title: St. Augustine Contractor Pleads Guilty To Failing To Pay IRS Payroll Taxes That He Withheld From Employees’ Pay

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that John M. Williams (63, St. Augustine) has pleaded guilty to failing to account for, and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), income taxes, Medicare taxes, and Social Security taxes (also known as payroll taxes) that had been withheld from employees’ pay. Williams faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. According to the plea agreement, in 2012, Williams became an owner, operator, and a corporate officer of First Coast Exteriors, Inc, a stucco application and home building business. He controlled the company’s financial affairs and almost all checks drawn on its corporate checking account, including paychecks, were signed by him. As an owner and corporate officer with control of the company’s payroll and finances, Williams had a duty to collect payroll taxes from the taxable wages of his employees. Each quarter, he also had duties both to account for, and to pay over to the IRS, those payroll taxes. An examination of Form W-2s filed for First Coast Exteriors employees showed that during the financial quarter ending March 31, 2013, through the quarter ending December 31, 2018, First Coast Exteriors withheld payroll taxes from its employees’ wages. IRS records show, however, that Williams did not account for these withholdings in Form 941 quarterly tax returns or pay these funds over to the IRS when the returns and payments were due. Between 2013 and 2018, Williams’s actions resulted in unpaid payroll taxes of approximately $306,500. During this same period, Williams also did not pay the IRS the employer’s matching share of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which totaled an additional $128,943. First Coast Exteriors was not the only company that Williams operated that was delinquent in paying its payroll taxes. Records show beginning in 1995, he operated a business called W.W. Contractors, Inc. For the 13 financial quarters between 2009 and 2012, W.W. Contractors filed Form 941 quarterly returns, but only made partial or late payments of payroll taxes withheld and owed to the IRS. “Sadly, our agents investigate cases like these far too frequently,” said Brian Payne, special agent in charge of the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office. “Business owners need to know that we will investigate tax cheats to ensure they are held accountable for their dishonorable actions. In this case, the defendant cheated both our federal tax system, and simply stole from his employees hard-earned employment benefits.” This case was investigated by IRS – Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.


title: Computer System Administrator and Spouse Plead Guilty in Massive Scheme to Sell Pirated Business Telephone System Software Licenses

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A computer system administrator and his spouse pleaded guilty today to participating in a massive international scheme to make millions of dollars by selling pirated business telephone system software licenses. The entire scheme allegedly resulted in the sale of software licenses with a retail value of over $88 million. According to court documents, Raymond Bradley Pearce, aka Brad Pearce, 48, and Dusti O. Pearce, 45, both of Tuttle, Oklahoma, conspired with Jason M. Hines, aka Joe Brown, Chad Johnson, and Justin Albaum, 43, of Caldwell, New Jersey, to commit wire fraud in a scheme that involved generating and then selling unauthorized Avaya Direct International (ADI) software licenses. The ADI software licenses were then used to unlock features of a popular telephone system used by thousands of companies around the globe. The ADI software licensing system has since been decommissioned. Avaya Holdings Corporation, a multinational business communications company headquartered in California, sold a product called IP Office, a telephone system used by many midsize and small businesses in the United States and abroad. To enable additional functionality of IP Office, such as voicemail or telephones, customers had to purchase software licenses – which Avaya generated – from an authorized Avaya distributor or reseller. Avaya used software license keys to control access to Avaya’s copyright-protected software and to ensure that only customers who paid for the software could use it. In addition, Avaya required that each software license on an IP Office system be associated with the system’s Avaya Secure Digital (SD) card – a small flash memory card with a unique serial number that plugged into the IP Office manager computer – which the end user had to keep in its possession to use the licenses. Brad Pearce, a long-time customer service employee at Avaya, used his system administrator privileges to generate tens of thousands of ADI software license keys that he sold to Hines and other customers, who in turn sold them to resellers and end users around the globe. The retail value of each Avaya software license ranged from under $100 to thousands of dollars. Dusti Pearce handled accounting for the illegal business. Hines was by far the Pearces’ largest customer – buying over 55% of the stolen licenses – and significantly influenced how the scheme operated. Hines operated Direct Business Services International (DBSI), a de-authorized Avaya reseller, in New Jersey. Brad Pearce also employed his system administrator privileges to hijack the accounts of former Avaya employees to generate additional ADI software license keys. Furthermore, he used these privileges to alter information about the accounts to conceal the fact that he was generating ADI license keys, preventing Avaya from discovering the fraud scheme for many years. The Pearces’ and Hines’ operation not only prevented Avaya from making any money on its stolen intellectual property but also undercut the global market on Avaya ADI software licenses because the Pearces and Hines were selling licenses for significantly below the wholesale price. In fact, Brad Pearce told Hines that the Pearces’ customers could not obtain same-day ADI software licenses from anyone else for anything even close to the Pearces’ prices, and Hines suggested that he and Brad Pearce work together to “corner” the market in licenses. Altogether, the Pearces and Hines reaped millions of dollars from the fraud. To hide the nature and source of the money, the Pearces funneled their illegal gains through a PayPal account created under a false name to multiple bank accounts, and then transferred the money to numerous other investment and bank accounts. They also purchased large quantities of gold bullion and other valuable items. Brad Pearce and Dusti Pearce pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Brad Pearce and Dusti Pearce must forfeit a money judgment of at least $4 million as well as cash, gold, silver, collectible coins, cryptocurrency, and a vehicle. They must also make full restitution to their victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In July, Hines pleaded guilty to conspiring with the Pearces. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case. Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia E. Barry and William Farrior for the Western District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.


title: Former Investment Banker and Registered Broker Pleads Guilty to Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Rashawn Russell pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to defraud clients of the R 3 Crypto Fund, a purported cryptocurrency investment fund operated by Russell. Russell also pleaded guilty for his role in a separate identity-theft scheme in which he fraudulently obtained credit cards and other access devices in the names of third parties. Today’s plea took place before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara. When sentenced, Russell faces up to 30 years in prison. As part of his plea agreement, Russell will be required to pay restitution in the amount of more than $1.5 million. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Eric Shen, Inspector-in-Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Criminal Investigations Group (USPIS), announced the guilty plea. “Russell leveraged investor interest in cryptocurrency markets to perpetrate a scheme to defraud clients who trusted him,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “The swift conviction in this case underscores this Office’s commitment to holding bad actors in the digital asset markets accountable.” “The Postal Inspection Service proudly protects Americans from ever-evolving threats of fraud,” stated USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Shen. “This case showcases our dedication to bring to justice those who violate their fiduciary duty to their clients.” According to court filings and facts presented during the plea hearing, between November 2020 and August 2022, Russell, a former investment banker and registered broker with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors into his R 3 Crypto Fund by falsely promising that, among other things, he would use their funds to make cryptocurrency investments that would return large, and sometimes guaranteed, returns. In truth, much of the investors’ assets were misappropriated by Russell and used for his personal benefit, to gamble, and to repay earlier investors. Through Russell’s scheme, at least 29 investors lost at least $1.5 million. In a separate fraud scheme, between September 2021 and June 2023, Russell fraudulently obtained more than fifteen credit cards and other access devices in the names of third parties. Russell obtained these devices with the intent to use them to complete unauthorized transactions. The government’s case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney Drew Rolle, Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford, and Assistant Chief Scott Armstrong are prosecuting the case. If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov . The Defendant: RASHAWN RUSSELL Age: 27 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-152


title: Atlanta meat market owner pleads guilty to $10 million food stamp fraud

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – Uttam Halder has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud arising from a $10 million scheme to purchase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from low-income recipients. After his arrest, Halder became a fugitive and attempted to flee to Istanbul, where he was apprehended by foreign authorities. “The defendant exploited a program designed to provide nutritional assistance for needy citizens by enabling stores to pay cash to customers to redeem their food stamp benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His actions diverted millions of dollars in taxpayer funds for his personal gain. He also tried to evade the consequences of his actions by escaping abroad but was captured and arrested with the assistance of our international law enforcement partners.” “This investigation and prosecution should send a strong zero-tolerance message to those individuals engaged in the practice of defrauding the taxpayer through SNAP,” said Miles Davis, Special Agent-in-Charge, USDA-Office of Inspector General. “It should also serve as a warning to all stores that participate in the SNAP program as vendors that fraud and trafficking (purchasing those benefits for cash and the sharing of Point-of-Sale terminals) will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted by the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and all its federal, state, and local partners that have a stake in ensuring that fraud is eliminated from taxpayer-funded programs.” “Halder thought that his scheme to defraud the government and his attempt to evade prosecution would be successful, but thanks to HSI and its law enforcement partners, both here and abroad, he was sadly mistaken,” said HSI Atlanta acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Crime does not pay is the lesson we want others, contemplating scams, to take from this case and change their minds.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Uttam Halder owned and operated a small meat market in Atlanta called Big Daddy’s Discount Meat (“Big Daddy’s”). Halder enrolled Big Daddy’s as a retailer for the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) in 2014. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is designed to alleviate hunger among low-income families by providing benefits on Electronic Benefit Transfer (“EBT”) cards that can be exchanged for eligible food items. Between 2015 and 2020, Halder loaned his EBT terminals to two stores, Food World and Big Brother Mini Supermarket, contrary to SNAP rules. Co-conspirator Paltu Roy, the operator of Big Brother Mini Supermarket, and another co-conspirator who operated Food World agreed to share profits with Halder from Big Daddy’s terminals used illegally at those stores. After receiving Big Daddy’s EBT terminals, both stores made cash payments to customers in return for redeeming their SNAP benefits at the rate of roughly 50 cents on the dollar. During this six-year period, Big Daddy’s terminals collected more than $10 million in fraudulent redemptions of SNAP benefits, and Halder shared a substantial portion of the profits. Following his arrest in January 2021, Halder was released on bond. Contrary to his bond conditions, Halder fled and became a fugitive in late 2022. In June 2023, foreign authorities in Turkey located Halder when he attempted to enter Istanbul from Cancun, Mexico with a fake passport. Halder was returned to the United States and placed into custody. Uttam Halder, 42, of Decatur, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of failure to appear. The sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael L. Brown. His co-conspirator, Paltu Roy, 51, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on December 9, 2021. Judge Brown sentenced Roy on April 20, 2022, to three years and one month in prison, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 and ordered him to pay $3,071,235 in restitution to the USDA. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan P. Kitchens is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Joplin Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Conspiracy, Illegal Firearms

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a kidnapping conspiracy that resulted in the death of the victim. Freddie Lewis Tilton, also known as “Ol’ Boy,” 50, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. By pleading guilty today, Tilton admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. Co-defendants Carla Jo Ward, 49, of Joplin, James B. Gibson, 41, of Neosho, Mo., Amy Kay Thomas, 40, of Webb City, Mo., Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 52, of Newton County, Mo., and Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 51, of Greenwood, Mo., have previously pleaded guilty. According to the plea agreement, Ward picked up M.H., whom she knew was being sought by Tilton, and took him to Vaughan’s residence. Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. They bound M.H.’s hands with handcuffs, and duct tape was placed around his mouth and other parts of his body. Gibson, Thomas, and others assaulted M.H. for a period of time. M.H. was cut, beaten, shot at, and burned with a blowtorch. As M.H. became bloody, Vaughan placed a plastic tarp on the floor. Tilton fatally shot M.H. in the head. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and transported it to Hurtt’s property. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage. When officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, Tilton fired multiple shots from inside the residence at the officers. Tilton was apprehended. Officers found M.H.’s body on the property. Officers searched the residence and found a Rigarmi .25-caliber pistol, an Ithaca .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .22-caliber rifle without a serial number, a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun without a serial number. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Tilton has two prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior felony convictions for larceny of an automobile, and prior felony convictions for stealing, possession of a controlled substance, burglary of an automobile, possession of a chemical with intent to manufacture, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of a weapon, theft, and tampering. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ami Harshad Miller and James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the FBI, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Neosho, Mo., Police Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, and the Cherokee County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: California Real Estate Developer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Using Stolen Identities to Obtain Covid-Relief Program Funds

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A California real estate developer was sentenced to federal prison today for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain more than $1.3 million in loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alfred E. Nevis, 53, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Nevis was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and to forfeit another $1.3 million to the United States Treasury. According to court documents, from April 1, 2020, through at least August 6, 2020, Nevis used the identities of multiple individuals known to him—including current and former employees, business associates, and their spouses—to illegally obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) disbursed by the SBA. The EIDL program was one of several economic relief programs originally authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to American employers. To facilitate his scheme, Nevis used the stolen identities to register straw corporations, obtain Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the IRS, and submit loan applications to SBA on behalf of the newly-registered corporations. In one instance, Nevis claimed a straw corporation called Isley Farms, registered in Oregon, had 12 employees and generated more than $725,000 in revenue in a 12-month period ending in January 2020. Between April 1, 2020, and September 25, 2020, Nevis submitted at least 22 EIDL applications using the stolen identities of at least eight individuals. Together, these applications sought nearly $2.8 million from SBA. By August 2020, Nevis had obtained more than $1.3 million in EIDL payouts and laundered at least $160,000 of his ill-gotten gains. On May 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Nevis with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. On May 2, 2023, he pleaded guilty to all three charges. This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the SBA Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Ryan W. Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Guatemalan Resident Indicted on Charge of Violating Federal Immigration Laws

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Guatemala, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal immigration laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment named Alexander Mendez-Marroquin, 32, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about August 20, 2023, Mendez-Marroquin was located in Pittsburgh and taken into custody by Department of Homeland Security agents after knowingly illegally reentering the United States as a previously removed alien. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Former Allegheny County Resident Sentenced to 216 Months in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Money Laundering

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA – Ross Landfried was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, and to engage in money laundering, in 2017 and 2018 while serving a federal prison sentence for a prior drug trafficking conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Landfried, age 42, formerly of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Judge Ranjan ordered Landfried to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Judge Ranjan also ordered that the 216-month prison sentence be served consecutively to Landfried’s prior sentence. Landfried was convicted at the conclusion of a trial in June 2022. Landfried was serving a federal prison sentence in 2017 and 2018 following a federal conviction for prior large-scale drug trafficking. Despite his prior conviction and incarceration, he continued to engage in drug trafficking, and money laundering, while in federal prison. He led a scheme that involved several co-conspirators and that was designed to introduce large quantities of K2 paper saturated with powerful Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid controlled substances into prisons. The K2 paper endangered other inmates and corrections officers and burdened them with the effects of frequent lockdowns, overdoses, assaults, and other volatile behavior. While pending trial following his indictment, Landfried engaged in repeated incidents of violence and weapon possession at local detention facilities. Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General led the multi-agency investigation that also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Munhall Police Department, the Robinson Township Police Department, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Etna Police Department, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Joplin Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Child Pornography

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving and distributing child pornography over the internet. Mark Comer, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Comer will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life. On March 23, 2023, Comer pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography. Law enforcement officers searched Comer’s laptop in July 2022 as part of an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse. Investigators found thousands of photos and videos of child pornography and child exploitative material. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, the FBI, and the Carl Junction, Mo., Police Department. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Clearfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Clearfield, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Brittany Luzier, age 29, of Clearfield, PA, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson. In connection with the guilty plea, from July 2019 to June 2020, Luzier did conspire to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 18, 2024. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Luzier. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Two Indian Nationals Each Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Receiving Over $1.2 Million in Global Robocall Scam that Defrauded Elderly Victims

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Two Indian nationals were each sentenced today to 41 months in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained $1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the United States, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Arushobike Mitra, 29, and Garbita Mitra, 25, (no relation) both previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Salas imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court. “These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money. Protecting our elderly population from these kinds of deceitful robocall scams is a priority of our office. Those who engage in this kind of elder fraud scheme can expect to face justice.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “Protecting our elderly population from these kinds of deceitful robocall scams is a priority of our office. Those who engage in this kind of elder fraud scheme can expect to face justice.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: As part of an international fraud scheme, criminal India-based call centers utilized automated robocalls to victims across the country with the intent of defrauding U.S. residents, particularly the elderly. After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, other members of the conspiracy would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras. These conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating government officials from agencies such as the Social Security Administration, or impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI or DEA, and threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences if they did not comply. Another method utilized by the callers involved convincing the victim they were speaking with someone from a tech support company and coercing the victim into granting the caller remote access to their personal computers. The caller would then access the victim’s bank accounts and make it appear to the victim that the caller had inadvertently added money to the victim’s bank account, when in fact the caller had simply transferred money from another one of the victim’s own accounts. The caller would then instruct the victim to “return” the money by way of mail or wire transfer to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced Arushobike Mitra and Garbita Mitra each to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $835,324 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Cyber Intrusion Group, and El Dorado Task Force Asset Identification & Removal Group, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo in New York; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings. He also thanked the Hoboken Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the New York City Police Department, and the Brunswick County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Meriah Russell of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Camden.


title: Indictment Charges Bridgeport Man with Drug Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a two-count indictment charging JONATHAN BONAPARTE, 35, of Bridgeport, with drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. The indictment was returned on September 7, 2023. Bonaparte appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on March 31, 2022. The indictment alleges that on March 31, 2022, Bonaparte possessed fentanyl and cocaine that he intended to distribute, six firearms, and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. The indictment further alleges that Bonaparte’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for robbery and firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. The indictment charges Bonaparte with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A charge is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation has been conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF), and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins, through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Bronx Man Sentenced To 38 Years In Prison For 2018 Murder During Which He Shot The Victim’s Five-Year-Old Son

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Suave,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff to 38 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Jaquan Millien on October 23, 2018. RODRIGUEZ shot and killed Millien in the Butler Houses in the Bronx, New York, in connection with a drug dispute. During the shooting, RODRIGUEZ shot Millien’s five-year-old son, who was with his father at the time. Thankfully, Millien’s son survived. RODRIGUEZ was convicted following a five-day trial before Judge Rakoff on June 6, 2023. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Inside of a residential building in the Bronx, Joshua Rodriguez targeted, ambushed, and callously murdered Jaquan Millien over a drug dispute. Worse still, Rodriguez shot and wounded Millien’s five-year-old son who was standing next to his father. Millien’s son’s gunshot wound has healed, but the scars from witnessing the brutal murder of his father will last a lifetime. Today’s lengthy sentence is yet another example of this Office’s promise to remain relentless in its prosecution of violent drug dealers.” According to the evidence presented in court during the trial: Between in or about 2012 and in or about 2018, JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ conspired with others to sell marijuana in an apartment building located at 1408 Webster Avenue (the “Apartment Building”). In connection with his narcotics dealing, on or about October 23, 2018, RODRIGUEZ followed Jaquan Millien and his son into the Apartment Building after Millien picked up his son from school. RODRIGUEZ cornered Millien and his son in the stairwell and fired multiple shots, killing Millien and hitting Millien’s son in the arm. * * * In addition to his prison term, RODRIGUEZ, 31, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release. Mr. Williams thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their outstanding work on the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Andrews, Courtney Heavey, and Jim Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist William Coleman.


title: Possession of Methamphetamine Leads to Federal Prison Sentence of 22+ Years for Ethel Man

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: LAFAYETTE, La. – Eric Martin , 36, of Ethel, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession of methamphetamine announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Martin to 274 months (22 years, 10 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Martin was charged in an indictment in January 2023 with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to evidence presented to the court, on July 13, 2022, members of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and the driver and lone occupant was identified as Martin. During the traffic stop, law enforcement officers observed the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Martin was questioned by officers. Martin admitted that marijuana could be located inside a blue backpack located on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers located approximately 26 grams of marijuana on the front passenger seat. In addition, approximately 18 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine was found on the back seat of the vehicle, within the reach of Martin. A presumptive test of the suspected methamphetamine returned a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the DEA laboratory for testing and had a result indicating the substance had a net weight of 16.96 kilograms of methamphetamine. Martin has a criminal history including convictions for negligent homicide and accessory after the fact to aggravated second degree battery. The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaDonte A. Murphy and Craig R. Bordelon. # # #


title: East Hartford Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Multiple Gun and Drug Offenses

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUSTIN GAY, 27, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for multiple gun and drug possession and trafficking offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 6, 2016, Gay’s associate, Daniel Vazquez, shot a rival drug dealer who was driving a car at the intersection of Tolland Street and Moore Avenue in East Hartford. Vazquez was arrested on that date, and a search of his residence revealed a Ruger LC93 9mm handgun, which he had used in the shooting, and a Taurus 9mm handgun. The two firearms were traced to Minot, North Dakota. The investigation revealed that Gay, Vazquez, and others trafficked firearms from North Dakota to Connecticut. In late June 2016, Gay, Vazquez, and others traveled to Minot where they purchased, sometimes with counterfeit currency, firearms from sellers who had advertised the guns for sale on a website. Gay and Vazquez then transported five firearms from North Dakota to Connecticut. Two of these five firearms were found in Vazquez’s residence on July 6, 2016. Several of the trafficked firearms were used in shootings in and around Hartford. On December 8, 2016, East Hartford Police arrested Gay on state charges after he sold marijuana to an individual and was found in possession of one of the handguns he had obtained in North Dakota. On September 1, 2019, Gay pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to unlawfully transport firearms in interstate commerce. On April 30, 2020, Gay, who had been detained while awaiting sentencing, was released on bond due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 14, 2021, Gay was arrested after an investigation into drug trafficking by his roommate, Alexander Belen, led to a search of Gay’s vehicle. The search revealed a loaded 9mm handgun fitted with a “sear switch” that made the firearm fully automatic, a separate 50 round drum magazine, another loaded 9mm handgun, and distribution quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack. On April 20, 2023, Gay pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment, and commission of offenses while on release. Gay has been detained since June 14, 2021. On March 5, 2019, Vazquez was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment. Belen has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The gun trafficking investigation was conducted by the ATF and East Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Minot (N.D.) Police Department. The drug trafficking investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Brendan J. Keefe.


title: South Carolina Man Admits Securities Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Wire Fraud Schemes

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A South Carolina man today admitted engaging in several bank and wire fraud schemes and a securities offering fraud scheme that spanned six years and caused losses of millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced. Sandy John Masselli, 62, of Columbia, South Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to nine counts of a superseding indictment charging him with bank fraud, wire fraud, and securities fraud. Masselli was initially charged by complaint in October 2017. “Sandy Masselli today admitted defrauding his victims through a web of lies that induced them to invest in his company with the promise of substantial returns from an initial public offering that was never going to happen. He also concealed his ill-gotten gains from banks and credit card companies with more lies. Masselli’s guilty plea means that he will now be held accountable for putting his illegal pursuit of profit before his investors’ interests. This office is fully committed to combatting securities and investment fraud schemes of all kinds, and this case is another example of that commitment.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “Investment fraud has devastating consequences for victims, and today's guilty plea brings Masselli one step closer to accounting for the havoc he caused,” FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners stand ready to protect investors, both large and small, from fraudsters like Masselli.” According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From September 2011 through October 2017, Masselli solicited millions of dollars in investments from retail investors by fraudulently touting the prospect of his online gaming company, Carlyle Entertainment Ltd., formerly Carlyle Gaming & Entertainment Ltd. (Carlyle), to conduct a lucrative initial public offering (IPO) of its stock on either the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Masselli induced investors to purchase shares of Carlyle stock by promising them steeply discounted prices in advance of the purported IPO, assuring them that the stock price would increase significantly after the IPO. Masselli further represented that the IPO would occur within weeks or months of the investors’ stock purchases. However, as Masselli knew, Carlyle was neither poised nor prepared to conduct an IPO on either the NASDAQ or the NYSE, given that, among other deficiencies, neither Masselli nor anyone else on behalf of Carlyle ever filed an application with the NASDAQ or the NYSE to list Carlyle stock on either exchange, or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a registration statement to list Carlyle shares on a national exchange. Masselli further misrepresented to the investors how he would use their investments, for example telling them that he would allocate investment funds toward improving Carlyle’s online platform and paying legal fees in connection with preparing Carlyle for a looming IPO. Masselli did not invest these funds in Carlyle, as he had promised investors he would, but instead misappropriated these funds to pay for his and his family’s own personal expenses. Within weeks and often days of receiving investor funds, Masselli quickly deposited them into and throughout a web of bank accounts he controlled, many of which were opened under names of fictitious corporate entities in an effort to conceal the source of the funds. After disguising the provenance of the investor funds, Masselli typically went to work quickly misappropriating the funds. Masselli also opened multiple credit card accounts, made purchases on those accounts until he had almost reached or exceeded the credit limit, and then purported to send payments from accounts that he knew did not have sufficient funds to cover those payments. Before the fraudulent payments were rejected for insufficient funds, the credit card companies temporarily credited the accounts based on those payments, providing Masselli access to additional credit and allowing him to continue to make purchases. Masselli ultimately failed to pay the balances and the credit card companies sustained a loss. On two occasions, Masselli contacted the victim credit card companies falsely claiming that the accounts had been opened fraudulently by others who had stolen his personal identifiable information. The bank fraud counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The wire fraud counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. The securities fraud counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2024. The SEC previously filed a civil complaint against Masselli based on the securities fraud conduct. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also expressed appreciation for the SEC Division of Enforcement, under the direction of Gurbir S. Grewal. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Office, and Alexander E. Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Trenton Office. masselli.sindictment.pdf


title: Jury convicts Virginia man of attempted sex trafficking of minor in undercover investigation in Billings

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MISSOULA — A federal jury today convicted a Virginia man of attempting to solicit a minor for sex during an undercover investigation in Billings, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. After a two-day trial that began in Missoula on Sept. 18, the jury found Mark Samuel Baker, 57, of Gore, Virginia, guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a minor as charged in an indictment. Baker faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date will be set. Baker was detained pending further proceedings. “Baker got caught in an undercover sting when he tried to arrange to have commercial sex with an individual he thought was a minor under 16. His conduct exploits children and contributes to the scourge of sex trafficking, which our office will continue to aggressively prosecute. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Kelsey A. Sabol and the FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department for their investigation and prosecution of this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. In court documents and during trial, the government alleged that from July 11, 2022 to July 13, 2022, Baker knowingly attempted to recruit and solicit a minor to engage in commercial sex. During the investigation, an undercover officer used the internet to post an advertisement purporting to be a female escort who was the minimum allowed posting age of 18. About six hours later, the undercover agent received a message in response to the ad from a phone number later identified to be Baker’s. Law enforcement responded on July 12, 2022 asking if Baker wanted “a date.” Law enforcement and Baker communicated over the next two days. One of the exchanges included: Law enforcement asks, “Are u ok if I’m not 18.” Baker responds, “Yes as long as you are ok I’m 49.” Law enforcement writes, “I’m almost 16 if ur cool w that.” Baker and the undercover discussed how much time $80 would buy, and Baker said he wanted sex with the undercover officer. Baker also sent pictures of the cash he would use and of himself. They then made plans to meet in Billings and go to Baker’s hotel. Law enforcement arrested Baker on July 13, 2022 when he showed up at the designated time. A call was then placed to the phone number law enforcement had been texting, and a smartphone in Baker’s vehicle lit up with the undercover’s number. Law enforcement found $375 in cash, a hotel passkey and four condoms on Baker’s person. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Kelsey A. Sabol are prosecuting the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Teacher’s Aide and Youth Hockey Coach Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Distributing Sexually Explicit Images of Children

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 19, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Daniel Zachary Dasko of Carlsbad, a former teacher’s aide and youth hockey coach, was sentenced in federal court today to 188 months in prison for sending sexually explicit images of children to others online. Dasko, who is out on bond, was ordered to report to prison on October 3. Dasko pleaded guilty on April 11, 2023, to one count of Distribution of Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Dasko’s distribution of images and videos of children being sexually abused was discovered during the course of another investigation into similar activity. In July 2021, the Philadelphia Division of the FBI received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a man uploading child pornography. The subject was identified as a teacher in the Philadelphia area. FBI Philadelphia executed a search warrant on the Philadelphia man’s residence. A review of his iPhone revealed numerous conversations regarding child pornography using a social media application that allowed the user to produce and trade images created by baiting minor victims to send nude photos or videos, or to go live online and be screen-recorded. The Philadelphia subject and other coconspirators would first pose as females on social media sites in order to chat with the victims, and then transfer their communications to a closed social media application that allowed the exchange of these nude photos and videos. During this investigation, FBI agents determined that Dasko communicated with the Philadelphia man and his other co-conspirators under the name “Mr. Pickles.” From October 3, 2020, to October 3, 2021, Dasko exchanged over 3,671 messages with the Philadelphia man, including numerous images and videos depicting children being sexually abused. The vast majority of these messages were conversations about sexually exploiting children Dasko and his co-conspirators knew or met online. The Philadelphia man and Dasko discussed at length and in graphic, disturbing detail, their attraction to young boys and their attempts to catfish them. Catfishing – one of the most common internet scams targeting young people - happens when a person poses as someone else in an online relationship. Dasko even went so far as to forward social media contact information of children that he knew to his co-conspirators, so the children could be catfished online. This scheme achieved results. For example, Dasko distributed a video of a 13-year-old boy masturbating. This victim had been catfished by one of Dasko’s co-conspirators. “This defendant is a sexual predator who used his position as a teacher and coach to inform his sexual interests and to target kids for online abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “His job was to educate and protect children. Instead, he exploited them. We will do everything in our power protect children and hold offenders accountable.” “Crimes involving sexually exploiting children are especially disgusting and disturbing,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “I'm proud of the hard work conducted by our agents and law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice for their abhorrent behavior.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mandy Griffith and Andrew Sherwood. DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr1715-LL Daniel Dasko Age: 32 Carlsbad, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Distribution of Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2252(a)(2). Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine AGENCY Federal Bureau of Investigation


title: Computer System Administrator and Spouse Plead Guilty in Massive Scheme to Sell Pirated Business Telephone System Software Licenses

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY– A computer system administrator and his spouse pleaded guilty today to participating in a massive international scheme to make millions of dollars by selling pirated business telephone system software licenses. The entire scheme allegedly resulted in the sale of software licenses with a retail value of over $88 million. According to court documents, Raymond Bradley Pearce, aka Brad Pearce, 48, and Dusti O. Pearce, 45, both of Tuttle, Oklahoma, conspired with Jason M. Hines, aka Joe Brown, Chad Johnson, and Justin Albaum, 43, of Caldwell, New Jersey to commit wire fraud in a scheme that involved generating and then selling unauthorized Avaya Direct International (ADI) software licenses. The ADI software licenses were then used to unlock features of a popular telephone system used by thousands of companies around the globe. The ADI software licensing system has since been decommissioned. Avaya Holdings Corporation, a multinational business communications company headquartered in California, sold a product called IP Office, a telephone system used by many midsize and small businesses in the United States and abroad. To enable additional functionality of IP Office, such as voicemail or telephones, customers had to purchase software licenses – which Avaya generated – from an authorized Avaya distributor or reseller. Avaya used software license keys to control access to Avaya’s copyright-protected software and to ensure that only customers who paid for the software could use it. In addition, Avaya required that each software license on an IP Office system be associated with the system’s Avaya Secure Digital (SD) card – a small flash memory card with a unique serial number that plugged into the IP Office manager computer – which the end user had to keep in its possession to use the licenses. Brad Pearce, a long-time customer service employee at Avaya, used his system administrator privileges to generate tens of thousands of ADI software license keys that he sold to Hines and other customers, who in turn sold them to resellers and end users around the globe. The retail value of each Avaya software license ranged from under $100 to thousands of dollars. Dusti Pearce handled accounting for the illegal business. Hines was by far the Pearces’ largest customer – buying over 55% of the stolen licenses – and significantly influenced how the scheme operated. Hines operated Direct Business Services International (DBSI), a de-authorized Avaya reseller, in New Jersey. Brad Pearce also employed his system administrator privileges to hijack the accounts of former Avaya employees to generate additional ADI software license keys. Furthermore, he used these privileges to alter information about the accounts to conceal the fact that he was generating ADI license keys, preventing Avaya from discovering the fraud scheme for many years. The Pearces’ and Hines’ operation not only prevented Avaya from making any money on its stolen intellectual property but also undercut the global market in Avaya ADI software licenses because the Pearces and Hines were selling licenses for significantly below the wholesale price. In fact, Brad Pearce told Hines that the Pearces’ customers could not obtain same-day ADI software licenses from anyone else for anything even close to the Pearces’ prices, and Hines suggested that he and Brad Pearce work together to “corner” the market in licenses. Altogether, the Pearces and Hines reaped millions of dollars from the fraud. To hide the nature and source of the money, the Pearces funneled their illegal gains through a PayPal account created under a false name to multiple bank accounts, and then transferred the money to numerous other investment and bank accounts. They also purchased large quantities of gold bullion and other valuable items. Brad Pearce and Dusti Pearce pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Brad Pearce and Dusti Pearce must forfeit a money judgment of at least $4 million as well as cash, gold, silver, collectible coins, cryptocurrency, and a vehicle. They must also make full restitution to their victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In July, Hines pleaded guilty to conspiring with the Pearces. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia E. Barry and William Farrior for the Western District of Oklahoma and Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Statement of U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero on the Passing of JoAnne A. Epps

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: On behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, I want to express how deeply saddened we are by the death of JoAnne A. Epps, Acting Temple University President. Acting President Epps is fondly remembered as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1980 to 1985. She was an icon in the legal community, dedicating her life to public service, the rule of law, experiential legal education, equity and diversity in the profession, and the advancement of civil rights. She was tireless and passionate about the issues she held dear. We deeply mourn her passing and send our heartfelt condolences to her family in this difficult time. On a personal note, JoAnne was a mentor and confidante. Today I mourn with countless women who had the pleasure of Joanne’s wise advice, mentorship, and counsel over the years. I am simply devastated by her passing.


title: Anchorage Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl, Meth

body_text: FAIRBANKS, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced on Sept. 5 to 14 years in prison for distributing large quantities of controlled substances in Alaska. According to court documents, Darrell Latory Moss Sr, 45, sold over 1,300 grams of methamphetamine and 100 fake prescription pills containing fentanyl over a three-month period. The defendant was arrested in Bethel, Alaska, in March 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of distributing a controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C.§841(a)(1). Moss was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, five years’ supervised release, and he is required to forfeit two vehicles and over $8,500 cash. ”Mr. Moss’s sentence brings us another step closer in our efforts to keep Alaskans safe,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Drugs are affecting communities and villages large and small and create serious public safety issues. Our office will continue to prioritize working with our Federal, State and local law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and prosecute people who choose to push dangerous drugs out into our communities. Their actions will not be tolerated.” “This defendant sought to financially gain from distributing dangerous drugs, including deadly fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone pills, at the expense of Alaska’s communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This sentencing ensures accountability for those crimes, and is a result of law enforcement partnerships across Alaska working to keep illicit drugs out of our communities.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), IRS Criminal Investigation, Alaska State Troopers, Anchorage High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) team, Fairbanks HIDTA team and Mat-Su Valley HIDTA team investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case. This investigation and prosecution were part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Financial Crimes Conference Aims to Give Law Enforcement Tools to Better Fight Internet Crime

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida recently convened a financial crimes training entitled “Taking the Byte out of Crime—Tools and Techniques for Fighting Internet Crimes Targeting Businesses and Individuals.” More than 90 law enforcement officers and federal agents from Key West to Palm Beach met at Broward College Health Sciences Simulation Center in Davie, Fla., to enhance their knowledge base, discuss evolving internet crime schemes, hear about criminal case examples, and share investigative resources to combat crime. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida expressed his gratitude to those in attendance and acknowledged the importance of federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships to reduce internet crimes. The financial crimes conference offered the attendees an invaluable training opportunity on areas to include business email compromise scams, virtual currency tracing, illegal narcotics in the mail stream, mail theft, cryptocurrency scams, and the federal fraud statutes applicable to these offenses. Representatives from the following federal agencies presented during the conference: the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida; FBI Miami; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Miami; and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Miami. Some of the important public safety takeaways are: Protect your personal identifying information (PII). If an investment opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers can send very realistic emails and account statements to make it look like you are involved in a legitimate investment. Online “friends” who discourage you from telling friends and family about your relationship or financial “investments” are also a red flag. Be cautious. According to the FBI, internet crime amounted to victim losses of $10.3 billion in 2022. Anyone who suspects they are a victim of internet criminal activity should report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center by clicking www.ic3.gov . Be sure to include as much information as possible — original emails, checks, receipts, financial transaction information, cryptocurrency addresses, websites, and phone numbers. The more information that is provided, the better chance the FBI has of recouping stolen funds or making an arrest. To combat potential theft, consider mailing any financial correspondence inside the Post Office lobby drop box or hand it to a clerk. The U.S. Postal Service has a free service called Informed Delivery www.usps.com which will send the user photos of the mail before it arrives. If you suspect U.S. Postal Service employee wrongdoing, please contact the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General hotline immediately at www.uspsoig.gov/hotline . No one can prevent all crime but protecting your personal identification information, and verifying the identity of those you are dealing with online is a great place to start. The sharing of information across agencies gives law enforcement more avenues to solve crimes. “Criminality is evolving and it’s up to law enforcement to update its investigative techniques,” said Law Enforcement Coordination/Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith, U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We put on these trainings because we see the value in them. The trainings bring law enforcement officers/agents and prosecutors together to learn from one another. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been asked to host more of these conferences … and we will.”


title: District Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Gun Charges

body_text: WASHINGTON – Saadiq Logan, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 117 months in prison and five years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person prohibited, and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Logan pleaded guilty, on Dec. 15, 2022, in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. According to court documents, shortly after 6 p.m. on June 22, 2022, members of MPD’s Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), were patrolling in Southeast Washington when they observed Logan with a group of individuals standing around a Mercedes parked on the road. Logan was holding a backpack. As the officers exited their vehicle, Logan ran but tripped and fell, dropping the backpack. Officers recovered the backpack and found two firearms with multiple magazines. They also found a Glock 21 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol in Logan’s waistband, equipped with a machine gun conversion device (a “switch”) which allows the pistol to shoot multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. The Glock 21 had one round chambered and 10 additional rounds in a 13-round capacity magazine. Inside Logan’s backpack, law enforcement recovered the following: • A loaded 7.62 caliber Micro-Draco semi-automatic pistol with one round in the chamber and 21 additional rounds in an unknown capacity magazine • A loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with one round in the chamber and 22 additional rounds in a 31-round capacity magazine • A 10mm magazine loaded with 10 rounds • An unloaded .45 caliber magazine with 30-round capacity • A .40 caliber drum magazine with 50-round capacity loaded with 22 rounds Logan also was carrying a pill bottle containing 59 tablets determined to contain fentanyl. On Aug. 5, 2022, while detained in the D.C. jail pending resolution of the current case, Logan assaulted an inmate and intentionally kicked the victim in the head multiple times during a fight. As a result of this incident, Logan was charged with simple assault in D.C. Superior Court. He pleaded guilty to that charge on June 20, 2023, and is awaiting sentencing. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case was prosecuted by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison McGuire and Assistant U.S. Attorney George Eliopoulos, with assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Leiter, all members of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.


title: D.C. Executive Pleads Guilty to Second Fraud Offense and  Admits to Stealing more than $2 million from Former Clients

body_text: WASHINGTON – Graham Hauck, 50, of Bethesda, Maryland, pleaded guilty today—for the second time in approximately four months—to stealing money from his clients. In May 2023, Hauck pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from one former client. Following that guilty plea, additional clients contacted the government to report that Hauck had stolen from them, too. Hauck even stole money from one client after his May 2023 guilty plea. In total, he misappropriated more than $2 million from eight clients. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. On May 10, 2023, Hauck pleaded guilty to wire fraud, which carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. Today, he pleaded guilty to bank fraud, which carries a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison. As part of his plea agreements, Hauck must pay full restitution to the victims. He also will be liable for forfeiture money judgments. U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras accepted both of Hauck’s guilty pleas. Judge Contreras revoked Hauck’s bond last Thursday after he learned that Hauck had stolen money from one victim following the entry of his May guilty plea. Sentencing is scheduled in both cases for Feb. 28, 2024. Hauck served as president and CEO of Hauck & Associates, Inc., (H&A) a trade association management firm based in Washington, D.C. The victim organizations retained H&A to serve as their management company. Hauck used his access to their financial accounts to steal more than $2 million from the eight victims. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman with assistance from Financial Analyst Bryan Snitselaar, Paralegal Specialists Michon Tart and Marsha Cannon, and Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Catherine Chae.


title: District Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for  2021 Murder in Southeast Washington Apartment Building Lobby

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: Defendant Shot Victim in Back After Confrontation Over Drug Sales to Victim’s Father WASHINGTON – Shaka Haltiwanger, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 24 years in prison for second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and related charges stemming from the brazen mid-morning killing of Anthony Kelley in the lobby of an apartment building in Southeast Washington. The sentenced was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). A jury found Haltiwanger guilty on March 22, 2023. In addition to the 24-year prison term, the Honorable Rainey Brandt ordered three years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, just before 11:30 a.m. on September 10, 2021, 39-year old Anthony Kelley arrived at his father’s apartment building at 1400 29 th Street SE, to take his father—who had suffered a stroke and could not drive—to the grocery store. When Mr. Kelley entered his father’s apartment, he found Haltiwanger on the living room couch. Haltiwanger had been regularly selling crack cocaine to Mr. Kelley’s father. Mr. Kelley confronted Haltiwanger and physically removed him from the apartment. Haltiwanger and Mr. Kelley continued to argue in the hallway and stairwell of the apartment building until Mr. Kelley separated himself and began to walk away toward the building’s front door. Haltiwanger then removed a 9 mm “ghost gun,” equipped with a 50-round magazine drum, from his backpack and shot Mr. Kelley once in the back. The gun jammed after the first shot, and Haltiwanger fled the scene. Haltiwanger and others then proceeded to call multiple eyewitnesses to the shooting more than a dozen times using blocked phone numbers while the eyewitnesses were speaking to law enforcement on scene. Haltiwanger was arrested for the murder of Mr. Kelley on September 30, 2021, and has been in custody since. At the time of the murder, Haltiwanger was on pretrial release for a pending gun and drug case in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI CAST team. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon Donovan, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Section, and Dan Lenerz of the Appellate Section; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen; Victim/Witness Security Specialists Robert Cephas, Marlon Hernandez, and Lesley Slade; Supervisory Victim/Witness Service Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Paralegal Specialists Meridith McGarrity and Grazy Rivera; and Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Kimak and Charles R. Jones, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Georgia Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, and Aiding in the Filing of False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND – Stanley Worthy Jr., 41, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko after earlier pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding in the filing of false tax returns. Worthy was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and pay $2,935,933.35 in restitution jointly and severally with co-defendants. A special assessment of $4,200 was also ordered by the court. Worthy pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and 36 counts of aiding and abetting in the filing of false tax returns to the IRS. The court sentenced Worthy to 60 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and sentenced Worthy to 36 months for aiding in the filing of false tax returns, all sentences to run concurrently. According to court documents from 2019 to 2020 Worthy and his co-conspirators used the Soamazin Automotive car dealership, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio to purchase stolen vehicles at a discount, and sell those vehicles to unsuspecting buyers for profit. In furtherance of the conspiracy, the defendants devised a scheme to have individuals apply for loans to fund the purchase of non-existent vehicles. The conspirators split the loan proceeds between themselves and the applicant. Worthy recruited applicants from clients of his company, Cavalier Care, which offered tax preparation services and financial education services. From 2017 to 2020, Worthy fraudulently prepared 35 tax returns for others to increase their tax refunds causing a loss of approximately $211,737 to the United States. This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Abreu and Payum Doroodian.


title: Athens, Georgia, Career Offender Sentenced to Prison for Federal Crimes

body_text: ATHENS, Ga. – A federal career offender with a lengthy criminal history in the Athens community to include multiple aggravated assault and controlled substance convictions was sentenced to serve 18 years in federal prison this week after he admitted to drug trafficking charges. Wayne L. McKinley, 36, of Athens, was sentenced as a career offender to serve 220 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin and one count of distribution of cocaine before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Sept. 18. McKinley is not eligible for parole. “Federal prosecutors will not turn a blind eye to repeat criminal activity by violent offenders in Athens or elsewhere in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement to hold repeat criminals accountable for their continued crimes.” “Repeat offenders pose serious threats to public safety in our communities,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “McKinley’s history of continued criminal activity demonstrates his lack of concern for the welfare of others and his disregard for the law.” According to court documents, FBI confidential informants contacted McKinley to purchase heroin and cocaine from him in May 2016. The informants agreed to meet McKinley at an apartment complex on Fourth Street in Athens. Under surveillance, McKinley sold the illegal drugs to the informants, and was taken into custody. McKinley has prior criminal convictions in the Athens-Clarke County community for aggravated assault, distribution of controlled substances, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, terroristic threats and criminal trespassing. This case was investigated by the FBI Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Pittsburg County Resident Pleads Guilty To Murder, Assault, And Federal Firearms Charges

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Darius Alexander Presley, age 22, of McAlester, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to charges related to a December 2022 shooting that left one dead and one seriously wounded. At the plea hearing, Presley entered a guilty plea to one count of Murder in Indian Country, one count of Assault with the Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country, one count of Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. According to investigators, on December 2, 2022, Presley shot two individuals at a McAlester residence before leaving in a victim’s car. Deputies responding to reports of gunshots arrived at the residence to discover one victim deceased and the second seriously wounded. At the time of the offense, Presley, a felon, was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a state court conviction. The crimes occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Presley will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Howanitz and Michael Robinson represented the United States.


title: Hughes County Resident Sentenced For Federal Drug Crime

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Donald Paul Griggs, age 56, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 194 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Seminole Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hughes County Sheriff’s Department. On August 10, 2022, Griggs pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. According to investigators, on March 31, 2022, Griggs led law enforcement on a highspeed chase, forced another vehicle off the road, crashed, and attempted to flee on foot. During the chase, Griggs discarded over 21 pounds of pure methamphetamine before he was apprehended and arrested by officers. “Those who distribute drugs do so for one purpose, to make a profit,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez, who oversees operations in Oklahoma. “Today, Mr. Griggs is being held accountable for his actions. The DEA will never stop seeking justice for those who prey on others’ addictions.” “Methamphetamine continues to plague our communities,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Drug traffickers transporting and distributing illegal narcotics in the Eastern District will be investigated and aggressively prosecuted.” The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Griggs will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.


title: Tuscaloosa Man Convicted on Drug Charge

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

body_text: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A federal jury today convicted a Tuscaloosa man on a drug charge, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. The jury returned its guilty verdict against Jimmy Lee Spencer, 37, after 2 days of testimony before Chief U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler. Spencer was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. According to evidence presented at trial, Spencer had large amounts of cocaine and marijuana inside his home in Tuscaloosa. He also had multiple firearms, digital scales, a money counter, a vacuum sealer, and a plethora of packaging material that he used to package and sell narcotics in the community. The maximum penalty for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana is 20 years in prison. The ATF investigated the case along with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and M. Blake Milner are prosecuting the case.


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of Sheldon Bank

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who robbed the Iowa State Bank in Sheldon, Iowa, was sentenced today, to 8 years in federal prison. Leon Sutton, age 38, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a May 17, 2023, guilty plea to bank robbery. Evidence in the case showed that on June 3, 2021, Sutton entered the bank at approximately 12:00 p.m., armed with a handgun, and demanded money. Sutton was seen on video surveillance in a recently purchased car with no plates, canvasing the area. Sutton even entered the bank twice in the morning before the robbery. Sheldon officers were able to locate the previous owner of the car and traced it to Sutton, who after the robbery, fled to the Chicago area where he was apprehended. Sutton was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 96 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. 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. Sutton is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by Sheldon, Iowa Police Department, and the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-4033. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: U.S. Attorney Young Announces $736,842 in U.S. Department of Justice Grant Funding to Support the Accessibility of Criminal Justice Information to Law Enforcement

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $736,842 to improve the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal records in the District of New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Specifically, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office has received the FY2023 National Criminal History Improvement Program Supplemental Funding to support the New Hampshire State Police’s (NHSP) efforts to: 1) Increase the functionality, speed and dissemination of shared criminal justice records and information among law enforcement partners. 2) Enhance the state’s records systems to include data for boat information, such as New Hampshire Marine Patrol vessel stops, search capabilities, and the creation and printing of Marine Patrol e-Tickets. 3) Fund equipment purchases for 10 New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to connect to the State Message Platform, which is a telecommunication service operated by the NHSP. “Today’s grant award supports the U.S. Department of Justice’s mission to reduce violent crime by further connecting law enforcement partners to vital criminal justice intelligence and capabilities that will aid in critical public safety services,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to support information sharing between federal, state, and local agencies.” The FY2023 National Criminal History Improvement Program Supplemental Funding aims to further the U.S. Department of Justice’s mission to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal-history and related records in support of national record systems and their use for name- and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks. The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. ###


title: California Woman Sentenced for Transporting 19 Pounds of Cocaine

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Imelda Ambriz, 35, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for transporting cocaine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Ambriz to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release. On September 17, 2022, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol was patrolling westbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 349 when he observed a white Ford SUV traveling eastbound in the passing lane following another vehicle at a close and unsafe distance. The trooper caught up to the SUV and saw it exit at mile marker 353. The trooper initiated a traffic stop at a nearby truck stop in York County. The trooper approached the SUV and identified the lone driver as Imelda Ambriz, who was taking short rapid breaths and her entire body was shaking. While questioning Ambriz during the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and requested permission to search her vehicle, which Ambriz granted. A subsequent search revealed 19.9 pounds of cocaine hidden in the back of the vehicle’s seats. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Colorado Woman Sentenced for 15 Pounds of Methamphetamine

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Angelica Ramos Torres Villa, 31, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine mixture. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Torres Villa to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. On June 26, 2022, deputies with the Seward County Sheriff’s Office stopped Torres Villa for a traffic violation. During the stop, a drug detection dog was deployed and indicated to the odor of drugs inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in 15 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden behind removable panels. Torres Villa had injuries on her arms consistent with putting the methamphetamine in the hidden locations. This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Naples Man Sentenced For Possessing Firearm In Furtherance Of A Drug Trafficking Crime

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Michael Karp (50, Naples) to five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Karp had pleaded guilty on June 22, 2023. According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) opened an investigation into Karp in 2022, during which Karp met with an undercover ATF agent who was posing as a drug dealer needing protection during drug deals. Karp indicated to the agent that he participated in that kind of work. On May 23, 2023, Karp met at a hotel in Naples believing that he was going to protect a drug sale of five pounds of methamphetamine. In reality, the drug transaction was for the sale of imitation methamphetamine between two undercover ATF agents. Karp stood by with a pistol as the transaction took place. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan. 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: United States Attorney Ritz Celebrates Funding Awarded for Legal Services and Improved Court Responses to Domestic and Sexual Violence

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced that the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $600,000 to a community-based organization to provide legal services and improve the effective coordination of justice systems impacting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. OVW awarded the grant under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program to West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc . Based in Jackson, Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services offers free civil legal services in 17 counties, focusing on issues that affect family safety and stability. The LAV Program addresses the legal needs of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. “The need for specialized legal services is both urgent and essential for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz. “These services provide interventions, such as securing restraining or protective orders, that are crucial for survivor safety. I am pleased that survivors of abuse in our district will benefit from this funding – and that the Justice Department and the Office on Violence Against Women continue to prioritize protecting victims and providing them equal access to justice.” “The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant, in conjunction with the Justice for Families Program and the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative, serve as a powerful multi-pronged strategy to transform the justice system's approach to supporting families affected by violence," stated OVW Director Rosemarie Hidalgo. "These grants enhance court-related programs, trauma-informed training, and resources, while also providing victims with specialized legal support. This includes assistance with securing protective orders and navigating complex family law matters. Collectively, these grants advance a more comprehensive approach, aimed at ensuring that survivors and their families don't merely navigate our legal system, but genuinely find a path to justice and safety.” OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Read more about the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women at www.justice.gov/ovw . ###