title: Leader of Human Smuggling Organization Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Manuel Ochoa-Vasquez, 39, of Paso Hondo, Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to a term of 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his management role in a criminal conspiracy to harbor and transport thousands of undocumented non-citizens. Ochoa-Vasquez pleaded guilty on December 15, 2022, to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a year-long court-approved wiretap after discovering that people were being smuggled from the United States border to a mechanic’s shop and several residences in the Phoenix Metro area. During the execution of search warrants, 54 undocumented non-citizens were found in the primary stash house operated by Ochoa-Vasquez and his co-conspirators. The investigation revealed that the people being smuggled were detained at the stash house until their smuggling fees were paid. Additionally, wire communications revealed that Ochoa-Vasquez and his co-conspirators sometimes threatened the families or sponsors of the people being smuggled if the smuggling fees were late. During search warrants executed at the residences of Ochoa-Vasquez and co-conspirator Carlos Barron-Arredondo, agents located guns, ammunition and over $1.4 million in cash. Ledgers recovered at their residences documented the smuggling of more than 7,000 people. Further investigation by HSI and the Internal Revenue Service also identified the ways in which co-conspirators had laundered the money gained from the smuggling operations. In addition to Ochoa-Vasquez’s sentence, Barron-Arredondo received a sentence of 57 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. The remaining 13 co-conspirators, all of whom pleaded guilty and who had various levels of culpability in the organization, were given sentences ranging from time served to as much as 63 months in prison. This prosecution resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is part of JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations – Sells Office, in coordination with IRS Criminal Investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBERS: CR-21-01042-TUC-JCH CR-21-01601-TUC-JCH RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-091_Ochoa-Vasquez # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: New York Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – PEDRO SARANTE , age 42, a resident of Bronx, New York, pled guilty on June 8, 2023, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a one-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, on May 2, 2022, a Louisiana State Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Peterbilt tractor bearing a New Jersey license plate to perform a motor carrier inspection on Interstate 12 East near milepost 57. The trooper identified the driver of the tractor (Co-conspirator 1) and the passenger in the sleeper area of tractor ( SARANTE ) and confirmed that SARANTE owned the tractor. The trooper interviewed both vehicle occupants regarding their itinerary and cargo. Neither of them were able to identify the cargo or detail their itinerary. Troopers conducted a consensual search of the vehicle and seized three (3) rolling duffel bags containing a total of approximately seventy-four (74) kilograms of suspected cocaine from the sleeper area of the tractor. The troopers arrested both Co-conspirator 1 and SARANTE . In a post-arrest interview, SARANTE admitted that he was hired to travel from the Bronx, New York, NY to Baytown, TX to pick up a load of narcotics and transport them to Newark, NJ. SARANTE advised the interviewing agents that he was going to be paid $1,000.00 per kilogram, once he delivered the drugs to Newark, NJ. For the conspiracy count, SARANTE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least three (3) years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. SARANTE is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2023. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.


title: Massachusetts Drug Courier Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for his role in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and cocaine from Lawrence, Mass. to the Sanford area, where it was further distributed by other members of the conspiracy. U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Franklin Frias , 58, to 48 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Frias pleaded guilty on November 29, 2022. According to court records, in November 2019, Frias was tasked by a drug dealer in Lawrence, Mass. known as “Junior,” to collect a drug debt from a local dealer in Sanford. Both Frias and “Junior” were unaware that the previous couriers had been intercepted by law enforcement, who had seized the most recent shipment to the Sanford dealer—approximately 50 grams of fentanyl and 107 grams of powder cocaine. When Frias arrived at the pre-determined location and stated that he was there to collect “Junior’s” money, he was arrested by agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In imposing sentence, Judge Singal reflected on the gravity of the fentanyl epidemic, and how corrosive it has been to community and families in Maine. The DEA, in partnership with the Maine State Police, investigated the case. ###


title: Hollis Man on Release for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material Sentenced to 4 Years for Violating Conditions of Release

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Hollis man who was previously convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material and perjury in 2014 was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for violating his conditions of supervised release. U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal sentenced Joel Dudley , 39, to 48 months in prison and supervised release for life after finding that Dudley had violated previously imposed conditions of release by committing new crimes. In 2014, Dudley was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by ten years of supervised release for possessing child sexual abuse materials and testifying falsely under oath during a court hearing. According to court records, while on supervised release in the spring of 2022, Dudley showed another convicted sex offender sexually explicit photographs of a minor victim. Dudley also fondled that same child in the parking lot of the Maine Mall. Finally, according to court records, the U.S. Probation Office discovered that he had been exchanging graphic sexual messages with the child over Facebook using an alias and having unapproved contact using electronic devices that he was prohibited from possessing. The U.S. Probation Office filed a petition to revoke Dudley’s term of supervised release in the fall of 2022. A hearing was held over the course of three days. At the hearing’s conclusion, Judge Singal found that there was sufficient evidence to establish each of the charged violations. He also found that Dudley had perjured himself when he testified during the hearing, as well as during the sentencing phase of the hearing. The sentence imposed by the Court was the maximum possible sentence that could be imposed for the charged violations. At sentencing, Judge Singal noted that he was imposing the maximum possible sentence because he “needed to protect the public from this defendant.” The case was handled by U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer re-victimization each time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org/ or 1-800-843-5678 . Your report will be forwarded to a law enforcement agency for investigation and action. If you have an emergency that requires an immediate law enforcement response, call 911 or contact your local police or sheriff’s department. Project Safe Childhood: 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Sentences Announced in Operation Red Reaper that Targeted the Criminal Activities of the Nuestra Familia Prison Gang in Kings and Tulare Counties

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced the sentencings today in cases brought in 2019 following Operation Red Reaper, a multi-agency investigation into the Nuestra Familia prison gang and the Norteño street gang in Kings County. The last defendant in case number 1:19-cr-143, Angel Montes, 27, of Visalia, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for facilitating the distribution of the gang’s drugs and the collection of the gang’s proceeds. Also today, Eric Mercado, a defendant in a related case (1:19-cr-248) was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for illegal possession of a machine gun. The investigation uncovered that the Nuestra Familia was responsible for large-scale trafficking of methamphetamine and other controlled substances, as well as various firearms offenses and other violent crimes. According to court documents, high-ranking Nuestra Familia members Salvador Castro Jr. and Raymond Lopez used contraband cellphones from inside Fresno County’s Pleasant Valley State Prison to arrange the transport of illicit narcotics from drug sources in California and Mexico to a stash house in Kings County. From that stash house, gang members outside of the prison coordinated the preparation and delivery of the drugs to distributors throughout Kings and Tulare Counties. The sentences of the other defendants in the case are as follows: Salvador Castro Jr., 53, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison; Raymond Lopez, 35, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison; Jesse Juarez, 32, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison; Manuel Garcia, 36, was sentenced to 15 years in prison; Rafael Lopez 42, was sentenced to 15 years in prison; Raul Lopez, 52, was sentenced to 15 years in prison; Michael Rocha, 40, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison; Ramon Amador 33, was sentenced to 10 years in prison; Daniel Juarez, 31, was sentenced to 8 years in prison; Manuel Barrera, 28, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison; Joann Bernal, 36, was sentenced to time served. On May 30, 2023, in another case also generated by Operation Red Reaper, Florentino Gutierrez, 41, of Hanford, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Gutierrez conspired with others to traffic over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine. Gutierrez’s plan included using his Cadillac Escalade as collateral to purchase the methamphetamine. His co-conspirators then traveled from Hanford to Bakersfield where they picked up the methamphetamine. On the return trip, investigators stopped the car, searched it, and seized five bags containing a total of over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine. One of Gutierrez’s co-defendants, Ernesto Zibray, 34, of Delano, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine up to $10 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. Operation Red Reaper is the product of an investigation by the Kings County Gang Task Force, the California Department of Justice, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the FBI, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Kimberly A. Sanchez are prosecuting the cases. These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Kenner Man Pleads Guilty to Misprision of a Felony

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RYAN MOREAU , age 30, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, pled guilty on June 7, 2023, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to a one-count superseding bill of information charging him with misprision of a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, on November 19, 2020, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy learned than an individual was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 after having purchased narcotics from his source of supply. Agents establishing surveillance along Interstate 10 and locating the vehicle, agents conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle. As the agents approached the vehicle, the front seat passenger gave a bag containing several ounces of methamphetamine to MOREAU , who was seated in the back seat of the truck, to put into a container of bleach also located on the back seat of the truck. As one of the agents approached MOREAU , he observed a torn plastic bag with methamphetamine next to MOREAU , who acknowledged that he placed the methamphetamine in the container of bleach to avoid detection from law enforcement. For the misprision count, MOREAU faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three (3) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a term of supervised release of one (1) year, and a mandatory special assessment fee of 100.00. MOREAU is scheduled to be sentenced on October 11, 2023. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.


title: Arizona man sentenced to nine years in prison for “massive” tax fraud scheme

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 57-year-old Paradise Valley, Arizona man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to nine years in prison and a $1 million fine for an eight-year tax fraud scheme that resulted in more than $50 million in illegal tax refunds, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Charles St. George Kirkland pleaded guilty in January 2023 to three counts of aiding or assisting the filing of fraudulent tax documents. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge John H. Chun rejected the defense request for a sentence of home confinement, commenting that Kirkland’s fraud was “a massive tax fraud scheme.” Judge Chun said he was struck by the “outrageous nature of the fraudulent scheme” and Kirkland’s “fraudulent and deceitful behavior.” “This tax fraud scheme is an affront to all the taxpayers who honestly file tax returns and pay what they owe. These funds that Mr. Kirkland stole from the U.S. Treasury could have gone for infrastructure improvements, social services, and other programs aimed at community safety,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “This is a significant sentence, and an example of the price to be paid for such dishonesty and deceit.” According to records in the case, Kirkland falsely claimed in tax filings that he had lost more than $135 million by investing in solar equipment. Kirkland then “sold” those made-up losses to taxpayers through a network of tax preparers, telling the preparers that their clients could use Kirkland’s losses to claim refunds on their own tax returns. Taxpayers would file amended returns claiming that, because of the losses transferred from Kirkland, they were entitled to a refund of all the tax payments they had made in a prior tax year. After receiving the fraudulent refunds taxpayers paid 90% of the proceeds to Kirkland. Taxpayers participating in Kirkland’s program filed nearly 3,200 fraudulent tax returns. In all, Kirkland’s scheme resulted in a loss to the U.S. Treasury of over $50 million. Kirkland collected $45 million. Kirkland used a web of limited liability entities he controlled to claim both net operating losses and investment tax credits based on fake investments in solar equipment. For example, in 2013 alone, Kirkland claimed his businesses lost more than $40 million through investments in solar equipment. In fact, the businesses spent only about $150,000 on solar equipment that year. From 2012 to 2018, Kirkland’s companies claimed to have lost more than $135 million on investments in solar equipment. The companies spent less than $6 million on solar equipment over that period. Some of the taxpayers who participated in the program were Washington residents. For example, one Maple Valley, Washington couple claimed to be partners in Kirkland’s Solar Farm entity and amended their 2015 tax return to claim a net operating loss of $347,893. The couple got a tax refund of $17,759. In 2018, a Seattle couple claimed a 2017 tax loss from Solar Farm of $22,870 so that they could claim a refund of $28,180. In 2019, Grapeview, Washington resident claimed a 2018 solar energy credit of $10,341 so she could claim a refund of $10,704. Kirkland owes $51,615,484 in restitution in addition to the $1 million fine imposed by Judge Chun. Two days after agreeing to plead guilty, Kirkland and his wife began a divorce proceeding. In the proceeding, they agreed the wife would take ownership of approximately 100 parcels of real estate, five Tesla automobiles and the couple’s 10,000 square foot home in Arizona. Prosecutors noted in their filings that the government will continue to pursue the assets in order to satisfy the restitution obligation. In asking for the nine-year sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court, “This is by far the largest loss in a tax case in this district in least a dozen years. Kirkland’s brazen fraud, his long history of professional misconduct, and his efforts to keep the stolen money make clear he will continue to engage in fraud as long as he is permitted to do so.” “This sentence is a win for American taxpayers! All of Mr. Kirkland’s schemes served the sole purpose of making him very wealthy, and he cared little for those he manipulated,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Seattle Field Office’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke. “The IRS relies on taxpayers to file accurate tax returns. If you observe something suspicious, go to IRS.gov and report it.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.


title: Byram Woman Sentenced to Over 20 Years in Prison  for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine  and Falsification of Records in a Federal Investigation

body_text: Jackson, Mississippi – A Byram woman was sentenced to 250 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as a concurrent sentence of 21 months for falsification of records in a federal investigation, announced U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration. According to court documents, beginning as early August 1, 2017, and continuing until April 2019, communications between Kristy Dier, 37, and her codefendants were intercepted wherein they negotiated and conducted the sale of ice-methamphetamine throughout the state of Mississippi from as far as Aberdeen to Biloxi, Mississippi. In total, Dier is responsible for the distribution of approximately 22 pounds of ice-methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, from December 1, 2017, through December 19, 2017, Dier also elicited help from a codefendant to falsify income and business records and file the records with the Hinds County Court to obstruct the forfeiture of drug proceeds seized from Dier by law enforcement. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, Richland Police Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Internal Revenue Service. The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed “Drama Queen,” which began as an operation targeting illegal methamphetamine distribution in central Mississippi. “Drama Queen” is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Keesha Middleton and Chris Wansley.


title: St. Louis Lawyer Sentenced for Faking Legal Documents for At Least 30 Clients

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Monday sentenced a St. Louis, Missouri lawyer to 31 months in prison for faking legal documents and forging judges’ signatures in cases involving at least 30 clients. Judge Pitlyk also ordered Andrew Gavin Wynne to pay $351,000 in restitution for losses suffered by his former law firm. Wynne created fictitious documents with forged signatures in cases in St. Louis as well as St. Louis and St. Charles counties. Wynne created bogus court orders, judgments and emails authored by at least ten separate judges, some of which falsely claimed to award money to his clients. In one example, Wynne sent an email to a client on Feb. 28, 2020 that included a fictitious judgment and decree of dissolution with a forged judge’s signature. That divorce decree said Wynne’s client's marriage was dissolved and the parties would have joint legal and physical custody of the minor children. The decree also said the client was owed $900 per month child support, $5,000, a vehicle and other assets. On July 21, 2020, Wynne emailed another client an order with a forged judge’s signature that claimed $20,200 in payments were owed to that client. Wynne’s series of deceptions and lies began unraveling when a client complained to Wynne’s boss. One victim told Judge Pitlyk during Monday’s sentencing hearing that his divorce was still not finalized, and that Wynne’s actions had cost him his relationship with his two daughters. Wynne’s former boss said Wynne’s actions and deceptions were unprecedented in Missouri, had “stunned” clients and caused him “abject humiliation, utter despair and fear for the future.” The firm is still unwinding and trying to repair Wynne’s misdeeds, which the boss said victimized both clients and the judicial system. Wynne, 35, pleaded guilty in March to five felony counts of identity theft. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Wiseman and Kyle Bateman are prosecuting the case.


title: South Lake Tahoe Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Timothy Mackey, 42, of South Lake Tahoe, pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Mackey was a member of chat groups that shared child pornography on the social media platform LiveMe, including a group named “No Limit!!!” On Feb. 6, 2020, and Feb. 25, 2020, Mackey, using the username “bag of rock,” posted multiple images of child pornography in the “No Limit!!!” group. Mackey had worked as a snowboarding instructor and applied to become a foster parent prior to his arrest in April 2020. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case. Mackey is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 11, 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Justice Department Reaches Agreement to Remedy Racial Harassment of Black and Multi-Racial Students in Kentucky School District

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with Madison County Schools in Kentucky to resolve its investigation into complaints of serious and widespread racial harassment of Black and multi-racial students. The department opened its investigation in October 2021 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The department’s investigation uncovered numerous incidents of race-based harassment in which Black and multi-racial students were called the N-word, among other racial epithets, and subjected to other derogatory racial comments by their peers. The school district did not consistently or reasonably address the harassment, which included racial taunts and intimidation, and was at times reinforced by use of Confederate flags and imagery. When the district did respond, it often failed to follow its own racial harassment policies and its actions were ineffective in addressing the broader hostile environment. This inaction deprived Black and multi-racial students of equal access to the district’s educational opportunities and led them to conclude that the district either condoned the beavior or would not take any action to help them. “Schools should be safe and supportive environments for all students, not places where they face racist harassment and abuse. Racial harassment inflicts grievous harm on young people and violates the Constitution’s most basic promise of equal protection,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will create the institutional changes needed to keep Black and multi-racial students safe and to provide them with a supportive educational environment. We look forward to Madison County Schools demonstrating to its students and school community that it will no longer tolerate racial discrimination in its schools.” “The principles underpinning this investigation and settlement are straightforward,” said United States Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “All young people are entitled to seek their educational opportunities without facing racial harassment and abuse, and schools simply must adequately protect those entrusted to their care and instruction from that offensive, harmful behavior. With this settlement, Madison County Schools are now taking an important step consistent with those basic principles.” Under the agreement, Madison County Schools will retain a consultant to review and revise anti-discrimination policies and procedures and support the school district as it undertakes significant institutional reforms. Among other steps, Madison County Schools will: Create a new central office position to process complaints of race discrimination; Update its racial harassment and discipline policies to more accurately track and consistently respond to complaints of race-based harassment; Train staff on how to identify, investigate, and respond to complaints of racial harassment and discriminatory discipline practices; Inform students and parents of how to report harassment and discrimination; Update its centralized, electronic reporting system to track and manage complaints and the district’s response to complaints; Implement focus groups, surveys, training and educational events on identifying and preventing race discrimination, including discriminatory harassment; and Analyze and review discipline data and amend policies to ensure non-discriminatory enforcement of discipline policies. Protecting the constitutional rights of public school students is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . -END-


title: Madill Resident Sentenced For Assault In Indian Country

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Paul Blagg, age 44, of Madill, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for intentionally assaulting another individual with a dangerous weapon. The charges arose from investigations by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On July 20, 2022, Blagg pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. According to court documents, on August 12, 2020, Blagg entered another individual’s residence and struck the victim multiple times with the stock of a shotgun. The crime occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearings in Oklahoma City. Blagg will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.


title: Ventura County Man Pleads Guilty to Making Death Threats and Bomb Threats to a Nonprofit and Reproductive Health Centers

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Ventura County man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges making threatening telephone calls last year, including to a Planned Parenthood office on the day the United States Supreme Court overturned its Roe v. Wade decision. Nishith Tharaka Vandebona, 34, of Oxnard, but who lived in Camarillo during the offenses, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of threatened forcible intimidation regarding the obtaining and provision of reproductive health services under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. He also pleaded guilty to one felony count of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce. At today’s hearing, United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner ordered Vandebona remanded into federal custody. According to his plea agreement, in February and June of 2022, Vandebona used an internet application to create anonymous telephone numbers to make the threatening calls. During the spring of 2022, there was news coverage that the Supreme Court was considering overturning Roe , its 1973 decision that recognized a constitutional right to abortion, after an initial draft of the new opinion was leaked. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court published a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , which overturned Roe and ruled that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Vandebona admitted in his plea agreement that on the same day, using an anonymous number, he left a voicemail message containing death threats with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, a Santa Barbara-based reproductive health services organization. On June 25, 2022, Vandebona called Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and spoke with a call center specialist. Vandebona said, “I’m calling to let you know that I’m going to come in there and kill all of you, including your staff and your security. You got it? You’re overdue for an attack.” Within an hour, Vandebona telephoned Planned Parenthood Los Angeles again and made several death threats, including “I’m gonna come in there and murder your staff.” Prior to the threats to the Planned Parenthood facilities, Vandebona called in a bomb threat in February 2022 to the office of Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS), a Ventura-based non-profit organization that advocates for “zero population growth,” primarily through immigration restrictions. Vandebona admitted to using anonymous numbers he obtained from the internet to make threatening phone calls to CAPS. In one of the calls, he said, “I’m gonna come in there and kill all of you, dude. Be careful.” In another call to CAPS in February 2022, Vandebona said, “I’m gonna come in there, plant a bomb, and kill as many white Americans as possible. You understand that? Servicemen, families, everybody.” Judge Klausner scheduled an October 2 sentencing hearing, at which time Vandebona will face a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison for the FACE Act count and up to five years in federal prison for the transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce count. The FBI investigated this matter. The Santa Barbara Police Department, the Santa Monica Police Department, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office have assisted in this investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Frances S. Lewis and Julius J. Nam of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case. Anyone who has information about incidents of violence, threats, and obstruction that target a patient or provider of reproductive health services or damage and destruction of reproductive health care facilities, should report that information to the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov . For more information about clinic violence, and the Department of Justice’s efforts to enforce FACE Act violations, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/national-task-force-violence-against-reproductive-health-care-providers .


title: Oconto County Man Sentenced to Over 20 years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 9, 2023, Rocky R. Sonkowsky (age: 33) of Oconto County, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 260 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. According to court records, in Summer 2021, while babysitting his girlfriend’s infant child and changing the child’s diaper, Sonkowsky sexually assaulted the child and captured 21 images of the abuse on his smartphone. The images were discovered when police began investigating Sonkowsky for his online activities, which included downloading child pornography and engaging in online communications with underage children. When sentencing Sonkowsky, Judge Griesbach noted the horrendous nature of the crime and the horrific abuse of trust inherent in Sonkowsky’s criminal acts. Judge Griesbach found a strong need to protect the public from Sonkowsky, a self-described pedophile. Ultimately, Judge Griesbach determined that 260 months in federal prison was a fair and just sentence. Upon the completion of his federal prison sentence, Sonkowsky will spend the remainder of his life on supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. 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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Oconto Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. # # # For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Two North Carolina Lawyers Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Scam Political Action Committee

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 9, 2023, and June 12, 2023, respectively, Jack Daly (age: 51) and Nathanael Pendley (age: 61) pled guilty to conspiring to (i) commit mail fraud and (ii) lie to the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”). According to court documents, the conspiracy centered on a political action committee (the “Draft PAC”) that Daly and Pendley ostensibly formed to convince David Clarke, Jr., the former Sheriff of Milwaukee County, to campaign for a seat in the United States Senate. In soliciting contributions to the Draft PAC, Daly and Pendley falsely represented that donor contributions would be used to support an effort to draft Clarke to run for Senate. Over the relevant period, the Draft PAC raised over $1.6 million. Most of this money was spent on additional fundraising to personally benefit Daly and Pendley, not genuine efforts to convince Clarke to run for office. Court documents further demonstrate that Daly and Pendley solicited donations through the Draft PAC after they became aware that Clarke had publicly announced that he would not run for a Senate seat and had characterized the Draft PAC as a “scam.” When confronted by Clarke about the Draft PAC’s ongoing solicitations, Daly and Pendley lied to Clarke and suggested that the Draft PAC’s new Treasurer was responsible. They also submitted false and misleading information to the Federal Election Commission, including a post-dated “FEC Form 1” which identified the Draft PAC’s intern, Z.Z., as its Treasurer, replacing Daly. In fact, as Daly and Pendley knew, Z.Z. was not performing any duties as Treasurer or undertaking any responsibilities as Treasurer. Both defendants are scheduled for sentencing hearings before District Court Judge J.P. Stadtmueller in September 2023. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Knight and Benjamin Taibleson. # # # For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Gloucester County Man Admits Healthcare Fraud

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man today admitted defrauding his employer’s health insurance plan out of more than $4 million by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary compounded medications, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced. Christopher Gualtieri, 50, of Franklinville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to one count of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit health care and mail fraud and one count charging him with obtaining oxycodone through fraud. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Compounded medications are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Compounded drugs can be properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredient. Gualtieri and others learned that certain compound medication prescriptions were reimbursed by their health insurance plan for up to thousands of dollars for a one-month supply. Gualtieri recruited co-workers who were covered by their employer’s self-funded health insurance plan to agree to receive medically unnecessary compounded medications for themselves and their family members. Gualtieri and others caused the submission of fraudulent prescriptions to compounding pharmacies, which filled the prescriptions and billed the health insurance plan’s pharmacy benefits administrator. The pharmacy benefits administrator paid the compounding pharmacies more than $4 million for compounded medications arranged by Gualtieri and two conspirators for themselves, their dependents, and other family members. Gualtieri received a portion of the amount paid by the pharmacy benefits administrator to the compounding pharmacies. Gualtieri admitted to paying cash to his conspirators for their participation in the scheme. When questioned by special agents of the FBI, Gualtieri falsely denied recruiting others to receive compounded medications and falsely denied paying cash to others for their participation in the scheme. During the same time period as the conspiracy involving compounded medications, Gualtieri also prepared and caused the filling of fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone for himself and a family member. The charge of conspiracy to commit health care and mail fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; the charge of obtaining drugs by fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of four years in prison. Both counts are also punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2023. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Field Office, Health Care Fraud Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire; task force members from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General; the Philadelphia Police Department; and diversion investigators of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. Attorney for the United States Khanna also thanked U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, for its assistance in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden. gualtieri.indictment.pdf


title: South Korean Clothing Manufacturer Admits Evading U.S. Customs Duties and Enters Civil Settlement Agreement

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A South Korean company today admitted that it evaded customs duties on clothing that it imported into the United States, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Anyclo International Inc. (Anyclo) pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging the company with evading customs duties. Anyclo was also sentenced on this charge today to a criminal fine of $250,000 and ordered to pay restitution to the United States in the amount of $2.05 million. Anyclo also agreed to a civil settlement with the United States, which includes paying $2.05 million, plus interest, over 15 months to resolve its potential liability under the False Claims Act. Anyclo admitted that from Oct. 5, 2012, to Aug. 5, 2019, it evaded customs duties on clothing and apparel that it manufactured abroad and imported into the United States. Anyclo perpetrated the scheme by preparing two invoices for the same shipments: an accurate invoice provided to U.S. purchasers, and a false invoice undervaluing the goods that Anyclo furnished to U.S. Customs. By falsely undervaluing its merchandise, Anyclo drastically underpaid customs duties that it owed based on the true value of those goods. The civil settlement with Anyclo resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator, Yang Sup Cha, will receive 18 percent of the civil settlement amount recovered by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, and members of the Office of Trade, Regulatory Audit & Agency Advisory Services, under the supervision of Acting Field Director of the New York Office Teresa Halpin, with the investigation leading the guilty plea and civil settlement. The government is represented in the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark, and in the civil case by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark. anyclo.settlement.pdf anyclo.information.pdf


title: Troy Felon Receives 37 Months for Firearm and Drug Convictions

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frankie Rios, age 42, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. Rios, a convicted felon, pled guilty before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, on January 6, 2023. Rios admitted that he possessed a .25 caliber Mauser handgun with six rounds of ammunition on March 30, 2019. The handgun was recovered from Rios by Troy Police Officers responding to a stabbing at a bar on 4th Street in Troy. Rios also admitted that on February 17, 2021, he possessed more than 100 grams of cocaine and cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) with intent to distribute those substances, in Troy. Rios is required to forfeit the firearm and ammunition as part of his plea, and will serve a 3-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release following his term of imprisonment. ATF and the Troy Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case.


title: District Man Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter and Related Charges for Killing Cousin in the Intersection of 29th and S Streets Southeast

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: Defendant Shot Victim Following a Series of Arguments Started by an Instagram Post WASHINGTON – Lewkus Turner, 29, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury of voluntary manslaughter while armed and related charges stemming from a mid-afternoon shooting on December 11, 2020, at 29 th and S Streets Southeast, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Interim Chief Ashan M. Benedict, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Turner was found guilty by a jury, on June 9, 2023, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of voluntary manslaughter while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Honorable Maribeth Raffinan scheduled sentencing for August 25, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, just before 4:00 p.m. on December 11, 2021, the victim—and Turner’s first cousin—Vincent Gyamfi, drove to the 1600 block of 29 th Street SE to speak to Turner regarding an Instagram post Turner had made earlier in the week. Shortly after arriving in the area, an argument broke out and Turner left the area. Turner returned shortly thereafter armed with a gun and the two men argued again before leaving in separate directions, with Mr. Gyamfi stopping his vehicle near the intersection of 29 th and S Streets SE. At 4:07 p.m., Turner drove to the intersection and confronted his cousin for a final time. Mr. Gyamfi ran at Turner’s car, and Turner shot Mr. Gyamfi three times with a large caliber weapon. Turner then dragged Mr. Gyamfi’s body into the street, got into his vehicle, and fled the scene without calling for aid. Turner was arrested in the murder case on December 29, 2021. He has been in custody ever since. In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Interim Chief Benedict commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI CAST team. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Dan Lenerz and Bryan Han of the Appellate Section; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez; Special Agents Mark Crawford and Durand Odom of the Criminal Investigations Unit; Supervisory Victim/Witness Service Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, Victim/Witness Service Coordinators Tonya Jones and Maenylie Watson; Supervisory Budget Analyst Nikiya Burnette and Accounting Technician Evelyn Miles; Paralegal Specialist Meridith McGarrity; and Litigation Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Kimak, Christopher Carson, and Gauri Gopal, who investigated, indicted, and prosecuted the case.


title: Microsoft Agrees to Pay $20 Million Civil Penalty for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Laws

component: Civil Division

body_text: The Justice Department, together with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), announced today that the United States has resolved a case against Microsoft Corp. regarding its practices for collecting and retaining personal information from children who use Microsoft’s Xbox Live service. The stipulated order issued by the court today requires Microsoft to pay $20 million in civil penalties and imposes injunctive relief to settle allegations that Microsoft violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) in connection with the Xbox Live service, which consumers use to connect online and with others through the Xbox brand of gaming consoles. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the United States alleges that Microsoft knew that certain users were children but nonetheless continued to collect personal information, such as telephone numbers, before notifying parents of Microsoft’s information collection practices and before obtaining parental consent. In addition, the complaint alleges that, while Microsoft provided some notice to parents, that notice was incomplete and thus failed to comply with the COPPA Rule’s requirements. Finally, the complaint alleges that in certain instances when children started, but did not complete, creating Xbox Live accounts, Microsoft retained their personal information for longer than permitted by the COPPA Rule. “It is essential that before collecting children’s personal information, online companies provide complete and timely disclosures about their information collection practices so that parents can make informed decisions,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “The department and the FTC are committed to ensuring that companies comply with the laws specifically designed to safeguard the privacy of children.” “This settlement requires Microsoft to clearly communicate with parents about their child’s data and sets up procedures to monitor Microsoft’s compliance with federal statutes regarding children’s online privacy. This work will make children safer online,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown for the Western District of Washington. “I commend Microsoft for quickly acknowledging it was illegally collecting and retaining personal data of children younger than 13, and for taking steps to fix the problem.” “Our proposed order makes it easier for parents to protect their children’s privacy on Xbox, and limits what information Microsoft can collect and retain about kids,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This action should also make it abundantly clear that kids’ avatars, biometric data, and health information are not exempt from COPPA.” This matter is being handled by Trial Attorney Katherine M. Ho, Senior Trial Attorney James T. Nelson, and Assistant Director Lisa K. Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca S. Cohen for the Western District of Washington. Megan Cox and Peder Magee represent the FTC. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa . For more information about the FTC, visit its website at www.FTC.gov .


title: Justice Department Secures Consent Decree in Louisiana School Desegregation Case

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement to desegregate student enrollment and expand academic opportunities for students in the St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, public schools. The consent order was approved by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth Erny Foote of the Western District of Louisiana as part of a longstanding desegregation case. Under the consent decree, the school district will promote student transfers to advance desegregation and work with the Justice Department and private plaintiffs to develop a robust magnet school, with the goal of attracting a diverse student body and desegregating a historically Black school zone. “All students deserve the opportunity to attend desegregated schools,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “It is now nearly 70 years after the Supreme Court issued its historic decision in Brown v. Board, and long past time for school districts to comply. The Justice Department will continue fighting to dismantle the prior system of segregation, in St. Martin Parish and wherever it persists.” The department presented evidence at district court hearings in April 2021, August 2022 and March 2023 showing that St. Martin Parish has long maintained a dual system of racially identifiable elementary schools in the St. Martinville and Catahoula attendance zones. Under the terms of the consent order, the district will, among other requirements: Enhance educational opportunities in the historically Black attendance zone of St. Martinville by creating a robust magnet program to attract students from across the district; Work with the department, private plaintiffs and community members to develop and implement a robust magnet program; Hire and train the staff necessary to support these students and ensure the success of the magnet program; and Advertise and grant student transfers to promote opportunities and further desegregation in all district schools. The order requires regular reporting to the court, the department and private plaintiffs represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Several other areas of this case remain open and are subject to the court’s continuing jurisdiction, including possible attendance zone modifications, the desegregation of faculty and the issues of discipline and graduation pathways. The court will retain jurisdiction over the consent order during its implementation, and the department will monitor the district’s compliance. Last month marked the 69th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education . The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division continues to prioritize enforcement of desegregation orders in school districts formerly segregated by law, to ensure that all children can access the building blocks of educational success. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt , and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/ .


title: Readout of Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta's Trip to Chicago

component: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

body_text: On Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta traveled to Chicago. During her visit, she met with community members and local leaders to hear about critical issues in the Chicago area and discuss the department’s efforts to fight gun violence and violent crime through thoughtful work on policing, a focus on building trust between police and the communities they serve, and empowering communities to be co-producers of public safety. She was joined throughout the trip by Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Amy Solomon. University of Chicago Law School’s Law of Policing Conference The Associate Attorney General kicked off her trip on Thursday, June 8, by serving as a featured speaker at the University of Chicago Law School’s Law of Policing Conference. During the UChicago event, she participated in a fireside chat with Professor Sharon Fairley to discuss the department’s work, including efforts to build police-community trust, pattern and practice investigations, work with law enforcement agencies seeking assistance through programs like the department’s Collaborative Reform Initiative and fund organizations and programs that center community voices in public safety conversations. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta (left) speaks with University of Chicago Law Professor Sharon Fairley as part of the school’s Law of Policing Conference. Site Visits with Justice Department-Funded Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs and Families of Gun Violence Victims On Thursday afternoon, the Associate and department officials visited the North Lawndale area for a site visit and community meeting, hosted by UCAN, to speak with representatives from organizations that help fund, provide and study community violence intervention and related services. Participants included: Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), an OJP grantee that received both site-based and capacity-building grants through the department’s Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22); a sub-grantee that will be receiving funds and other support from MFS through the capacity-building award; researchers from Northwestern University who are studying community violence intervention programs; and others. During the meeting, participants discussed ways to make federal grant funds more effective and accessible, and shared their experiences working with local law enforcement and collaborating with other community-based organizations to reduce violence in Chicago. Later that day, the Associate and other department officials met with mothers who have lost children to gun violence to listen to their concerns and challenges, including with navigating resources and services for victims. The meeting was hosted by New Life Centers of Chicagoland. Justice Department officials meet with local and community leaders to discuss their efforts in the community violence and prevention space. New Life Centers of Chicagoland Executive Director Matt DeMateo leads Justice Department officials on tour of facility. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta (center, right), Assistant Attorney General Amy Solomon (far right, top) listen to mothers who lost their children to gun violence. Bringing Critical Stakeholders Together: Meetings with U.S. Attorney’s Office, University of Chicago Crime Lab, and Mayor of Chicago On Friday, June 9, Associate Attorney General Gupta and Assistant Attorney General Solomon met with Acting U.S. Attorney Sonny Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois and senior staff from his office, followed by a visit to the University of Chicago Crime Lab, which was joined by Senator Dick Durbin, to learn about the Crime Lab’s innovative work, including research on the effectiveness of community violence intervention programs, early warning systems in law enforcement agencies and more. The trip concluded with a meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago’s first-ever Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood. Through OJP, local organizations can access critical funding that can be used to support community-focused violence intervention and prevention programming. In FY22 alone, the department provided $100 million in funding for CVIPI, aimed at helping scale this type of community-based work and innovation to tackle public safety concerns. In addition, through OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime, the department offers grants, training and technical assistance to support victims and survivors of crime as they navigate difficult journeys of recovery and healing.


title: Readout of the First SAFER Team Visit to FCI Tallahassee

component: Office of the Deputy Attorney General

body_text: On Friday, June 9, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General (PADAG) Marshall Miller led a Sexual Abuse Facility Enhancement and Review (SAFER) team, comprised of representatives of multiple components of the Justice Department, in a visit and review at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee. This is the first in a series of SAFER visits to women’s facilities throughout the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The Deputy Attorney General launched the SAFER team project to visit women’s facilities in each of BOP’s six regions and engage with leadership, staff, and women in custody at those facilities, as part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to root out sexual misconduct within the BOP. The SAFER team that visited FCI Tallahassee included representatives from the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the BOP, the Office on Violence Against Women, and the Office for Access to Justice, and was joined by U.S. Attorney Jason Coody for the Northern District of Florida and representatives from the FBI. During the visit, the team reviewed the facility’s progress implementing the recommendations of the Department’s Sexual Misconduct Working Group, including its initiatives to promote timely and effective reporting consistent with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The team also reviewed the facility’s conditions, medical and mental health services, reentry programming, and Special Housing Unit, and spoke directly with women in custody. Following the visit, PADAG Miller and several team members visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida (the USAO), where they discussed the office’s work to prioritize cases involving misconduct committed by BOP personnel, including the USAO’s recent conviction of a former corrections officer at FCI Tallahassee who sexually abused a woman in his custody.


title: Justice Department Secures Settlement with Dayton, Ohio, Police Department to Ensure Non-Discriminatory Treatment of People with Disabilities

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Dayton, Ohio, and the Dayton Police Department (DPD) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to resolve allegations that DPD discriminated against a driver during a traffic stop. The ADA requires that cities, law enforcement agencies and other public entities provide individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in their services, including policing. The ADA also requires a police department or other public entity to reasonably modify its practices when necessary to avoid discrimination. This agreement resolves a complaint by a driver who is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair who was pulled over by DPD officers. The officers ordered him to get out of his car, but he did not have his wheelchair with him. He told the officers that he could not get out safely without his wheelchair. Over his protests, the officers ordered him out, and refused his request that they call a supervisor. The officers also did not call for assistance or equipment to enable the driver to safely exit. Instead, they pulled him out of his car onto the ground, handcuffed him and dragged him to a police car. “No one should be subjected to discriminatory treatment during police interactions and that includes people with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Law enforcement agencies and their officers are required to make reasonable modifications to their policies and procedures when interacting with people with disabilities and failure to do so may violate federal civil rights law. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce the ADA to ensure that police officers are not discriminating against people with disabilities.” “Ensuring that law enforcement officers understand the scope of the ADA will only positively impact their connection with the people in the communities they serve,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “There are so many people with different disabilities whom officers may find themselves interacting with on even a daily basis, so having them trained in this area is imperative.” The two-year agreement requires DPD to modify its policies to be consistent with the ADA, provide training for police about how to better interact with individuals with disabilities, and to report on its progress to the Justice Department. This matter was handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the ADA website at www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov . ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint/ .


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement to Remedy Racial Harassment of Black and Multi-Racial Students in Kentucky School District

body_text: The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with Madison County Schools in Kentucky to resolve its investigation into complaints of serious and widespread racial harassment of Black and multi-racial students. The department opened its investigation in October 2021 under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The department’s investigation uncovered numerous incidents of race-based harassment in which Black and multi-racial students were called the N-word, among other racial epithets, and subjected to other derogatory racial comments by their peers. The school district did not consistently or reasonably address the harassment, which included racial taunts and intimidation, and was at times reinforced by use of Confederate flags and imagery. When the district did respond, it often failed to follow its own racial harassment policies and its actions were ineffective in addressing the broader hostile environment. This inaction deprived Black and multi-racial students of equal access to the district’s educational opportunities and led them to conclude that the district either condoned the behavior or would not take any action to help them. “No student should be subject to racial harassment, including racist taunts with the Confederate flag that are clearly intended to surface some of the harshest and most brutal periods of our country’s history. Racial harassment inflicts grievous harm on young people and violates the Constitution’s most basic promise of equal protection,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will create the institutional changes needed to keep Black and multi-racial students safe and to provide them with a supportive educational environment. We look forward to Madison County Schools demonstrating to its students and school community that it will no longer tolerate racial discrimination in its schools.” “The principles underpinning this investigation and settlement are straightforward,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “All young people are entitled to seek their educational opportunities without facing racial harassment and abuse, and schools simply must adequately protect those entrusted to their care and instruction from that offensive, harmful behavior. With this settlement, Madison County Schools are now taking an important step consistent with those basic principles.” The department’s investigation also raised concerns about racially disproportionate discipline for Black students at some district schools and inadequate systems for recordkeeping and analysis of discipline data. Under the agreement, Madison County Schools will undertake significant institutional reforms, including: Retaining a consultant to review and revise anti-discrimination policies and procedures and support the school district in implementing the agreement; Creating three new central office positions to oversee effective handling of complaints of race discrimination; Updating its racial harassment and discipline policies to more accurately track and consistently respond to complaints of race-based harassment; Training staff on how to identify, investigate and respond to complaints of racial harassment and discriminatory discipline practices; Informing students and parents of how to report harassment and discrimination; Updating its centralized, electronic reporting system to track and manage complaints and the district’s response to complaints; Implementing focus groups, surveys, training and educational events on identifying and preventing race discrimination, including discriminatory harassment; and Analyzing and reviewing discipline data and amend policies to ensure non-discriminatory enforcement of discipline policies. Protecting public school students from harassment and other discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. In March 2023, for example, the division secured a settlement to address harassment based on students’ race, sex, sexual orientation and sex stereotypes in the Twin Valley School District in Vermont . In October 2021, the division reached a settlement with the Davis School District in Utah to remedy harassment of Black and Asian American students. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt , and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/ .


title: Chief Engineer Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and Oil Record Book Offenses; Operating Company Pleads Guilty for Oil Record Book Offense

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: On June 9, vessel Chief Engineer Denys Korotkiy was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and failure to maintain an accurate oil record book for the vessel Donald in San Diego, California, following a five-day jury trial. Interunity Management (Deutschland) GMBH, a vessel operating company, previously pleaded guilty for maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oily bilge water. The evidence showed that oily bilge water was illegally dumped from the Donald directly into the ocean through the vessel’s sewage tank without being properly processed through required pollution prevention equipment. Oily bilge water typically contains oil contamination from the operation and cleaning of machinery on the vessel. These illegal discharges were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book as required by law. The evidence also showed that Korotkiy made false and fictitious entries in the oil record book claiming transfers of oily bilge had been made from the vessel’s engine room bilge wells to the vessel’s Bilge Holding Tank when, in fact, those transfers had not been made. Finally, the evidence showed that Korotkiy conspired with others to obstruct the U.S. Coast Guard’s inspection and investigation into the mishandling of oily bilge water onboard the motor vessel Donald. At the conclusion of the trial, the court remanded Chief Engineer Korotkiy to custody. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 1. “The illegal discharge of oily bilge water at sea and the falsification and destruction of records in order to obstruct the United States’ ability to investigate those discharges are crimes we take seriously,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure polluters are held fully accountable.” “Unlawful oil discharges can cause immeasurable harm to the marine environment,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California. “We will continue to work closely with our agency partners to safeguard our oceans by vigorous enforcement of environmental laws. This case is a reflection of that commitment.” “This prosecution highlights the Department of Justice and the U.S. Coast Guard’s dedication in safeguarding our oceans against those that seek to deliberately harm our natural resources,” said Captain James Spitler, Sector Commander, Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “Illegal dumping of oil and falsification of oil record books are egregious violations. This guilty verdict should serve as a reminder that the Coast Guard and our partners at the Department of Justice will work tirelessly to hold accountable those that seek to deliberately discharge oil and falsify records.” In the same matter, Interunity pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, for failing to accurately maintain the Donald’s oil record book. Under the terms of the plea agreement and subject to court approval, Interunity will pay a total monetary penalty of $1.25 million and serve a four-year term of probation, during which any vessels operated by the company and calling on U.S. ports will be required to implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan. The monetary penalty includes $312,500 to fund projects, activities, or initiatives intended to benefit marine and coastal natural resources located in or around the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson for the Southern District of California and Senior Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Sioux City Man to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Guns and Ammunition

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Chance Rebel Nielsen, 23, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on June 12, 2023, to 54 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. Nielsen was previously convicted of a felony in October 2021. This conviction prohibited him from possessing a gun or ammunition. Nielsen pled guilty on January 31, 2023. Evidence at the hearings showed that on August 29, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which defendant was a passenger. During the stop, a Glock 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, and ammunition were found. Further investigation showed that, on August 23, 2022, Nielsen was at Scheels in Sioux City where he was observed possessing a Glock 9mm in his waistband. Nielsen purchased ammunition from Scheels which matched the ammunition found in the vehicle. Scheel’s Loss Prevention Unit provided evidence which was used by law enforcement to obtain a search warrant. Pursuant to a search warrant on recovered cell phones in this investigation, Nielsen was seen in a video shooting a firearm at a gun range, and text messages in which Nielsen discussed buying and selling firearms and made threats to others were found. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Nielsen was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Nielsen remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Le Mars Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-4077. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Central City Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Elder Financial Abuse and Identity Theft Scheme

body_text: A Central City, Iowa, woman who stole over $400,000 from two elderly relatives was sentenced today to five years in federal prison. Carrie April Martin, age 44, received the prison term after a September 26, 2022 guilty plea to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Evidence at Martin’s plea and sentencing hearings established that Martin had two elderly relatives, Victim-1 and Victim-2, in the Cedar Rapids area. Victim-1 was an elderly widow who was indigent, lived in a nursing home, and suffered from dementia and various physical ailments. Victim-2 was also an elderly widow in poor physical and mental health but had significant assets and lived in an assisted living facility. Victim-1 died at the age of 89 in December 2014, and Victim-2 died at the age of 96 in October 2017. Between April 2014 and July 2017, Martin stole checks drawn on accounts at a credit union from Victim-1 and Victim-2. Another one of Martin’s relatives was the power of attorney for the two elderly widows and had full legal authority to act for them. From time to time, Martin stole the power of attorney’s identity and wrote checks to herself from her victims’ accounts at the credit union. Martin also leveraged her friendship with the office administrator at the local branch of a national investment firm to access an account that Victim-2 held at the firm. Martin also sold over $100,000 worth of stock that Victim-2 held in an energy company, which Victim-2 intended to bequeath to a church in Elkader. In total, Martin stole over $416,000 from Victim-1 and Victim-2. Victim-2 went into hospice care less than a week after learning of defendant’s theft, which left Victim-2 with minimal assets. When informed that Martin lacked funds to repay Victim-2, Victim-2 asked that Martin be charged and held accountable for her scheme. Victim-2 died within a month’s time. Evidence at Martin’s sentencing also established that Martin made false statements to a fraud specialist at her credit union and law enforcement to cover up her crimes. In May 2022, Martin told two witnesses to “just watch what you say” and, “If they don’t specifically ask, don’t give information.” Martin was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Martin was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. She was ordered to make $416,910.82 in restitution to her victim’s heirs, including the power of attorney and the church. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. In 2016, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of 10 districts in the nation to form an Elder Justice Task Force ( http://go.usa.gov/cSngj ). The task force was assembled to foster a collaborative working relationship among all levels of government officials, advocacy groups for the elderly and the disabled, and others charged with the care and protection for these vulnerable groups. The goals include ensuring the integrity of all government expenditures by eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in health programs, and protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens from harm, whether it occurs in nursing homes or other institutions or involves financial fraud schemes. To learn more about the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/ This week, the Department of Justice joins millions around the world in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a day intended to raise public awareness of the fight against elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Research sponsored by the Department’s National Institute of Justice finds that millions of older Americans experience some form of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation every year, often by someone they love. The harms resulting from mistreatment of older Americans drives our work every day. Today, the Department of Justice is proud to announce 10 new resources to train, inform, and support elder justice professionals across the country. Martin was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-51. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to More than 15 Years’ Imprisonment for Possessing Methamphetamine, a Loaded Firearm, and Over $135,000 in Drug Money

body_text: A man who possessed methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and who possessed a firearm as an unlawful drug user, was sentenced today to more than 15 years in federal prison. Joshua Ryan Gorrell, age 37, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 23, 2022 guilty plea to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it within 1,000 feet of a protected location, and one count of possession of a firearm as an unlawful drug user. In a plea agreement, Gorrell admitted that, on July 22, 2022, he made a 911 call regarding an overdose that occurred at his home in Cedar Rapids. When first responders arrived, they found a deceased overdose victim. Officers searched Gorrell’s home and found $123,038 in U.S. Currency and over two pounds of actual (pure) methamphetamine, 43 grams of fentanyl, 56 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, 68 grams of marijuana, and 238 grams of THC wax. Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Gorrell stored these items throughout his house, in air ducts, laundry dryer vents, ceiling insulation, pipes, a fake plant, the freezer, and elsewhere. Gorrell also admitted that on August 22, 2022, officers searched his home again and found a firearm, $15,253 in U.S. Currency, approximately 28 grams of ice methamphetamine, and approximately 252 grams of marijuana. Later that day, Gorrell’s urine tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Evidence at the sentencing hearing demonstrated that the firearm was loaded. Gorrell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gorrell was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham. It was investigated as part of the Northern Iowa Heroin Initiative and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Marion Police Department, and Linn County Sheriff’s Office. This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-59. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Luzerne County Man Pleads Guilty To Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eric Hill, age 34, of Plymouth, Luzerne County, pleaded guilty on June 8, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hill admitted to conspiring with other individuals to distribute between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl in the Luzerne County area between 2019 and 2020. Hill was indicted by a grand jury in August 2020 for fentanyl trafficking. The charge against the defendants resulted from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Under federal law, the carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of up to life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. ###


title: Urbana Man Convicted of Methamphetamine Conspiracy

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

body_text: URBANA, Ill. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict on June 8, 2023, against an Urbana, Illinois, man, Phoutasone Champanine, 37, of Ivanhoe Drive, for conspiracy to possess fifty grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Sentencing for Champanine has been scheduled for October 13, 2023, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana. Over two days of testimony, the government presented evidence to establish that Champanine, a felon with multiple prior drug convictions, was dealing in pounds of methamphetamine in the Champaign-Urbana area. Further, investigators with the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force found several firearms and multiple calibers of ammunition in Champanine’s storage unit in Savoy, Illinois. The investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for Champanine’s home. During the execution of the warrant, agents found Champanine on the front porch of the home with eight pounds of methamphetamine in a bag on his shoulder. A further search of Champanine’s home revealed another pound of methamphetamine, two more firearms, and ammunition. Champanine remains in the custody of the United States Marshal Service. At sentencing, Champanine faces statutory penalties of ten years to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and a maximum life term of supervised release for the conspiracy conviction. He faces up to twenty years of imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug-involved premises. Finally, he faces up to ten years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon. The case investigation was conducted by the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional group composed of officers from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, the Champaign Police Department, the Urbana Police Department, and the University of Illinois Police Department, with assistance provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Sullivan and William J. Lynch represented the government at trial. The case against Champanine is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Illegal Alien Sentenced to Prison for  Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Document Fraud

body_text: A Mexican man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison. Juan Gonzalez-Matias, age 46, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 5, 2023, guilty plea to two counts of unlawful use of identification documents, two counts of misuse of a social security number, and one count of possession of a firearm by an alien. At the guilty plea, Gonzalez-Matias admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident Card, also known as a “green card,” both bearing his name, to prove his authorization to work in the United States when he completed employment and tax forms in May 2021 and March 2022 at businesses in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Iowa. The number on the Social Security card was assigned to another person and the number on the Permanent Resident Card was assigned to a Pakistani female. Gonzalez-Matias also admitted that he unlawfully possessed a firearm in September 2022 while being illegally present in the United States. Gonzalez-Matias was previously removed from the United States in January 1998, April 2004, and March 2012. On September 23, 2022, Waterloo police officers were called to Gonzalez-Matias’s residence after a report of shots fired. It was learned from a witness that Gonzalez-Matias, while under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine, fired shots into the air outside the house. During the execution of a search warrant, officers found a loaded Taurus, PT709, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a small bag of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the residence. Gonzalez-Matias was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gonzalez-Matias was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Gonzalez-Matias is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-2066. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 151 months in Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Cameron Moore, 52 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Moore was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, Moore sold methamphetamine throughout 2022. Additionally, in October 2022, investigators intercepted two packages intended for delivery to him through the United States Postal Service. One package contained approximately 3.6 kilograms of methamphetamine while the other package contained approximately 2.7 kilograms of marijuana. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement Unit and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###