title: Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Escape from Residential Re-Entry Center

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to leaving a residential re-entry center where he was serving the remainder of his federal sentence for drug possession. Derek Rego, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of escape before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 12, 2024. In September 2020, Rego was indicted by a federal grand jury. In September 2012, Rego was sentenced in federal court in Boston to 120 months in prison for distribution of cocaine. On Jan. 8, 2020, Rego was transferred from a correctional institution to a residential re-entry center (“RRC”) in Boston to serve the remainder of his sentence until his release date in June 5, 2020. Prior to that date, in October 2019, Rego signed the furlough application which notified him, in part, that while on furlough status, he remains in the custody of the Attorney General. While residing at the RRC, Rego was permitted to work and was employed. On March 25, 2020, after informing the RRC that two co-workers tested positive for COVID-19, Rego was instructed to quarantine for 14 days at an approved “pass site” location and told that he would receive random phone calls and pass site visits to ensure his compliance. Rego was informed that after his 14-day quarantine ended on April 9, 2020, he was required to return to the RRC. Initially, Rego was compliant. However, on April 3, 2020, RRC staff attempted an in-person spot check at Rego’s temporary pass site and placed several calls to Rego’s landline and personal cell phone with negative results. Rego never returned to the RRC and his whereabouts were unknown for almost one month. On May 4, 2020, Rego was arrested in Boston on unrelated state domestic violence charges. The charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian Kyes, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking in Saint Paul and Southern Minnesota

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis felon has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on January 8, 2023, Giorgio Javon d’Larente Baymon, 37, sold 860 M-30 fentanyl pills to an individual in Mankato for distribution in the area. On January, 21, 2023, he sold an additional 600 M-30 fentanyl pills to a second individual. On May 2, 2023, Baymon rented a room at the Intercontinental Hotel in Saint Paul, where he hid a bag containing 8,500 M-30 fentanyl pills. Hotel staff found the bag of fentanyl pills while Baymon was away and alerted law enforcement. Officers waited at the hotel and attempted to arrest Baymon when he returned, however, he fled from law enforcement, pulled a fire alarm, and was eventually apprehended in the hotel basement. Baymon pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force, the St. Paul Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William C. Mattessich and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.


title: Robert Hunter Biden Convicted on Three Felony Tax Offenses and Six Misdemeanor Tax Offenses

component: Office of Special Counsel

body_text: Robert Hunter Biden (Hunter Biden) pleaded guilty in federal court in Los Angeles this afternoon to all counts in a nine-count indictment, including three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses. There was no plea agreement. Judge Scarsi accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2024. According to the indictment, Hunter Biden engaged in a four-year scheme in which he chose not to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019 and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns. As alleged in the indictment, to further this scheme, Hunter Biden: subverted the payroll and tax withholding process of his own company by withdrawing millions outside of the payroll and tax withholding process; spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills; in 2018, stopped paying his outstanding and overdue taxes for tax year 2015; willfully failed to pay his 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 taxes on time, despite having access to funds to pay some or all of these taxes; willfully failed to file his 2017 and 2018 tax returns, on time; and when he did finally file his 2018 returns, included false business deductions in order to reduce the very substantial tax liability he faced as of February 2020. At sentencing, Hunter Biden faces a maximum penalty of 17 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Court documents and information for this case is located on the website of the District Court for the Central District of California or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-00599.


title: Former University City High School Teacher Sentenced to 120 Months for Trying to Buy Sex Acts from a 16-Year-Old

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 5, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Sean Stevenson, a former high school science teacher at University City High School, was sentenced in federal court today to 120 months in prison for attempting to purchase oral sex from a 16-year-old. Stephenson was still a high school teacher at the time of the offense. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 13, 2024, to one count of Attempted Enticement of a Minor. According to the publicly-filed documents in the case, between April 9, 2023, and April 16, 2023, Stevenson used a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) line to negotiate by text message for commercial sex with an individual that went by the name of Kash and who represented to Stevenson that she was 20 years old. From April 15, 2023, through April 16, 2023, Stevenson offered Kash a fee to find a female under the age of 18 for Stevenson. In pertinent part, Stevenson stated to Kash the following: “And I don’t suppose you know in[sic] younger girls I could pay u a premium for?” “I pay u a finders fee and I pay her” “The younger the better.” “Just keep it in mind if you come across any high school age girls” “Not young enough” (in response to Kash suggesting an 18 year old). Between October 2, 2023, and October 24, 2023, Stevenson continued to negotiate by text message for commercial sex with an individual he believed to be Kash, but who was actually an undercover officer (UC). When the UC referenced a 16-year-old cousin as being available for commercial sex with Stevenson, he responded “Oh … yes!” and negotiated for the following: $150 for a “bbbj” (oral copulation without a condom) $100 for manual genital stimulation A “car date” (a commercial sex encounter that occurs inside a vehicle) On October 17, 2023, Stevenson messaged the UC “Do you still have a younger girl?” and again negotiated the exchange of $150 for “bbbj” with the 16-year-old cousin. On October 23, 2023, Stevenson re-engaged with the UC to confirm he still wanted to meet with the 16-year-old cousin for a commercial sex date. In pertinent part, Stevenson stated the following to the UC: “Ok, and $150 for a cardate bbbj. No condom.” “Also, can you send a pic of your cousin please?” (lips emoji) “Sexy pic” On October 24, 2023, Stevenson agreed to meet with the 16-year-old cousin for the commercial sex date. The UC provided an address in San Diego, to which Stevenson asked, “what is she wearing?” (in reference to the 16-year-old cousin). Stevenson also renegotiated a fee of $140 for oral sex. On October 24, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Stevenson arrived at the provided location. Stevenson drove to a parking lot where he had a full, unobstructed view of the meeting location and then drove laps near the location where Stevenson was told the 16-year-old cousin would be arriving. Stevenson was stopped and placed under arrest. During the arrest, $140 cash was located in the driver’s side door storage area of Stevenson’s sports car. “Mr. Stevenson’s determination to purchase sex acts from a minor is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Thankfully he was caught before harming an actual child. The sentence imposed today reflects the magnitude of our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.” “I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated. I’m extremely grateful to our San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and our federal partners for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe. My office always stands ready to work with our partners across California to fight for our children and for public safety.” “This case represents another successful collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our law enforcement partners to swiftly identify, investigate and bring to justice individuals that seek to exploit vulnerable populations,” said Chris Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The defendant was in a position of public trust as a teacher at the time of arrest and law enforcement will not stand for this kind of abuse and misconduct; we are committed to protecting our children and our communities.” “The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force,” said Chief Scott Wahl. “A teacher is meant to protect and nurture students, guiding them with care and respect, but instead, this individual sought to sexually exploit a school-age girl. Thankfully, due to the actions of law enforcement agencies, Stevenson was arrested before a child was victimized. The San Diego Police Department remains committed to protect our youth from the unthinkable.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Ko and Andrew Sherwood. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23CR2368-AJB Sean Stevenson Age: 59 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Attempted Enticement of a Minor– Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2422(b) Maximum penalty: Life in prison, 10-year mandatory minimum INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force


title: Virginia Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery Conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Tierney a.k.a. “Wodanaz,” age 31, of Lynchburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for conspiring to commit bank robbery. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea, Tierney admitted that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, he agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York, with two co-conspirators, Luke Kenna a.k.a. “Lt.” and Michael Brown, Jr. a.k.a. “Russ.” As part of that conspiracy, Kenna conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery; Tierney ordered handgun parts for use in the robbery and sent photographs to Kenna of a handgun and a radio scanning and jamming device for use in robbing the bank; and Brown drove to New York to conduct surveillance of the bank with Kenna. Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered that Tierney serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. Tierney’s two co-conspirators, Luke Kenna, and Michael Brown, Jr ., pled guilty and were sentenced on June 14, 2024, to 41 months and 37 months in prison, respectively. The FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police, investigated the case. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.


title: Albany Man Sentenced to 188 Months for Armed Robbery of a Drug Dealer in Guilderland

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jorge L. Rosario, age 54, of Albany, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for robbing a marijuana dealer and brandishing a pistol in furtherance of the robbery at the dealer’s Guilderland residence. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Guilderland Police Chief Daniel P. McNally made the announcement. As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Rosario admitted that on January 23, 2022, at about 5 a.m., he and Alexander G. Madera, armed with a pistol and a rifle, respectively, entered a single-family residence in Guilderland with the goal of robbing a marijuana dealer. After entering the residence, Rosario remained on guard in the living room while Madera robbed the dealer of $172 in drug money, at gunpoint, in the dealer’s bedroom. Before they could leave the residence, however, another resident awoke and encountered Rosario, who pointed his pistol at the resident, warning the resident not to move or say anything. A struggle over the pistol ensued, with other residents joining in. In the course of the struggle, Rosario and Madera were disarmed. They were then restrained until the police arrived and arrested them. Bost have remained in custody since that time. Chief United States District Judge Branda K. Sannes also ordered that Rosario serve a 5-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. Rosario’s sentence was within a recommended sentencing range and supervised release term that the parties agreed upon in Rosario’s plea agreement. On June 14, 2024, Chief Judge Sannes sentenced Madera to 85 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. This case was investigated by ATF and the Town of Guilderland Police Department, with assistance from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon prosecuted the case. This case is part of 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: Pennsylvania Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for evading his personal and employment taxes. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Brandon Aumiller, of Milroy, owned an insurance sales business. For tax years 2007, and 2009 through 2011, Aumiller filed personal income tax returns reporting that he owed taxes, but did not pay them. He also filed employment tax returns for his business reporting that it owed taxes for the third quarter of 2013 and the first two quarters of 2014, but did not pay those taxes either. When the IRS sought to collect the taxes Aumiller admitted he owed, Aumiller engaged in a multi-year scheme to thwart the IRS’ efforts by concealing his assets in nominee bank accounts, structuring multiple real estate deals to conceal the transactions from the IRS, and submitting false financial disclosure forms to the IRS that did not fully disclose his bank accounts and his real estate assets. In total, Aumiller caused a tax loss to the IRS of $478,270. “Taxpayers thinking about committing tax evasion should stop and consider the consequences,” stated Amy MacNeely, IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge, Philadelphia Field Office. “Those consequences include possible incarceration, being branded a convicted felon for the rest of their lives, and paying back all the taxes owed plus steep penalties and interest. Mr. Aumiller’s conviction and sentencing ensures that he will face those consequences, while reinforcing our commitment to identify and prosecute those who evade their taxes.” In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner ordered Aumiller to serve 3 years of supervised release and to pay approximately $180,000 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur of the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Macon Resident Sentenced for Obstructing Justice in Civil Investigation

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: MACON, Ga. – The owner of Middle Georgia Family Rehab who directed two employees to illegally alter documents during a federal civil investigation into alleged improper healthcare billing by the business has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution. Brenda Hicks , 59, of Lizella, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Sept. 5. Hicks previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. In addition, Hicks was ordered to pay $191,645.20 in restitution to TRICARE, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There is no parole in the federal system. “Tampering with documents in a federal investigation is a serious offense that will not be ignored by our office,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Protecting the integrity of an investigation is paramount and all those who attempt to obstruct justice will be held accountable.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, an outpatient rehabilitation facility owned by Hicks—Middle Georgia Family Rehab, LLC (MGFR)—was served with a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) requesting various patient records on Oct. 7, 2019. After its receipt, Hicks set up a meeting about the CID with two MGFR employees. Hicks told the employees it was an “audit” and explained that MGFR did not have the records that were requested. She then instructed them to go into the system and pull any portions of the requested files, looking for hard copies of the records in MGFR’s storage unit if needed. Many of the requested records were either blank or missing. Hicks explained that if the records were not there or had not been signed, the employees were supposed to create or sign the records. For example, if the records were missing progress notes, Hicks instructed the employees to make them up by copying and pasting the narrative language from other progress notes to fill in the missing information. These narrative sections were supposed to contain unique information from each session, such as the patient’s pain level and what exercises were performed at the visit. One employee expressed concern to the other employee that what they were doing was illegal and quit. The other employee complied with Hicks’ instructions and added notes and signatures to patient records as needed. These doctored patient records were then produced to the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Dec. 2, 2019, in response to the CID. Hicks now admits that she conspired to corruptly alter patient records with the intent to impair the integrity of those records and their availability for use in a civil action. For more information about the civil action, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/judge-orders-middle-georgia-family-rehab-pay-96-million-damages-submitting-hundreds . The case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DOD-DCIS); the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU); and the Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG); with substantial assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Former Cincinnati woman convicted of wire fraud related to pandemic relief funds

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A federal jury has found a former Cincinnati woman guilty on all counts as charged of crimes related to pandemic relief fraud. Lashawnda Alexander, 40, currently of Katy, Texas, was convicted of three counts of wire fraud. The verdict was announced following a trial that took place Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. According to court documents and trial testimony, in June 2020, Alexander submitted several fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications. Specifically, on June 23, 2020, Alexander applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for business “Lashawnda Alexander.” Alexander stated in the application that the business employed 10 employees and had $125,000 in gross revenue in the year prior to January 31, 2020. Minutes later using the same device another application was submitted in the name of a family member claiming that the business employed 10 employees and had $120,000 in gross revenue. The next day, on June 24, 2020, Alexander applied for an EIDL for business “TressD LLC,” a hair and nail salon that she said employed 15 employees and made gross revenue of $175,000 during the prior year. In total, Alexander attempted to obtain at least $137,500 and ultimately received $91,000 in EIDL funds. Alexander’s applications contradicted her 2019 tax return. In the following months, Alexander bought a Mercedes Benz SUV and moved to Texas all while continuing to collect pandemic unemployment assistance from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. Alexander was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022. Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Anthony Springer are representing the United States in this case. The case was investigated by members of the Financial Crimes Working Group Pandemic Fraud Committee. # # #


title: Grand Island Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine Possession

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Hung Thuc Pham, age 38, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a meth mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Pham to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pham’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Pham also agreed to the forfeiture of $5,110 in cash to the United States of America. On September 12, 2023, Pham was stopped on Interstate 80 for numerous traffic violations by a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy. She was the sole occupant of the car. The deputy saw a duffel bag on the front passenger seat which was partially open, and heat-sealed bags containing meth were visible inside. As a result, Pham’s car was searched. During the search, at total of more than 1.7 kilograms (approximately 3 ¾ pounds) of a meth mixture was found in the duffel bag. Purity testing on one of the heat-sealed bags showed at least 340 grams of actual methamphetamine. An additional bag containing a small amount of meth, a pipe and $5110 in cash was also found in the car. Pham told investigators that at the time she was stopped, she was on her way to Lincoln to deliver the meth to another person. Pham said the meth found in her car was what remained of 20 pounds she transported to Nebraska from California about three weeks earlier. Pham said she made six other trips to California between late 2021 and August of 2023, and obtained a total of over 40 pounds of meth which she sold to persons in Lincoln and Grand Island. This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department.


title: Kansas Woman Sentenced for Witness Retaliation Plot

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

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kate Ruth, age 36, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr sentenced Ruth to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ruth’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband was arrested in Nebraska for forgery counts. Victim 1’s husband was coming to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband. In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived. On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Ruth and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Juanita Gibson (hereinafter “Gibson”). Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment. Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1. Victim 1’s husband was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness. On November 21, 2023, Gibson was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. On February 9, 2024, Norwood was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to tamper with a document or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.


title: North Platte Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Luke H. Schwartz, age 44, of North Platte, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Schwartz to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Schwartz’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Between July 2022 and February 2023, Schwartz and others conspired to sell meth around North Platte. The group was responsible for the distribution of pounds of meth. During January 2023, Schwartz and other co-defendants were responsible for the sales of a minimum of 106 grams of meth actual to a confidential informant (CI) working with law enforcement. Schwartz was directly involved in two sales in January 2023, which involved at least 70 grams of actual meth. During the first sale, the CI set up the controlled buy with Schwartz. Law enforcement provided the CI with $600 to purchase an ounce of meth. The CI went to the pre-arranged buy location and provided Schwartz the money in exchange for a baggie containing a white crystalline substance. The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance to be at least 22 grams of actual meth. The same CI set up a second buy from Schwartz. Law enforcement provided the CI with $1,200 to purchase two ounces of meth. The CI met up with Schwartz at a pre-determined location for buy to occur. The CI gave Schwartz the money and Schwartz gave the CI a baggie containing a white crystalline substance. The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance to be at least 48 grams of meth actual. This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty To Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jack Dewayne Neugin, age 55, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Indictment alleged that on January 27, 2024, Neugin possessed methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with the intent to distribute it. The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea, and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Neugin will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.


title: Utah Man Accused of Shooting a Friend Because He Wanted to Drive is Facing Federal Charges

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging a Salt Lake County man with multiple violent crimes after he allegedly shot another man inside a vehicle after an argument. According to court documents, Maxwell Archibald, 21, of Taylorsville, Utah, fired a handgun at a passenger he was in a vehicle with on August 14, 2024. As alleged in the affidavit, officers with the Unified Police Department responded to an incident in progress at a Maverik gas station in Midvale, Utah. Upon police officers’ arrival, the shooting victim stated he was with two friends, the owner of the vehicle and Archibald. According to the shooting victim, an argument ensued between Archibald and the owner of the vehicle over who was going to drive the vehicle. The shooting victim intervened, and a physical altercation took place inside the vehicle between the shooting victim and Archibald. Archibald then brandished a handgun and fired at the victim but missed. Archibald fired at him again, shooting him in the arm. The shooting victim and the owner of the vehicle then fled from the vehicle and Archibald drove off in the vehicle. According to court documents, the owner of the vehicle called police and reported the vehicle as stolen. When law enforcement attempted to stop Archibald, he fled. Subsequently, Archibald crashed the car and was taken into custody after a foot chase and short struggle. Police recovered a firearm that matched the one used against the victims. Archibald is charged with carjacking, and using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. His initial court appearance on the indictment is scheduled September 5, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda for the Office the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Lake County Felon Sentenced To Seven Years In Federal Prison For Possession Of A Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida– United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced William Scott Fogg (37, Altoona) to seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Fogg entered a guilty plea on May 21, 2024. According to court records, Fogg has been convicted of eight state felonies since 2008, including burglary, grand theft, and illegal drug possession. As a convicted felon, Fogg is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. On August 28, 2023, Fogg approached his girlfriend, who was seated in a truck with her minor children. Fogg entered the truck and removed his girlfriend’s loaded handgun from the center console. He then chambered a round of ammunition and told his girlfriend that he was going to shoot her, her children, and himself. Responding deputies took Fogg into custody and recovered the loaded firearm. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. 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: Orlando Man Sentenced To 15 Months In Federal Prison

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Dainton Drummond (62, Orlando) to 15 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, which is to run consecutively with a prison sentence already imposed in the Superior Court of Arizona. The court also ordered Drummond to forfeit the firearm that was seized from him on the date of the arrest. Drummond entered a guilty plea on April 30, 2024. According to court documents, on September 17, 2023, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded to South Hiawassee Road and Hunterdon Drive in Orlando in reference to Drummond (presenting himself under the fraudulent alias of “Anselmo Lionel Jackson”) driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated (DUI). After Drummond was arrested for DUI and requested that his vehicle to be towed, OCSO located and recovered a loaded Hi-Point 9mm River Pistol from within the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Drummond, a multi-convicted felon and Jamaican citizen, illegally re-entered the United States and was living in Orlando under the alias of “Anselmo Lionel Jackson.” This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sartoian. 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: Federal, County, and City Law Enforcement Officials Announce Initiative to Combat Sexual Exploitation Crimes

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Federal and local law enforcement officials today announced a significant collaborative effort aimed at combatting human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors on the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles. United States Attorney Martin Estrada, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson made the announcement. The criminal cases announced today involve the Figueroa Corridor – a 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street stretching from Gage Avenue down to Imperial Highway, long known as a haven for prostitution. The initiative – called the Figueroa Corridor Human Trafficking Initiative – features federal and local law enforcement working together to target human traffickers and those who perpetuate illegal sex work, especially involving minors. This initiative also is designed to help victims – the young women and girls who perform the sex work – to find opportunities and to help get them off the streets. “The Figueroa Corridor area is ground zero for human trafficking and victims are abused and exploited there every day,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “With this initiative, we are combining federal and local resources to focus on prosecuting more cases federally, particularly those involving victims who are children, and coordinating with our local partners to hold perpetrators accountable. It is imperative that we take an all-hands approach to stop the human trafficking happening right in our backyard.” “Often, people think of human trafficking as something that happens only in other countries, but it happens in our own City,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “This is an issue that community leaders and former foster youth have been working to fight back against for decades and today’s announcement continues a commitment to protecting children, many of whom have spent time in the child welfare system, and hold traffickers and abusers accountable. I thank our law enforcement partners, especially the hardworking officers of LAPD’s 77th Division, for their continued work on this important issue." “We are so proud of this unprecedented strategic collaboration, with all of our justice partners leveraging their resources. We have made tremendous progress in our efforts to combat the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors that has plagued the Figueroa Corridor for far too long,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. “By disrupting the illegal activity and the businesses that have harbored it and with our U.S. Attorney taking the lead on federal felony prosecutions, we are declaring loud and clear that our children are not for sale, and our community will not be a hub for sex trafficking of minors.” “In the fight against human trafficking, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has made significant strides thanks to the relentless dedication of our prosecutors and the unwavering support of our multi-agency law enforcement partners. This collaborative effort has been instrumental in bringing traffickers to justice and dismantling these heinous operations,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. “Equally important is our dedication to supporting survivors through LADA’s Bureau of Victim Services. Our team is trained to provide trauma-informed care, offering survivors the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives. From the moment they come into contact with our office through to their testimony in court, we stand by their side, ensuring they are treated with the utmost respect and care. We recognize that the fight against human trafficking is ongoing. Together, we will continue to advance justice and work toward a future where human trafficking is eradicated from our community.” The criminal cases announced today are: United States v. O’Neal Christian Brandon O’Neal Scurlock, 21, of Moreno Valley, has been indicted for allegedly sex trafficking two minors – including a 13-year-old girl – and transporting the minor victims across state lines for the purposes of engaging in prostitution. Last month, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging O’Neal with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of transportation of a minor in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution and criminal sexual activity. According to an affidavit that supported a criminal complaint previously filed in this case, in April 2024, officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stopped O’Neal, who had been seen grabbing a young girl by her neck and pushing her into a Mercedes-Benz. When the officers approached, they found two minor girls inside the car – one victim was 13 years old and the other victim was 16 years old. Officers saw several condoms inside the car in plain view. A record check of the girls revealed that both had been reported as missing juveniles out of California. Both victims told police that O’Neal had brought them to Las Vegas to provide prostitution services as minor commercial sex workers and that they usually worked on “Fig,” short for Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. O’Neal required both minor victims to give him the money they earned from prostitution. Further investigation revealed that O’Neal advertised himself on Instagram as being a pimp. A review of text messages from the victims’ phones corroborated that O’Neal was their pimp and he had them engaged as minor commercial sex workers on the Figueroa Corridor. Also, in March 2024, police camera footage on the Figueroa Corridor showed O’Neal appearing to yell at the 13-year-old victim, take her clothes, and depart the area, leaving her completely naked on the street. O’Neal was arrested on August 7, was ordered jailed without bond by a federal magistrate judge and has remained in federal custody since then. He pleaded not guilty on August 27 to the criminal charges against him and an October 7 trial date has been scheduled in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelsey A. Stimson and Danbee C. Kim of the General Crimes Section and Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review, are prosecuting this case. United States v. Castillo, et al. Nanci Jasmin Castillo, 31, and Jonathan Gonzalez-Reyes, 38, both of Anaheim, are charged in a six-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they befriended a 13-year-old girl, provided her with alcohol, and sexually assaulted her, taking photographs and making videos of the attack. According to court documents, Castillo befriended a 13-year-old identified in court documents as “Victim 1.” In February 2021 at Castillo’s Anaheim home, Castillo and Gonzalez-Reyes allegedly sexually assaulted the victim – to whom Castillo had given an alcoholic beverage after the victim previously had taken Xanax anti-anxiety medication – while the victim was going in and out of consciousness. The defendants photographed and made videos of the attack. A search of Gonzalez-Reyes’ phone and Castillo’s iCloud account by law enforcement revealed the existence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the victim and the defendants. Additionally, law enforcement found evidence that Gonzalez-Reyes sent copies of the CSAM to Castillo. Castillo and Gonzalez-Reyes discussed helping the victim run away from home and possibly trying to find her work on “Fig,” a common reference for the Figueroa Corridor, according to court documents. Both defendants are charged with one count of production of child pornography. Castillo is further charged with one count of the use of a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to induce a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of possession of child pornography. Gonzalez-Reyes also is charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Castillo and Gonzalez-Reyes have pleaded not guilty to charges and are scheduled to go to trial in March 2025. They have been in federal custody since June 2024. Assistant United States Attorneys Claire E. Kelly and Chelsea Norell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case. United States v. Bradford Donavin Dwayne Bradford, 33, of South Los Angeles, is serving sentence of life in federal prison after being convicted of recruiting and enticing teenage girls for whom he acted as a “pimp” and providing them for commercial sex work. From the summer of 2021 to February 2022, Bradford caused one of the minor victims – a then-15-year-old girl – to be used for commercial sex acts. Bradford recruited the victim to work for him as a commercial sex worker. As the victim’s “pimp,” Bradford expected the girl to earn him $1,000 per night. Bradford advertised the girl for commercial sex work on various websites, and customers who responded to the ads were directed to various hotels and motels where they engaged in commercial sex acts with the victim. Sometimes the minor victim would be required to perform sex acts. Customers paid Bradford for “dates” with the victim or she would be required to give Bradford her earnings. Bradford assaulted the minor victim when she tried to stop working for him on two separate occasions. Bradford also filmed himself engaging in sex acts on two separate occasions with her. From March 2021 to November 2021, Bradford recruited and enticed two other girls – ages 16 and 17 – to engage in commercial sex activity. At the conclusion of a five-day trial in April 2023, a jury found Bradford guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking with a minor, three counts of sex trafficking of a minor, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for the purpose of producing a sexually explicit visual depiction, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of sex trafficking through threats of force, fraud, or coercion. Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea Norell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review, prosecuted this case. “Our women, youth and communities deserve better, and this is just the beginning of our focused multi agency effort to stop human trafficking along the Figueroa Corridor,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi. “I am grateful to our federal, state and local partners who have come together with the same vision and tenacity on this topic.” “The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate crimes which affect our quality of life” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Collaboration with our law enforcement partners is key to accomplishing anything we set out to do. And when we leverage the resources and strengths of our partners, we can do more to protect the American people than we could ever accomplish on our own.” “HSI’s efforts to combat human trafficking in Los Angeles is most effective with our partnerships with our federal, state and local partnerships,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “The success of our investigations is also highly reliant on our victim-centered approach, where we place equal value on the identification and well-being of victims and on the investigation and prosecution of traffickers.” Indictments and criminal complaints contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Any member of the public who has information related to child sex crimes is encouraged to call the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565 or report tips online at https://tips.fbi.gov .


title: Liberty County woman sentenced to prison after attacking Fort Stewart medical staff

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: A Liberty County woman was sentenced to federal prison after her conviction at trial for attacking medical professionals at Fort Stewart. Christie F. Oxendine, 35, of Hinesville, Ga., was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of Obstructing and Hindering Emergency Professionals, along with misdemeanor counts of simple battery and disorderly conduct, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Oxendine to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “While family members and patients will occasionally disagree on standards of care in medical facilities, it is inexcusable to physically attack and disrupt the work of health care professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This sentence of incarceration makes clear that violent and abusive behavior will not be tolerated.” As described at trial, Oxendine brought her minor child to the Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart for treatment. Despite not having any medical training, Oxendine demanded that medical staff perform specific procedures during that treatment even though those procedures were not medically recommended, not part of the standard of care, and potentially more dangerous for her child. Oxendine became verbally and physically abusive when staff members attempted to continue treatment. Oxendine unhooked her minor child from medical equipment and began forcibly removing her from the hospital, and as staff members attempted to prevent Oxendine’s exit she shoved one pregnant nurse and pushed another into a wall while yelling at them and using profane language. Military police officers later removed the child from Oxendine’s vehicle for continued treatment, and Oxendine was banned from the facility. Oxendine was convicted after a two-day trial in April on all counts. She is ordered to report for incarceration to an assigned Bureau of Prisons facility by Sept. 23. The case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigations Division and Military Police, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Josephson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Z. Spitulnik.


title: Meth trafficking sentences send six defendants to federal prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: AUGUSTA, GA: Six Augusta-area defendants have been sentenced to substantial federal prison terms after pleading guilty to participation in a methamphetamine trafficking operation. James Andrew McPherson , 30, of Hephzibah, Ga., the lead defendant, was sentenced to 188 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered McPherson to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. “We applaud the work of our law enforcement partners in identifying and disrupting this meth-trafficking conspiracy,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Our communities are safer with these illegal drug distributors off the streets.” As described in court documents and proceedings, investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration worked with local law enforcement agencies to identify McPherson as the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that transported large quantities of high-purity methamphetamine for distribution in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke counties. McPherson transported the methamphetamine from an Atlanta supplier, or used couriers – including his mother – to bring in the drugs, which he then broke down into smaller quantities for the others to sell. Other defendants sentenced in the case are: Brandon Wayne Johnson , 43, of Hephzibah, Ga., sentenced to 87 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Marcus Smith , a/k/a “Smoke,” 32, of Augusta, sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine. Leslie Helinski , 54, of Augusta, the mother of James McPherson, sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Tony Watson , 49, of Conover, N.C., sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Charity Porter , 25, of Augusta, sentenced to 37 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system. “Driven by greed, these drug traffickers’ activities posed a significant threat to the Augusta area and beyond,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The success of this investigation is proof that those responsible for destroying our communities with methamphetamine will be held accountable.” The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Z. Spitulnik.


title: Boston Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Funds

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain pandemic-related relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Jameela Gross, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Dec. 5, 2024. Gross, a Heath Street Gang member/associate, was arrested in February 2024 along with over 40 Heath Street Gang members/associates, who were charged with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges and financial frauds, including COVID-related fraud. In April 2021, Gross submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of her purported business. The application contained multiple false statements, including false representations regarding the purported business’s total gross income in 2020 and the purpose of the loan. Gross also submitted false tax records in support of her loan applications. Based on the fraudulent application, Gross received approximately $18,750, which she then spent on non-business-related expenses. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act created a temporary loan program directed at small businesses called the Paycheck Protection Program. PPP loans were processed by private financial institutions and fully guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If the small business used the loan funds for approved purposes, such as payroll, the loan could be forgiven by the financial institution and paid for by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Harry T. Chavis Jr, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Hoefle and Lucy Sun of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Pittsburgh Resident Charged with Transport and Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The two-count Indictment named Ashok Panigrahy, 53, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, in November 2022, Panigrahy transported and attempted to transport material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor in interstate commerce, as well as possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $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. Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations (Pittsburgh and Chicago) conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 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.justice.gov/psc . An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: North Carolina Musician Charged With Music Streaming Fraud Aided By Artificial Intelligence

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a three-count criminal Indictment charging MICHAEL SMITH in connection with a scheme to create hundreds of thousands of songs with artificial intelligence and use automated programs called “bots” to stream the AI-generated songs billions of times. SMITH fraudulently obtained more than $10 million in royalty payments through his scheme. SMITH was arrested today and will be presented before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in North Carolina. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Michael Smith fraudulently streamed songs created with artificial intelligence billions of times in order to steal royalties. Through his brazen fraud scheme, Smith stole millions in royalties that should have been paid to musicians, songwriters, and other rights holders whose songs were legitimately streamed. Today, thanks to the work of the FBI and the career prosecutors of this Office, it’s time for Smith to face the music.” FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis said: “Michael Smith allegedly produced hundreds of thousands of songs with artificial intelligence and utilized automatic features to repeatedly stream the music to generate unlawful royalties to the tune of $10 million. The defendant’s alleged scheme played upon the integrity of the music industry by a concerted attempt to circumvent the streaming platforms’ policies. The FBI remains dedicated to plucking out those who manipulate advanced technology to receive illicit profits and infringe on the genuine artistic talent of others.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] Music can be streamed through music streaming platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music (the “Streaming Platforms”). Each time a song is streamed through one of the Streaming Platforms, the songwriter who composed the song, the musician who performed it, and in certain cases other rights holders, are entitled to small royalty payments. Royalty payments are made proportionately to musicians and songwriters, so that streaming fraud diverts funds from musicians and songwriters whose songs were legitimately streamed by real consumers to those who use automation to falsely create the appearance of legitimate streaming. SMITH created thousands of accounts on the Streaming Platforms (the “Bot Accounts”) that he could use to stream songs. He then used software to cause the Bot Accounts to continuously stream songs that he owned. At a certain point in the charged time period, SMITH estimated that he could use the Bot Accounts to generate approximately 661,440 streams per day, yielding annual royalties of $1,207,128. SMITH spread his automated streams across thousands of songs to avoid anomalous streaming as to any single song. SMITH was aware that if, for example, a single song was streamed one billion times, it would raise suspicions at the Streaming Platforms and the music distribution companies that those streams were the result of streaming manipulation. A billion fake streams spread across tens of thousands of songs, however, would be more difficult to detect, because each song would only be streamed a much smaller number of times. As a result, SMITH repeatedly identified the need for more songs as crucial for facilitating the fraud scheme. For example, on or about December 26, 2018, SMITH emailed two coconspirators that, “We need to get a TON of songs fast to make this work around the anti-fraud policies these guys are all using now.” To obtain the necessary number of songs for his scheme to succeed, SMITH eventually turned to artificial intelligence. In or about 2018, SMITH began working with the Chief Executive Officer of an AI music company (“CC-3”) and a music promoter (“CC-4”) to create hundreds of thousands of songs using artificial intelligence that SMITH could then fraudulently stream. CC-3 soon began providing SMITH with thousands of songs each week that SMITH could upload to the Streaming Platforms and manipulate the streams for. In a 2019 email to SMITH, CC-3 wrote: “Keep in mind what we’re doing musically here... this is not ‘music,’ it’s ‘instant music’ ;).” CC-3 ultimately provided SMITH with hundreds of thousands of AI songs for which he could manipulate the streams. CC-3’s songs were typically given file names that were a randomized list of letters and numbers, such as “n_7a2b2d74-1621-4385-895d-b1e4af78d860.mp3.” SMITH then created randomly generated song and artist names for audio files so that they would appear to have been created by real artists rather than artificial intelligence. For example, an alphabetically consecutive selection of 25 of the names of the AI songs SMITH used is as follows: “Zygophyceae,” “Zygophyllaceae,” “Zygophyllum,” “Zygopteraceae,” “Zygopteris,” “Zygopteron,” “Zygopterous,” “Zygosporic,” “Zygotenes,” “Zygotes,” “Zygotic,” “Zygotic Lanie,” “Zygotic Washstands,” “Zyme Bedewing,” “Zymes,” “Zymite,” “Zymo Phyte,” “Zymogenes,” “Zymogenic,” “Zymologies,” “Zymoplastic,” “Zymopure,” “Zymotechnical,” “Zymotechny,” and “Zyzomys.” Similarly, an alphabetically consecutive selection of 25 of the names of the “artists” of the AI songs SMITH used is as follows: “Calliope Bloom,” “Calliope Erratum,” “Callous,” “Callous Humane,” “Callous Post,” “Callousness,” “Calm Baseball,” “Calm Connected,” “Calm Force,” “Calm Identity,” “Calm Innovation,” “Calm Knuckles,” “Calm Market,” “Calm The Super,” “Calm Weary,” “Calms Scorching,” “Calorie Event,” “Calorie Screams,” “Calvin Mann,” “Calvinistic Dust,” “Calypso Xored,” “Camalus Disen,” “Camaxtli Minerva,” “Cambists Cagelings,” and “Camel Edible.” SMITH made numerous misrepresentations to the Streaming Platforms in furtherance of the fraud scheme. For example, SMITH repeatedly lied to the Streaming Platforms when he used false names and other information to create the Bot Accounts and when he agreed to abide by terms and conditions that prohibited streaming manipulation. SMITH also deceived the Streaming Platforms by making it appear as if legitimate users were in control of the Bot Accounts and streaming music when, in fact, the Bot Accounts were hard coded to stream SMITH’s music billions of times. SMITH also caused the Streaming Platforms to falsely report billions of streams of his music, even though SMITH knew that those streams were in fact caused by the Bot Accounts rather than real human listeners. SMITH’s hundreds of thousands of AI-generated songs were streamed by his Bot Accounts billions of times, which allowed him to fraudulently obtain more than $10 million in royalties. * * * SMITH, 52, of Cornelius, North Carolina, is charged with wire fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and money laundering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas W. Chiuchiolo and Kevin Mead are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.


title: Serial Violent Robber Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Robbing Multiple Spas at Gunpoint

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Malden, Mass. man was sentenced yesterday in Boston federal court for his role in the armed robberies of two businesses in which he and two others beat, dragged and duct-taped victims. Li Wen Tang, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In April of 2024, Tang plead guilty to two counts of robbery affecting commerce, after a jury convicted one of Tang’s co-defendants, Alfeu Barbosa, in March of 2024 for the same offenses. Barbosa was arrested and charged in June 2022. Tang and Jonas Nunez were later arrested and charged in August and September 2022. All three defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury. On June 12, 2022 at approximately 8:51 p.m., Tang entered the Balance Reflexology Spa in Brookline pretending to be a customer seeking a massage. Because the victim was the only employee in the spa that night, she locked the door before taking Tang into the back room to begin the massage. Tang asked the victim if there was anyone else in the spa and that if there was, he would like to see them. Almost immediately after the massage had begun, Tang claimed that he no longer wanted a massage because his stomach was upset and demanded a refund. The victim employee stated she had to call her boss to approve the refund. While the victim employee was on the phone in the lobby, Tang unlocked the front door and two masked men – later identified as Barbosa and Nunez – entered the business carrying firearms. One of the men hit the victim employee in the face, knocking her to the floor and put a gun to her head. Barbosa and Nunez then pulled the victim by her hair into the back hallway where they instructed her to be quiet. There, the men proceeded to bind the victim’s wrists and ankles with duct tape and gag her. As they were doing this, Barbosa and Nunez repeatedly yelled at the victim asking, “Where is the money?” The men ransacked the spa for roughly three minutes before locating and stealing approximately $500 along with the victim employee’s cell phone and then exiting. Surveillance footage revealed that all three men had arrived in the same vehicle parked nearby, which they drove away in together following the robbery. Later that evening, at approximately 10:19 p.m. on June 12, 2022, Barbosa, Nunez and an associate of Barbosa committed a similar robbery of May’s Spa Massage in Stoneham. Specifically, they entered the business wearing masks and firearms and duct-taped several victims who were in the spa at the time. In addition to stealing approximately $600 in cash from the business and victims, Barbosa, Nunez and Barbosa’s associate took three cell phones belonging to three of the female victims present during the robbery, as well as a victim’s license, gift cards and credit and debit cards before leaving in the same vehicle. Nunez pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 18, 2024 to 23 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Barbosa who was convicted by a federal jury and sentenced on July 17, 2024 to 121 months in prison to be followed three years of supervised release. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York; the Massachusetts State Police; as well as the Brookline, Stoneham, Boston, Wakefield and New York City Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Two RT Employees Indicted For Covertly Funding And Directing U.S. Company That Published Thousands Of Videos In Furtherance Of Russian Interests

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; Lisa Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging Russian nationals KOSTIANTYN KALASHNIKOV, a/k/a “Kostya,” and ELENA AFANASYEVA, a/k/a “Lena,” with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. KALASHNIKOV and AFANASYEVA are at large. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the Russian state broadcaster RT orchestrated a massive scheme to influence the American public by secretly planting and financing a content creation company on U.S. soil. The instruments of the scheme were RT employees Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, who managed the operation from Moscow using fake personas and shell companies, and the victims of the scheme were the American people, who received Russian messaging without knowing it. As the charges unsealed today demonstrate, this Office will work with our law enforcement partners to unmask and hold accountable all those who conduct malign influence campaigns in the United States, no matter how hard they try to hide their tracks.” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The Justice Department has charged two employees of RT, a Russian state-controlled media outlet, in a $10 million scheme to create and distribute content to U.S. audiences with hidden Russian government messaging. The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, and our investigation into this matter remains ongoing.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said: “Our approach to combating foreign malign influence is actor-driven, exposing the hidden hand of adversaries pulling strings of influence from behind the curtain. As alleged in today’s indictment, Russian state broadcaster RT and its employees, including the charged defendants, co-opted online commentators by funneling them nearly $10 million to pump pro-Russia propaganda and disinformation across social media to U.S. audiences. The Department will not tolerate foreign efforts to illegally manipulate American public opinion by sowing discord and division.” FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “Covert attempts to sow division and trick Americans into unwittingly consuming foreign propaganda represent attacks on our democracy. Today’s actions show that as long as foreign adversaries like Russia keep engaging in hostile influence campaigns, they are going to keep running into the FBI. We will continue to do everything we can to expose the hidden hand of foreign adversaries like Russia and disrupt their efforts to meddle in our free and open society.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “The Russian government has long sought to sow discord and chaos in the United States through propaganda and foreign malign influence campaigns. As alleged, the covert operations by RT employees exploited our free and open press and targeted millions of Americans as unwitting victims of Russia’s psychological warfare.” FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis said: “As alleged in the indictment, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva conspired with others to build a U.S.-based content creation company, which was secretly funded, directed, and controlled by RT – a Russian state-owned media enterprise. They concealed the true nature of the company in order to covertly influence millions of American viewers. The American public deserves to know when the online content it sees is generated and paid for by a hostile foreign government. Investigating and dismantling foreign malign influence operations attempting to manipulate public opinion is central to the FBI's work to protect the American people.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] RT, formerly known as “Russia Today,” is a state-controlled media outlet funded and directed by the Government of Russia. Over at least the past year, RT and its employees, including KALASHNIKOV and AFANASYEVA, deployed nearly $10 million to covertly finance and direct a Tennessee-based online content creation company (“U.S. Company-1”). In turn, U.S. Company-1 published English-language videos on multiple social media channels, including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. Since publicly launching in or about November 2023, U.S. Company-1 has posted nearly 2,000 videos that have garnered more than 16 million views on YouTube alone. Many of the videos posted by U.S. Company-1 contain commentary on events and issues in the U.S., such as immigration, inflation, and other topics related to domestic and foreign policy. While the views expressed in the videos are not uniform, most are directed to the publicly stated goals of the Government of Russia and RT — to amplify domestic divisions in the U.S. In order to carry out RT’s secret influence campaign in the U.S., KALASHNIKOV and AFANASYEVA operated under covert identities at U.S. Company-1. Posing as an outside editor, KALASHNIKOV edited U.S. Company-1’s content, monitored U.S. Company-1’s funding and hiring, and introduced AFANASYEVA as a member of his purported editing team. Using the fake personas “Helena Shudra” and “Victoria Pesti,” AFANASYEVA posted and directed the posting by U.S. Company-1 of hundreds of videos. AFANASYEVA also collected information from and gave instructions to U.S. Company-1 staff. For example, after the March 22, 2024, terrorist attack on a music venue in Moscow, AFANASYEVA asked one of U.S. Company-1’s founders to blame Ukraine and the U.S. for the attack, writing: “I think we can focus on the Ukraine/U.S. angle. . . . [T]he mainstream media spread fake news that ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack yet ISIS itself never made such statements. All terrorists are now detained while they were heading to the border with Ukraine which makes it even more suspicious why they would want to go to Ukraine to hide.” Between in or about October 2023 and in or about August 2024, RT sent wire transfers to U.S. Company-1 totaling approximately $9.7 million, which represented nearly 90% of U.S. Company-1’s bank deposits from all sources combined. The wires were sent from shell companies in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritius, and were often accompanied by wire notes ascribing the payments to the purchase of electronics. For example, the wire note for a $318,800 wire payment from a shell entity in Turkey to U.S. Company-1 on March 1, 2024, read: “BUYING GOODS-INV.013-IPHONE 15 PRO MAX 512GB.” Neither U.S. Company-1, nor Founder-1, nor Founder-2 has ever registered with the Attorney General as an agent of a foreign principal. * * * KALASHNIKOV, 31, and AFANASYEVA, 27, both of Russia, are charged with conspiracy to violate FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI’s New York Field Office. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Memphis Field Office, the FBI’s Miami Field Office, the financial investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance. This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Li and Juliana Murray are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds of the Justice Department’s National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Concord Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax Offense

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: Greensboro, N.C. – A Concord, North Carolina, man has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to collect or pay over taxes, announced Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina (USAO-MDNC). According to court documents, from on or about the first quarter of 2016 up to and including the third quarter of 2022, RONALD JAMES MCMURPHY of Concord was the president of McMurphy Hydraulics, Inc., which was in the business of repairing and manufacturing hydraulics equipment. From on or about the fourth quarter of 2019 up to and including the third quarter of 2022, MCMURPHY also served as president of Powertek Equipment, Inc., a manufacturer of heavy equipment for construction and forestry businesses. MCMURPHY exercised control over the financial affairs of both companies by, among other acts, serving and executing duties as the president of each corporation; exercising authority to hire and fire employees; and having and exercising signatory authority on checks drawn on the corporate bank accounts. He was thus a person responsible for accounting for and paying to the IRS the employment taxes for the employees of both companies, but for various tax periods, MCMURPHY willfully failed to truthfully account for and pay over the trust fund taxes and employer matching taxes due and owing to the IRS on behalf of the companies’ employees. The total employment tax liability from the first quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2022 for which MCMURPHY is accountable is $712,017.00. MCMURPHY pleaded guilty today before Chief United States District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2024, in Greensboro. MCMURPHY faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release of not more than three years, and monetary penalties. The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Laura J. Dildine of the Middle District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Justice Department Disrupts Covert Russian Government-Sponsored Foreign Malign Influence Operation Targeting Audiences in the United States and Elsewhere

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero and the Justice Department today announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws. As alleged in an unsealed FBI affidavit filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. The propaganda did not identify, and in fact purposefully obfuscated, the Russian government or its agents as the source of the content. The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website ( e.g. , registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com ), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations. In other instances, the perpetrators sought to create their own unique media brands to promote Doppelganger content ( e.g. , Recent Reliable News). Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of “influencers” worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains, all of which attempted to trick viewers into believing they were being directed to a legitimate news media outlet’s website. “Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure enduring public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “As America’s adversaries continue to spew propaganda and disinformation towards the American electorate, we’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.” “Today’s disruption sends a clear message to our adversaries: we will not tolerate foreign efforts to influence our elections,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Our office and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to identifying, investigating, and counteracting malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States.” Overview The affidavit describes the perpetrators’ own internal strategy meeting notes, project proposals, and other records obtained during the course of the investigation. Several notable propaganda project proposals directed against the United States included: Good Old USA Project: Attachments 8A, 8B The Guerilla Media Campaign: Attachments 9A, 9B U.S. Social Media Influencers Network Project: Attachments 10A, 10B Doppelganger’s foreign malign influence efforts were not directed solely against audiences in the United States. Other targets of the perpetrators’ propaganda included Germany, Mexico, and Israel, among others. Doppelganger’s influence campaigns sought to influence the citizenry of those countries to support Russian government objectives, including by undermining the United States’ relationship with those countries. Doppelganger’s use of the U.S.-based domain names at the direction and control of, and for the benefit of, sanctioned persons, including Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As a result, the accompanying payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure violate federal money laundering laws. In addition, Doppelganger’s publication of content on cybersquatted domains with names and content that mimic legitimate media outlets violates federal criminal trademark laws because those domains feature trademarks registered on the Principal Register maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the designation of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger announced by the Treasury Department in March.