title: Former Construction Contractor Sentenced for Crimes Involving Fort Drum Contracts

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean O’Sullivan, age 61, of Sackets Harbor, New York, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Utica to 2 years of Probation and ordered to pay $345,271.34 in restitution to the United States after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to government contracts and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States by offering and giving gratuities to a former Fort Drum contracting officer. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Brian J. Solecki, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Joel Kirch, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast Field Office; Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the General Services Administration, Office of the Inspector General (GSA-OIG), Northeast Region Investigations Office; Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region (DOT-OIG); and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent-in-Charge, Eastern Regional Office, Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General. The wire fraud conspiracy related to government contracts O’Sullivan fraudulently obtained with his former business partner, David Rose, of Newport News, Virginia, which had been “set aside” solely for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“SDVOSBs”). To be designated as an SDVOSB, a construction company must meet certain criteria, including that a military veteran with a disability rating incurred as a result of military service must own the majority of the business and personally manage and control its daily business operations. In pleading guilty previously, O’Sullivan admitted that he conspired with David Rose to defraud the United States by bidding for and obtaining contracts set aside for SDVOSBs, to which they knew they were not entitled. Specifically, O’Sullivan and Rose incorporated and became co-owners of a construction company named Sierra Delta Contracting, LLC. O’Sullivan controlled and managed Sierra Delta and bid on and obtained contracts primarily at Fort Drum in Watertown, New York. Although Rose is a service-disabled military veteran, O’Sullivan is not. However, O’Sullivan certified to federal agencies that Sierra Delta was an SDVOSB by representing, falsely, that Rose personally managed and controlled Sierra Delta’s day-to-day business operations. In reality, O’Sullivan, not Rose, controlled and managed Sierra Delta in Jefferson Country, New York, where it sought and received construction contracts, while Rose continued to live and work at a separate full-time job in Virginia. Rose, who had no construction experience, offered little to no input on the management of Sierra Delta. Between May 2014 and July 2017, Sierra Delta bid on and received multiple construction contracts from the Army at Fort Drum, New York, and one construction contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation. All of the contracts were 100% set aside for SDVOSBs. Each time Sierra Delta received one of these set aside contracts to which it was not entitled, O’Sullivan hired SOS Inc. – his own construction company – as the primary subcontractor on the fraudulently obtained contracts, enabling O’Sullivan to retain the majority of the resulting profits. Sierra Delta received more than $3.3 million in gross revenue from these fraudulently obtained contracts, and O’Sullivan has admitted that he personally received $345,271.34 in profits from the scheme. Even as O’Sullivan and Rose were continuing their conspiracy to obtain government contracts by fraud, two different government agencies challenged Sierra Delta’s SDVOSB status and questioned whether Rose actually managed the construction company on a day-to-day basis. In response, Rose falsely claimed that he “control[led] the long term and day to day operations of Sierra Delta Contracting LLC,” that he maintained Sierra Delta’s “main office” in Virginia, that he worked on Sierra Delta business 25 hours a week and that O’Sullivan dedicated substantially less time to Sierra Delta. Rose also falsely claimed that he was “responsible for all decisions regarding which projects will be bid on by [Sierra Delta]” and that he (Rose) was solely “responsible for all proposals, including pricing.” Rose and O’Sullivan both knew these statements were false. Rose, O’Sullivan, and their businesses previously agreed to pay a total of $758,526.68 to the United States to resolve their civil liability for the submission of false claims to the federal government seeking payment on the fraudulently obtained contracts. O’Sullivan, Sierra Delta Contracting LLC, and SOS Inc. agreed to pay $690,542.68; and Rose agreed to pay $67,984. Rose also previously pled guilty for his role in the conspiracy and admitted that he received $33,992 in profits. Following his felony conviction for this offense, Rose was fined $2,000. As part of O’Sullivan’s sentence, United States District Judge David N. Hurd ordered O’Sullivan to pay $345,271.34 in restitution to the United States, which O’Sullivan has already paid through the related civil settlement. O’Sullivan’s sentence yesterday also related to his prior guilty plea for conspiring to commit an offense against the United States by offering and giving gratuities to Cindy McAleese (nee Garnsey), a former civilian contracting officer at Fort Drum, from November 2009 through February 2018. With respect to that offense, O’Sullivan admitted that he promised and provided things of value to McAleese, including sports tickets, meals, sexual encounters, and time and attention, for and because of official action taken by McAleese on O’Sullivan’s behalf, such as providing O’Sullivan’s company with government contracts, approving payment on those contracts, and reviewing the work performed by Sierra Delta. O’Sullivan also admitted that he and McAleese took steps to keep their relationship a secret from other officials at Fort Drum and from O’Sullivan’s colleagues. McAleese has pled guilty for her role in the gratuities conspiracy but has not been sentenced, and she is no longer employed by the U.S. Army. The investigation and resolution of these cases were the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division; General Services Administration, Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General; and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region. The criminal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Perry. The civil case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher R. Moran.


title: Utica Man Sentenced for his Role in Major Fentanyl Conspiracy

body_text: UTICA, NEW YORK – Jose Morales, age 31, of Utica, was sentenced yesterday to serve 120-months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office. Morales was also ordered to serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his sentence of imprisonment, pay a $200 special assessment and pay a $37,245 money judgment representing proceeds from the distribution of drugs. As part of his previous guilty plea, Morales admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he acquired quantities of fentanyl from co-conspirators in the Rodriguez Drug Trafficking Organization (Rodriguez DTO), which he then re-distributed to others in the Utica, New York area. Morales admitted that during his participation in the conspiracy, the Rodriguez DTO distributed over 400 grams of fentanyl. Morales was one of nine defendants charged in the Rodriguez DTO. Seven other defendants pled guilty and were previously sentenced: Ivan Rodriguez, Sr. , the head of the Rodriguez DTO, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl and money laundering and was sentenced to 121 months incarceration. Eric Ares pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 120 months incarceration. Ivan Rodriguez, Jr. pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 120 months incarceration. Jose Aponte pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 40 months incarceration. Angel Calderon Ortiz pled guilty to conspiring distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 60 months incarceration. Edgar Tejada pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 72 months incarceration. Harry Rodriguez pled guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and was sentenced to 84 months incarceration. On June 12, 2024, Bernabe Lopez , the last remaining defendant in the Rodriguez DTO, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Utica. Lopez previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the Utica Police Department, the Syracuse Police Department, the Rome Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Yorkville Police Department, and the Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.


title: Madison County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Thomas Collins, age 36, of Chittenango, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 10-years in federal prison for distributing and possessing numerous images and videos of child pornography announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James. As part of his prior guilty plea, Collins admitted that on several occasions in April of 2023, he distributed images and videos of child pornography to two undercover law enforcement officers via the same social networking application. Collins also admitted that on the day of his arrest, May 18, 2023, he possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on several of his electronic devices. United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Collins to serve a 10-year term of supervised release following his release from prison, at which time Collins will be required to register as a sex offender. The case was investigated by United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the New York State Police Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle prosecuted the case as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Tohatchi Man Charged with Second Degree Murder and Federal Firearms Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Tohatchi man was charged by criminal complaint with second degree murder and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for the fatal shooting of Jane Doe on the Navajo Reservation. Augustus Benallie , 51, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and was detained pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for May 20, 2024. According to the criminal complaint, on May 12, 2024, the Navajo Police Department received an emergency call regarding a shooting near Tohatchi, New Mexico, within the Navajo Nation. EMS responded to the coordinates the caller provided and found Jane Doe inside a residence with an apparent gunshot wound. Medical personnel attempted to transport Jane Doe to a staging location for medivac to a trauma center, but Jane Doe died enroute. Benallie was arrested on May 13, 2024, after stabbing himself with a kitchen knife. If convicted of the current charges, Benallie faces up to life in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Mia Ulibarri-Rubin is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Southwest Georgia Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing a Firearm

body_text: VALDOSTA, Ga. – A Moultrie, Georgia, resident previously convicted of armed robbery was found guilty by a federal jury this week of illegally possessing a firearm. Maurice A. Ridley, 47, was found guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on May 14. The trial began on May 13 before U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands at the federal courthouse in Valdosta. Ridley faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms, and a repeat offender caught with a loaded gun will face federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Law enforcement at every level and across the Middle District of Georgia is working to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer.” “The FBI is proud to work with our local partners to prevent violence in our communities by removing repeat offenders illegally possessing firearms from the streets by any legal means necessary,” said Rich Bilson, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Valdosta Office. “We remain steadfast in reducing violent crime in Moultrie and throughout the state.” “The Moultrie Police Department is pleased to once again to join with our federal partners to make our city streets a little safer. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been an overwhelming success, and we are extremely proud to contribute to that success with our own FBI Task Force Officer, Captain Steve Exum. We would like to thank everyone involved with this case and acknowledge their commitment to our great community,” said Moultrie Police Chief Chad L. Castleberry. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Moultrie Police Department officers were patrolling a neighborhood on Feb. 21, 2020, and observed Ridley paying close attention to the marked police vehicles as they drove by him. Officers in an unmarked police vehicle observed Ridley toss a plastic bag of suspected narcotics in a yard. When officers in that unmarked car pulled up behind Ridley to speak with him, Ridley fled on foot. He was given verbal commands to stop, and he refused. A firearm fell from Ridley as he ran away. Ridley ran through the back yards of two private residences on Second Avenue Northwest. Other officers joined the chase and apprehended Ridley after a brief struggle on the ground. The firearm that fell from Ridley was a loaded semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number. Ridley was convicted in 1996 for armed robbery in Colquitt County, Georgia, Superior Court for which he was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. 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 of Justice 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 case was investigated by the FBI and the Moultrie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Meth Dealer Sentenced In Federal Court

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Theodore, Alabama, man was sentenced to 90 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Jason Duane Reynolds, 44, was involved with several others in a large-scale conspiracy in which significant amounts of methamphetamine were distributed in Mississippi and Alabama. Reynolds was stopped in a vehicle by Mobile County Sheriff’s deputies in April of 2022 and methamphetamine was found in his vehicle. Information obtained during an ensuing investigation established that Reynolds was connected with conspirators on whom local and federal investigators had already identified as methamphetamine targets. Reynolds was held accountable for approximately 224 grams of methamphetamine actual that was distributed during the conspiracy, while other conspirators were involved with multiple kilograms of the substance. United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 90-month sentence, and ordered that Reynolds serve 5 years of supervised release upon completion of his imprisonment. Drug abuse testing and treatment was ordered as a special condition of Reynolds’ supervision. The judge did not impose a fine, but ordered that Reynolds pay $100 in special mandatory assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mobile Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria A. Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organization that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Cherokee County Felon Pleads Guilty To Possessing Firearm And Ammunition

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced Heath Tyler Bryan, age 33, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Indictment alleged that on January 1, 2024, Bryan was found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, after having been previously convicted of a felony offense punishable by more than one year and knowing of the conviction. The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Bryan was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.


title: Impersonation Scam Using US Attorney’s Office Information

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nebraska has become aware of an Impersonation Scam using Ms. Lehr’s name, image, and title to attempt to defraud victims via email. On May 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office received several calls from concerned citizens regarding emails they received purporting to be from United States Attorney Lehr. U.S. Attorney’s Office personnel quickly determined this was a scam and directed callers to report the scam to the FBI Tip Line www.ic3.gov and FTC Fraud Line https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ . None of the callers suffered a financial loss related to the scam. If you receive an email demanding payment to the US Attorney’s Office, do not open any attachments, or respond providing any personal information. Please submit a report to the FBI at www.ic3.gov and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ . According to Ms. Lehr, “the only time the U.S. Attorney’s Office is involved in the collection of money is for restitution purposes in a criminal case after a judicial finding.” “Scammers are experts at manipulation; they carry out various phone or email scams with unsuspecting victims. In this case they posed as a United States government official. We are grateful to the citizens who brought this our attention and that no one suffered any loss in this scheme. I would encourage the public to continue to exercise their due diligence when solicited for funds by emails or phone to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.” You can find additional information related to some common scams below. How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam . Scammers pretend to be from government agencies like the FTC, Social Security Administration, and IRS — or say they’re calling about your Medicare benefits. They contact you and say that, if you don’t pay or give them your personal information, something bad will happen. Or maybe you’ll miss out on some government benefit. But it’s a scam. Learn the signs and avoid the scam. Here are some other examples of government impersonation scams: Scammers impersonate “the national consumer protection agency. ” They might say they’re from the non-existent National Sweepstakes Bureau or another made-up agency. If you’re in doubt, check out the list of real federal agencies at usa.gov. Scammers impersonate your local sheriff’s office or a court official . They might say there’s a warrant out for your arrest and that you’ll go to jail if you don’t pay immediately. Or that they’re from the local court and you need to pay a penalty for missing jury duty. This is most likely a scam. But if you’re worried, look up the real number for the government agency or office the caller mentioned. Then contact them directly to get the real story. Scammers impersonate representatives of immigration authorities. They might say they’re calling from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) or another agency, there’s a problem with an immigration application or petition, and you have to pay them to solve that issue. This is a scam. If you’re concerned, contact USCIS directly. Also read Avoid Immigration Scams and Get Real Help. Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-government-impersonation-scam


title: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty on Last Day of Trial

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMIHGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon pleaded guilty on Tuesday to drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger. Eric Damone Wilson, 34, of Hoover, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco on the last day of trial testimony before the jury began deliberations. Wilson pled guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to evidence presented at trial and included in Wilson’s plea agreement, on two separate occasions in April 2022, Wilson distributed methamphetamine at a gas station in Birmingham and at his apartment in Hoover. Upon his arrest for those trafficking offenses, Wilson was found in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl, digital scales, and a gun. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Allison Garnett and Brittany Byrd are prosecuting the case.


title: Seven Sinaloa Cartel Members and Associates Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine

component: Office of the Deputy Attorney General

body_text: Seven members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel have been sentenced to prison for their role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The defendants previously pleaded guilty in this matter. Hector Alejandro Apodaca-Alvarez, 53, of Somerton, Arizona; Mark Anthony Roque Bustamante, 33, of Yuma, Arizona; Jorge Moreno, 28, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico; Jonathan Nicholas Chavez, 25, of Brawley, California; Luis Tejada Velasquez, 37, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico; Austin Toma Grupee, 43, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Jose Chavez Zaragoza, 38, of Yuma, Arizona, participated in the drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute the controlled substances. The defendants were arrested in the United States. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Drug Threat Assessment , the Sinaloa Cartel is at the heart of the fentanyl crisis. The cartel has developed global supply chain networks and operate clandestine labs in Mexico where they manufacture these drugs and then utilize their vast distribution networks to transport the drugs into the United States. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, killing 38,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023 alone. Just one fentanyl pill can kill. Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially fatal dose and laboratory testing indicates seven out of 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. “The significant sentences imposed by the court reflect the deadly nature of the crimes committed by Mexican cartel members in flooding our communities with fentanyl and other lethal drugs,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Our law enforcement officers work across the U.S. and around the globe to combat the cartels’ firearms and drug trafficking, which wreak so much violence and devastation in our communities.” “Guns and drugs are often linked, particularly when it comes to the cartels,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “ATF is committed to working with all our partners to hold accountable those who spread poison in our streets and arm those who supply that poison. This case exemplifies the incredible work going on every day by ATF agents and analysts around the country to protect the American public from dangerous criminals.” “When you consider the quantity of drugs being trafficked and the deleterious impact illicit narcotics have on our community, it is readily apparent that these defendants sold drugs for the sole purpose of profiting off a public health crisis — addiction,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “The fentanyl epidemic, to include here in south Florida, has caused a deafening silence as thousands of people have overdosed and died. We commend our partner agencies, as we work collectively to prosecute the members and associates of cartels that fuel the drug poisoning crisis and traffic in firearms.” From June 2022 through May 2023, Apodaca-Alvarez, who was previously convicted of narcotics trafficking-related offenses in three federal districts prior to his arrest in this case, used the U.S. mail and his own trucking business to send tens of thousands of pressed fentanyl pills and kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to an undercover agent based in South Florida. The undercover agent also conducted narcotic and monetary transactions with Apodaca-Alvarez and codefendants in California, Arizona, and Massachusetts. Apodaca-Alvarez told the undercover agent he was coordinating directly with members of the Sinaloa Cartel to facilitate the large-scale distribution of narcotics and stated that the potency of the pressed fentanyl pills that he sold “was dropping people everywhere.” Apodaca-Alvarez worked directly with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia , a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. During the conspiracy, Apodaca-Alvarez coordinated with the remaining codefendants to assist in distributing the controlled substances throughout the United States, including in Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. Law enforcement officers identified Roque Bustamante, nicknamed the “Skittles Man,” due to his distribution of rainbow-colored fentanyl pills, as Apodaca-Alvarez’s primary source of supply. In recorded conversations, Apodaca-Alvarez and Roque Bustamante inquired if the undercover agent would supply them with firearms, including .50 caliber high powered rifles to be smuggled into Mexico. Apodaca-Alvarez was ultimately arrested in South Florida while delivering 16 kilograms of fentanyl and 2 kilograms of cocaine to the undercover agent during an undercover operation. Moreno was present with Apodaca-Alvarez during the arrest operation. In total, law enforcement seized approximately 21 kilograms of pure fentanyl; 70 thousand rainbow-colored, pressed fentanyl pills; 3,000 M30 pressed fentanyl pills, blue in color; 243 pounds of crystal methamphetamine; two kilograms of cocaine; and 24 firearms (including 18 rifles and six pistols) related to this conspiracy. Seized rainbow-colored, pressed fentanyl pills. Photo was introduced into the court record during Tejada Velasquez’s sentencing hearing on May 15. Tejada Velasquez was sentenced yesterday to 242 months in prison. On May 2, Roque Bustamante was sentenced to life in prison, Grupee was sentenced to 262 months in prison, and Chavez was sentenced to 57 months in prison. On March 21, Apodaca-Alvarez was sentenced to life in prison, Moreno was sentenced to 121 months in prison, and Zaragoza was sentenced to 47 months in prison. In addition, Apodaca-Alvarez agreed to the forfeiture of his entire trucking business and Arizona-based residence. The ATF Miami Field Division* investigated the case, with assistance from DEA, Homeland Security Investigations Miami, Broward Sheriff’s Office, ATF Los Angeles* Field Division, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ajay J. Alexander, M. Catherine Koontz, and Brooke Latta for the Southern District of Florida and Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen for the District of Arizona prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF . *This has been updated to reflect the correct ATF Field Divisions.


title: District Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking in Northeast

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Antwan Mitchell, 19, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking arising from a February 2024 offense committed in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On May 14, 2024, Mitchell pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to carjacking before the Honorable Jason Park. Judge Park scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2024. During that plea hearing, Mitchell admitted that he and two co-conspirators, who have never been identified, carjacked a rideshare driver on February 6, 2024. The victim had just dropped off his rideshare passengers in the 200 block of Kenilworth Avenue NE when Mitchell and his accomplices surrounded the victim’s SUV. One of Mitchell’s accomplices held the victim at rifle-point while Mitchell and another accomplice demanded the victim’s car keys and wallet. After the victim got out of his SUV and handed over his car key, Mitchell and his accomplices drove off in the victim’s SUV. MPD Officers responded immediately, canvassed the area, and located the victim’s stolen SUV. While inspecting that vehicle, police also located a second vehicle that Mitchell and his accomplices had used to commit this carjacking. Officers pursued that vehicle and ultimately apprehended Mitchell after he ran from it. Police recovered a firearm in the vehicle, but Mitchell’s accomplices escaped. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sabena Auyeung.


title: Tampa Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Prison

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Cameron Mosley (30, Tampa) to 10 years and 7 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mosley pleaded guilty on February 2, 2024. According to court documents, on March 31, 2023, Mosley spoke on the phone with co-conspirator Enock Edouard and, using a codename, asked for methamphetamine. They also discussed what Mosley’s customers would do with the methamphetamine. Edouard and Mosley later agreed to meet at a restaurant in Tampa. Law enforcement conducted surveillance of the drug transaction and then attempted to pull over Mosley, who fled. Helicopter surveillance captured Mosley throwing an object from his car as he was fleeing from law enforcement. Mosley and Edouard spoke on the phone later that evening and discussed Mosley having to throw the methamphetamine from the car while trying to evade police. Law enforcement arrested Mosley the next day and recovered over 40 grams of methamphetamine from the spot where Mosley was seen throwing the narcotics. For his role in this case, Enock Edouard was convicted following a bench trial and is awaiting sentencing. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth.


title: Foreign National Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A national of the Dominican Republic was sentenced yesterday to 15 years and four months in prison for his role in an international conspiracy to distribute 385 kilograms of cocaine for unlawful importation into the United States. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from October 2016 through May 2019, Cesar Gomez Almonte, 51, participated in a drug trafficking network based in the Dominican Republic that transported cocaine from South America, through the Caribbean, to the United States. The drug trafficking network used vessels, such as sailing yachts and sport fishing boats, to transport the cocaine, often stopping in various Caribbean ports while transporting the cocaine to give a cover of legitimacy to each voyage. One of these vessels, the Casablanca, was interdicted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Marine Interdiction Unit in November 2018 as it entered U.S. waters near Key Biscayne, Florida. Officers boarded and searched the Casablanca, seizing more than 327 kilograms of cocaine. Gomez had several roles in the conspiracy. He brokered the use of the Casablanca by another drug trafficking network to send cocaine directly to the United States, and was involved in locating and purchasing vessels for use by the drug trafficking network to transport cocaine. Additionally, Gomez attempted to change the ownership of one of the network’s boats from one straw purchaser to another to disguise the true owners and possessors of the boat, which was used in a prior voyage to transport approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine. A federal jury in the District of Columbia convicted Gomez in November 2023 of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement. The case is supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and HSI’s El Dorado Task Force. HSI New York and DEA New York investigated the case. Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Melanie L. Alsworth and Trial Attorneys Samantha Thompson and Janet Turnbull of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance. The Justice Department thanks authorities in the Dominican Republic for their assistance in the investigation.


title: East Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – An East Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Cristopher Vladimir Pineda Martinez, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Aug. 14, 2024. Pineda was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in January 2023 and has remained in federal custody since. Law enforcement identified Pineda as member of several private large-scale group chats involved in the distribution of CSAM on an online chat platform. On Dec. 12, 2022, Pineda distributed eight videos depicting CSAM in three online chat groups. An additional 54 videos of CSAM, involving children as young as six years old, were found within an application on Pineda’s personal cell phone. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Awards Ceremony Honors Law Enforcement Partners

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- On May 14, 2024, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana recognized more than 75 members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at its Law Enforcement Awards ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial & Museum in downtown Indianapolis. The ceremony, held during National Police Week, honored law enforcement professionals who have gone above and beyond their duties to safeguard Indiana communities in cases that concluded in 2023. “This event is a small token of our appreciation for the time, dedication, and teamwork it takes to investigate a federal case and bring the worst of the worst offenders to justice. The pace, complexity, and scope of the prosecutions brought in the Southern District of Indiana are a true testament to the quality of our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “It is especially meaningful to spend time during National Police Week to recognize the talents and sacrifice of those who have dedicated themselves to serving the public—often at risk to themselves. Every day these outstanding law enforcement officers, analysts, victim specialists, prosecutors, and other professionals work to make our communities safer, uphold the law, and protect civil rights, and I am happy to recognize many of them with these awards.” The honorees are members of the following agencies: Bureau of Prisons Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Security Division, DOJ U.S. Postal Inspection Service U.S. Secret Service IRS-Criminal Investigation Drug Enforcement Administration Federal Bureau of Investigation- Indianapolis Federal Bureau of Investigation- Chicago Canadian National Organized Crime Squad U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western Dist. of Ky. U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern Dist. of Ind. Indiana State Police Marion County Sheriff’s Office Marion County Prosecutor’s Office U.S. Trustee’s Office Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Evansville Police Department Lawrence Police Department Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Owensboro, KY Police Department The teams who led the following cases received awards at the ceremony: Outstanding Collaborative Criminal Investigation: Cases receiving this recognition are limited to those that have demonstrated outstanding efforts or overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies. Awarded to: U.S. v. Renard, et al and U.S. v. Edwin Agbi . Project Safe Childhood Shield of Innocence: This award honors those who have provided extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal child exploitation crime. Awarded to: U.S. v. Arnold Castillo. L.E.A.T.H Heroism Award: This award is presented to a L.E.A.T.H. case that demonstrates extraordinary commitment and fortitude in the pursuit of justice. The Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence (LEATH) Initiative is named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The LEATH Initiative began in October of 2020 and recognizes the inherent danger posed by firearms in the hands of domestic abusers. Awarded to: U.S. v. Michael Ryan Mack. Investigative Excellence Award: Cases receiving this award are limited to those that have substantially and significantly contributed to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice by conducting complex, thorough and proactive analysis of evidence. Awarded to: U.S. v. Fenner, et al and U.S. v. Betts, et al . Community Impact: Presented to a case that had widespread, positive impact on constituents, law enforcement relations, and the legacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Indiana. Awarded to: U.S. v. Tony Cushingberry. Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice; Presented to a case in which local, state, and federal officials achieved extraordinary results in their work to prevent crime, enhance community safety, and seek justice. Awarded to: U.S. v. Holman IV, et al. and U.S. v Dannon, et al . Outstanding Agency Service: Presented to a case that substantially and significantly contributed to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. Awarded to: McDaniels v. Smith and United States, in which Bureau of Prisons personnel worked with staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to successfully defend and vindicate the BOP and a BOP nurse who had been falsely accused of negligence in a civil suit brought by a former inmate. In addition, the ceremony honored the late IMPD Officer, Anthony J. Farrell, who passed away in 2023, with a posthumous award presented to his family. ###


title: Luzerne County Man Charged With Threatening To Murder The President

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jordan Gee, age 37, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of threats against the President and interstate communications with a threat. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Gee posted several videos on the Internet shortly before President Joseph Biden’s visit to Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a campaign event on April 16, 2024. In those videos, Gee made several threats to the President and others, including, “Joe Biden: I’m going to kill you and your whole cabinet,” and, “If you come to my city in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I’m cutting your f**king head off in front of everybody; I promise.” This matter is being investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is twenty years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Massachusetts Business Owner Arrested for Over $18 Million PPP Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Carlisle man has been arrested and charged for allegedly submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of multiple companies he owns and controls. Durgaprasad Rao, 65, was charged with two counts of wire fraud. Rao was arrested yesterday and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2 p.m. this afternoon. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 17, 2024. According to the charging documents, Rao is the owner and operator of Accelerated Engineering, LLC., a product engineering service provider, and Upstream Global Services, Inc., a software company that provides software consulting services and temporary staffing needs. It is alleged that, between April 2020 and May 2021, Rao submitted numerous fraudulent applications seeking over $18 million in PPP funds for various companies in multiple states including companies in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Georgia. Nine of the fraudulent PPP loan applications Rao allegedly submitted were for companies he owned and controlled. For Rao’s Massachusetts-based companies, he received nearly $7 million in PPP loans – of which, $1.5 million was approved for forgiveness. Rao’s PPP loan applications allegedly contained false statements regarding payroll and the number of employees that worked for his companies and included fraudulent supporting documents, including false tax return documents and false payroll records. It is further alleged that Rao misused the funds he received by, among other things, transferring the funds to foreign businesses he owned and purchasing a luxury condominium in New York City. The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, Boston Field Office; Ketty Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Carlisle Police Chief Andrew Amendola made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Sullivan and David Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Atlanta Woman Sentenced for Role in Smuggling Contraband into a Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — Ashlee Richardson-Barley, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to her role in smuggling contraband into the Federal Correctional Institution, Estill (“FCI Estill”), located in Estill, South Carolina. Evidence presented to the court showed that while Richardson-Barley was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Estill and between November 2019 and April 2020 she smuggled contraband, to include cigarettes, marijuana, cellphones, and suboxone, into FCI Estill. In exchange for the bringing the contraband into the facility, she was paid approximately $15,700.00 by inmates. “Federal employees, especially those who enforce the law, are held to a higher standard,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “ This sentence sends a clear message that no one is above the law, and we will prosecute those who threaten the safety of our correctional facilities.” “Contraband, including cell phones, in prisons can be dangerous weapons. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to bringing to justice any correctional officer that violates their oath and smuggles contraband into federal prison facilities,” said Eric R. Fehlman, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Southeast Region. United States District Judge David Norton sentenced Richardson-Barley to one year and one day imprisonment, to be followed by a one-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Winston Marosek and Amy Bower are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Chairman of Multinational Investment Company and Company Consultant Convicted of Bribery Scheme at Retrial

body_text: A federal jury in Charlotte, North Carolina, convicted the founder and chairman of a multinational investment company and a company consultant yesterday after a retrial for orchestrating a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure accounts and improper campaign contributions. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from April 2017 to August 2018, Greg E. Lindberg, 54, of Durham, North Carolina, the founder and chairman of Eli Global LLC and the owner of Global Bankers Insurance Group (GBIG), and Lindberg’s consultant, John D. Gray, 73, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, engaged in a bribery scheme involving independent expenditure committees and improper campaign contributions for the purpose of causing the Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner) of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) to take official action favorable to Lindberg’s company, GBIG. Lindberg and Gray gave, offered, and promised the Commissioner millions of dollars in campaign contributions and other things of value in exchange for the removal of NCDOI’s Senior Deputy Commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing the regulation and the periodic examination of GBIG. Lindberg, Gray, and the Commissioner held numerous in-person meetings at different locations and had telephonic and other communications with each other, a third codefendant, Robert Cannon Hayes, 74, of Concord, North Carolina, and others to discuss Lindberg’s request for the personnel change in exchange for millions of dollars, and to devise a plan on how to funnel campaign contributions to the Commissioner anonymously. To conceal the bribery scheme, Lindberg directed the establishment of two corporate entities to form independent expenditure committees with the purpose of supporting the Commissioner’s re-election campaign. Lindberg then funded the entities with $1.5 million, as promised to the Commissioner. In addition, at Lindberg’s and Gray’s direction, Hayes caused the transfer of $250,000 from monies Lindberg had previously contributed to a North Carolina state party, which Hayes chaired, to the Commissioner’s re-election campaign. The jury convicted Lindberg and Gray of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. They face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hayes pleaded guilty in October 2019 to making false statements to the FBI. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney William Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence Cameron and Dana Washington for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.


title: Cincinnati Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in Death

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Dominic Jackson, 31, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 240 months in prison, for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. According to his plea agreement, on November 3, 2021, law enforcement and medical workers responded to a call for an unresponsive person in Boone County. Upon arrival, responders found the deceased victim with symptoms consistent with an opioid overdose. Officers reviewed the victim’s phone, and it contained communications from Jackson indicating that he had sold drugs to the victim earlier that same day. Law enforcement then used the victim’s phone to text Jackson and arranged to purchase another quarter ounce of the same substance previously sold to the victim. They advised Jackson where to put the drugs and where the money was located. Jackson showed up to the residence, took the money, and left 6.667 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and para-flurorofentanyl. Jackson admitted to distributing a substance containing fentanyl and para-flurorofentanyl to the victim, who died as a result of ingesting it. Under federal law, Jackson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Jackson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $7,243 to the family of the victim for burial expenses. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Director Scott Hardcorn, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by DEA and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. — END —


title: Felon Who Threatened Mail Carrier Sentenced to 10 Years on Gun Charge

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Wednesday sentenced a man who threatened a mail carrier when he hadn’t received a package containing marijuana to 10 years in prison. Marquis Melton, 31, pleaded guilty in January to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Melton admitted that on Feb. 27, 2023, he confronted a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier in the 4700 block of Farlin Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, demanding a package that he expected. After being told by the carrier that he did not have that package, Melton followed the carrier back to the Post Office and again tried to locate the package. The next day, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped the vehicle Melton was riding in the day before. They found a .40-caliber pistol. Melton is a convicted felon and is barred from possessing a firearm. He was also wanted by police on other matters. Evidence photo. Melton denied threatening the carrier with a firearm and claimed there was no evidence that the gun he purportedly had while interacting with the carrier was the same one police found a day later. But based on testimony and evidence presented during a sentencing hearing Wednesday, Judge Ross found that Melton did have the gun and did threaten the mail carrier. Melton was impatient about shipment of marijuana that he was expecting, evidence and testimony showed. Evidence photo. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane 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.


title: Kansas woman sentenced for drug conspiracy crimes

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to drug trafficking. According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Theresa Hight, 60, of Topeka, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. The jury found Hight not guilty of one count of distribution and posses with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Three additional co-defendants pled guilty in the case. Shelli Lynn Zarazua, 59, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. On May 1, 2024, Zarazua was sentenced to 120 months in prison. Anabell Madrigal, 58, of Chula Vista, California, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on April 24, 2024, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Allen Joseph Baker, 45, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on May 1, 2024, was sentenced to 105 months in prison. In March 2021, law enforcement officers received information that a courier was scheduled to drop off illegal narcotics at Hight’s residence in Topeka. While conducting surveillance, officers observed Madrigal arrive at the house. After a short time inside, Madrigal, Zarazua, Hight, and Baker all left in separate vehicles. Officers conducted traffic stops on each of the suspects. They found a pound of methamphetamine on Baker’s person as well as 17 bundles of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Hight had an ounce of methamphetamine and digital scales. Officers discovered three bundles of cash concealed in the panels of Madrigal’s vehicle. The total weight delivered on this occasion was approximately 20 pounds. Officers learned this was the second delivery which occurred at Hight’s residence. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Debenham and Sara Walton prosecuted the case. ###


title: Justice Department Announces Arrest, Premises Search, and Seizures of Multiple Website Domains to Disrupt Illicit Revenue Generation Efforts of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

body_text: The Justice Department today announced a series of coordinated and court-authorized actions to disrupt the illicit revenue generation efforts of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) information technology (IT) workers. As part of a Department-wide initiative – the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative – the Department will continue to prioritize high-impact, strategic, and unified enforcement and disruption operations across the U.S. Government targeting U.S.-based enablers of unlawful DPRK IT workers overseas. Today’s announcement follows successful Department-led action in October 2023 which targeted similar and related conduct. Under the Initiative, launched in March 2024 by the National Security Division and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions, Department prosecutors and agents are prioritizing: The identification and shuttering of U.S.-based “laptop farms” ( i.e. , locations hosting laptops provided by victim U.S. companies to individuals they believed were legitimate U.S.-based freelance IT workers); Investigations and prosecutions of U.S.-based witting enablers, as appropriate; International partnerships with like-minded countries that also host IT worker support networks; Improved speed, tempo, and content of notifications to victims, primarily unwitting U.S. companies; and Enhanced partnerships with private sector online service providers, including in terms of identifying IT worker infrastructure and personas, improving the providers’ in-house fraud detection methods, and educating compliance personnel and the public regarding the threat ( see e.g. , May 2022 and October 2023 advisories, as well as a new advisory released today by the FBI). “Today’s announcement reveals the complex web of deception and facilitators that is central to the North Korean regime’s schemes to evade international sanctions to finance its weapons program,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The disruptions announced today represent a focused and continuing effort to dismantle these illicit networks and thereby prevent North Korean IT workers from victimizing unwitting U.S. companies. Through such sustained campaigns against this threat, the Department will continue to enhance our collective national security and cybersecurity.” “The FBI and its partners are committed to leveraging everything at our disposal to disrupt North Korean IT workers from subverting the rule of law in order to fund the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction program,” said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “We will continue our work of maintaining order in the cyber space and preventing bad actors from taking advantage of it for their strategic geopolitical objectives.” As alleged in court documents, the DPRK government dispatched thousands of skilled IT workers to live abroad, primarily in China and Russia, with the aim of deceiving U.S. and other businesses worldwide into hiring them as freelance IT workers, to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. The DPRK IT workers’ scheme involved the use of pseudonymous email, social media, payment platform and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers, and witting and unwitting third parties located in the United States and elsewhere. As described in a May 2022 tri-seal public service advisory released by the FBI, Department of the Treasury and Department of State, such IT workers have been known individually earn up to $300,000 annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars collectively each year, on behalf of designated entities, such as the North Korean Ministry of Defense and others directly involved in the DPRK’s UN-prohibited WMD programs. *** Consistent with the goals of this initiative and prior to its inception, the District of Maryland led enforcement actions against Minh Phuong Vong of Bowie, Maryland, who was arrested this morning for his alleged participation in a scheme to assist overseas IT workers – posing with his identity – in working at U.S. companies in remote IT positions. Earlier this week, the FBI executed a premises search at Vong’s residence. Separately, the Eastern District of Missouri led a seizure action against 12 website domains used by DPRK IT workers to mimic western IT services firms to support the bona fides of their attempts to secure remote work contracts for U.S. and other businesses worldwide. “The alleged schemes likely benefitted the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in evading U.S. sanctions and victimizing American businesses,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “By stealing the identities of American citizens to commit fraud, they obtained proceeds which likely helped fund the North Korean regime’s priorities including nuclear weapons programs. The FBI and our partners are committed to rooting out insidious efforts that undermine our economic and national security.” Vong Premises Search, Complaint, and Arrest – District of Maryland As part of an investigation pre-dating the initiative, Vong was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the criminal complaint, Vong and other conspirators engaged in a scheme to fraudulently gain employment at companies located in the United States. These U.S. companies provided information technology services, including software development services, to the U.S. government. While Vong was nominally employed by these U.S. companies, he was not in fact the individual performing work for them. Remote IT workers based overseas instead posed as Vong and performed Vong’s job duties. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, in March 2023, as part of Vong’s hiring process with a U.S. company, the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. company conducted a video call with Vong where he verified Vong’s identity with a U.S. passport and Maryland driver’s license. A different individual, however, had appeared for an earlier interview for the position and later for work meetings during the course of Vong’s employment. That individual, charged as a John Doe defendant in the criminal complaint, is a native of North Korea and a self-described software developer who claimed to be living in Shenyang, China. As alleged in the complaint, throughout the course of Vong’s employment with U.S. company, remote IT workers based overseas performed Vong’s job duties by accessing protected victim computer systems via remote internet connections and posing as Vong on work-related videoconferences. Vong also shipped one or more laptops to an address in China. Vong also received payment from U.S. Company and other employers, which he then transmitted to individuals located overseas, keeping a percentage for himself. The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin for the District of Maryland is prosecuting the case with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Alexandra Cooper-Ponte of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section. Fraudulent DPRK IT Work Website Seizures – Eastern District of Missouri On May 15, pursuant to a court order issued in the Eastern District of Missouri, the Department seized 12 website domains used by DPRK IT workers to hide their true identities and locations when applying to do remote work for U.S. and other businesses worldwide. The specific group of DPRK IT workers who created these domains work for the PRC-based Yanbian Silverstar Network Technology Co. Ltd. and the Russia-based Volasys Silver Star, both of which were sanctioned in 2018 by the Department of the Treasury. These IT workers funneled income from their fraudulent IT work back to North Korea using online payment services and Chinese bank accounts. “Shutting down these websites is just one of the ways we are working to disrupt the flow of money to the North Korean weapons program,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming for the Eastern District of Missouri. “The business community can do their part by carefully vetting their online hires.” The 12 website domains seized yesterday, partial images of which are included in the unsealed affidavit, were designed to appear as domains of legitimate, U.S.-based IT services companies located in Portland, Oregon; Houston; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Oklahoma City; Indianapolis; New York; and Richmond, Virginia. Three of the entities that claimed to own these domains were officially registered in Wyoming. The website contents included a variety of designed to entice potential victims, such as claims that the firms assisted hundreds of “happy clients” including Fortune 500 companies (potentially a fictitious claim) and completed hundreds of projects over thousands of work hours. Other websites included claims of having helped clients benefit from new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, “blockchain solutions,” cloud computing skills, and internet of things knowledge. However, the website domains also included indicia that should have aroused suspicion about their bona fides. For example: The phone numbers used to register these domains, or advertised as belonging to these businesses, did not have area codes that corresponded with the locations where these businesses claimed to have offices; Some of the addresses listed were homes, versus office buildings; The content included disjointed phrases that appeared to be attempts at inspirational quotes – e.g ., “Nor, moreover, is there anyone who loves pain because it is pain, pursues it, wants to gain it, but;” and Awkward promotional phrases such as “here are our main features & many more features.” The National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri are investigating this case. The FBI St. Louis Field Office conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the FBI Cyber Division. *** The FBI, along with the Departments of State and Treasury, issued a May 2022 advisory to alert the international community, private sector and public about the North Korea IT worker threat. Updated guidance was issued in October 2023 by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), which includes indicators to watch for that are consistent with North Korea IT worker fraud. Concurrent with today’s announcement and consistent with the initiative’s goals, two additional criminal prosecutions in the District of Columbia were unsealed today, resulting in two arrests and the execution of related seizures and search warrants in multiple jurisdictions. Both prosecutions reflect investigations that predate the initiative’s inception. Arizona woman Christina Marie Chapman was arrested on May 15 and three foreign nationals were charged on May 8 in connection with a similar IT worker scheme associated with North Korea. As part of this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seized wages earned by more than 19 overseas IT workers and will seek their forfeiture. Additionally, the District of Columbia charged Ukrainian national Oleksandr Didenko for similar conduct. As alleged, Didenko created fake accounts at U.S. IT job search platforms and with money service transmitters. Didenko was arrested in Poland on May 6 pursuant to an arrest warrant from the United States. The U.S. Department of State has offered potential rewards for up to $5 million in support of international efforts to disrupt North Korea’s illicit financial activities, including for certain information related to individuals who are sent outside of North Korea to work to generate money for the North Korean government or who facilitate the activities of such North Korean nationals. An indictment and a criminal complaint are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. EDMO seizure application


title: Bridgeport Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEFFREY THOMAS, also known as “Zig,” 51, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 125 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and heroin, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction. According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force began investigating an organization that was distributing heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in an around Bridgeport. During the investigation, Task Force members made four controlled purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Frank Best. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and hundreds of consensual recordings, revealed that Frank Best’s uncles, Wallace Best and Jeffrey Thomas, were supplying Frank Best and others with narcotics. The investigation further revealed that Thomas worked with Jason Cox to establish a connection to Mexican-sourced drug suppliers in California who could provide kilogram quantities of narcotics for distribution on the East Coast. In December 2019, a cooperating source working in conjunction with Wallace Best, Thomas, and Cox, traveled to a Home Depot parking lot in San Diego and purchased from their suppliers 1.1 kilograms of fentanyl, cut with Xylazine, which is a veterinary sedative, and Tramadol, in exchange for $27,000. After this successful transaction, the conspirators arranged to purchase five kilograms of heroin from their Mexican suppliers. On February 10, 2020, four individuals were arrested after they arrived at the same parking lot to conduct the transaction and investigators seized a box containing approximately 4.9 kilograms of heroin. A related search of a storage locker in San Diego revealed an additional five kilograms of heroin. On October 14, 2022, a jury found Thomas, Wallace Best, and Cox guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of heroin and fentanyl, and Thomas, Wallace Best, and Frank Best guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”). In addition, Frank Best was found guilty of five counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base. Thomas was previously convicted of a federal narcotics trafficking offense in 2002, and he was sentenced to 262 months of imprisonment. He was released from prison in January 2019 and was on federal supervised release at the time of his most recent criminal conduct. Thomas was arrested on February 11, 2020. Released on a $150,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on July 23. On May 13, 2024, Wallace Best was also sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment. On April 24, 2024, Cox was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment. Frank Best awaits sentencing. This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force with the assistance of the DEA San Diego Field Division. The DEA’s Bridgeport HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Lauren C. Clark, and Katherine E. Boyles through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: U.S. Attorney Sellinger Presents on Cybercrime Trends at New Jersey State Bar Association Conference

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger delivered remarks on domestic and international cybercrime trends at the 2024 New Jersey State Bar Association conference. He participated on a panel which included members of U.S. Attorney Sellinger’s staff and the FBI. On May 15, 2024, the panel discussed several aspects of the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, including the recent 11 nation disruption of LockBit, at times the most active and destructive ransomware variant in the world, led by the FBI and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, and the District of New Jersey’s indictment of LockBit’s developer and leader, Russian national Dimitry Khoroshev. “The indictment alleges that Khoroshev acted as LockBit’s leader from its inception and that Lockbit allegedly attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. LockBit victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law enforcement agencies. Khoroshev and his conspirators allegedly extracted at least $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, such as lost revenue, incident response, and recovery.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger To date, six individuals, including Khoroshev, have been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey for their participation in the LockBit conspiracy. Other topics discussed by the panel included the recent spike in cryptocurrency confidence scams, tech support schemes, and how Artificial Intelligence is affecting cybercrime investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains devoted to combatting all forms of cybercrime and obtaining justice for its victims. The charges and allegations against the defendants in the LockBit case are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Orleans Parish Woman Pleads  Guilty to Wire Fraud

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHAVONDA CHAMBERS , age 43, of New Orleans, Louisiana pleaded guilty on May 14, 2024, before the Honorable Susie Morgan, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana, to defrauding her prior employer. Sentencing is set for September 10, 2024. According to documents filed in federal court, SHAVONDA CHAMBERS was employed as a bookkeeper for a local business and was apprehended submitting false electronic payroll authorizations to an out-of-state payroll processing company. As a result of her false submissions, CHAMBERS was able to steal and fraudulently divert more than $2.5 million dollars from her employer to financial accounts she controlled. The maximum penalty for the offense is twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of one hundred dollars. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Richard R. Pickens, II of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Oro Valley Man Indicted for Assaulting a Border Patrol Agent with a Firearm

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Erik Alberto Beal, 26, of Oro Valley, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Tucson on May 1, 2024, on two counts of Assault of a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, that is, a Firearm, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. The indictment alleges that, on April 11, 2024, in Nogales, Arizona, Beal assaulted a United States Border Patrol Agent with a firearm while the agent was on duty. Border Patrol agents were working near the United States-Mexico Border when a subject jumped the International Boundary Fence and ran onto a nearby property. The victim agent ran in search of the suspected undocumented non-citizen. During the search, Beal came out of a residence adjacent to the border fence and confronted the agent. Beal pointed his firearm, a Sig Sauer, Model P250, .45 caliber pistol, at the victim agent before eventually being subdued and arrested. A conviction for Assault of a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both. An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of United States Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, is conducting the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-02352-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-064_Beal # # # 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: 10 District Men Arrested in Fentanyl and Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Law enforcement arrested 10 members of a District-area drug trafficking crew charged in a 17-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, as well as multiple firearms counts. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Troy Springer of the National Capital Region of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Law enforcement executed search warrants, yesterday, for 21 residences, nine vehicles, and 14 individuals in the District and Maryland and seized nearly two dozen firearms as part of the operation. Each defendant is charged in a conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a protected location, specifically Phelps ACE High School and AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School in Northeast Washington D.C. Two of the defendants, Charles Manson and Damien Jenkins, were also charged in connection with a shooting that occurred on March 7, 2024, near 19 th and I Streets NE. For that incident, Manson was additionally charged with possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and unlawful possession of ammunition. The defendants, who all reside in Washington D.C., include: NAME AGE AKA CHARGES Jamiek Bassil 31 “Onion” Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 5 Damien Jenkins 34 “Woe” Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 3; Assault with a Deadly Weapon Trevon Palmer 29 “Rocky” Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 3; Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine Charles Manson 33 “Cheese” Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location; Possession of Ammunition by a Felon; Assault with a Deadly Weapon; Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence or Dangerous Offense Van Robinson 32 “Boogie” Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location Nathaniel Russell 20 “Thump” Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location x 4; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 3 Briyon Shuford 29 “Breezy” Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location Lydell Douglas 40 “L” Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location Jerome Powell 26 “J Rock” Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location Jason Green 47 -- Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Violent Crime Investigations Team of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross-Border Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Nashville Man Indicted for Bank Robbery While on Supervised Release from Federal Prison for Two Other Bank Robbery Convictions

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NASHVILLE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging Jeremy Stacey Godwin, 44, of Nashville, Tennessee, with one count of bank robbery, announced Henry C. Leventis, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. According to the indictment and publicly available information, on April 9, 2024, Godwin entered a Truist Bank on Nolensville Pike in Nashville, and demanded money while threatening the use of a firearm. The bank teller gave Godwin approximately $2,400, then Godwin fled on foot. Godwin was arrested when a concerned citizen contacted law enforcement after seeing local media reports of the bank robbery which showed bank video images of the suspect. At the time of the robbery, Godwin was on supervised release after serving his prison sentences for prior convictions in the Middle District of Tennessee of robbing a Sun Trust Bank in Nashville on September 3, 2016, and robbing a Chase Bank in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 8, 2017. If convicted, Godwin faces up to 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metro Nashville Police Department. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # # # #


title: Colombia Native Charged With Illegal Reentry

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Leonardo Moreno Bernal, age 42, of Colombia, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Moreno Bernal was previously removed from the United States on August 27, 2012, and it is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. The indictment also alleges that on April 25, 2024, Moreno Bernal was encountered in Centre County, Pennsylvania. This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #