title: Kilogram Distributor of Methamphetamine receives 121 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Edward Collins, 22, of Briscoe, North Carolina, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for drug trafficking. On April 12, 2023, Collins pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 14, 2022, Duplin County Narcotics detectives were aware that Collins was delivering a large amount of methamphetamine to a residence in Mt. Olive, North Carolina. When Collins arrived at the residence, detectives approached the car and Collins attempted to flee, but law enforcement was able to prevent Collins from leaving. Law enforcement found 848 grams of pure methamphetamine in the car. During the course of the investigation, investigators uncovered that Collins had been involved in the distribution of at least 10 kilograms of methamphetamine between April 2021 and the time of his arrest. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security and the Duplin and Sampson County Sheriff’s’ Offices investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-CR-00097-M-BM-2. ###


title: Justice Department Announces Investigation into Conditions in Fulton County, Georgia Jail

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil investigation into the conditions in the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information gathered from stakeholders, the Department has found significant justification to open this investigation, including credible allegations that an incarcerated person died covered in insects and filth, that the Fulton County Jail is structurally unsafe, that prevalent violence has resulted in serious injuries and homicides, and that officers are being prosecuted for using excessive force. The investigation thus will examine living conditions, medical and mental health care, use of excessive force, and protection from violence. The investigation will also examine whether Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office discriminate against persons with psychiatric disabilities inside the jail. “People in prisons and jails are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We launched this investigation into the Fulton County Jail based on serious allegations of unsafe, unsanitary living conditions at the jail, excessive force and violence within the jail, discrimination against incarcerated individuals with mental health issues, and failure to provide adequate medical care to incarcerated individuals. During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them.” “The unconstitutional conditions that we see too often inside jails and prisons have no place in society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are launching this investigation to determine whether Fulton County’s treatment of people in the jail complies with constitutional standards. We are committed to ensuring jail and prison facilities provide constitutional conditions, in which all people can live safely and receive medical care. Incarceration should never include exposure to unconstitutional living conditions, including the risk of serious harm from violence.” “All Georgians deserve fairness from the institutions that serve us, including our local jails,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “The recent allegations of filthy housing teeming with insects, rampant violence resulting in death and injuries, and officers using excessive force are cause for grave concern and warrant a thorough investigation. This investigation is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that citizens are safe, and their constitutional rights protected, even while they are in custody.” Department officials have informed Fulton County officials and the Fulton County Sheriff of the investigation. They pledged to cooperate with the investigation. The Department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both statutes give the Department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the rights of people confined to correctional facilities. The Department’s work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of people in jails and prisons. The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section is conducting this investigation jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Georgia. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department via phone at (888) 473-4092 or by email at fultoncountyjail@usdoj.gov . Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work regarding correctional facilities is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons .


title: Mississippi Man Charged With Cyberstalking and Making Antisemitic Threats Targeting Synagogues and Jewish-Owned Businesses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Donavon Parish, 28, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was arrested and charged by indictment on charges of cyberstalking and communicating interstate threats. The federal grand jury made a special finding that the defendant targeted his victims based on their actual and perceived religion. The indictment alleges that during April and May 2022, the defendant used a Voice over Internet Protocol service to make a series of phone calls to synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In these calls, the defendant allegedly spoke to individuals answering the telephone calls on behalf of their respective institutions, at which time he repeatedly referenced the genocide of approximately six million Jewish people during the Holocaust, stating, among other things, “Heil Hitler,” “all Jews must die,” “we will put you in work camps,” “gas the Jews,” and “Hitler should have finished the job.” If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $2,500,000 fine, and a $1,000 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Justice’s National Security Division (Counterterrorism Section), with assistance from the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Three Indicted for Publisher’s Clearing House Imposter Scam Targeting Elderly Victims

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jowayne C. Godfrey, 24 years old, of Margate, Florida, Vinmar Y.A. Mitchell, 25 years old, of Roosevelt, New York, and Ariel S. Bagalue, 31 years old, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, were arrested and charged by indictment with conspiracy to money launder for a group of schemers that was targeting elderly victims throughout the United States in a Publisher’s Clearing House scam. The indictment alleges that the participants in this scheme duped their victims into believing they had won a large prize, preyed on their elderly victims’ trust and false hopes of collecting millions of dollars, and persuaded their victims to deplete their life savings and go into debt to pay supposed sweepstakes taxes and fees, which the schemers, including defendants Godfrey, Mitchell, and Bagalue, stole for themselves. According to the indictment, from approximately February 2020 through February 2023, imposters posing as Publisher’s Clearing House representatives called elderly Americans and informed them they had won millions of dollars and new cars in the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. The imposters convinced the victims that in order to collect their significant winnings, they had to pay up-front taxes and fees. The imposters directed the victims about how to make the payments, including making direct deposits to bank accounts belonging to schemers, buying gift cards and mailing them to the schemers or providing the card numbers and PIN codes over the phone to the schemers, and mailing checks and cash to the schemers. If a victim made one bogus tax or fee payment, the schemers called back and requested more tax and fee payments, falsely claiming that the additional payments were needed in order for the victim to claim the sweepstakes prize. According to the indictment, defendants Godfrey, Mitchell, and Bagalue laundered and attempted to launder approximately $400,000 of victim funds from the scheme. The indictment sets forth how the defendants received the victim funds and then moved the money around in smaller transactions designed to conceal the source, location, and control of the funds, kept some for themselves and passed the remainder on to other schemers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Philadelphia, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Judge Sentences Florida Man to 18 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari, 26, of Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. According to court documents, Al-Azhari pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023. Al-Azhari is a United States citizen who spent most of his life abroad and came to embrace dogmatic, Islamist/Salafist beliefs. In 2018, Al-Azhari was released from prison in Saudi Arabia following a conviction and sentence for supporting terrorism in Syria, after which he was removed to the United States. Upon Al-Azhari’s arrival to the United States in or around December 2018, the FBI began investigating him for potentially providing material support to ISIS, which, at all relevant times, was designated as a foreign terrorist organization under federal law. In or around April 2020, Al-Azhari began to plan to carry out an attack in support of ISIS. Around the same time, Al-Azhari began to acquire multiple firearms. Al-Azhari also researched and scouted potential locations for an attack in the Tampa Bay area. Since at least May 2019, Al-Azhari also consumed ISIS propaganda and spoke favorably about ISIS, to which he eventually pledged his allegiance through a bay’ah (an Islamic oath of allegiance). Furthermore, Al-Azhari spoke about avenging the United States’ imprisonment of Muslims, including ISIS fighters, and the United States’ military actions in the Middle East. In addition, Al-Azhari rehearsed parts of his plans, including practicing statements that he would make during or in connection with, his intention to support ISIS. Al-Azhari had multiple, recorded interactions with an FBI undercover employee and a confidential human source (CHS) in April and May 2020. Al-Azhari was in the process of trying to buy guns from the undercover employee, including a fully automatic rifle, when he was arrested on state charges for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. After his release from state custody, Al-Azhari continued to try to buy firearms from the UCE. Al-Azhari also met with the CHS, attempted to “convert” the CHS to Islam, and Al-Azhari confided in the CHS about Al-Azhari’s affiliation with ISIS and his plans to provide material support to ISIS, as well as to send money to ISIS. Al-Azhari also recruited the CHS to help him in connection with his plans in support of ISIS, as well as robberies, and he asked the CHS to obtain a Glock pistol and an unregistered silencer. Agents arrested Al-Azhari when he took possession of the gun and silencer on May 24, 2020. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI Counterterrorism Division made the announcement. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tampa Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Risha Asokan and Cherie Krigsman for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case, with assistance from Joshua Champagne and Paul Casey of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.


title: Tampa Man Sentenced To 18 Years For Attempting To Provide Material Support To Isis

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber today sentenced Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari (26, Tampa) to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The court also ordered Al-Azhari to forfeit certain assets that are traceable to proceeds of the offense, as well as various items of property, including gear, that were involved in, or intended to be used to commit, the offense. Al-Azhari had pleaded guilty on February 23, 2023. According to court documents, Al-Azhari pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023. Al-Azhari is a United States citizen who spent most of his life abroad and came to embrace dogmatic, Islamist/Salafist beliefs. In 2018, Al-Azhari was released from prison in Saudi Arabia following a conviction and sentence for supporting terrorism in Syria, after which he was removed to the United States. Upon Al-Azhari’s arrival to the United States in or around December 2018, the FBI began investigating him for potentially providing material support to ISIS, which, at all relevant times, was designated as a foreign terrorist organization under federal law. In or around April 2020, Al-Azhari began to plan to carry out an attack in support of ISIS. Around the same time, Al-Azhari began to acquire multiple firearms. Al-Azhari also researched and scouted potential locations for an attack in the Tampa Bay area. Since at least May 2019, Al-Azhari also consumed ISIS propaganda and spoke favorably about ISIS, to whom he eventually pledged his allegiance through a bay’ah (an Islamic oath of allegiance). Furthermore, Al-Azhari spoke about avenging the United States’ imprisonment of Muslims, including ISIS fighters, and the United States’ military actions in the Middle East. In addition, Al-Azhari rehearsed parts of the plan described above, including practicing statements that he would make during, or in connection with, the plans described above in support of ISIS. Al-Azhari had multiple, recorded interactions with an FBI undercover employee (UCE) and a confidential human source (CHS) in April and May 2020. Al-Azhari was in the process of trying to buy guns from the undercover employee, including a fully automatic rifle, when he was arrested on state charges for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. After his release from state custody, Al-Azhari continued to try to buy firearms from the UCE. Al-Azhari also met with the CHS, attempted to “convert” the CHS to Islam, and Al-Azhari confided in the CHS about Al-Azhari’s affiliation with ISIS and the plans described above to provide material support to ISIS, as well as to send money to ISIS. Al-Azhari also recruited the CHS to help him in connection with the plans described above in support of ISIS, as well as robberies, and he asked the CHS to obtain a Glock pistol and an unregistered silencer. Agents arrested Al-Azhari when he took possession of the gun and silencer on May 24, 2020. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida, and Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI Counterterrorism Division made the announcement. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tampa Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Clearwater Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Risha Asokan and Cherie Krigsman for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case, with assistance from Joshua Champagne and Paul Casey of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.


title: Justice Department Facilitates Meetings in Western District of Louisiana for Ways to Combat Unlawful Acts of Hate

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that community meetings were held last week in both the Shreveport and Lafayette areas in hopes of finding ways to combat unlawful acts of hate targeted at the LGTBQIA+ community. In September 2022, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a nationwide initiative to combat these crimes of hate and stated that investigating and prosecuting hate crimes is a top priority for the Justice Department. The United Against Hate Community Outreach Program was established to bring awareness and emphasize the need to report hate incidents as well as crimes. Hate crimes target and harm not just individual victims, but entire communities and it is important that we use every tool available to prevent, deter, and respond to hate crimes and bias-motivated forms of extremism. The program brings together community leaders with federal, state and local law enforcement to help the community be better informed and understand how to report hate crimes and build trust between law enforcement and communities. Through using hypothetical scenarios and video clips depicting real-life hate crime cases and stories, United Against Hate promotes interaction between community members and law enforcement participants. Program topics include: defining hate crimes versus hate incidents; the importance of reporting unlawful acts of hate; providing options for responding to hate incidents when situations do not constitute a federal or state crime; and distinguishing unlawful conduct from protected First Amendment activity, including identifying protected speech versus speech that advocates violence or encourages people to commit hate crimes. The first event was held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on June 28, 2023, and the second event was held at the Louisiana State University at Shreveport on June 29, 2023. Panelists for the events in both Shreveport and Lafayette included representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice Community Relations Service, Shreveport Police Department, People Acting for Change and Equality (PACE), Louisiana Trans Advocates, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Acadiana Queer Collective, and Community Advocate. The Justice Department is committed to its United States Attorney’s Offices strengthening its relationships within their respective communities in terms of civil rights awareness and resources. The Western District of Louisiana has sponsored or participated in civil rights related meetings in Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Monroe, Lake Charles, Tallulah, Bossier City, and Grambling, related to use of force investigations, disparities in public school education, issues concerning English Learner students, and the like. “The United Against Hate program is another tool in our toolkit that we will use to try and eradicate hate in our district," stated United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “It is my understanding that there are multiple unsolved transgender homicides and assaults in this district. There is a natural hesitation of persons that may have information concerning these crimes to engage with law enforcement, but we want to extend the olive branch. Every person in the Western District of Louisiana, and everywhere for that matter, deserves to live in a community where they do not have to be fearful of being harassed or attacked because of their color, gender identification, sexual preference, or religious beliefs. This is another civil rights related event that we have sponsored that has led to more open discussion and awareness concerning these issues that plague our communities today.” “It is vital that the public understand how important reporting a potential hate crime is,” said Douglas A. Williams, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of FBI New Orleans. “Without the help of the community, these malicious crimes may go unpunished. The FBI is proud to be part of the U.S. Attorney’s effort to educate the public on how we can help develop strategies to address local hate crime problems. Anyone with civil rights concerns can contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the FBI New Orleans Headquarters at (504) 816-3000 or submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov .” “The Office of Campus Diversity was happy to partner with the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney General's Office for the Western District of Louisiana, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Community Relations Service on the United Against Hate Event,” stated Kiwana T. McClung, Chief Diversity Officer and Professor of Architecture and Design at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “Our office is committed to educating our campus stakeholders about issues of concern affecting the LGBTQ+ community and this event was very timely, assisting us in fulfilling that mission. The information, resources, and perspectives provided during this event were very beneficial to the attendees and we would like to sincerely thank the panelists for their service. We look forward to partnering again in the future, so that we may continue our mission of inclusive excellence at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and in the wider Lafayette community . ” “Never let anyone’s ignorance become your reality,” stated Roxie C. Black, LGBTQ+ Community Advocate and panelist at the United Against Hate community meeting held in Lafayette, Louisiana. "With the continuous rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric spreading across our state and country, we can only expect an increase in related hate crimes,” said Peyton Rose Michelle, Executive Director of Louisiana Trans Advocates. “I'm grateful that the DOJ is invested in ensuring that our community knows their safety is a priority and ensuring they know the importance of reporting hate crimes. And as a leader, I'm grateful to know I have a trusted resource to support my community when they share with me that they've experienced the trauma of a hate crime." Development of the United Against Hate program was led by the Civil Rights Division. EOUSA and other components in the Department’s Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention Initiative, including the Community Relations Service, the Community Oriented Policing Services Office, the FBI, and the Office of Justice Programs, provided critical assistance in developing the program. Click here for more information about ways to combat hate crimes and incidents. # # #


title: Florida Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for His Role in a Scheme to Scam Elderly Victims Out Of More Than $1.5 Million

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – U..S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced McArnold Charlemagne, age 35, of Miramar, Florida, yesterday to 41 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for a federal mail fraud conspiracy charge, in connection with a scheme in which he defrauded more than 65 elderly victims of more than $1.5 million. Judge Bennett also ordered Charlemagne to pay restitution of $1,866,745. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office. “Targeting senior citizens for abuse will bring the full weight of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Unites States Attorney Erek L. Barron. “If you or someone you know is a victim of financial fraud, please help us bring justice by contacting the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).” “Elderly Americans deserve to live their golden years enjoying their hard-earned savings, not being victimized by fraudsters like Charlemagne,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI's Baltimore field office. “The FBI will do all it can to make seniors aware of these threats and hold those preying on our seniors accountable.” According to Charlemagne’s plea agreement, from about January 2018 through at least December 2019, he was part of a conspiracy to defraud elderly victims by persuading them to send thousands of dollars in cash to members of the conspiracy by falsely stating that the money would be used to help the victims’ relatives pay legal or other expenses in connection with crimes and other incidents that had not occurred or that the money would be sent to particular individuals at their addresses, rather than to members of the conspiracy falsely claiming to reside at those addresses. Charlemagne’s co-conspirators telephoned elderly victims throughout the United States, posing as a police officer, lawyer, or other individual, falsely telling the victim that a relative, typically the victim’s grandchild, had been incarcerated in connection with a car accident or traffic stop involving a crime, and needed money—often tens of thousands of dollars—for bail, legal fees, and other expenses. As detailed in the plea agreement, during the telephone calls, the co-conspirators directed victims to send cash to a particular address via an overnight delivery service. The co-conspirators even posed as the victims’ relatives to further induce them to send the cash. Once the victims did send money, the co-conspirators called the victims asking for more cash, regularly obtaining tens of thousands of dollars from the retirement savings of victims. To prevent the victims from sharing the information with anyone, the co-conspirators allegedly told the victims that a “gag order” had been placed on the case requiring secrecy, or that the situation was embarrassing for the grandchild and they didn’t want anyone else to know about it. Charlemagne admitted that, in order to conceal the crime, he and other co-conspirators identified residential locations across the country where the cash should be sent, including in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida. Charlemagne and his co-conspirators identified locations that were either vacant or for sale, so that no one would be at those locations at the time of the deliveries, then retrieved the packages of cash when they were delivered. Charlemagne and other co-conspirators recruited and instructed additional people to assist in retrieving packages of cash from specified locations. As a result of the execution of the scheme to defraud, Charlemagne and others caused at least 85 different victims to send a total of at least $2.5 million. On June 15, 2023, co-conspirator Eghosasere Avboraye-Igbinedion a/k/a “Ego” and “Ghost,” age 28, of Miramar, Florida, was convicted after a six-day trial conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud, in connection with the scheme. Co-conspirator Medard Ulysse, age 38, most recently of Miami, Florida, was sentenced earlier this year to nine years in federal prison, for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud in relation to multiple fraud schemes, including the elder fraud “grandparent” scam. Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov. Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Christine Goo, who are prosecuting the case. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Law Enforcement, Community Partners to Host National Night Out Event in East St. Louis

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – To encourage stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois, event organizers and officials are inviting the East St. Louis community to a free event with activities for attendees of all ages to celebrate National Night Out. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Lincoln Park in East St. Louis, located at 606 S. 15th St. Community partners will give out school supplies to students and will offer an array of activities like competitive games and more. Ameren Illinois, the City of East St. Louis, Community Development Sustainable Solutions (CDSS), Community Life Line, the East St. Louis Police & Fire Departments, Illinois State Police, Family & Community Engagement Center, Fathers & Families Support Center, Indivisible Metro East, Kaskaskia Group of the Illinois Sierra Club, Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are partnering to host the event. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.


title: Two Queens Men Sentenced for Armed Robbery at Aqueduct Racetrack

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Lamel Miller was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 108 months’ imprisonment following his conviction at trial in connection with the March 7, 2020 armed robbery of over $280,000 in cash from the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. Last month, on June 14, 2023, Miller’s co-defendant, Lafayette Morrison, who was a racetrack security guard acting as an “inside man” during the robbery, was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and Edward A. Caban, Acting Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentences. “These sentences are the finale to the armed robbery that played out like a Hollywood movie heist,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Miller and Morrison made the wrong bet in robbing the Aqueduct Racetrack and have been justly punished for their violent crimes.” “This sentencing clearly demonstrates that serious violent crime such as the armed robbery committed by the defendants; will be met with a corresponding response from law enforcement.” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John DeVito. “The men and women of ATF SPARTA investigate and arrest those who believe they can prey on New Yorkers without fear of consequences. They can’t! Thanks to the NYPD’s Queens Robbery Squad and U.S. Attorney's office for the outcome of this case.” “The criminals involved in this ill-conceived robbery plot have earned meaningful prison sentences for their roles in its planning and execution,” stated NYPD Acting Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “I commend and thank the NYPD detectives and ATF agents on our Joint Robbery Task Force, and the prosecutors in the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, for their critical work on this important case.” On October 21, 2022, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Morrison of Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in connection with the March 7, 2020 armed robbery of more than $280,000 in cash from Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens. Morrison and Miller were also convicted of brandishing a firearm in connection with the robbery. Additionally, Morrison was convicted of obstruction of justice. Miller previously pled guilty to the robbery in September 2022. As proven at trial, at approximately 10 p.m. following the Gotham Day stakes races at Aqueduct, Miller and a co-conspirator, the third charged defendant, held up at gunpoint several racetrack employees – including Morrison, who was employed as a racetrack security guard – as they were transporting more than $284,000 in cash earnings to a vault. Miller and the co-conspirator emerged from their hiding spot in a stairwell and confronted the employees at gunpoint, taking the cash and employees’ cell phones, and forcing the employees into a closet. Miller and the co-conspirator then went to a hotel where they divided up the robbery proceeds; they each took $100,000 and gave the remaining $84,000 to Morrison, who had falsely posed as a victim during the robbery. In reality, Morrison had served as the robbery crew’s “inside man,” providing information in advance about where and when the money would be transported to the Aqueduct Racetrack’s vault. When interviewed by federal law enforcement officers after the robbery, Morrison repeatedly lied to officers, including by claiming to be a victim of the crime and misidentifying a photograph of his childhood friend, Miller. The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Galeotti and Rachel A. Bennek, with the assistance of paralegal specialist Anna November. Assistant United States Attorney Claire Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is in charge of asset forfeiture. The Defendants : LAMEL MILLER Age: 41 Queens, New York LAFAYETTE MORRISON Age: 41 Queens, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-216 (AMD)


title: Four Indicted in Connection with Fatal Robbery of St. Louis Restaurant Owner

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Four people were indicted Wednesday in connection with the fatal robbery of a St. Louis, Missouri restaurant owner in May. Ronnie Adam Foster, 23, of St. Louis, Mekayla Johann, 20, Larob Harris, 24, and Shonyea Jones, 24, were each indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on four felonies: conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, discharge of a firearm and discharge of a firearm resulting in death. Jones is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Foster is in jail facing unrelated pending charges. On July 3, Harris and Johann pleaded not guilty to charges filed in a June 30 criminal complaint. The indictment says the robbery occurred on May 30 at the St. Louis Kitchen, 819 Kingshighway Boulevard. During the robbery, a gun was discharged, causing the death of “F.P.,” the indictment says. The criminal complaint against Harris and Johann, an employee of the restaurant, says the restaurant owner was fatally shot and another employee was shot in the leg but survived. Both had just left the restaurant after locking up for the night. After the shooting, someone took a backpack containing cash proceeds from the restaurant, the complaint says. The complaint says a June 30 search recovered a Glock 23 pistol used in the robbery and an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 firearm “consistent with” the murder weapon. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The robbery conspiracy and robbery charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The discharge of a firearm charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The discharge of a firearm resulting in death charge carries a penalty of life in prison or the death sentence. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Walker is prosecuting the case.


title: Department of Justice Announces Investigation into Conditions in Fulton County, Georgia Jail

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - The U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Department of Justice announced that it has opened a civil investigation into the conditions in the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. “People in prisons and jails are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We launched this investigation into the Fulton County Jail based on serious allegations of unsafe, unsanitary living conditions at the jail, excessive force and violence within the jail, discrimination against incarcerated individuals with mental health issues, and failure to provide adequate medical care to incarcerated individuals. During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them.” “All Georgians deserve fairness from the institutions that serve us, including our local jails,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “The recent allegations of filthy housing teeming with insects, rampant violence resulting in death and injuries, and officers using excessive force are cause for grave concern and warrant a thorough investigation. This investigation is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that citizens are safe, and their constitutional rights protected, even while they are in custody.” “The unconstitutional conditions that we see too often inside jails and prisons have no place in society today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are launching this investigation to determine whether Fulton County’s treatment of people in the jail complies with constitutional standards. We are committed to ensuring jail and prison facilities provide constitutional conditions, in which all people can live safely and receive medical care. Incarceration should never include exposure to unconstitutional living conditions, including the risk of serious harm from violence.” Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information gathered from stakeholders, the Department has found significant justification to open this investigation, including credible allegations that an incarcerated person died covered in insects and filth; that the Fulton County Jail is structurally unsafe; that prevalent violence has resulted in serious injuries and homicides; and that officers are being prosecuted for using excessive force. The investigation thus will examine living conditions, medical and mental health care, use of excessive force, and protection from violence. The investigation will also examine whether Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office discriminate against persons with psychiatric disabilities inside the Jail. The Department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both statutes give the department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the rights of people confined to correctional facilities. The department’s work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of people in jails and prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Aileen Bell Hughes, Tiffany Dillingham, and Rebeca Ojeda of the Northern District of Georgia are conducting this investigation jointly with the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at (404) 581-4626 or by email at usagan.civilrights@usdoj.gov . Additional information about the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s work regarding correctional facilities is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons . 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: Lieutenant for the Arellano-Felix Mexican Drug Cartel pleads Guilty in North Dakota to Leading a Major Drug Trafficking Enterprise and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the Enterprise

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that on July 13, 2023, Juan Sillas-Rocha , age 45, of Tijuana, Mexico, plead guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Continuing Criminal Enterprise, and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the Continuing Criminal Enterprise before Chief Judge Peter Welte in Fargo, North Dakota. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later time. On March 31, 2011, Sillas-Rocha was indicted by a grand jury in North Dakota in a Superseding Indictment alleging three counts: 1) Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substance; 2) Continuing Criminal Enterprise; and 3) Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Furtherance of the Continuing Criminal Enterprise. Sillas-Rocha was arrested on November 4, 2011, in Tijuana, Mexico and served with a provisional arrest warrant issued by a court in Mexico which started the extradition process. On September 8, 2022, after 11 years of litigation in Mexico, Sillas-Rocha was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance in North Dakota on September 9, 2022. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the U.S Attorney’s Office in North Dakota played a significant role in securing this extradition. As outlined at the plea hearing today before Judge Welte, an investigation was initiated in 2004 in Fargo, North Dakota, into the drug-trafficking activities of local drug dealers. This was designated an OCDETF case named “Operation Speed Racer.” The investigation revealed that from January 2002 until December of 2005, Jorge Arandas, a/k/a Sneaky, supervised a continuing criminal enterprise responsible for transporting large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana to North Dakota and Minnesota from Washington, California, and Mexico. Arandas was supplied by Juan Sillas-Rocha or employees of Sillas-Rocha. Sillas-Rocha was a distributor for the Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO) and was supervised directly by Arturo Villareal Heredia, a/k/a El Nalgon, who worked for Javier Francisco Arellano-Felix, a/k/a El Tigrillo. Both Villareal Heredia and Arellano-Felix were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. In 2005, Arandas arranged a 10-pound shipment of methamphetamine into the United States. Five pounds landed in Washington state and 5 pounds were delivered to Lee Avila at the West Acres Mall in Fargo. Lee Avila failed to pay for the drugs and members of the Arandas organization murdered Lee Avila in June of 2005, shooting him nine times in the presence of two small children. All five participants in the homicide pled guilty for their roles in this murder in furtherance of the continuing criminal enterprise. The participants in the homicide received the following sentences: 1. Gabriel Martinez - Life 2. Jorge Arandas - 40 years 3. Michael Petzold - 30 years 4. Alan Wessels - 23 years 5. Martin Carrillo - 20 years After the murder, Arandas read the article in the Fargo Forum newspaper about the homicide to Sillas-Rocha and he gave Arandas an extension to pay for the shipment. After the arrest of Javier Arellano-Felix in 2006, his nephew, Fernando Sanchez-Arellano, a/k/a El Ingeniero, assumed control of the AFO. Under the leadership of Fernando Sanchez-Arellano, Sillas-Rocha became a very powerful lieutenant in the cartel, controlling cells that were responsible for drug trafficking, armed conflicts with rival cartels, kidnappings and numerous murders. Some of the people Sillas-Rocha was supervising are listed in the Superseding Indictment and establishes “5 or more people supervised”. This AFO enterprise generated millions of dollars and would meet the definition of “substantial income.” The enterprise moved more than 15 kilograms of a mixture of methamphetamine, in excess of 5,000 grams of cocaine and in excess of 1000 kilograms of marijuana. Sillas-Rocha continued his work for the cartel until his arrest in November 2011 but would acknowledge committing overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy and CCE after 2011, while incarcerated in Mexico. In February 2011 , Sillas-Rocha ordered two individuals in California to be murdered for retribution for the alleged kidnapping and murder of a drug smuggler associated with Sillas-Rocha. Agents of the California Department of Justice/California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE) through the use of a confidential informant, were able to obtain recorded phone calls and controlled meetings with Sillas-Rocha and co-conspirators. During the course of the investigation, Sillas-Rocha ordered the murder of at least two intended victims who are identified by initials in the Superseding Indictment. After providing the confidential informant with photos and the address of the intended victims, three co-conspirators were arrested and charged in San Diego County with Conspiracy to Commit Murder. Arrested were Jorge Sillas, the brother of Sillas-Rocha, Victor Magana, and Danny Cepallo. All three defendants plead guilty in state court in San Diego and received the following prison sentences: Jorge Sillas – 21 years Victor Magana – 15 years Danny Cepallo – 5 years As part of “Operation Speed Racer”, 66 defendants were charged on 18 separate indictments and with the defendant’s guilty plea today it brings this19-year investigation to a conclusion. “The crimes that led to this guilty plea affected public safety in North Dakota, and it is therefore fitting that this individual now faces justice in a federal courthouse in Fargo,” said Mac Schneider, United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. “This result is a great example of what can be achieved when local, state, federal, and international law enforcement work together across jurisdictional lines. I congratulate our prosecution team and their law enforcement partners on this outcome, which would not have been possible without their perseverance and determination.” “The prosecution, extradition, and now conviction, of Juan Sillas Rocha, brings to an end over a decade of tireless, coordinated effort by investigators and prosecutors from Fargo, North Dakota and San Diego, California and sends a powerful message that violence perpetrated or orchestrated by persons at the highest levels of Mexican drug trafficking organizations against persons in the United States will not go unanswered,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “I want to express my appreciation for the commitment to public safety and the pursuit of justice demonstrated by our colleagues in North Dakota. “ “Today’s guilty verdict by an individual indicted 12 years ago demonstrates that regardless of the amount of time lapsed, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its state, local and fellow federal partners, will hold drug traffickers accountable for the significant damage they have inflicted on our communities,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “The West Fargo Police Department is proud to have been a partner agency in the investigation of ‘Operation Speed Racer,’” said Denis Otterness, Chief of Police. “This case exemplifies the power of mutual aid between multiple law enforcement agencies in helping to bring drug traffickers to justice and the additional benefit of removing large quantities of controlled substances from our communities. I would like to thank all of the law enforcement officers involved for their hard work, perseverance and dedication over the course of this 19-year investigation.” This case was investigated by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, United States Marshal’s Service, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force, the East Grand Forks Police Department, West Fargo Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office (MN), California Department of Justice, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Fargo Police Department, Moorhead Police Department and the Polk County Attorney’s Office (MN). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers with the assistance of Deputy District Attorney James Fontaine of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Sillas-Rocha. # # #


title: Two Bronx Men Charged In Connection With Shooting Of Five-Year-Old Girl

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Edward Caban, the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and John DeVito, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), announced charges against AUSTIN MORRISHOW and CURTIS WHITE for possessing ammunition after conviction of a felony. MORRISHOW and WHITE were congregated outside on a busy sidewalk in the Bronx the Friday before the July Fourth holiday weekend when they fired multiple shots at three cars in the Bronx, New York, hitting and seriously injuring a five-year-old child sitting in the backseat of one of the cars. WHITE was arrested this morning in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, pursuant to a criminal Complaint and was presented earlier today in the Southern District of New York before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. MORRISHOW remains at large. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants fired two guns — with ammunition that they were not allowed to possess — multiple times at three fleeing cars with innocent passengers inside, including a five-year-old girl, who was shot in the back. These senseless acts of violence occurred in front of a memorial of someone shot and killed in the area just the day before. Let this be a message to those who plague our streets with gun violence: We will work tirelessly, swiftly, and unceasingly in coordination with our law enforcement partners to find you, wherever you are and whenever it may be, and we will bring you to justice.” NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban said: “We promised this little girl and her family that we would not rest until the criminals involved in her shooting were identified, located, and held accountable. True to our word, we vow that the actions of any repeat violent offender who uses an illegal gun on our streets will never be tolerated – there will always be consequences.” ATF Special Agent in Charge John DeVito said: “Today’s arrest sends a clear message that violent criminals will be met with swift justice for their blatant criminal acts. Any shootings carried out on the streets of NYC are reprehensible let alone one that caused harm to innocent bystanders and a child. This callous disregard for life has no place in our communities, and ATF will work hand in hand with all our partners to ensure those responsible are held accountable.” According to the allegations contained in the Complaint: [ [1] ] On June 30, 2023, the victim — a five-year-old girl — was sitting in the backseat of her father’s tan sedan, which was double-parked in front of a residential building in the Bronx near a group of individuals who were gathered outside at a makeshift memorial for an individual who had been shot and killed just the day prior. The victim’s father, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the car, was waiting for two friends to arrive to attend a car show in Queens. The two friends arrived at approximately 7:00 p.m. — one driving a silver sedan and the other driving a red minivan. A still image from surveillance footage is below with the three cars circled in red and the gathering circled in yellow: As the driver of the silver sedan pulled next to the victim’s father, the driver of the silver sedan revved his engine. The victim’s father cautioned his friend not to accelerate the car to avoid the vehicle backfiring and the sound being mistaken for gunshots. But it was too late. The silver sedan backfired, causing the group of individuals — including MORRISHOW and WHITE — to scatter. MORRISHOW took cover behind a parked vehicle and fired a .40 caliber pistol multiple times at the three cars, which began fleeing from the gunfire. A still image from surveillance video footage is below with MORRISHOW circled in red: WHITE ran down the street after the fleeing cars, firing a .380 caliber pistol. A still image from surveillance video footage is below with WHITE circled in red: After the victim’s father drove his daughter to safety a couple blocks away, he got out of his car to check on his daughter. Realizing that she had been shot in his back, he held her in his arms and yelled for somebody to call an ambulance. The driver of the silver car called 911. Minutes later, NYPD officers arrived and transported the victim to the hospital. In the wake of the shooting, the NYPD recovered a .380 caliber firearm from an apartment unit that WHITE entered immediately after the shooting before exiting shortly thereafter. A photograph of the .380 caliber firearm recovered by the NYPD is below: The NYPD also recovered seven .40 caliber shell casings from the vicinity of the parked car near where MORRISHOW fired his gun, as well as two .380 caliber shell casings from the street near where WHITE fired his gun. MORRISHOW was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior federal conviction for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, and WHITE was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior state conviction for attempted first-degree assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon. * * * MORRISHOW, 25, and WHITE, 26, both of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is 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 NYPD and the ATF and thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. U.S. v. Morrishow and White Complaint


title: Queens Acupuncture Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Causing the Filing of False Returns

component: Tax Division

body_text: A New York woman pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax return. According to court documents and statements made in court, Alice Bixuan Zhang of Queens, New York, co-owned and operated Wellife Physical Therapy and Acupuncture PLLC (“Wellife”) and Welling Physical Therapy and Acupuncture PLLC (“Welling”), both of which had locations throughout New York City. Zhang, along with Nikki B. Yu, who pleaded guilty in October 2020, established and used a series of purported management companies to conceal acupuncture business income from taxation. Zhang and Yu diverted funds from Welling and Wellife and did not report those funds to the IRS. Rather, Zhang and Yu cashed checks, drawn on Welling and Wellife accounts and made payable to the purported management companies, at a check-cashing business and then provided false and incomplete information to their tax return preparers by not disclosing the cashed amounts. This scheme to conceal income resulted in a tax loss to the IRS of over $784,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2023. Zhang faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. Mr. Goldberg thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their assistance in the matter. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant Chief Thomas F. Koelbl and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for 9 Bank Robberies

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Evan Lemmon was sentenced to 80 months in prison and order to pay $24,875 in restitution. Lemmon, 29, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to nine counts of bank robbery on February 9, 2023. According to court records, over a five-month period from Sept. 28, 2021, to March 7, 2022, Lemmon committed a spree of nine bank robberies in Albuquerque, each following a similar pattern. Each time, Lemmon would enter the banks wearing a cap, face covering, and a glove on his right hand and pass a similar note to a teller. After the tellers complied, Lemmon would flee on foot to a car parked nearby and leave the scene. After the eighth robbery, the FBI located one of the cars Lemmon fled in with the assistance of APD’s Investigative Support Unit. The FBI tracked the vehicle and subsequently located it leaving the scene on the ninth robbery. At that time, the FBI executed a search warrant on Lemmon’s residence and recovered caps and items of clothing consistent with the robberies, a piece of paper believed to be a draft note that stated “I HAVE A GUN GIVE M,” and U.S. currency. Upon his release from prison, Lemmon will be subject to 3 years of supervised release. The FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime and Gang Task Force and the Albuquerque Police Department’s Investigate Support Unit (ISU) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-149


title: Great Falls bookkeeper admits defrauding two businesses

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who worked as a bookkeeper admitted today to defrauding two businesses in a scheme to pay personal bills, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Tara Durnell, 63, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to mail fraud. Durnell faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Dec. 6. Durnell was released pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that between 1997 and 2019, Durnell worked as a bookkeeper for Kronebusch Electric, Inc., (KEI) a small company in Conrad. Durnell used her access to pre-signed company checks to make payments to cover personal expenses and then miscoded the payments in the accounting system to make them look like legitimate business expenses. As part of the scheme, Durnell used a pre-signed KEI check to make an unauthorized payment of $5,175 to the TNT Tavern for a personal debt. KEI eventually discovered the embezzlement when it sought to sell the company, and due diligence uncovered several hundred thousand dollars in miscoded transactions. Durnell left employment with KEI and found a job as a bookkeeper with Mitchell’s Crash Repair in Great Falls. In January 2022, Durnell used her access to the business’s pre-signed checks and mailed an unauthorized payment of $3,564 to the Pondera County Treasurer to cover a personal debt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Kouts Woman Sentenced For Tax Offenses

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: HAMMOND- Kathy Lynch, age 64, of Kouts, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after being found guilty of nine counts of willful failure to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), following a 3-day jury trial in March 2023, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Lynch was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. According to documents in the case, for years Lynch failed to remit and pay federal payroll taxes for the Kouts, Indiana, nursing clinic she owned and operated. Over the course of 16 years, Lynch withheld payroll tax money from her employees’ paychecks, but instead of paying those taxes over to the IRS, as she was obligated to do, she kept more than $474,000 which she spent on personal and business expenses. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abizer Zanzi and Kevin Wolff.


title: Vancouver Man Extradited to the United States for Role in Penny Stock Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Vancouver man has been extradited from Canada to the United States for his alleged role in a market manipulation scheme intended to defraud investors in the Boston-based company Endeavor Power Corp. Marco G. Babini, 62, was arrested in April 2020 and was extradited to the United States on July 7, 2023. Babini made his initial appearance in federal court on July 10, 2023 and was arraigned on July 12, 2023, at which time a federal magistrate judge took his pretrial detention under advisement. Babini was indicted in September 2015 on one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud; one count of securities fraud; and two counts of wire fraud. According to the charging documents, between approximately July 2012 and March 2013, Babini allegedly conspired to manipulate the securities of Endeavor. Specifically, it is alleged that Babini and others executed a scheme in which Babini secretly controlled and accumulated a significant portion of the purportedly unrestricted shares of Endeavor without making the legally mandated disclosures to the public. While doing so, Babini and others allegedly engaged in manipulative stock trading transactions and then orchestrated a promotional campaign for the purpose of facilitating the fraudulent dump of their shares into the market, a course of conduct commonly known as a “pump-and-dump.” Babini’s alleged co-conspirators Edward Withrow III and Samuel Brown were previously charged with and convicted of federal offenses. In May 2018, Withrow pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Brown separately pleaded guilty in July 2015 to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the SEC. Withrow and Brown were sentenced in December 2018 and January 2019, respectively. The charges or conspiracy and securities fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. 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 Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The U.S. Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of Justice Canada provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Advertising Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to advertising child pornography on the dark web. Neal Grubert, 35, of Bertram, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of advertising child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Nathanial M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2023. Grubert was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021. In May 2020, Swedish law enforcement authorities determined that a Swedish citizen was producing images and videos of himself sexually abusing his three-year-old niece and distributing them on various dark websites. The investigation identified Grubert as an administrator of one of the websites. Following the Swedish individual’s arrest, a forensic examination of their phone revealed several images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including images and videos in which Grubert’s face could be seen watching the exploitation as it happened via webcam while logged onto this dark website. Specifically, Grubert was masturbating while directing the Swedish individual how to molest his niece. A subsequent undercover investigation by federal law enforcement located images and a video uploaded and published by Grubert in his role as an administrator on the dark website. The other individual pleaded guilty to charges in Sweden and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The charge of advertising child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Swedish Police Authority; Swedish National Operations Department; Swedish National IT Crime Centre; Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish National Public Prosecution Department; and Swedish National Unit against Organized Crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Benjamin Tolkoff of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Leominster Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Leominster man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to possessing large quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine intended for distribution. Chanhda Onesyvieng, 48, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Oct. 4, 2023. Onesyvieng was charged on May 1, 2023. In early April 2023, federal law enforcement received information that Onesyvieng was distributing significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine in Rhode Island. On April 28, 2023, during a traffic stop of Onesyvieng in Worcester, approximately two kilograms of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and approximately 135 grams of cocaine were seized. During a subsequent search of the defendants’ residence in Leominster, approximately one kilogram of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and approximately $60,000 in cash were seized. The charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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 D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and John. E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.


title: West Roxbury Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Physical Therapy Clinic Fraud Scheme

body_text: BOSTON – A West Roxbury man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud multiple insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients. Slava Pride, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. Pride was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,301,645. In November 2022, Pride pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Pride was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Anna Barenboym, Gyulnara Bayryshova and Raya Bagardi. Pride pleaded guilty in November 2022. Pride was a physical therapy assistant at Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic owned by Bayryshova. Barenboym and Bagardi were also employed at BPT as a licensed physical therapist and a licensed physical therapist assistant, respectively. According to the charging documents, from October 2018 through June 2020, Pride and his co-defendants conspired to cause multiple insurance companies to reimburse them for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Pride and, allegedly, his co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. It is further alleged that BPT paid patients for referrals, referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements and accepted kickbacks from those attorneys in return. Pride was one of three defendants to plead guilty in the case. Barenboym and Bagardi previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 3, 2023 and July 19, 2023, respectively. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: New York Man Sentenced To 10 Years’ Imprisonment For Traveling To Pennsylvania To Have Sex With A Minor

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stephen Farleigh, age 51, of Walton, New York, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 15 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for attempted enticement of a minor. According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between October 21, 2021 and February 9, 2022, Farleigh used the internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and traveled to the Middle District of Pennsylvania with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year-old child. 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case. # # #


title: New Jersey Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that David Taylor, age 34, of Blackwood, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 11, 2023, to 30 years of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for production of child pornography. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between July 15 and July 18, 2017, Taylor produced child pornography and transported a minor from Pennsylvania to New Jersey with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Taylor committed both offenses while required by law to register as a sex offender. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Gloucester Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case. 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 . # # #


title: KC Medical Spa Owner Sentenced for Illegal Treatments

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The former owner of a Kansas City, Mo., medical spa was sentenced in federal court today for providing illegal treatments to his patients, several of whom suffered adverse effects from the foreign products. Richard B. Smith III, 47, of Shawnee, Kansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Smith to pay $18,296 in restitution to his victims. On July 27, 2022, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of receiving misbranded drugs (foreign and unapproved Botox) and delivering them for pay with the intent to defraud or mislead, and one count of receiving adulterated devices (Juvederm Ultra 3) and delivering them for pay with the intent to defraud or mislead. Smith owned and operated Tap and Blade, located at 7208 Wornall Road, Suite 206, in Kansas City, Mo. Tap and Blade offered medical services, such as injections of prescription drugs, including Botox, and prescription devices to enhance facial features, including Juvederm Ultra 3. Tap and Blade also offered cosmetic services, such as microblading, brow shading, and cool sculpting. Smith was the only employee of Tap and Blade and performed all the procedures offered at the clinic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations began investigating Tap and Blade in December 2020 based on information that multiple patients suffered injuries after receiving treatment at Tap and Blade. Agents executed a search warrant at Tap and Blade on April 7, 2021, and found boxes of Juvederm Ultra 3 as well as three syringes filled with Botox. Smith admitted that he obtained Botox and Juvederm Ultra 3 over the internet and without a prescription from a website in China. Smith purchased the products from Alibaba.com because the foreign products were significantly cheaper, which allowed him to lower his cost compared to his competitors and led him to gain more customers. Smith knew the drugs and devices he was injecting into his patients were illegal. Smith admitted he never told his patients he was using foreign prescription drugs and devices that had not been approved by the FDA. Smith estimated he treated approximately 50 to 60 customers. Smith treated at least 10 patients who suffered a bodily injury after being treated with Juvederm Ultra 3. For example, according to court documents, one patient told investigators the treatment was very painful and bruised her lip immediately. She went to the emergency room due to severe pain and blistering on her upper lip and was treated by a plastic surgeon. Another patient told investigators she has a permanent scar as a result of Smith’s treatments. Even after Smith became aware of patients suffering adverse reactions to his procedures, he continued to perform injections in the same manner using the same types of illegal products. During the more than three years Tap and Blade operated, from Jan. 1, 2018, to April 30, 2021, there was never a medical doctor associated with the spa, nor was there a doctor overseeing procedures. Smith admitted that he knew his patients should have seen a doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that he told them there was a doctor on staff. Smith persistently misrepresented his qualifications to patients. He told patients he was a registered nurse or had a nursing degree, and that he was licensed to perform the procedures. These lies allowed him to gain the trust of his clients, which enabled him to commit these crimes that ultimately led to several individuals suffering an injury. Smith did not attend any training courses on how to properly administer the products. Prior to opening Tap and Blade, Smith practiced injections on honeydew fruit, fake heads, and fake skins. The FDA approval of Botox limits the drug to use under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, thus, it is a prescription drug. Smith admitted that the foreign and unapproved Botox he purchased for use at his spa was misbranded because it did not bear adequate directions for use. Upon being injected beneath the skin’s surface, Juvederm adds volume and lift to smooth wrinkles and folds. Juvederm products are regulated as devices because, when injected, they are intended to reside under the skin and do not achieve their primary intended purpose through chemical action or metabolization. The FDA’s approval for Juvederm products limits them to use under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, thus, they are prescription devices. Juvederm Ultra 3 is not legal for distribution in the United States because it lacks FDA approval. Smith was convicted in 2011 of one count of attempted possession of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) with intent to manufacture gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and three counts of possession of GBL with intent to manufacture GHB. He was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole. During the investigation of that case, it was determined that Smith, acting as a representative of Schindler Elevator, purchased four 30-gallon drums of GBL from Barton Solvents, Inc. in Kansas City, Kan., between Oct. 5, 2006, and Dec. 3, 2007. Smith falsely claimed the GBL would be used for cleaning and degreasing purposes, when in reality, Smith obtained the GBL with the intent of converting it to GHB. On Oct. 8, 2007, a woman who lived with and dated Smith died from a drug overdose. GHB was one drug found in her system. The amount of GHB in her system was considered a lethal level of GHB and likely led to her death. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper. It was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation.


title: Ottawa County Man Sentenced To 38 Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Matthew James Warne, 34, of Zeeland, Michigan, was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing and attempting to distribute child pornography. Judge Maloney also ordered Warne to spend 10 years on supervised release after his confinement. In imposing the sentence, Judge Maloney stated that Warne posed a “major risk to the public” and highlighted the seriousness of Warne’s conduct. “Every day of this sentence against Mr. Warne is deserved, but it hardly begins to undo the harm against the innocent and vulnerable children who are the victim of this crime,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Each image of child pornography that Warne possessed and distributed represents the sexual abuse of a real child. Our efforts to prosecute people who commit these crimes will continue and those who commit these types of crimes will face a similar fate.” Investigators originally responded to Warne’s workplace after a report of Warne inappropriately filming in a bathroom. Police learned through further investigation that Warne shared thousands of images and videos of child pornography online. Specifically, Warne used a social media application called Telegram to chat with other individuals about child pornography and send the images and videos. Warne previously pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023. Warne’s conviction followed his 2013 state conviction for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and his 2018 state conviction for criminal sexual conduct-assault with intent to commit sexual penetration. Warne was on parole with the Michigan Department of Corrections when he distributed the child pornography. “The significant sentence in this case underscores the importance of keeping innocent children safe from dangerous predators and serves as a warning to those individuals who prey upon the most vulnerable in our society,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Distributing child abuse images repeatedly victimizes a child and the FBI will dedicate resources to investigating anyone who commits crimes of this nature.” This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutors’ offices, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The investigation of this matter was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky. # # #


title: Sex Offender Sentenced To 151 Months For Possession Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced that United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced defendant Frederick Moore, Jr., 74, to 151 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Moore entered a guilty plea to that offense on March 21, 2023. According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, on December 15, 2021, officers with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) received a tip that child pornography was being distributed from Moore’s address. On May 4, 2022, a state search warrant was executed and Moore’s cell phone was seized and examined. Agents were able to identify approximately 540 suspected child pornography images, with the majority being toddler age. Moore was previously convicted Sex Abuse 1st on December 6, 1994. Judge Moorer imposed a 151-month sentence of incarceration and a lifetime term of supervised release upon Moore’s discharge from prison. Judge Moorer ordered that Moore pay $100 in special assessments. Moore will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison and is to have no contact with minors. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case. 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources.


title: Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- July 2023

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the June 2023 Federal Grand Jury A. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence. Jeffrey Wade Anderson Jr. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Jeffrey Wade Anderson Jr., 34, is charged with murder after he turned himself in for allegedly stabbing the victim, on or about June 27, 2023, in the 4100 block of Riverside Dr. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigating agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Dunn is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-224 Byron Cordell Thomas . Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion; Transporting an Individual for Prostitution; Coercion and Enticement to Engage in Prostitution; Tampering by Corrupt Persuasion; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm . Byron Cordell Thomas, 36, is charged with four counts of transporting an individual for prostitution and three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. He is further charged with two counts each of coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, and tampering by corrupt persuasion, with an additional charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Thomas allegedly engaged in activities to recruit, entice, control and transport women for the purpose of prostitution for his financial benefit. Homeland Security Investigations is the investigating Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elmore is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-041 Cesar David Lopez; Juan Antonio Duran; Jose Nicolas Flores . Firearms Trafficking; False Statement to a Firearms Dealer; Straw Purchasing a Firearm; Smuggling Firearms from the United States; and Smuggling Goods from the United States. Cesar David Lopez, 27, Juan Antonio Duran, 27, and Jose Nicolas Flores, 30, are charged with firearms trafficking, making a false statement to a firearms dealer, straw purchasing a firearm, smuggling firearms from the United States and smuggling goods from the United States for allegedly purchasing and trafficking multiple .50 caliber rifles and rifle magazines for the Sinaloa Cartel. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigating agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Brasher and Kenneth Elmore are prosecuting the case. 23-CR-196 Jacob Alan Gonzales . First Degree Burglary in Indian Country . Jacob Alan Gonzales, 26, a Cherokee citizen, is charged with first degree burglary in Indian Country after allegedly breaking and entering through a window of an occupied dwelling. The Tulsa Police Department and the FBI are the investigating agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-227 Torrance Lamont Williams . Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of an Unregistered Rifle Having a Barrel of Less Than 16 Inches in Length. Torrance Lamont Williams, 29, is charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of an unregistered rifle. A search warrant executed at the residence of Williams revealed a multi-caliber short-barrel rifle, ammunition and two loaded magazines. The Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigating agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niko Boulieris is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-230 Efrain Dominguez-Romero . Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien; Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of a Firearm; Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents. Efrain Dominguez-Romero, 55, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed on or about Dec. 18, 2008, at or near Del Rio, Texas. He is further charged as an alien unlawfully in the United States in possession of a firearm, and fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents. At the time of his arrest his was in possession of a firearm, and a fraudulent permanent residence card depicting a false identity. Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheryl L. Baber is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-226 Jerry Dee Keys Jr.; Cristi Lea Keys . Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; and Drug Conspiracy. Jerry Dee Keys Jr., a 60-year-old Cherokee citizen, and Cristi Lea Keys, 59, are both charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. They are further charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; maintaining a drug-involved premises; and drug conspiracy. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigating agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Rubens is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-228 Lonnie Ray Stark . Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Carrying and Using a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Lonnie Ray Stark, 54, is charged with two counts as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is further charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute; and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigating agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shakema Onias is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-237 Luis Ortiz-Rodriguez . Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by an Alien Illegally in the United States. Luis Ortiz-Rodriguez, 35, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been deported on or about Sept. 17, 2012. He was found in the United States after being arrested by Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department on unrelated charges. He is further charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally in the United States. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations are the investigating agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brasher is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-198 Joel Palacios-Castorena . Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Joel Palacios-Castorena, 39, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States. He was found in the United States after being arrested by Rogers County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges. He had been previously deported and removed on or about June 22, 2019, at or near Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brasher is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-229 Bernardo Alberto Diaz-Perez. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien . Bernardo Alberto Diaz-Perez, 36, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after being arrested by the Sand Springs Police Department on unrelated charges. He had been previously removed on or about March 17, 2010, at or near Nogales, Arizona. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Raley is prosecuting the case. 23-CR-225


title: Charleston County Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Defrauding Small Business Administration

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Carl Ulm, 67, of Charleston, pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding the Small Business Association (SBA) to receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Evidence presented in court established that Ulm applied to the SBA, through a third-party lender, to receive a PPP loan that contained materially false representations. At the time he applied for the loan, Ulm had sold the assets of his business, Anchor Restoration Contractors, LLC, to another entity. He therefore did not have payroll obligations or business expenses. The total amount of the PPP loan that Ulm received was $204,132.50. Ulm is subject to a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.00. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Ulm after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Amy F. Bower prosecuted the case.