title: Federal Court Orders Forfeiture of $826K in Funds Used in Attempt to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia

body_text: An investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia in violation of United States export laws and regulations has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $826,000. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Andrew Adams, Director of Task Force KleptoCapture; Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Special Agent in Charge Rashel D. Assouri of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division made the announcement. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, operators of a Latvia-based corporation conspired with the operator of By Trade OU, an Estonia-based company, as well as individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations and smuggle a jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia. A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. At no time did the defendants apply for, receive or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security. U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Several individuals and companies involved in this alleged scheme have been charged by indictment in the District of Connecticut with conspiracy, violation of the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States, and international money laundering conspiracy offenses. On December 1, 2022, By Trade OU pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, and one count of international money laundering conspiracy. In pleading guilty, By Trade OU admitted that it received funds from a Russian company, identified in the indictment as “Company B,” to purchase a jig grinder on its behalf from a Latvian company that had arranged to purchase the jig grinder from the Connecticut manufacturer. On March 29, 2023, in a related civil forfeiture action, U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered the forfeiture of $484,696 that had been delivered to the Connecticut manufacturer as part of the attempted purchase of the jig grinder. On April 4, 2023, in association with the sentencing of By Trade OU, Judge Bolden ordered the forfeiture of an additional €312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) seized from By Trade OU. As to the other defendants charged in the indictment, U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This investigation is being conducted by HSI field offices in New Haven, Portland (Ore.), and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police are assisting the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, and David Nelson of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Matthew Anzaldi of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance. The investigation was coordinated with the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. This case is being prosecuted 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: City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act

component: Civil Rights - Disability Rights Section

body_text: A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision. In April of 2021, the Justice Department moved to intervene in a disability discrimination lawsuit that people with visual disabilities brought against the City under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. The United States’ complaint in intervention alleged that the city fails to provide people who are blind, have low vision or are deaf-blind with equal access to pedestrian signal information at intersections. Pedestrian signal information, such as a flashing “Walk/Don’t Walk” signal, indicates when it is safe to cross the street for sighted pedestrians. Accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) are devices that provide pedestrians with safe-crossing information in a non-visual format, such as through audible tones, speech messages and vibrotactile surfaces. Since at least 2006, Chicago has recognized the need to install APSs for pedestrians with visual disabilities, specifically identifying the need for such installation in multiple city documents. Yet, while Chicago currently provides sighted pedestrians visual crossing signals at nearly 2,800 intersections, the United States’ suit alleged that — at the time it intervened — fewer than one percent of those were equipped with APSs for people who are blind or have low vision. On March 31, U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo sided with the United States and the private plaintiffs in a decision on both sides’ motions for summary judgment, holding the city in violation of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The court found that the city had provided APS at only a “miniscule portion of the whole,” and thus had failed “to provide ‘meaningful access’ to its network of existing facilities and to ensure that newly constructed signals are designed and constructed in such a manner as to be ‘readily accessible’ by blind individuals.” The case is being handled for the U.S. Attorney’s Office by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Johnson and Sarah J. North as well as by the Civil Rights Division. “Federal law offers people with visual disabilities the promise of full participation in community life, and safely navigating city streets is a critical part of that,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue pushing for a remedy that fully addresses the discrimination faced by blind people in Chicago.” “As previously stated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office took action in this case in order to ensure that Chicagoans with disabilities are provided equal access to city services, particularly services where the primary focus is on public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office remains committed to standing up for the rights of all those who reside in and visit the City of Chicago and all other communities across the Northern District of Illinois. We look forward to working with the City of Chicago to identify an appropriate remedy for the future.” For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report .


title: Passaic County Man Sentenced to 150 Months in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Led to Overdose Death

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for distributing fentanyl that caused the death of another person, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Wyzier Peterson, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of distribution of fentanyl relating to the overdose death of an individual. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On June 30, 2019, Peterson sold heroin and fentanyl, which was later ingested by the victim, resulting in the victim’s death. In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Peterson to three years of supervised release. This case 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 . U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel J. Kafafian in Newark; officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; officers of the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety; and detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and the Belleville and Livingston police departments for their assistance with the case. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, Special Prosecutions Division.


title: Jefferson County Man Admits Possessing Pipe Bombs, Methamphetamine

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Jefferson County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted possessing two pipe bombs and methamphetamine. Douglas Moore, 47, of Byrnes Mill, was stopped by a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department on May 11,2021, while driving a 2004 Suzuki Aerio with expired license plates. He had an active warrant. After his arrest, the deputy found the pipe bombs and methamphetamine in the car. Moore was on probation at the time and has pending charges in Ste. Genevieve County and Jefferson County circuit courts. Moore pleaded guilty Wednesday in front of U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White to one felony count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced in July. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Philadelphia City Treasurer Sentenced to Prison for Immigration Fraud and Failure to File Taxes

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Christian Dunbar, 42, of Philadelphia, PA, the former Philadelphia City Treasurer, was sentenced to six months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and $33,202.00 in restitution to the IRS by United States District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe. His U.S. citizenship will also be revoked. As part of his application to become a U.S. citizen, Dunbar made multiple false statements, submitted altered citizenship papers, and failed to file federal tax returns in three separate tax years. In May 2021, the defendant was charged by Superseding Indictment with multiple counts of filing a false income tax return and failure to file tax returns. Earlier, in September 2020, Dunbar was charged in a 14-count Indictment, charging embezzlement by a bank employee, procurement of naturalization through a false statement, procurement of naturalization unlawfully, obtaining false citizenship papers, and making false statements in support of naturalization. The defendant previously admitted to procuring U.S. citizenship fraudulently by providing false information about where and with whom he was living, where his child was residing, and submitting a false lease and a false W-2 tax form to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Further, Dunbar admitted to not filing his personal income tax returns for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2019 (during the last of which he was serving as the Philadelphia City Treasurer). “Christian Dunbar’s actions in seeking United States citizenship and serving as the City of Philadelphia’s Treasurer betrayed the ideals inherent in the precious privilege of U.S. citizenship, and the duty he owed to Philadelphians to oversee the City’s finances,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold public officials accountable.” “As city treasurer, Christian Dunbar held a key position of public trust,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Little did the people of Philadelphia realize that his U.S. citizenship was fraudulently obtained and he'd been dodging doing his taxes. Philly deserves better and the FBI will continue to work on behalf of the public to hold corrupt officials like Dunbar accountable.” “Mr. Dunbar’s conscious decision to violate federal tax laws has cost him his freedom,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “With the end of the tax filing season fast approaching, this should serve as another reminder of the importance for filing an accurate tax return. Failure to do so could lead to similar consequences.” “Today’s sentencing of Mr. Dunbar illustrates HSI’s commitment to ensuring that our immigration system is void of fraud and deception, particularly from those entrusted with public office,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “HSI will continue to tirelessly work with our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and IRS-CI to prosecute and to revoke any fraudulently obtained citizenship from those committing federal crimes and violating the trust of the people of Philadelphia.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh A. Davison.


title: Nonprofit owner charged with misappropriating funds as the fiduciary to a veteran

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Michael J. Missal, Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced that Faye Janzad made an initial appearance in federal court on April 5 on an indictment charging her with two counts of fiduciary misappropriation and two counts of making false statements. Janzad, 63, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. A federal grand jury indicted Janzad on March 21. According to the indictment, Janzad was the owner and director of Veterans Independent Living of Albuquerque (VILA), a nonprofit company that provides housing and services to veterans at various levels of care. In January 2018, Janzad was appointed to serve as the fiduciary to a disabled veteran under VILAs care. At that time, two cashier’s checks in the amount of $20,360.26 and $143,002.77 were dispersed from the veteran’s prior fiduciary to Janzad. Rather than deposit the checks into the veteran’s beneficiary account, Janzad deposited both checks into VILA’s corporate bank account. In Oct. and Nov. of 2018, the VA asked Janzad to provide bank statements showing the disposition of the veteran’s money. Instead, Janzad led the VA to believe that she had invested the veteran’s money in a mortgage on a VILA property, earning 5% interest. In Dec. 2018, Janzad recorded a mortgage with Bernalillo County which purported to grant the veteran an interest in a property, though the mortgage erroneously referred to a property that was not owned by VILA but had been owned by one of VILA’s other clients. Shortly after, the VA removed Janzad as fiduciary for the veteran and demanded that she forward all monies to the successor fiduciary. Janzad never fixed the faulty mortgage, never made any payments on the mortgage, and never forwarded the veteran’s funds to his successor fiduciary. During the investigation, Janzad provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with a Fiduciary Statement of Account that omitted any mention of the veteran’s $163,363, and she knowingly made false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements to VA personnel. “The charges announced today are an important step in seeking justice for a veteran who was allegedly defrauded by their VA-appointed fiduciary,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebeccalynn Staples with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the support of the US Attorney’s Office for their efforts in prosecuting this case.” “We honor our nation’s veterans not just with words but with action,” said United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “A disabled veteran is not a mortgage loan bank, and should not be treated as such. My office will fight to protect those who fought to protect us.” An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Janzad faces up to 5 years in prison as to each count in the indictment. The Criminal Investigators Division of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-66


title: Former Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Jackson, Mississippi – A former federal inmate pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Michael Phillips, 47, a citizen of Jamaica, pled guilty on April 4, 2023 in U.S. District Court in Jackson. According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about July 2, 2017, Phillips killed another inmate during a fight in a prison housing unit at the Federal Correctional Complex in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where both Phillips and the other inmate were incarcerated. During the course of the fight, Phillips threw a punch causing the other inmate to fall backwards into a metal locker. The other inmate hit the back of his head on the locker, and he died as a result of his injuries. Phillips will be sentenced on July 7, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Robles and Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie prosecuted the case.


title: National Police Agency of Japan visits INTERPOL Washington

component: Interpol Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON - Yesterday, a delegation from the National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan met with INTERPOL Washington Director Michael A. Hughes to expand partnership opportunities between the two law enforcement agencies. “This historic visit is a reflection of the strength of our relationship with our Japanese counterparts," said Dir. Hughes. "By working together, we can leverage our collective expertise, resources, and networks to better identify, prevent, and respond to global threats. We look forward to continuing our work together to protect our communities and prevent crime, anywhere it may occur." During the meeting, the delegation from Japan and Dir. Hughes discussed issues of mutual interest, including collaborative strategies against transnational organized crime and cybercrime. They also explored ways to strengthen information sharing and global law enforcement cooperation. A component of the U.S. Department of Justice co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—is the designated U.S. representative to INTERPOL. It serves as the national point of contact and coordination for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.


title: Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Use Of A Firearm In A Carjacking

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking two people at gunpoint. Steve Francis Pitchford Jr., 39, pleaded guilty on March 24, 2022, to use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to court documents, on June 17, 2019, Pitchford approached two people sitting in a car in the parking lot of a Las Vegas dentist’s office and pointed a firearm at them. Pitchford told them to get out of the car, then drove off in the car. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Pitchford on June 28, 2019. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Former Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Portz and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case. ###


title: Great Falls felon sentenced to more than five years in prison for possessing firearm

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — A Great Falls man with a felony conviction was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Raymond Lee Toulouse, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. In court documents, the government alleged that in May 2022, Billings police officers checked on a suspicious vehicle and found Toulouse under the influence of some kind of substance and in possession of a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that had been stolen in Butte. At the time, Toulouse had absconded from federal supervision in Great Falls and was prohibited from possessing firearms after having been convicted of a methamphetamine trafficking crime in U.S. District Court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: West Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAYVIAN RODRIGUEZ, 25, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 126 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2021, West Hartford Police developed information that Rodriguez was distributing narcotics. Rodriguez was arrested on state charges on September 3, 2021, after a court authorized search of his Prospect Avenue residence revealed nearly 600 grams of fentanyl, approximately 18 grams of crack cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale. The search also revealed a 9mm Glock-style privately manufactured firearm (“ghost gun”) with an attached laser sight and a “Glock switch” auto sear device, a handgun magazine containing 28 rounds ammunition, and approximately 200 rounds of additional ammunition. The Glock switch enabled the handgun to fire fully automatically as a machinegun. Rodriguez was on state probation for prior gun and drug convictions at the time of the search. Rodriguez, who was released on bond after his state arrest, has been detained since his federal arrest on December 15, 2021. On November 2, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, the West Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN is 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. In May 2021, the Justice 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: MS-13 Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Kidnapping and Murder

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Israel Alberto Rivas Gomez, 28, a citizen of El Salvador residing in Mendota, was sentenced today to life in prison for kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. “Excellent law enforcement work led to the arrest of 25 individuals associated with the MS-13 gang for criminal activity in California’s Central Valley,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Rivas Gomez participated in the brutal murder of a 19-year old man. The murder was preplanned, carefully orchestrated, driven by allegiance to MS-13, and deserving of a life sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling criminal enterprises like MS-13 and to vindicating the rights of victims and seeking justice for their family members and loved ones.” “The gruesome homicides that were committed to intimidate the community and further the efforts of MS-13 to exploit the community in Mendota exemplify why the FBI is deeply committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt the grip gangs attempt to have on our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Law enforcement and the community must stand together against violent gangs to offer residents and their children a brighter future and today’s sentence demonstrates the success we can have when we work together to investigate and disrupt organizations determined to exploit our communities.” “While nothing can erase the pain that family members experience when their loved one is kidnapped and murdered in cold blood, this investigation, prosecution, and sentencing goes a long way in obtaining justice,” said Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco (NorCal) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “HSI San Francisco is proud of our agents and professional staff who worked together on this multi-year criminal investigation into this MS-13 clique in Mendota, which yielded dozens of arrests and prevented additional acts of violence.” According to court documents, Rivas Gomez was a member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. On Dec. 18, 2017, Rivas Gomez and his fellow MS-13 members kidnapped the 19-year-old victim in Mendota, drove him to a remote location approximately 30 minutes away, and used a knife and machete to murder him, all in furtherance of MS-13’s criminal gang enterprise. A jury convicted Rivas Gomez in September 2022 of kidnaping and murder in aid of racketeering. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the California Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Services Unit (SSU). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Pearson and Kimberly Sanchez 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 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 U.S. 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.


title: Bronx Man Involved in Brazen Burglary Ring Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIE BAINES, 47, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, with credit for time served since Baines’s March 2021 arrest in a related federal case, for participating in a brazen burglary ring that resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in vehicles, phones, ATMs and other merchandise from numerous locations in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere. According to court documents and statements made in court, Baines participated in a theft ring that, between June 2020 and January 2021, primarily burglarized car dealerships and mobile phone stores in Connecticut and New York. From dealerships, the group stole vehicle key fobs and vehicles, and from mobile phone stores they stole cell phones, electronics and other merchandise. They also stole ATMs from check cashing businesses and burglarized video game stores. Josepher Cartagena and Alexander Santiago planned and organized the burglary sprees, recruited Baines and others to participate in those burglaries, maintained inventories of the stolen property, sold that property, and then divided the proceeds among the participants. Cartagena, Santiago, Baines and their associates committed more than 180 burglaries and stole more than $4 million in property. They often burglarized multiple locations in one night and, on numerous occasions, escaped from police by engaging the police in high-speed chases that had to be terminated for safety reasons. An apparent tally found on Santiago’s phone after his arrest indicated that he had engaged police in 89 chases. Baines and his associates regularly carried firearms during the burglary spree. On December 22, 2020, Baines was arrested by New York City Police on state charges after a high-speed pursuit and a foot chase. Baines was driving a stolen vehicle that contained stolen property, and he possessed a firearm at the time of his arrest. Baines continued to burglarize business while released on bond in his state case. Baines has been detained since March 11, 2021, after his state firearm charge was adopted for federal prosecution in the Southern District of New York. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and, on November 8, 2021, was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment. On December 1, 2022, Baines pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to possession of stolen property. Cartagena was arrested on December 23, 2020, after engaging law enforcement in multiple high-speed chases and collisions with law enforcement vehicles. Cartagena dropped a bag containing a 9mm handgun and assorted tools during the pursuit. A subsequent search of his residence revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, more than 30 vehicle keys and key fobs, 9mm ammunition, and approximately $87,000 in cash. Santiago was arrested on January 15, 2021. When investigators sought to conduct a court-authorized search of Santiago’s residence on that date, Santiago’s pit bull attacked an FBI agent and badly wounded his arm. A search of the residence revealed approximately 20 new cell phones in boxes, approximately 40 vehicle key fobs, a police radio, a glass-punch device, two firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition. Cartagena and Santiago pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment. A fourth co-conspirator, Douglas Noble, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 54 months of imprisonment. This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of approximately 30 local police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.


title: Billings fentanyl trafficker sentenced to more than eight years in prison

body_text: BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl in the community after law enforcement found 9,500 fentanyl pills and a firearm in his vehicle was sentenced today to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Kyngsten Bargar, 30, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that in July 2021, law enforcement learned that Bargar was distributing fentanyl pills in the Billings area. The investigation determined that Bargar traveled to Washington to buy fentanyl, and in February 2022, the Montana Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop east of Reed Point of a vehicle driven by Bargar. During a search of the vehicle, officers found two firearms in a backpack and a safe that contained nine small bags of blue pills. An analysis determined the pills contained fentanyl. Agents estimated there were approximately 9,500 pills. The safe also contained a large amount of U.S. currency that had been bundled separately with rubber bands. One of the bundles contained a paper copy of Bargar’s Montana driver’s license. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Billings Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: Final defendant in Skagit County drug arrest sentenced to 72 months in prison

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 39-year-old Mount Vernon, Washington, resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 72 months in prison for possessing dangerous drugs and guns on two separate occasions, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Steven Lopez Ruiz has been in custody since his arrest on March 14, 2022. According to records filed in the case, Ruiz was first encountered by law enforcement on March 1, 2022, in the driver’s seat of a car that contained fentanyl laced pills, methamphetamine, and two firearms. Just two weeks later, on March 14, 2022, law enforcement stopped a car in which Ruiz was riding. Ruiz attempted to run from police but was apprehended. On that occasion, he possessed over 1,000 fentanyl pills, as well as heroin. Ruiz was prosecuted along with the car’s driver, Santos Gutierrez-Fosella and a second passenger, Robert Johnny. Gutierrez-Fosella was held responsible for some 89,000 fentanyl pills in the car and was sentenced to ten years in prison. In January 2023, Robert Johnny was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the case. In asking for a seven-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Miriam Hinman wrote to the court, “Ruiz has committed serious offenses that pose a danger to the public. He has received substantial sentences for prior drug-trafficking and violence, and yet he was not deterred from engaging in the instant offense. He also attempted to flee from law enforcement in this case. Ruiz’s history of drug-trafficking, unlawful firearm possession, and physical violence, and his lack of respect for the law and for law enforcement, require a significant prison sentence in order to achieve deterrence and protect the public.” The case was investigated by the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Swinomish Police Department, and the Mount Vernon Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Miriam Hinman.


title: Klamath Falls Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: MEDFORD, Ore.—A Southern Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for possessing and distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Klamath Falls, Oregon. Raul Sanchez-Lopez, 45, a resident of Klamath Falls, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, in July 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants at two Klamath Falls residences associated with Sanchez-Lopez. Inside one residence, officers located and seized thirteen bags containing approximately 680 grams of methamphetamine, scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Sanchez-Lopez admitted to mixing, weighing, and packaging methamphetamine and distributing it in the Klamath Falls area. In August 2021, he was charged by federal criminal complaint and arrested. On July 14, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Sanchez-Lopez with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and, on September 12, 2022, he pleaded guilty to the single charge. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from Oregon State Police, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Klamath County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.


title: North Carolina Men Sentenced To Prison For Transporting Fraudulently Obtained Phones Out Of State

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two North Carolina family members, Lal H. Mahtani, 58, of Statesville and Vivek Ramesh Mahtani, 41, of Cornelius were sentenced yesterday in federal court before Judge Kenneth D. Bell for conspiring to transport fraudulently obtained and stolen new Apple iPhones and other electronic devices to buyers in other states and overseas, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Lal Mahtani received a sentence of 36 months followed by three years of supervised release. His nephew, Vivek Mahtani, received a sentence of 18 months, also followed by three years of supervised release. Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service (USSS), Charlotte Field Office, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to documents filed in the case, from 2018 through February 2020, the defendants worked together in a scheme to purchase new iPhones and other electronic devices from individuals who had obtained the devices through fraudulent means, often from wireless stores. The defendants purchased the new iPhones, which were frequently in their sealed packaging at prices substantially below their retail value. Many of the fraudulently obtained devices were purchased by Lal Mahtani at New York Styles, his retail store in Statesville. The defendants transported the fraudulently obtained devices using a shipping company to other states, including California, Texas, New York, and Georgia, as well as overseas destinations, such as Hong Kong. Vivek Mahtani also sold many of the devices to Cellport, a Charlotte-based business owned and operated by Hamzeh Alasfar and Tayseer Alkhayyat. Alasfar and Alkhayyat pleaded guilty in Charlotte last month to related charges before Judge Bell. According to filed documents, the defendants shipped more than 1,700 pounds of fraudulently obtained devices, resulting in financial losses that exceeded $1.5 million. This case was the result of the investigative efforts of CMPD and the Secret Service, which have established a fully integrated partnership to combat the most significant organized criminal groups operating in Charlotte. Through this partnership, this unit has successfully leveraged local and federal resources, personnel, expertise and authorities to identify and combat the criminals and criminal organizations that have the largest negative impact on the community. Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Bozin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.


title: New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – DEDRA BRIGHT (“BRIGHT”) , age 64, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today to theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans According to court documents, from November 2008 to November 2020, BRIGHT knowingly accessed and converted approximately $194,127.80 in Social Security Administration and $1,200 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES ACT”) funds. U.S. District Court Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle set sentencing for July 5, 2023. At sentencing, BRIGHT faces up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain to the defendant or loss to any person, a term of supervised release of up to three years following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Moses, Health Care Fraud Coordinator and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Plaquemines Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Offenses

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LESLIE PARKER , age 42, a resident of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, pled guilty on April 4, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846; use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the Controlled Substances Act, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, a DEA investigation revealed that PARKER was involved in a narcotics distribution conspiracy with several other co-conspirators. As part of the conspiracy, PARKER regularly distributed amounts of methamphetamine. On October 19, 2021, officers conducted surveillance on PARKER , that ultimately led to the seizure of a bag containing 98.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine from PARKER . For the drug conspiracy charge, PARKER faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the Controlled Substances Act, PARKER faces up to 4 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. For possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, PARKER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment, up to life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. For each count, PARKER faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Troy Felon Sentenced for Ammunition Possession

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Adam Middleton, age 40, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison for the unlawful possession of ammunition. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement. Middleton admitted that on December 7, 2021, he possessed a Glock magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, in addition to numerous additional rounds of ammunition, at his residence in Troy. At the time, Middleton had a felony conviction for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. Under federal law, that conviction prevented Middleton from lawfully possessing the ammunition. Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also ordered Middleton to serve a 1-year term of supervised release when he is released from prison. This case was investigated by the USPIS and its Capital Region Task Force, led by the USPIS and including the Albany Police Department, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Schenectady Police Department, as well as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.


title: Justice Department Continues Efforts to Stop Fraudulent Tax Preparers

component: Tax Division

body_text: The Department of Justice urges taxpayers to choose their return preparers wisely as the April 18 federal tax filing deadline approaches. Unscrupulous preparers who include errors or false information on a tax return could leave a taxpayer open to liability for unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. “Taxpayers should choose their return preparer wisely and remain vigilant against unscrupulous preparers, who often present clients with refunds that are too good to be true,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “If your preparer asks you to sign a blank return, refuses to sign your return as your return preparer, or is charging you a fee based on the size of your refund, consult the IRS’s website and tips to make sure you are not exposing yourself to trouble.” “Tax preparers who falsify deductions, or otherwise seek to fraudulently inflate client refunds, face consequences,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “As the Tax Division’s work over the past year demonstrates, our prosecutors have the expertise and resources to identify crooked return preparers and hold them accountable for their criminal conduct.” The Tax Division works with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country to bring civil and criminal actions against dishonest tax preparers. The division seeks civil injunctions to stop ongoing fraud, civil penalties or disgorgement of ill-gotten proceeds, and criminal penalties. The department’s message to those who prepare fraudulent returns is that they will face serious and lasting consequences. Criminal convictions against fraudulent preparers obtained by the Tax Division over the last year include: In January 2023, Betty Hawkins and Phyllis Ricks, two North Carolina tax preparers, were sentenced to 24 months and 36 months in prison, respectively, for their role in conspiring to file false income tax returns on behalf of clients of the tax return preparation business where they worked. They were ordered to pay approximately $5.2 million in restitution. In December 2022, Eunice Salley, a Chicago tax preparer, was sentenced to seven years in prison for filing false income tax returns on behalf of her tax preparation clients seeking more than $1 million in fraudulent refunds. She also failed to report the income received from cashing dozens of pension checks sent to her deceased grandmother. Salley was also ordered to pay $558,396 in restitution. In December 2022, King Isaac Umoren, a Las Vegas tax preparer, was sentenced to 13 years and three months for, among other things, preparing and filing with the IRS tax returns for clients that included false deductions and fictitious businesses in an effort to generate larger refunds than the clients were entitled to receive. He was also ordered to pay $9,699,887 in restitution to the United States and other victims of his fraud. In August 2022, Guy Telfort, a Fort Lauderdale tax preparer, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for continuing to prepare and file tax returns with the IRS in violation of a federal court order barring him from doing so. In March 2022, Fred Pickett, Jr., a Florida tax preparer, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for preparing returns on behalf of clients claiming they owned fictitious businesses that lost tens of thousands of dollars each year. He was also ordered to pay approximately $169,639 in restitution. Examples of civil injunctions obtained by the Tax Division over the last year include: On Jan. 24, 2023, a federal district court in the Southern District of Florida permanently barred Arnold Zio individually and doing business as Platinum Citizens Financial, LLC and FTP Tax Services, from preparing returns for others and from owning or operating a tax return preparation business in the future. The government alleged that Zio prepared tax returns claiming fabricated business income and expenses, as well as various false tax deductions. Additionally, the government alleged that Zio, without authorization, diverted customer refunds into his own bank account and failed to return COVID-19 stimulus funds that were improperly deposited into his account. On Oct. 21, 2022, a federal district court in the Eastern District of New York permanently barred Maria Cuervo and her business, Danays Enterprises & Travel, Inc., from operating as tax return preparers. The order required Cuervo to disgorge to the United States $150,000.00 in fees that the government alleged she received as ill-gotten gains for preparing federal tax returns that make grossly incompetent, negligent, reckless, or fraudulent claims. On May 12, 2022, a federal district court in the Eastern District of Texas entered an order permanently barring Michelle Denise Johnston from operating a tax return preparation business and preparing federal income tax returns for others. The government’s complaint alleged that Johnston prepared and filed tax returns that understated her customers’ federal income tax liabilities and further alleged that Johnston engaged in a refund-skimming scheme whereby she deducted unauthorized “fees” from inflated refunds unbeknownst to her customers. The Tax Division has also sought to strip fraudulent preparers of ill-gotten gains and to hold in contempt those who attempt to flout court-ordered restraints on further fraudulent activity. Over the last year, the division has brought these cases to court, including: On July 4, 2022, a federal court in the Southern District of Florida found tax-preparer defendants Marcus Alty and Jeanait Mathurin in contempt for violating an injunction that bars them from preparing returns for others. The court also held in contempt J and M Tax Services, LLC, a return preparation business that Alty and Mathurin created post-injunction to continue their return preparation business. The court ordered Alty, Mathurin, and J and M Tax Services to disgorge nearly $650,000 in ill-gotten gains and to pay $18,000 in costs to the government. The court also sanctioned Alty, Mathurin, and J and M Tax Services of the government’s attorneys’ fees of over $14,000. On Apr. 12, 2022, a federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan required Laron Stroud and Raheen Stroud to pay over $120,000 in civil contempt sanctions for their violations of a 2016 permanent injunction prohibiting them from preparing tax returns or assisting in or directing the preparation or filing of tax returns. The amount of the sanctions represents the total tax preparation fees received by the Strouds (and those they assisted) to file returns after the date of the injunction. On Sept. 29, 2022, a federal court in the Southern District of Florida required Nate Dameus to pay $213,500 of ill-gotten fees for violating the court’s September 2021 order that permanently barred Dameus from acting as a return preparer. The court’s order also requires Dameus to reimburse the government approximately $10,000 for the costs incurred to investigate his violations and enforce the injunction. Shady tax return preparers remain a concern of the IRS, which recently warned taxpayers about unscrupulous tax return preparers as part of the IRS’s Dirty Dozen series . The Tax Division reminds taxpayers that the IRS has information, tips, and reminders on its site for choosing a tax preparer carefully ( Choosing a Tax Professional and How to Choose a Tax Return Preparer ) and has launched a free directory of credentialed federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers taxpayers tips to protect their identities and wallets when filing their taxes. In addition, IRS Free File , a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $73,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronic federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free. The IRS has tips on how seniors and individuals with low to moderate income can get other help or guidance on tax return preparation, too. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained civil injunctions and criminal convictions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.


title: Justice Department Reaches Multimillion Dollar Civil Settlement in Principle in Sutherland Springs Mass Shooting

component: Civil Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today an agreement in principle to settle the civil cases arising out of the tragic November 2017 mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, that killed 26 worshippers and injured 22 others. These tentative settlements will resolve claims by more than 75 plaintiffs arising out of the shooting. Plaintiffs’ claims alleged that the Air Force was negligent when it failed to transmit to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) information about the shooter that would have prevented him from purchasing guns from a federally licensed firearms dealer. A federal district court in Texas concluded that the United States was liable for damages caused by the shooting. This tentative settlement would resolve the pending appeals. The agreement in principle would settle all claims for a total of $144.5 million. The settlement agreement has been approved, subject to the plaintiffs’ securing the required court approvals. Under applicable law, a court must approve some aspects of the settlements. “No words or amount of money can diminish the immense tragedy of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Today’s announcement brings the litigation to a close, ending a painful chapter for the victims of this unthinkable crime.” The NICS plays a critical role in combatting gun violence, and the federal government is always striving to improve the functioning of that system. The department continues to work actively to combat gun violence as part of its comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy.


title: Former City Treasurer in Alaska Indicted for Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion

body_text: A federal grand jury in Anchorage returned an indictment on March 21, 2023, charging an Alaska man with wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. According to the indictment, from 2015 to 2022, Jess George Adams of Willow, Alaska, embezzled a total of more than $1.16 million from the City of Houston, Alaska, and from a Wasilla-based equipment company. The indictment alleges that from 2015 through 2018, Adams was the Treasurer for the City of Houston, entrusted with bookkeeping responsibilities and administrative access to the City’s accounting records and software. Adams allegedly used this access to direct electronic transfers from the City’s bank account to a personal account in his name, maintained by Adams to hide the embezzled funds. It is further alleged that Adams used fictitious entries in the City’s accounting software to make it appear as though these payments were made for legitimate business expenses. In October 2018, the City of Houston allegedly placed Adams on administrative leave, and he resigned his position in November 2018. A year later, Adams allegedly was employed as a bookkeeper by an equipment company, where he exercised control over the company’s accounting records and software. The indictment charges that, using this access, Adams directed electronic transfers from the company’s bank account to other personal accounts that Adams opened in his name to hide the embezzled money. To conceal his activity, Adams allegedly used fictitious entries in the company’s accounting software to make it appear as though these funds were transferred for the payment of legitimate business expenses. Adams allegedly laundered the embezzled money he obtained from the equipment company by making several wire transfers from his personal bank account to other accounts, each at a value greater than $10,000. The indictment further charges that in another attempt to conceal his embezzlement and evade the assessment of income taxes, Adams filed false individual income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2021, which did not disclose the additional income he diverted to himself. According to the indictment, Adams was a former seasonal tax return preparer for a national tax advisory company. Adams is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, 10 years in prison for each money laundering count, 5 years in prison for each tax evasion count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case with substantial assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. Trial Attorney Boris Bourget of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney George Tran of the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case. 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: New Braunfels Men Plead Guilty to Selling Misbranded Drugs

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – Two New Braunfels men pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio to selling non-controlled but dangerous substances through the mail. According to court documents, Evan Asher Field, 42, and Michael Dominic Diaz, 30, purchased bulk quantities of various drugs, including synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines, and re-sold them through a website Field created in September 2019. The drugs, most of which originated in China and were not regulated or approved for any use by the FDA, can potentially cause toxic and fatal overdoses if consumed by humans. The two defendants, assisted by employee co-conspirators, repackaged the drugs into consumer-size containers and shipped them to various locations throughout the United States. The initial website remained online until September 2021, when Diaz launched a second website offering a nearly identical service. Despite disclaimers on the website and product packaging stating “for research purposes only,” and “not for human consumption,” the two defendants were aware that customers were purchasing the substances for personal use and consuming the drugs. Field pleaded guilty on March 28 to conspiracy to defraud the United States and traffic in misbranded drugs. Diaz pleaded guilty on April 4 to the same charge. They each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas; Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Office made the announcement. The FDA and DEA are investigating the case. This case was prosecuted utilizing resources from the Dark Market and Digital Currency Crimes (DMDCC) Task Force. The DMDCC Task Force is a joint effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI – Baltimore, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department, targeting the use of dark net marketplaces and digital currencies to facilitate criminal activities. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Chung and Amy Hail are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Criminal Marketplace Disrupted in International Cyber Operation

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today a coordinated international operation against Genesis Market, a criminal online marketplace that advertised and sold packages of account access credentials – such as usernames and passwords for email, bank accounts, and social media – that had been stolen from malware-infected computers around the world. “Working across 45 of our FBI Field Offices and alongside our international partners, the Justice Department has launched an unprecedented takedown of a major criminal marketplace that enabled cybercriminals to victimize individuals, businesses, and governments around the world,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Our seizure of Genesis Market should serve as a warning to cybercriminals who operate or use these criminal marketplaces: the Justice Department and our international partners will shut down your illegal activities, find you, and bring you to justice.” “Yesterday, the Department of Justice and its partners dismantled the Genesis Market and arrested many of its users around the world,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Genesis falsely promised a new age of anonymity and impunity, but in the end only provided a new way for the Department to identify, locate, and arrest on-line criminals. The Department of Justice is shining a light on the internet’s darkest corners – in the last year alone, our agents, prosecutors, and partners have dismantled the darknet’s largest marketplaces – Hydra Market, BreachForums, and now Genesis. Each takedown is yet another blow to the cybercrime ecosystem.” Since its inception in March 2018, Genesis Market has offered access to data stolen from over 1.5 million compromised computers around the world containing over 80 million account access credentials. Account access credentials advertised for sale on Genesis Market included those connected to the financial sector, critical infrastructure, and federal, state, and local government agencies. Genesis Market was also one of the most prolific initial access brokers (IABs) in the cybercrime world. IABs attract criminals looking to easily infiltrate a victim’s computer system. Genesis Market offered for sale the type of access sought by ransomware actors to attack computer networks in the United States and around the world, and published private-sector reports indicate that they indeed were used by ransomware actors to attack such systems. Genesis Market was user-friendly, providing users with the ability to search for stolen access credentials based on location and/or account type (e.g., banking, social media, email, etc.). In addition to access credentials, Genesis Market obtained and sold device “fingerprints,” which are unique combinations of device identifiers and browser cookies that circumvent anti-fraud detection systems used by many websites. The combination of stolen access credentials, fingerprints, and cookies allowed purchasers to assume the identity of the victim by tricking third party websites into thinking the Genesis Market user was the actual owner of the account. Genesis Market users were located all over the world. Federal law enforcement has worked to identify prolific users of Genesis Market who purchased and used stolen access credentials to commit fraud and other cybercrimes. This effort resulted in hundreds of leads being sent to FBI field offices throughout the United States, as well as to foreign law enforcement partners. Further, as part of this operation, dubbed Operation Cookie Monster, law enforcement seized 11 domain names used to support Genesis Market’s infrastructure pursuant to a warrant authorized by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “The operation being announced today is the direct result of the hard work, dedication, and exceptional collaborative efforts of the FBI and its partners around the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “Along with investigative partners and our Justice Department colleagues, my office remains committed to using all available tools to protect individuals from cybercriminals like those who operate these types of online marketplaces.” “Today’s takedown of Genesis Market is a demonstration of the FBI’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling key services used by criminals to facilitate cybercrime,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The work in this case is a great example of the FBI’s ability to leverage our technical capabilities and work shoulder-to-shoulder with our international partners to take away the tools cyber criminals rely on to victimize people all across the world.” The FBI Milwaukee Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from 44 other field offices, the U.K. National Crime Agency, Italy’s Polizia de Stato, Police of Denmark, Australian Federal Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada’s Sûreté du Québec, Romanian Police, Cybercrime Sub-directorate for French judicial police, Spain’s Policia Nacional, Spain’s Guardia Civil, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Service, Swedish Police Authority, Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime, Dutch National Police, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General, Swiss Federal Police, Estonia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, Iceland’s Metropolitan Police, New Zealand Police, Eurojust, and Europol. The Department appreciates the assistance provided by authorities in Bulgaria and Latvia in response to Mutual Legal Assistance requests. Trial Attorneys Benjamin Proctor and Jessica Peck of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Farris Martini for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are handling the investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance. Victim credentials obtained over the course of the investigation have been provided to the website Have I Been Pwned, which is a free resource for people to quickly assess whether their access credentials have been compromised (or “pwned”) in a data breach or other activity. Victims can visit HaveIBeenPwned.com to see whether their credentials were compromised by Genesis Market so that they can know whether to change or modify passwords and other authentication credentials that may have been compromised. If you have been active on Genesis Market, in contact with Genesis Market administrators, or have been a victim and need to report, please email the FBI at FBIMW-Genesis@fbi.gov .


title: Nurse Practitioner Sentenced in Twelve Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme

body_text: PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered nurse and nurse practitioner, who defrauded commercial health insurers and Medicare of nearly $12 million by devising and executing fraudulent billing schemes in three states seeking payment for patient services that were never performed, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Alexander A. Istomin, 57, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to an eleven-count Information charging him with health care fraud, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and causing the introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. Istomin admitted that he routinely submitted fraudulent claims for in-person patient services that he did not perform, including supposed patient visits at a “ghost office” in Rhode Island and at offices in Florida and New York. Istomin used seven different tax identification numbers while defrauding eight insurers out of a total of $11,923,686.30. The “ghost office” was an address that Istomin maintained in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, that he claimed was part of his medical practice when, in fact, he used the location solely for the purpose of receiving mail, including fraudulently obtained insurance payments. “By billing for services that he never performed, including at a Rhode Island location that was little more than a mail drop, Alexander Istomin thought he could make off with millions in taxpayer and insurance dollars that were meant to fund real medical care, for real people, all without consequence,” remarked U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha. “He was very much mistaken. The sentence imposed reflects both this Office’s commitment to bring to justice individuals who perpetrate this kind of brazen fraud and abuse of our health care system, and should serve notice of the consequences for those who seek to enrich themselves through schemes like these.” "The Office of Inspector General will continue to fervently pursue those who defraud the Medicare system. Greed, at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, will not be tolerated," said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Today’s sentencing is a strong reminder that we will spare no resource to bring to justice those that undermine the integrity of our federal health care system and those served by it.” “Alexander Istomin went to great lengths to conceal his multi-state, multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme, billing for services he never provided and patients he never saw. With the proceeds of his illegally gotten gains, he bought a million-dollar home in Florida and expensive cars. This sentence is more than just, given that this is not the first time Mr. Istomin has been accused of health care fraud, nor is it his first brush with the law,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The unscrupulous tactics he used to steal from taxpayers is what drives our investigators to combat healthcare fraud. After all, these taxpayer-funded programs are designed to provide essential medical services to the elderly and disadvantaged, not to enrich corrupt health care professionals and other fraudsters.” According to documents and information provided to the court, in many instances, patients that Istomin claimed he met with in person were, in fact, out of the country at the time of the supposed visits. On other occasions that Istomin claimed to have been seeing patients, he himself was either in a different state or another country, often visiting his native Russia. As part of his schemes, Istomin waived copayments for some Medicare patients, despite being aware that waiving copayments is prohibited. He did so to induce his patients not to report his fraudulent billing to Medicare. Additionally, Istomin used patient names and information to get prescriptions filled at various pharmacies and be returned to him. Istomin then distributed those drugs to individuals other than those in whose names the prescriptions were filled. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Istomin to 84 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release; to pay a fine of $30,000; and to pay restitution to Medicare and private insurers totaling $11,923,686.30. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah and Mary Rogers. The matter was investigated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. ###


title: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm After Being Identified on SnapChat

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man, Reda Shehabeldin, 26, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2023. Mr. Shehabeldin was indicted on January 10, 2023. On July 15, 2022, Shehabeldin was identified—in a video posted by another individual on SnapChat—holding a Glock, model 30 Gen 4 .45 caliber subcompact pistol. At the time, he was a convicted felon. Hillsborough County Superior Court convicted Shehabeldin in January 2022 for reckless conduct, a class B felony offense under the state laws of New Hampshire. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.00. 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. The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”) and the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Kennedy and Geoffrey Ward are prosecuting 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: Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Trip to Memphis

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, on April 3 and 4 to continue the Civil Rights Division’s tour to engage with stakeholders in underserved communities and reaffirm the department’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. On Monday, Assistant Attorney General Clarke participated in a fireside chat with the Student Bar Association at the University of Memphis Law School. She discussed the Civil Rights Division’s efforts enforce federal civil and criminal civil rights laws and encouraged law students to consider careers in government service. In the evening, Assistant Attorney General Clarke participated in a community conversation hosted by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis. Attendees included faith, community and student leaders, and local residents. She discussed the department’s recent efforts to address modern day redlining in Memphis, implement policing reform, and protect people from housing discrimination. She thanked attendees for their steadfast commitment to civil rights and pushing for change in their community. On Tuesday, she participated in a fireside chat for several hundred 11th and 12th grade students at the Whitehaven High School in the Memphis-Shelby County School District. She discussed her journey as a civil rights attorney, encouraged the students to pursue careers in public service and addressed questions concerning the civil rights challenges facing young people today. That afternoon, she visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee where she met with U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz, his leadership team and the attorneys and professional staff of the office. She thanked all staff members for their dedicated service and partnership in protecting civil rights. During her trip, Assistant Attorney General Clarke also had several meetings with local Memphis officials, including State Representative G.A. Hardaway, Mayor Jim Strickland, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis and Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. In those discussions, she reinforced the Justice Department’s commitment to working with our local partners on civil rights issues. To close her trip, Assistant Attorney General Clarke delivered remarks at the National Civil Rights Museum’s program commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, the location where Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The event was attended by several civil rights leaders, including Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, community leaders and elected officials from across the country. Read her full remarks here . In the upcoming weeks, Assistant Attorney General Clarke will travel to Arkansas, Mississippi and South Carolina to continue meeting with stakeholders in underserved communities. Photo Credit: Hooks Institute Assistant Attorney General Clarke (middle) with U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz (left) and Hooks Institute Executive Director Daphene McFerren (right). Assistant Attorney General Clarke speaking at the National Civil Rights Museum. Assistant Attorney General Clarke (front middle) with U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz (front left) and staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.


title: Dealer Of Fentanyl-Laced Heroin That Resulted In The Overdose Death Of Actor Michael K. Williams Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that IRVIN CARTAGENA, a/k/a “Green Eyes,” pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogue. As part of the conspiracy, CARTAGENA distributed the fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of Michael K. Williams. CARTAGENA pled guilty earlier today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy. In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K. Williams. This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death in our community.” According to the allegations in the complaints, court filings, and statements made in Court: Between at least in or about August 2020 and February 2022, a drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) was operating in the vicinity of 224 South 3 rd Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The DTO sold heroin laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue on the street in front of, and from an apartment inside of, the apartment building located at 224 South 3 rd Street, among other places. On or about September 5, 2021, members of the DTO sold Michael K. Williams heroin, which was laced with fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue, with CARTAGENA executing the hand-to-hand transaction. Williams died as a result of using that fentanyl-laced heroin. Despite knowing that Williams died after being sold the DTO’s product, CARTAGENA and his co-conspirators continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight amidst residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan. * * * CARTAGENA, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. As part of his guilty plea, CARTAGENA stipulated that the substances he conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute resulted in the death of Michael K. Williams. The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts. Mr. Williams also thanked the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces New York Strike Force, the United States Marshals Service, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance in this case. This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah Fergenson and David Robles are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Baltimore Drug Dealer Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison as Part of a Drug Conspiracy Operating in Baltimore

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Eric Wilson, age 51, of Owings Mills, Maryland, yesterday to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on drug conspiracy and distribution charges related to his supplying cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl to drug traffickers operating in West and Northwest Baltimore. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department. According to his guilty plea, in April 2020, law enforcement began an investigation into drug trafficking in West and Northwest Baltimore. During the investigation, Wilson was identified as a source of supply for co-conspirators involved in the drug trafficking organization (“DTO”). Law enforcement intercepted calls between Wilson and his co-conspirators discussing the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl, as well as other controlled substances. Wilson admitted that he maintained two stash locations to store, cut and package drugs with other members of the conspiracy—his residence in Owings Mills, Maryland and a home in the 3200 block of Presstman Street in Baltimore. On April 29, 2021, investigators executed search warrants at both locations. From the Owings Mills residence law enforcement recovered: approximately 158 grams of a cocaine and fentanyl mixture; drug paraphernalia; one .40 caliber round of ammunition; $23,126 in cash, believed to be drug proceeds; and nine phones. From the Presstman Street residence law enforcement recovered: a mixture containing approximately 1,541 grams of cocaine; 717.72 grams of crack cocaine; 10.999 grams of fentanyl pills; and kilo wrappers and drug paraphernalia. Throughout the course of his involvement in the conspiracy, it was reasonably foreseeable to Wilson that he or other members of the conspiracy would distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, as well as quantities of crack cocaine, fentanyl and heroin, in furtherance of the conspiracy. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through relationships forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The specific mission of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaRai N. Everett and James T. Wallner, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Scheme

body_text: A California man pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare for prescription drugs that were never dispensed to patients. According to court documents, Paul Mansour, 55, of Sierra Madre, was a pharmacist at a Sierra Madre-based pharmacy, Mansour Partners Inc., doing business as Best Buy Drugs, which he also co-owned. Mansour created fake patient profiles in the pharmacy’s digital filing system and added fraudulent prescription medication entries to these fictitious patient files that duplicated prescriptions for medications provided to real patients of the pharmacy. Mansour then submitted false and fraudulent claims for the drugs added in the fictitious patient files that had never been dispensed, billing Medicare for the fraudulent prescriptions in the names of real patients of the pharmacy. Between January 2017 and June 2022, Mansour caused Medicare to pay the pharmacy between approximately $600,000 and over $1 million as a result of the submission of false and fraudulent claims. Mansour pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorney Helen H. Lee of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 25 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Grand Jury Returns Two Indictments

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Madison Man Indicted on Charge of Firebombing Building Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with attempting to cause damage to a building by means of fire or an explosive. The indictment alleges that he did so on May 8, 2022. Roychowdhury was previously charged with this offense in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on March 27, 2023. Federal law requires that felony offenses charged by complaint be presented to a grand jury for indictment. Roychowdhury was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts at Logan International Airport on March 28. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston that day. A detention hearing was held on March 30, and he was ordered held in custody. A date for his appearance in federal court in Madison has not been set. If convicted, Roychowdhury faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department; Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force; Homeland Security Investigations; Dane County Sheriff’s Office; with the assistance of the FBI Boston Field Office; Boston Police Department; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Coast Guard; Federal Air Marshal Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman of the Western District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division are handling the prosecution. Rock County Man Charged with Robbing Madison Bank Richard L. Chapman, 65, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on February 3, 2023, he robbed the Park Bank, located on East Main Street in Madison, Wisconsin. If convicted, Chapman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.


title: Mississippi Landman Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Corporate Tax Return

body_text: A Jackson, Mississippi, landman pleaded guilty today to submitting a false tax return on behalf of his business, Gulf States Royalty, Ltd. According to court documents and statements made in court, Jeffrey Randall owned and operated an oil and gas lease company, Gulf States Royalty, Ltd. After informing his return preparer that he was unwilling to pay the tax he owed on the $3 million dollars earned by Gulf States in 2008, Randall and his preparer reported more than $2 million dollars in false business expenses on Gulf States’s 2008 corporate income tax return (Form 1120). Randall then signed the false return and directed his tax return preparer to submit it to the IRS. In total, Randall caused a tax loss to the IRS of $824,036.72. Randall is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26 and faces a statutory maximum of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Richard (R.J.) Hagerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.