title: ‘Secretary’ to Mexican Mafia Shot Caller Found Guilty of RICO Conspiracy for Participating in Armed Robbery and Shooting

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal jury today found a La Verne woman guilty of federal criminal charges related to her role as a “secretary” to an imprisoned Mexican Mafia “shot caller” who controlled Latino gangs in Pomona, including facilitating an armed robbery and shooting, as well as distribution of narcotics and extortion. Kelly Deshannon, 42, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, one count of committing a violent crime in support of racketeering activity (VICAR), and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. According to evidence presented at a five-day trial, Deshannon served as a secretary to Seferino Gonzalez, an imprisoned shot caller of the Michael Lerma Cell of the Mexican Mafia. From prison, Gonzalez exerted control over Latino gangs, including overseeing drug trafficking and other offenses committed in Pomona. As a secretary, Deshannon helped facilitate an attempted armed robbery of car keys to a Mercedes-Benz SUV on July 14, 2013, which resulted in the shooting of a victim. Deshannon knew the victims’ address, that the victims had access to the car keys, and had spoken to the victims. On the night of the shooting, Deshannon brought the shooter and other defendants with her to the victims’ address and pointed out a victim to her accomplices. The victim, though wounded, survived the attack. Deshannon’s other criminal conduct included broking drug sales and collecting extortionate taxes in Lerma Cell territory. Lerma, who is this case’s lead defendant , was indicted in 2018 and has pleaded not guilty to RICO conspiracy and multiple other federal charges. His trial is scheduled for July 23, 2024. He is in federal custody. United States District Judge George H. Wu scheduled an October 26 sentencing hearing, at which time Deshannon will face a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. At the conclusion of a 10-day trial in March 2023, a federal jury found Deshannon not guilty of attempted carjacking and deadlocked on four other counts. At the request of federal prosecutors, Judge Wu on June 28 dismissed one VICAR count against Deshannon. The FBI San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force investigated this matter. The FBI San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force was formed in 2008 and is based out of the Pomona Police Department. One of the primary missions of the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force is to work with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to combat, investigate, and dissuade gang violence from occurring within the Los Angeles County Jail and surrounding Los Angeles area. The Covina Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jason C. Pang of the Major Frauds Section and Varun Behl of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Skimmer Gets Prison for Million-Dollar Financial Identity Theft Scheme

component: USAO - California, Southern

number: CAS23-0724-Mansuryan, et al

body_text: SAN DIEGO – A Los Angeles metropolitan resident was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for repeatedly installing specialized devices to steal the financial information of unwitting victims at gas pumps throughout Southern California. Haykaz Mansuryan, age 34, admitted in his plea agreement that he broke into dozens of gas pumps to install “skimmers”—customized electronic devices to steal credit and debit card information from unknowing patrons using the pumps. Mansuryan admitted that the conspiracy he participated in purloined over $1 million while he was involved. "The public has the right to safely conduct everyday financial transactions,” said U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. “Anyone who steals from unwitting victims will face justice.” Mansuryan admitted that he and his accomplices broke into gas pumps throughout Southern California and installed customized skimming devices, built by other members of the scheme, to steal victims’ credit and debit card information during otherwise legitimate transactions. Mansuryan and his conspirators would then make unauthorized cards encoded with victims’ information for their own use, stealing victims’ funds, or otherwise sell victims’ financial information outright to others who would exploit it for their own gain. According to court documents, law enforcement recovered 54 skimming devices from different Southern California gas stations visited by Mansuryan. Mansuryan admitted in his plea agreement that he personally received $931,213.92 from the scheme over the course of his participation, which lasted from August 2018 to October 2021. He was ordered to forfeit that amount, and to participate in paying restitution of $923,374.14 to the victims of his crime together with his codefendants. Other defendants in this and a related case previously received prison time for similar conduct. On January 6, 2023, Robert Fichidzhyan was sentenced to 41 months in custody for his role in building the skimmers used by Mansuryan and his associates. He was also ordered to pay $619,923.45 in restitution. On June 23, 2022, Margar Simonyan was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in custody in related case number 21-cr-2659-BAS, together with $11,810 of forfeiture and restitution. One defendant remains a fugitive. Two defendants, Hayk Shakaryan and Vasiliy Polyak, are presently set for jury trial September 12, 2023. The remaining defendants are pending sentencing. “This case is a great reminder that even the most technical and sophisticated criminal groups can be dismantled by the collaborative efforts of law enforcement professionals. I am truly proud of the hard work our dedicated men and women have performed on this case, which continues to show we will continuously pursue those taking advantage of unknowing victims and protect the U.S. financial system,” said Jason Reynolds, Special Agent in Charge with the San Diego Field Office of the United States Secret Service. This investigation involved significant contributions from many different sources, including the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the San Diego Police Department; the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; the Glendale Police Department; the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Bureau of Weights and Measures; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; and other state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as assistance from and partnerships with the financial and private sectors, such as the National Cyber-Forensics Training Alliance (NCTFA). Anyone who believes that they may be a victim of this offense can visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s large case website for more information: www.justice.gov/largecases . DEFENDANTS Case Number 21-CR-2660-BAS Haykaz Mansuryan 34 Residence: Granada Hills, California Hayk Shakaryan 34 Residence: Glendale, California Davit Babayan 36 Residence: Granada Hills, California Artour Hakobyan 39 Residence: Glendale, California Petros Armutyan 36 Fugitive Hakop Karayan 44 Residence: Glendale, California Robert Fichidzhyan 40 Residence: North Hollywood, California Vasiliy Polyak 32 Residence: Glendale, California SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Use Unauthorized Access Devices and Possess Device-Making Equipment , in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(b)(2), 1029(a)(2), and 1029(a)(4) Maximum Penalty: five to ten years in prison, depending upon prior convictions; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss Aggravated Identity Theft , in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A ( Defendants 1, 2, and 4 through 6 only ) Maximum Penalty: mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence AGENCIES U.S. Secret Service


title: Kenmore Teacher Indicted On Possession Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Anthony V. Giambrone, 40, of Kenmore, NY, with possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Fabian, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, in April 2020, Giambrone, currently a teacher with Erie 1 BOCES working at Maryvale Intermediate School, possessed images of child pornography on two separate laptop computers. The images included prepubescent minors. Giambrone made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Two Galt Men Indicted for Being Felons in Possession of Firearms

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday, July 20, 2023, against Galt residents Dexter Weeks, 32, and William Lesley, 33, charging both with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on May 25, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a parole search of Weeks’ residence, where Lesley also was staying. Over the course of the search, law enforcement found multiple firearms of different calibers from in Week’s bedroom and Lesley’s bedroom and other areas of the residence. The firearms included a Saiga AK-47 semi-automatic rifle. Weeks and Lesley are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because they each have multiple state felony convictions, including convictions for felon in possession of a firearm in Cook County, Illinois. This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Parole Division of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid is prosecuting the case. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Greene County Area Meth Traffickers Sentenced

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On July 24, 2023, Steven Shelton, 39, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment and Shannon Crittenden, 45, of Mosheim, Tennessee was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court at Greeneville. Co-defendant Arthur Tidwell, 46, of Greeneville, was previously sentenced to 180 months in prison on June 26, 2023. As part of the plea agreements filed with the court Shelton and Crittenden both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. Tidwell plead guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A). According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, all three defendants were involved in distributing methamphetamine in and around the Greeneville area. Tidwell was traffic stopped in Washington County by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and caught with a significant quantity of methamphetamine, was released on bond, and was then arrested just over a month later in Greeneville with another large quantity of methamphetamine. Shelton and Crittenden sold methamphetamine to an individual working with law enforcement on five occasions, which led to a search warrant being executed at Shelton’s Greeneville residence where a large quantity of methamphetamine was found. The investigation revealed that Tidwell was supplying Shelton with methamphetamine, who was in turn supplying others, including Crittenden. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to targeting the ongoing threat to our communities from drug traffickers who bring large quantities of high-purity methamphetamine into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who seek to profit from flooding our communities with dangerous drugs will face justice.” This sentencing was the culmination 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. Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent convictions in this case, included the Third Judicial Drug Task Force, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Greeneville Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Numerous agencies from the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Christian Lampe represented the United States. ###


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who conspired to distribute fentanyl was sentenced today to more than 10 years in federal prison. Johnathan Davis, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after a January 23, 2023 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that law enforcement utilized a confidential source or undercover officer to conduct a series of controlled buys of purported heroin from Melvin Williams. During the controlled buys, Davis provided Williams with fentanyl which Williams in turn distributed to the confidential source or undercover officer. In late March 2022, Davis distributed an amount of fentanyl to Williams, who in turn distributed it to another person, which caused the person to suffer an overdose and die. Then, in early April 2022, Williams distributed fentanyl he had received from Davis to Justin Jensen, who in turn distributed it to another person, which caused the person to suffer an overdose and crash their car on a highway in Waterloo. On May 26, 2022, law enforcement officers searched a vehicle associated with Davis and located 200.59 grams of fentanyl. Davis was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Davis was sentenced to 130 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Davis 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 Dillan Edwards and Special Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-02034. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Operation Stop Scam Calls

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are cracking down on telemarketing operations responsible for billions of illegal calls to U.S. consumers. The initiative is called “Operation Stop Scam Calls.” Enforcement actions target individuals and entities who deceptively collect consumers’ telephone numbers and then provide those telephone numbers to robocallers and others (falsely representing that these consumers have consented to receive calls), as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers who facilitate tens of billions of illegal robocalls every year. Significant actions have already been taken against individuals and entities who unjustly profited by facilitating the movement of money from scam call victims to fraudsters. Illegal telephone calls interrupt cherished time with family and friends and, when they are used to commit fraud, can be financially and emotionally devastating. The DOJ is taking action against those who trick people into phony consent to receive these calls and those who make it easy and cheap to place these calls. Cases brought by the DOJ range from actions targeting fraudsters who directly contacted victims, to actions targeting those who provided scam call operators with the means to perpetrate their schemes. So far, the DOJ’s actions have contributed to over 180 actions taken by the federal and state partners participating in Operation Stop Scam Calls. The DOJ and its partners urge consumers to be on the lookout for illegal calls, to take steps to minimize the number of illegal calls received, and to report any scam calls to law enforcement. Callers may pressure you to send money by trying to scare you. They may pretend to be someone you know who is in trouble, a government agency, or a major company. These are fraudsters. Hang up. Don’t trust your caller ID. It can be faked. If you answer the telephone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s potentially a robocall trying to sell you something. It is probably illegal and likely a scam. Only call a telephone number you know is real. Make sure your number is on the Do Not Call Registry, www.donotcall.gov , and consider using your telephone’s call blocking options or getting a call blocking app or service. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . To review a list of common transnational elder fraud scams, many facilitated by telephone calls, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force .


title: Major Southeast Missouri Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – Nineteen members of a Charleston, Missouri-based drug trafficking organization accused of being the main supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl to southeast Missouri have been indicted on a felony drug conspiracy charge, U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced Friday. Arrests by federal, state and local law enforcement began Thursday, followed by arraignments in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau. “As someone who grew up in Charleston, I can tell you that this case perfectly illustrates that drugs are not just a big city problem,” U.S. Attorney Fleming said. “Drugs, and the often-violent criminals who sell them, are a plague on otherwise law-abiding communities, big or small. This drug trafficking organization was the main supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl in southeast Missouri, as you can see in the court records. I want to reassure the southeast Missouri community that this case is and will remain a priority for my office.” All 19 defendants face a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, including Demarcus P. Turner and Jadarius A. McCain. Motions seeking to have Turner, McCain and three other defendants jailed until trial say that Turner and McCain were leaders of the drug trafficking conspiracy and also led a Charleston gang, “Just Bout Money,” or JBM. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been seized during the investigation, as well as about 65 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3.55 kilograms of cocaine, 653.9 grams of fentanyl, 215 grams of MDMA and 5.85 kilograms of marijuana, the motion says. The group received drugs in the mail and via couriers who flew or drove to their sources of supply, including Georgia-based co-defendant Damien Davenport, the motion says. Couriers were repeatedly intercepted with dozens of pounds of drugs in suitcases, it says. The detention motion says JBM members have been linked to shootings in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, including a Feb. 19, 2022 JBM-hosted party where two people were fatally shot and 14 others injured. McCain pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday. Turner is currently in state custody facing one felony count of second-degree murder and 15 counts of first-degree assault related to a July 2022 shooting in Sikeston, the motions say. “The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force are dedicated and committed to removing illicit drugs from our communities,” said Roger L. Phillips, director of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. “The JBM drug trafficking organization has devastated our communities for years by flooding them with pounds and pounds of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. In addition to the harmful effects these drugs cause to their users, violence is often associated with these drug sales. This investigation has led to indictments not only in Missouri, but in multiple other states. We are proud of the efforts put forth by all the participating agencies, stand committed to protecting our citizens, and will continue to combat drugs being sold in our communities.” "Drug trafficking organizations like this one are spider webs of illegal activity with connections across the country," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey, lead of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations in Eastern Missouri. "DEA takes particular interest in dismantling and destroying them – from street level dealers and up the chain. It takes the combined efforts of multiple DEA offices and our federal, state and local partners to do this, but the effort is worth it to ensure these illegal drug operations cannot harm communities any longer." “In addition to Missouri, members of this drug trafficking organization were also arrested in Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The success of this case is a prime example of the effective partnerships between the local, state, and federal levels. Local and state agencies have the eyes and ears on the ground to develop information which often leads to an initial investigation. While at the federal level, we expand investigations nationwide or worldwide when needed to dismantle an entire enterprise.” “The organized drug distribution ring, known as the JBM or Just Bout Money gang, has been a cause of concern for the safety and well-being of the good citizens in Charleston,” said Mississippi County Sheriff Britton H. Ferrell. “The collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies in this operation demonstrates a commitment to dismantling such networks that endanger lives and contribute to harming our community.” Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case was investigated by the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Department of Public Safety, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton is prosecuting the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than Four Years In Federal Prison For Possession Of Ammunition

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell has sentenced Dartis Cobb (35, St. Petersburg) to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Cobb had pleaded guilty on March 9, 2023. According to court documents, on August 13, 2022, deputies with the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office attempted to pull over a vehicle being driven by Cobb. Cobb refused to stop the car and fled from the deputies, leading them on a chase through a neighborhood. Eventually, deputies were able to stop the vehicle on a residential street. They then placed Cobb under arrest for felony fleeing and recovered one round of 9 mm ammunition from Cobb’s front pants pocket. Deputies also located a bag in the passenger seat. The bag was open, and deputies could see the magazine well of a firearm sticking out of the bag. They could also see the magazine was inside the well. Deputies took the weapon and the magazine containing 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition into evidence. They deputies also concluded that the firearm appeared to be a “ghost gun” with no identifiable or traceable components. This was later confirmed by agents with ATF. Cobb has previously been convicted of two felonies including robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky is handling the forfeiture. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Savannah man sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: A Chatham County man has been sentenced to decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to production of child pornography. Perry Williams III, 24, of Savannah, was sentenced to 360 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of Production of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Williams to pay restitution of $3,000, to register as a sex offender, and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “Protecting our most vulnerable citizens from harm and exploitation is of paramount importance – and that requires stopping predators and removing them from our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This substantial prison sentence will help ensure our community’s safety.” As described in court documents and testimony, Savannah Police officers were alerted in January 2022 when a woman discovered videos on Williams’ phone showing the sexual exploitation of a child. During a subsequent search of Williams’ residence, investigators found videos and other evidence that Williams had used his phone to record four videos in which he performed sexually explicit acts on a child. “Protecting the children in our communities remains a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “This sentence is a testament that HSI remains committed to identifying and holding accountable individuals who prey on our most vulnerable population.” Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/ . The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland.


title: Davenport Woman Sentenced to Six Months in Prison Related to Perjury

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, IA – A Davenport woman was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for providing false statements during federal grand jury testimony. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, LaRhonda Dawnielle Jenkins, 30, was present at a shooting at the Dam View Inn in Davenport on March 9, 2021, where an individual was shot multiple times. When Jenkins was called to testify at federal grand jury proceedings, Jenkins lied about her knowledge of the identified shooter. After completing her term of imprisonment, Jenkins will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Alleged Drug Dealer Facing Federal Charges Following Fentanyl Death

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: Salt Lake City , Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a Weber County man for allegedly possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, which led to another person’s death by drug intoxication. According to court documents, in February 2023, Spencer Massengale, 31, of Ogden, Utah, knowingly possessed with the intent to distribute Fentanyl in the District of Utah, which resulted in death. According to the allegations, the victim was found unresponsive on the couch at Mr. Massengale’s residence by Massengale’s roommate. Upon Massengale’s return home, neither he nor the roommate called 911 until Massengale ensured his fentanyl had been hidden. After obtaining a search warrant for Mr. Massengale’s residence, police discovered approximately 330 pills containing fentanyl. Additionally, evidence obtained from Massengale’s cell phone shows the victim one week prior suffering from the effects of a near-fatal overdose. Massengale is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute resulting in death. He was arraigned on the indictment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on July 14, 2023. His detention hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated by the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Melrose Man Pleads Guilty to $375,000 Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A bank teller supervisor pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester for his role in defrauding his employer out of $375,000. Pablo Rocha, 32, of Malden, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Nov. 16, 2023. Rocha was charged on June 26, 2023. Between July 2022 and December 2022, Rocha worked as a bank teller supervisor at a federally insured bank in Massachusetts. Rocha used his access to the bank’s vault to steal cash. Rocha then covered his tracks by writing false entries in the bank’s records and by processing fake transactions in the bank’s electronic records system to make it appear that the cash had been shipped to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In total, Rocha stole approximately $375,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, restitution and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Grand jury indicts two central Ohio men for bank robbery, gun crime in connection with I-70 shootout

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

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury here has returned a two-count indictment charging two central Ohio men with aiding and abetting bank robbery and aiding abetting the use of a firearm in a crime of violence. Aden Abdullahi Jama, 20, of Reynoldsburg and Fazsal M. Darod, 23, of Columbus allegedly committed the crimes on July 6 th , robbing a Fifth Third bank in Hilliard. Columbus Police and other law enforcement officers encountered them on I-70 near downtown Columbus after the robbery. A shootout followed during which a Columbus Police officer was severely injured and a third person in the car with Darod and Jama was killed. The United States Marshals’ Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested Darod in the early morning hours of July 7 outside his Columbus residence. U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigation agents arrested Jama at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on July 8 and is transporting him back to Ohio. Jama and Darod have been in custody since their arrests. Aiding and abetting a bank robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a potential penalty of at least five years and up to life in prison. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; the United States Marshals in Columbus and Chicago; ICE and HSI Chicago; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; the Whitehall, Minerva Parka and Upper Arlington police departments; and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin announced the indictment returned yesterday. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Nye County Resident Sentenced to Prison for Distribution and Receipt of More Than 250,000 Images of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Pahrump, Nye County, resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 108 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for distributing and receiving more than 250,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as infants on an online peer-to-peer file sharing network. David Michael Burak (41) pleaded guilty on February 24, 2023, to distribution or receipt of child pornography. According to court documents, investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were investigating the sharing of child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During the investigation, it was observed that a device was distributing files depicting child sexual abuse material. On July 19, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on Burak’s residence. Part of the residence was used for a daycare business catering to pre-school age children. Investigators seized multiple digital devices that were later found to contain more than 250,000 files of child sexual abuse material. Forensics also showed that Burak used these devices to receive and make available for download files of child sexual abuse material on the internet. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or online at www.cybertipline.org . ###


title: Delaware County Cherokee Citizen Convicted of Murder

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA Okla. – A federal jury convicted James William Buzzard, 50, a Cherokee citizen and Delaware county resident of first-degree murder in Indian Country; assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm; and discharge of a firearm during the commission of a federal crime of violence. The crime occurred within the Cherokee Nation reservation. “Today the jury convicted the last of three defendants for a brutal murder in rural Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “This case follows a prolonged and meticulous investigation by our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Violent crime within the Northern District of Oklahoma will be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Aug. 1, 2019, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting near Jay, Okla. Deputies discovered Jerry Tapp deceased in his front yard. It appeared that Tapp sustained multiple gunshot wounds and that a second victim had a gunshot wound to her arm. According to court testimony, the surviving victim told investigators that she heard a noise outside the home early that morning. When she turned on the light and opened the door, she heard gunfire and felt a sudden pain in her wrist. The victim noticed a four-door car before she shut and locked the front door, crawled to another room, and called 911. While investigating the crime, OSBI agents located and seized multiple shell casings. Dakota Buzzard, son of James Buzzard, was located by deputies from the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office driving a white 4-door Altima matching the surviving victim’s description. OSBI agents later found four spent shell casings inside the vehicle. Dakota provided the location of the rifle used, as well as additional bullets. During the investigation, the shell casings found at the scene of the crime were identified as having been fired by the same rifle. On Aug. 6, 2019, investigators obtained Facebook records of Cody Buzzard, another son of James Buzzard. The day prior to the shooting, Cody made Facebook inquiries about getting a vehicle and firearm. He indicated that he “had business to tend to,” and he was going to “take care of a problem.” During an interview with authorities, Dakota Buzzard stated that he, Cody, and James Buzzard drove toward Tapp’s residence, parked up the road from the home, and waited for him to return from work. James Buzzard allegedly told his sons to retrieve the rifle from the trunk of the car. Dakota stated that once Tapp drove by they followed him to his home where Tapp was shot and killed. Prosecutors proved the Buzzards aided and abetted one another to shoot and kill Tapp and then shoot his girlfriend. The two brothers in this case, both Cherokee citizens from Grove, entered earlier pleas. Cody Dwayne Buzzard, 29, pled guilty to second degree murder in Indian Country; and brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Dakota Chase Buzzard, 22, pled to conspiracy to carry, use, brandish, and discharge a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Reagan Reininger, Eric Johnston, and Elizabeth Dick prosecuted the case.


title: Spokane Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane – On July 20, 2023, U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Dannie Paul Bowling, 42, of Spokane, Washington, to 216 months in federal prison for Production of Child Pornography. Bowling pleaded guilty on January 18, 2023. Judge Rice ordered Bowling to pay $6,000 in victim-related special assessments and be federally supervised for life after Bowling is released from prison. According to court documents and proceedings, Bowling was on supervised release in a drug trafficking case when he exploited a 15-year old child by secretly filming her in various stages of undressing. Bowling also paid for nude photographs of minor victim, and used her to produce a video of her engaging in sex acts with Bowling. Bowling told the minor victim that he could sell her images to other people and paid her varying amounts between $80 and $1,000. At times he even had the minor victim hold a sign with the buyer’s name to prove she was real. Hidden surveillance camera footage and images and videos of the minor victim were found on Bowling’s phone, which law enforcement searched pursuant to a federal search warrant. At sentencing, and not withstanding the evidence to the contrary, Bowling denied selling the minor’s images and videos. After today’s sentencing, United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref stated, “Mr. Bowling’s criminal behavior is a stark reminder to parents and communities everywhere to be vigilant in protecting our children.” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “I’m grateful for the task forces and seamless law enforcement partnerships in the Eastern District of Washington. These partnerships are absolutely necessary to protect the most vulnerable among us and keep our communities safe and strong.” “This significant sentence should serve as a warning to those who would harm the children of our communities.” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI and our partners are dedicated to the protection of those who cannot protect themselves and will ensure those that perpetrate these heinous acts are brought to justice.” This case was pursued as part of Project Safe Childhood and investigated by the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF). Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Initiative (“PSC”) has five major components: Integrated federal, state, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, and to identify and rescue children; Participation of PSC partners in coordinated national initiatives; Increased federal enforcement in child pornography and enticement cases; Training of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents; and Community awareness and educational programs. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” The MECTF is dedicated to protecting the children of Washington State by assisting and investigating missing child and exploitation cases. Washington State Patrol (WSP) MECTF partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Spokane on a Task Force housed at the HSI Spokane office. The Task Force includes Special Agents, Detectives, and Analysts from WSP, HSI, Spokane PD, and representatives from outlying Counties dedicated to serving the children and communities of the region. The MECTF traces its origins to 1999, when the Washington Legislature established a task force on missing and exploited children under the direction of the Chief of the state patrol, RCW 13.60.110. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from U.S. Probation. This case was prosecuted by Ann T. Wick, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. 2:22-CR-080-TOR


title: Federal Contractor Agrees to Pay $7 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT - Foresee Results, Inc. and Verint Americas, Inc. (collectively, Foresee) have agreed to pay $7,000,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by falsely representing to the United States that they used the methodology of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to measure customer satisfaction. In 2011, the Federal Consulting Group (FCG), which is part of the United States Department of the Interior, awarded Foresee a five-year contract for website assessment and improvement services, through which Foresee agreed to measure the public’s satisfaction with certain government websites and make recommendations regarding how to improve satisfaction. In awarding the contract to Foresee, the FCG understood that Foresee would be applying the trusted methodology of the ACSI to provide federal agencies with an ACSI measurement. The settlement announced today resolves the government’s allegations that Foresee did not use the ACSI methodology, but instead used a different methodology to measure the public’s satisfaction with certain government websites. “The False Claims Act is an important tool to deter and hold accountable those who misuse public funds,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Federal contractors must deal honestly with federal agencies, and this settlement demonstrates that our office will diligently investigate and hold accountable those companies that fail to uphold their end of the bargain.” “Government contractors are expected to adhere to the requirements of their contracts and not cut corners in order to increase profits,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Ryan, Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. General Services Administration. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, GSA-OIG, and DOI-OIG worked diligently to investigate these allegations, which resulted in a substantial settlement for the U.S. Government,” said Katie Balestra, Special Agent in Charge, Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Interior. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who commit fraud.” The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by CFI Group USA, LLC and American Customer Satisfaction Index, LLC (collectively, Relators). Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. In this case, Relators will receive $1,540,000.00 as part of the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. CFI Group USA, LLC, et al. v. Verint Americas, Inc ., Case No. 19-12557 (E.D. Mich.). The resolution was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. General Services Administration, and the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney John Postulka from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.


title: Lansing Man Convicted of Threatening  Federal Judge, Sheriff, And Court Clerk

body_text: DETROIT –Kevin William Cassaday, 41, of Lansing, Michigan, was convicted by a federal jury last week of sending threats to public officials, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. Ison was joined in the announcement by Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division, and United States Marshal Owen Cypher. Cassaday was convicted after a four-day jury trial before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a verdict of guilty on all counts. At trial, the evidence showed that Cassaday threatened a federal district court judge’s chamber, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth, and the Court of Claims clerk’s office. Cassady’s threatening communications to these public officials included: “I am going to get my guns and we are going to have a party,” “You want me to kill, I will start with you and your family,” and “I want the clerk dead!” At trial, the individuals that received Cassady’s threats explained that they were the most direct and persistent threats that they had ever received during their government service. “Public officials should be free to serve their communities without worrying about threats to their lives. This offender’s threats to harm a member of the judiciary, an elected law enforcement official, and at least one other public employee caused undue concern for these employees. The jury has rightfully sent the message that threats to those serving the public will not be tolerated.” stated U. S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “This verdict sends a clear message that threats of violence against a public official will not be tolerated,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Mr. Cassaday intended to intimidate and create fear in victims whose jobs are integral to our justice system. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to aggressively investigating those who threaten members of our community with violence. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne.


title: Columbia Falls felon sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal possession of firearm

body_text: MISSOULA — A Columbia Falls man with multiple felony convictions was sentenced on July 20 to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised, for illegally possessing a loaded shotgun, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Christopher Glenn Lakey, 35, pleaded guilty in March to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. In sentencing Lakey, the court applied a enhancement under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which provides that a defendant convicted of felon in possession is subject to a mandatory sentence of 15 years of imprisonment if the defendant has three prior convictions for a serious drug offense or a violent felony. The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 18, 2022, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office learned that Lakey was leaving Columbia Falls in a pickup truck and may have weapons in his possession. Deputies knew about an outstanding federal warrant for Lakey and located the truck. Lakey fled from law enforcement, driving at more than 100 mph toward Whitefish. During his flight, Lakey threw a stolen 12-gauge shotgun out the window. The shotgun was recovered the next day from the side of the road. The shotgun had one round chambered and four in the tube. Two 12-gauge shells were found during a probation search of his abandoned truck. Lakey had prior felony convictions for criminal endangerment, burglary and robbery and was prohibited from possessing firearms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Probation and Parole, Whitefish Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: Suburban Chicago Doctor and His Surgical Center To Pay More Than $750,000 To Settle False Claims Act Suit

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago doctor and his surgical center will pay more than $750,000 to the United States to settle a civil lawsuit accusing them of submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare and a federal employee health program. The suit in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleged that JOHN A. GREAGER, II and CANCER THERAPY ASSOCIATES, S.C. violated the False Claims Act by performing multiple mole removal procedures on patients on a single date but submitting or causing the submission of claims to Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) that made it appear as though the procedures had been performed on multiple dates. Through this practice, known as “unbundling,” Greager and CTA caused Medicare and the FEHBP to pay more than they would have paid if the procedures had been billed as having occurred at the same visit. As part of a settlement agreement approved this week by U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, Greager and CTA agreed to pay $757,879.90 to the United States. The settlement resolves a civil lawsuit filed under the qui tam , or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act . The Act permits private citizens to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States for false claims, and to share in any recovery. The United States intervened in the lawsuit prior to the settlement. The settlement was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Mario Pinto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General in Chicago; and Conrad J. Quarles, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Virginia Hancock. A separate criminal prosecution of Greager resulted in a 6-month prison sentence and a fine of $1 million. U.S. v. Greager et al settlement agreement


title: Former Journalist Pleads Guilty to Transportation and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A former journalist pleaded guilty today to transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, while visiting South Carolina in February 2020, James Gordon Meek, 53, of Arlington, Virginia, used an online messaging platform on his iPhone to send and receive images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to discuss his sexual interest in children. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12, including an infant being raped. Meek brought the iPhone containing the child sexual abuse material back with him when he returned to Virginia. Meek is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington County Police Department. Trial Attorney Whitney Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former Journalist Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington man pleaded guilty today to transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, while visiting South Carolina in February 2020, James Gordon Meek, 53, used an online messaging platform on his iPhone to send and receive images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to discuss his sexual interest in children. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12, including an infant being raped. Meek brought the iPhone containing the child sexual abuse material back with him when he returned to Virginia. Additionally, Meek possessed multiple electronic devices containing images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Meek is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for each charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth A. Polite, Jr, Assistant Attorney General. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitney Kramer are prosecuting the case. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington County Police Department. This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-65.


title: Bay St. Louis Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Prison  for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Gulfport, Miss. – A Bay St. Louis man was sentenced to 136 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Reynard Joseph Elzy, 40, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport. According to court records, a confidential source purchased methamphetamine from Elzy in Bay St. Louis. A search warrant was executed on Elzy’s residence and additional narcotics and a firearm were found. Elzy was on parole through the Mississippi Department of Corrections at the time of the offense. Elzy was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 25, 2023. He pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 19, 2023. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.


title: La Crosse Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Bringing Over 2 Pounds of Methamphetamine Into State for Sale

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua R. Wittenberg, 40, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 84 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. This prison term will be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. Wittenberg pleaded guilty to the charge on April 11, 2023. On November 7, 2023, law enforcement officers received a tip that Wittenberg was bringing a large amount of methamphetamine into La Crosse from Minnesota. Officers set up surveillance outside of Wittenberg’s apartment. Once Wittenberg arrived, a canine officer alerted to his truck. Officers then searched the truck and found over two pounds of methamphetamine. Wittenberg was arrested and, when interviewed, he admitted that he had brought the methamphetamine to La Crosse to sell it. At the time of this offense, Wittenberg was on supervision for a prior drug conviction. At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted Wittenberg’s crime was very serious and that the quantity of methamphetamine involved in this case harms the community by breeding violence and causing other collateral damage. Judge Peterson also noted that Wittenberg’s criminal history showed a pattern of drug dealing, with this most recent offense presenting an escalation in amount. The charge against Wittenberg was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion and Role in Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeffrey Stenstrom, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher to 30 months’ imprisonment for Income Tax Evasion and 78 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering; these terms of incarceration were ordered to be run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Stenstrom will serve a two-year term of supervised release. As part of his sentence Stenstrom was ordered to pay $5,146,816.51 to victim property owners who were clients of Darland Properties, LLC and $1,954,505.10 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Stenstrom also admitted to forfeiture allegations and has forfeited his interest in a 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider, a lake home in Fremont, Nebraska, a home in Queen Creek, Arizona, two commercial properties in Nebraska, nearly $2.2 million in life insurance policy proceeds, approximately $ 74,743.00 in currency, and multiple items of jewelry and luxury watches. Stenstrom owned and operated Stenstrom Services, Inc. (hereinafter SSI) from 2006 through approximately 2021. SSI described itself as a commercial remodeling and repair business. Brett Cook was the Vice President of Darland Properties, LLC. In that role, Cook was entrusted to negotiate prices for work to be completed on properties managed by Darland Properties and authorize payments to be made from the real estate trust accounts of Darland Properties’ clients. Stenstrom had been in a decades’ long relationship with Cook. Cook is now deceased. Beginning in approximately 2015, Cook used his position as the Vice President of Darland Properties to direct repair work to SSI. SSI performed no skilled labor, had no employees, and all regular laborers were unskilled. Most of the work SSI performed on behalf of Darland Properties was subcontracted. Cook was the initial point of contact for many of the subcontractors and directed the subcontractors that all work must be run through SSI. Cook and Stenstrom used SSI to fraudulently obtain monies from Darland Properties’ clients by causing SSI to bill for work that was not performed, overbilling for work, and causing SSI’s inflated invoices to be submitted to insurance companies to obtain insurance proceeds to which Darland Properties’ clients were not entitled to. From 2012 to 2016, Stenstrom derived income from Stenstrom Services. Stenstrom Services generated $752,744 in 2012, $469,140 in 2013, $641,010 in 2014, $731,091 in 2015, and $575,466 in 2016. On May 30, 2018, the IRS assessed $1,725,532.91 related to unpaid income tax owed by Stenstrom. On December 14, 2018, Stenstrom provided a signed Form 433-A to an IRS Revenue Officer. This form omitted numerous assets owned by Stenstrom that were being held in the name of a third party to include a second home in Queen Creek, Arizona valued at approximately $1,000,000, a Ferrari 488 Coupe valued at $200,000 to $300,000, a boat, an ATV, a Jeep, and a home located in Fremont, Nebraska, valued at approximately $450,000. Stenstrom also excluded the transfer of a home in Gilbert, Arizona, to another party for below fair market value. In 2019, the IRS placed a tax levy on Stenstrom’s accounts. Cook and Stenstrom ceased directing work to SSI and began directing work to Midwest Property Maintenance Solutions (hereinafter MPMS) which was created by Cook and a family member of Cook. Cook, his family member, and Stenstrom used MPMS to fraudulently obtain money from Darland Properties’ clients by billing for work that had previously been completed by SSI, billing for work that was not performed, billing for warranties it did not provide and were previously paid for by Darland Properties’ clients, and overbilling for work that was done. The proceeds from the wire fraud scheme were deposited into SSI’s, MPMS’s, and Cook’s bank accounts where the fraudulently obtained funds were commingled with legitimate funds. The funds were then transferred to various bank accounts held in Cook’s name, Stenstrom’s name, Cook’s family member’s name, AZ Midwest Properties, LLC, 14334 Industrial Road, LLC, and B & B Real Estate, LLC (a real estate partnership that Cook was a partner in), where they were further commingled with legitimate funds. The proceeds were then used to acquire residential and commercial real estate, luxury vehicles, life insurance policies, jewelry, watches, credit card purchases, and loan payments. Cook, Stenstrom, and Cook’s family member concealed the scheme by laundering the proceeds through various business and personal bank accounts, purchasing and selling the aforementioned assets, and subsequently using those proceeds to acquire additional assets. In total, the scheme resulted in excess of $5,100,000.00 being fraudulently obtained from Darland Properties’ clients for the personal benefits of Cook, his family member, and Stenstrom. “This case shows that regardless of the tactics used to avoid tax obligations, IRS Criminal Investigation will take all necessary steps to unravel the scheme and bring those who break our tax laws to justice,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge, Thomas F. Murdock. “This joint effort with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the tax system is fair for all citizens.” FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “In a clear-cut case of greed, Jeffrey Stenstrom and his co-conspirator embezzled more than five million dollars to support their lavish lifestyle. FBI Omaha is dedicated to investigating and holding accountable those, like Stenstrom, who fraudulently enrich themselves at the expense of their hard-working victims.” “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a three-year investigation into the criminal activities of Jeff Stenstrom and Brett Cook that involved the collaboration of our office and multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies spanning multiple states in addition to a parallel civil suit initiated by our office’s asset forfeiture unit,” said Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr. “Today’s sentencing is an example of our office’s determination to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute white collar criminals, to divest those criminals of the wrongfully obtained proceeds, and to seek restitution for victims.” This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Pedro Adolfo Robles, 36, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for Possessing with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Robles received a sentence of 135 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. On January 29, 2020, deputies with the Seward County Sheriff’s Office conducted simultaneous traffic stops on a Ford F150 pickup truck and a tow truck hauling a Cadillac Escalade while both were traveling on I-80 in Seward County. The Escalade was found to be smuggling 27 pounds of methamphetamine. Deputies determined that the Escalade had broken down in Hebron, Nebraska, and was being towed to Omaha, Nebraska. The owner of the Escalade, Gonzalez-Gardea, was a passenger in the F150 pickup truck. The driver of the F150 pickup truck, Rex Kmiecik, and a passenger riding with the tow truck, Pedro Robles, were also arrested. Kmiecik and Robles had driven from Omaha to help get the Escalade towed to Omaha. Kmiecik was sentenced on September 13, 2021, to 132 months’ imprisonment. Gonzalez-Gardea was sentenced on August 23, 2021, to 135 months’ imprisonment. This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case was investigated by the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the Omaha Police Department.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 140 Months for Methamphetamine Conspiracy

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that William Lewis Gienger, 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Gienger received a sentence of 140 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. In February 2021, the DEA was investigating Tomas Lorenzo-Cruz for his role in distributing methamphetamine in the Omaha area. Pursuant to a court order, agents were intercepting Lorenzo-Cruz’s phone calls and messages. On February 21, 2021, a call from someone who identified themselves as “Bill” contacted Lorenzo-Cruz about purchasing some methamphetamine. The caller was eventually identified as Gienger. On the way to deliver 285 grams of pure methamphetamine to Gienger, Lorenzo-Cruz was stopped, and the methamphetamine was seized. After the traffic stop, Lorenzo-Cruz was intercepted calling Gienger and told him that the police just seized the methamphetamine that was to be delivered. Lorenzo-Cruz was sentenced on May 16, 2023, to 135 months’ imprisonment. This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case was investigated by the DEA and the Omaha Police Department.


title: San Francisco Felon Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Firearms

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: Rondell Cramer, 45, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty Thursday to unlawful dealing in firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on June 1, 2022, while driving in Fairfield, Cramer was pulled over for driving a vehicle without a license plate. The officer arrested Cramer for two outstanding felony warrants. A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a Glock 9 mm caliber firearm, as well as a bill of sale for another firearm and stolen merchandise, much of which still had antitheft tags on them. Cramer is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of six felony offenses, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A search of Cramer’s phones revealed multiple conversations showing that Cramer was buying firearms in Arizona under an alias, and then selling them in California. Follow-on investigation by the ATF confirmed that Cramer had been trafficking firearms since at least August 2020. This case is the product of an investigation by the California Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case. Cramer is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Oct. 12, 2023. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 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 is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Fairfield Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — William Josiah Scrivner, 37, of Fairfield, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on March 23, 2022, law enforcement officers observed Scrivner as the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle in the parking lot of the NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield. The officers arrested Scrivner on an outstanding Solano County arrest warrant. A post-arrest search of his person and vehicle resulted in approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, $551 on his person, and a digital scale found in his car. A probation search of Scrivner’s residence resulted in the discovery of two firearms, one of which was stolen, firearm parts and ammunition, additional methamphetamine, and two more scales. Scrivner is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has been convicted of several felonies, including two prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine for sale and a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella prosecuted 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Nevada Woman Sentenced to 5 Years Prison for Hiring Hitman on Dark Web to Kill Her Ex-Husband

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kristy Lynn Felkins, 38, of Fallon, Nevada, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for a murder for hire plot, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Felkins sent 12 bitcoin (valued at approximately $5,000 at the time) to a dark web hitman website, known as Besa Mafia, to have her ex-husband murdered. From February to May 2016, Felkins regularly communicated with the administrator of the site to pay and arrange for the murder of her ex-husband. Felkins gave the administrator the specific location of her husband in an attempt to have him murdered. Besa Mafia operated as a “hidden service” on the Tor network, which is an anonymizing internet service that is known informally as the “dark web.” The Besa Mafia website, however, was actually a scam, and Felkins was not refunded the bitcoin she sent to the site, which is no longer in operation. This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as part of the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, consisting of agents from HSI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The NCIDE Task Force is a federal task force targeting all forms of dark web and cryptocurrency criminal activity in the Eastern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee prosecuted the case.


title: Former University of Arizona Student Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Jonathan Edward Mayer, 22, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced on June 30, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash to 84 months in prison. Mayer previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and three counts of Possession of Unregistered Firearms, specifically pertaining to a privately manufactured firearm, or “ghost gun,” machine gun conversion devices, and a silencer. Mayer was attending the University of Arizona in October of 2021 when agents executed a search warrant on his apartment. Underneath his bed, agents found a bag of marijuana and a “ghost gun” with an automatic conversion switch that rendered it a machine gun. Agents also discovered $20,000 in U.S. currency, individually wrapped cocaine, a small bulk quantity of cocaine, six firearms, high-capacity magazines, a silencer, 10 grams of mushrooms, 15 grams of amphetamines, approximately one gram of LSD, and a gold money counter. Several firearms were seized, including a Glock pistol loaded with a 30-round magazine found in a backpack that Mayer carried around campus. Mayer admitted to mailing marijuana, mushrooms, and machine gun conversion devices through the United States Postal Service to various locations in the United States. “Schools and guns are a dangerous combination,” said United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino. “The defendant got caught up with the wrong people from out-of-state, and his actions created a public safety risk here in Tucson.” “The conviction and sentencing of Mayer is an excellent example of multiple law enforcement agencies combining their expertise and resources to combat narcotics and firearms trafficking. U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking organizations to keep USPS customers and employees safe,” stated Acting Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Phoenix Division.” “I commend the outstanding work conducted by law enforcement in this investigation, which saved lives,” said DEA Phoenix Division Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz. “DEA and our partners are dedicated to public safety and will continue to stand strong, protecting the communities we serve.” The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—Phoenix Division, the multi-agency Tucson Strike Force, the United States Postal Inspectors Service (USPIS)—Phoenix Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation in this case in partnership with the Spokane, Washington Field Offices of the DEA and USPIS, local and regional law enforcement partners in Eastern Washington, and the University of Arizona Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan P. DeJoe, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution with assistance from Richard R. Barker and Stephanie Van Marter, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington. CASE NUMBER: 21-CR-3187-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-111_Mayer # # # 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: U.S. Attorney’s Office will announce winner of drug prevention PSA contest

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be announcing the high school winner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Drug Prevention Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest this weekend at the 77 th Annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game. United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld asked high schools in the Northern District of West Virginia to create a drug-free message to share with students, encouraging them to spread the message of the dangers of drugs to their peers. The contest was open to all high schools in the 32 counties of the Northern District of West Virginia. Students were encouraged to write, act, and produce in their own television PSA, promoting a drug-free high school. All videos were judged by a panel of law enforcement partners and public affairs professionals from across the country, including those from other U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The winner will receive an award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the game, and the PSA will be shared on the stadium’s large screen and scoreboard. The OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game is Saturday, July 22 beginning at 7:15 p.m.at Wheeling Island Stadium.


title: Thomasville, Georgia, Resident Convicted in Meth Distribution Case

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: VALDOSTA, Ga. –A Thomasville, Georgia, resident was convicted by a federal jury this week of possessing with intent to distribute a large quantity of methamphetamine. Ryan Loyd Reeves, 50, was convicted on July 19 of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in a one-day trial before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson. Reeves faces a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $10,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting local law enforcement’s efforts to prevent the distribution of the most dangerous illegal drugs into their communities and hold dealers accountable for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We are thankful for the continued partnership between law enforcement at all levels to make our communities safer for all citizens.” “Poisonous drugs continue to flow into our communities at the expense of too many lives,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These drug traffickers must now deal with the consequences of their actions.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, officers with the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics and Vice Division learned in Oct. 2021 that Reeves and co-defendant, Jennifer McGrotha, 46, of Ochlocknee, Georgia, were regularly working together to transport heroin, fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta to the Thomas County area for distribution. The pair used multiple vehicles during these trips to avoid detection, including vehicles that Reeves was supposed to be repairing for others. During the investigation, law enforcement determined Reeves and McGrotha were headed to Atlanta to obtain drugs; law enforcement initiated a traffic stop once they returned to Thomas County. A K-9 dog alerted on drugs inside the car. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered 420 grams of methamphetamine intended for distribution into the community. Co-defendant McGrotha pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 11. She is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 20. The case was investigated by DEA and the Thomas County Sheriff's Office/Thomasville Police Department Narcotics and Vice Division. Criminal Chief Leah McEwen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Ellis are prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: South Bay Man Charged with Fraud in Alleged Scheme to Use His Position with Technology Company to Divert Software License Payments

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN JOSE – Kevin Chao, a former executive at a technology company with offices in San Jose, Calif., appeared on charges he engaged in a years-long scheme to defraud his employer by directing millions of dollars of business to entities he controlled and by diverting more than $2 million in software license fees to benefit himself and co-conspirators, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. Richard Sze and Suryanarayana Murthy Bobba, both former employees of the same technology company as Chao, face related charges. Chao made his initial appearance before the Honorable Nathanael M. Cousins, United States Magistrate Judge. Chao, 64, of Mountain View, was charged in an Information filed July 19, 2023. Chao was a former Global Business Director at a technology company identified in the Information as Company-1. According to the Information, Chao had a duty of loyalty to, and a duty to disclose outside business to, Company-1. Instead, the Information alleges, Chao engaged in a scheme in which he directed millions of dollars in business to entities in which he had an interest but kept his control and financial interest secret from Company-1. There were various aspects of the alleged scheme. First, the Information alleges Chao defrauded his employer by working with other company employees, Sze, 56, of Saratoga, Calif. and Bobba, 55, of Los Altos, Calif., to direct software development service contracts to Zillsoft, a company they controlled. Chao, Sze, and Bobba did not inform Company-1 that they controlled Zillsoft. Chao allegedly directed millions of dollars in business to Zillsoft, then split the profits with Sze and Bobba. The Information further alleges Chao continued the scheme by arranging for the sale of Zillsoft to a third entity that also performed work for Company-1, and the co-conspirators again secretly profited from Company-1’s business with that entity. According to the Information, Chao and Sze formed another entity, SPSoft China, also to steer contracts and payments to themselves. Chao profited about $5.4 million from this arrangement. He concealed his control and interest in the company from Company-1 to continue to direct millions of dollars in business to the entity, according to the allegations. In another aspect of the scheme, Chao and Bobba arranged for Company-1 to obtain a license to a software program for Company-1, and then secretly arranged to divert more than $2 million to themselves without disclosing the diversion to Company-1. Chao originally was arrested on October 29, 2021, on a criminal complaint. Chao is charged with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. After today’s appearance, Magistrate Judge Cousins released Chao on bond. Chao’s next appearance is scheduled for October 17, 2023, before Hon. Beth Labson Freeman, U.S. District Judge. Sze was also previously arrested on a criminal complaint unsealed on October 29, 2021. Sze is now charged by an Information filed on April 24, 2023. Sze is charged with one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 317, and he made his initial appearance on the Information on May 9, 2023. Sze was previously released pending further proceedings. Sze is set for a change of plea hearing before Judge Freeman on October 3, 2023. Bobba was charged by an Information filed on April 24, 2023, with one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 317. He made his initial appearance on the Information on May 16, 2023, and was released on bond. Bobba is set for a status conference before Judge Freeman on October 10, 2023. The Informations and criminal complaints contain mere allegations that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Chao faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and defendants Bobba and Sze face a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Each defendant faces a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate, for each violation. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and forfeiture is being handled by the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Kaltsas and Sailaja M. Paidipaty are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Elizabeth Kim. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Two Connecticut Men Charged with Using Stolen Identities to Steal Vehicles

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a nine-count indictment charging TYSHON WALKER, 38, of Naugatuck, and ELVIS PEREZ, also known as “Pops,” 58, of Bridgeport, with offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from dealerships utilizing personal information from identity theft victims. The indictment was returned on July 11, 2023. Perez was arrested on July 19 and Walker surrendered to law enforcement yesterday. They appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered pleas of not guilty. Perez was ordered detained and Walker was released on a $250,000 bond. As alleged in the indictment, since at least September 2020, Walker, Perez, and others utilized personal information stolen from residents of Connecticut and other states to apply for vehicle loans at dealerships in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island for motorcycles, an all-terrain vehicle, and other performance vehicles. Once the loan was approved by the dealership using the identity theft victim’s information, Walker would send a series of runners, including Perez, Mark Goff, and Thomas Owen, to pick up the vehicle utilizing a fictitious driver’s license that included the identity theft victim’s information and a photograph of the runner. The vehicle was then transported back to Connecticut for resale on Facebook Marketplace. The indictment charges Walker and Perez with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. Walker is also charged with three counts of wire fraud, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, two counts of aggravated identity theft, which carry a mandatory consecutive term of imprison of two years on each count, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count. Perez is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. Goff, 48, and Owen, 26, both of Ansonia, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges stemming from this scheme and await sentencing. In a related case, Nuvar Foster, 30, of Waterbury previously pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen vehicle stemming from the fraudulent purchase of a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle from a dealership in Warwick, Rhode Island in December 2020. On February 21, 2023, he was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $20,000, the amount he received when he resold the motorcycle. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants who are awaiting trial are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Hopkinton (R.I.) Police Department, the Westtown – East Goshen Regional (Pa.) Police Department, and the Washington Township (N.J.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Heather M. Cherry.