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski. "I commend our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their dedication to pursuing justice and protecting our taxpayer funded programs from those who commit fraud for personal gain." “These defendants disregarded the medical needs of patients and orchestrated a kickback scheme that undermined the integrity of federal health care programs,” said Kelly J. Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to hold individuals accountable for exploiting federal health care programs.” “Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Schemes threaten our health care system and our public safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “These guilty verdicts demonstrate that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively fight back to protect the integrity of our federal health care programs.” Alshalabi and Harris will be sentenced on March 5 and 6, 2025. At sentencing, Alshalabi and Harris each face up to 10 years in prison on the counts of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute and up to 5 years in prison on conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. Alshalabi also faces up to 10 years in prison on the money laundering counts. The defendants were acquitted on separate counts of health care fraud. Six co-defendants previously pled guilty before trial, including Edward D. Klapp of Jupiter, Florida, the former Vice President of Sales for Crestar Labs; Melissa L. Chastain of Belton, South Carolina, the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Genetix LLC, a South Carolina marketing company that contracted with Crestar Labs; Roger Allison of Greenville, South Carolina, the President of Genetix; Dakota White of Easley, South Carolina, the former Director of Client Services and Vice President of Operations for Crestar Labs; Robert Alan Richardson of Silver Spring, Maryland, a principal of Maryland based Freedom Medical Labs, LLC, a marketing company that contracted with Crestar Labs; and Edward Burch of Rockville, Maryland, also a principal of Freedom Medical Labs, LLC. Each pled guilty to one count of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. They all face up to 10 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit health care fraud and up to 5 years on the conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. They will be sentenced at a later date to be set by the court. Two other co-conspirators part of the same scheme were separately charged and convicted. Elizabeth H. Turner, of Glenview, Kentucky, the owner of Advanced Tele-Genetic Counseling, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to offer, pay, solicit, and receive illegal kickbacks and to defraud the Medicare and Medicaid programs. She will be sentenced on January 6, 2025, and faces up to 5 years in prison. Dr. Benjamin Toh, of Chicago, Illinois, was convicted in September 2023, of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute after a two-week jury trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2025 and faces up to 5 years in prison. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office, with the assistance of state partners including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah K. Bogni and Robert S. Levine prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Tackeff provided assistance. # # # # #


title: Justice Department to Monitor Compliance in Macon-Bibb County

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: MACON, Ga. – U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Macon-Bibb County for the Nov. 5 general election. The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion. On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at 478-621-2698, or by email at USAGAM.DEO@usdoj.gov . Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov . Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted. More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931