title: Pocatello Woman Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution

body_text: POCATELLO – Helen Lorraine Monaco, 38, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, on February 4, 2023, Monaco, and her husband (co-defendant Jonathan Monaco, 43,) were traveling from California to Idaho – where they reside – when their vehicle was stopped by law enforcement in Washoe County, Nevada. Law enforcement initially found 65 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle along with fentanyl, marijuana, and a digital scale. Monaco and her husband were arrested and booked into the Washoe County Jail. While in jail, law enforcement obtained a search warrant to re-search the vehicle and found an additional 4,000 fentanyl pills, and over two pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a void behind the spare tire. Investigators gathered additional evidence that Monaco and her husband were working with co-defendant Eric Weimer, in the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl in southeast Idaho, and elsewhere. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Monaco to be placed on supervised release for five years following her prison sentence. Monaco pleaded guilty to the charge on December 11, 2023. Co-defendant Jonathan Monaco entered a guilty plea to the charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and fentanyl, on February 1, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Winmill on May 7, 2024. Co-defendant Eric Weimer, 46, also of Pocatello, entered a guilty plea to the charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and fentanyl, on February 1, 2024, and is set to be sentenced before Judge Winmill on May 8, 2024. “Fentanyl enforcement is a top priority for us in Eastern Idaho and throughout the state,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am thankful to our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and helped to dismantle this trafficking operation. We will continue to support this important work and make sure that drug traffickers face the justice that they deserve.” “The successful outcome of this case is a testament to the strength of collaboration between law enforcement agencies across state lines. The Idaho State Police, along with our partners, remain committed to protecting our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking. Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of Idaho's citizens,” said Captain Fritz Zweigart, District 5, Idaho State Police. U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit applauded the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Idaho State Police, the BADGES/HIDTA Taskforce, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada, and the Montana Highway Patrol for their collaborative work on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted this case. The BADGES Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that focuses primarily on drug trafficking crimes in Bannock County and throughout the region. ###


title: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Deleon, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and to the distribution of methamphetamine. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement. Deleon admitted that he received multiple packages in the U.S. Mail that he knew contained controlled substances and intended to give the controlled substances to the leader of his drug trafficking organization. Deleon further admitted that he also distributed methamphetamine on behalf of the organization. As part of the conspiracy, Deleon distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 1,827.18 grams of pure methamphetamine and 10.68 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2024 before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Deleon faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a supervised release term of at least 3 years and up to life, to begin he finishes his prison term. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Three other defendants charged as part of this conspiracy have pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and to the distribution of methamphetamine, and are scheduled to be sentenced as follows: Melissa Karwan, age 37, of Schenectady, New York, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024. Flor Arencibia, age 39, of Albany, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2024. Stefanie Plass, age 37, of Schenectady, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17, 2024. The DEA and USPIS investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Joshua Rosenthal are prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Human Smuggling Investigation Results in Seizure of Over $1 Million and 90 Months in Prison for Ringleader

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2024-031_Garcia Velazquez

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Martin Garcia-Velazquez, 42, of San Antonio, Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 90 months in federal prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for his leadership role in a criminal conspiracy to transport and harbor at least 1,000 undocumented noncitizens over several years. Judge Rash also ordered Garcia-Velazquez to pay a $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA), bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing services for survivors of human trafficking and strengthening law enforcement. Garcia-Velazquez pleaded guilty on September 20, 2023, to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit. Garcia-Velazquez, also known as Jorge Espino-Garcia and by the nickname “Tucan,” admitted that he organized the transportation of undocumented noncitizens from the Mexico border to houses in and around Phoenix. As a result of their multi-year investigation, HSI agents seized and forfeited from organization members over $1 million; five firearms, including an SKS 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle, with accompanying magazines and ammunition; and five vehicles. Garcia-Velazquez’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced. Jesus Torres-Aguilera pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. Judge Rash sentenced him on October 24, 2023, to a prison term of time served, equivalent to approximately 23 months, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Judge Rash also ordered Torres-Aguilera to pay the $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the JVTA. Elmer Rene Del Cid Santos pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit. Judge Rash also sentenced him on October 24, 2023, to 18 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. A third individual, Angelico Roa-Joachin, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit and Reentry of a Removed Alien. United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps sentenced Roa-Joachin to 78 months in prison. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This prosecution also resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is part of JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime. Homeland Security Investigations - Douglas conducted the investigation in this case with assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, Huntsville, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia; Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol; the Drug Enforcement Administration in Sierra Vista; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Clayton County Police Department, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael R. Lizano, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-21-02715-SHR-LCK RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-031_Garcia-Velazquez # # # 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 X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: “Operation SLO Ride” Dismantles Major Drug Trafficking Organization in Tulare County

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Operation SLO Ride has resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organization operating in Tulare County, charging 28 individuals with drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. Announcing the results of Operation SLO Ride today are U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Director John Martin, Tulare Police Chief Fred Ynclan, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar, and Porterville Police Chief Jake Castellow. In the course of the operation, law enforcement seized more than 936 pounds of methamphetamine, 8.6 pounds of cocaine, 5.5 pounds of heroin, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl, more than $600,000 in currency, and 50 firearms. “The drug and gun activities in this case presented a real danger to multiple communities in the Eastern District of California, including in Tulare County,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “The targets of this operation ranged from dealers to the Mexican source of supply. We will work with our federal, state, and local partners to do all we can to disrupt these unlawful activities.” “Dedicated law enforcement officers built this case from the ground up, using old fashion police work, following every lead that ultimately led to the destruction of a deep-rooted drug distribution network operating in the Central Valley,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. “A case of this magnitude is like a puzzle, and it takes thousands of hours to put all the pieces together. More importantly, it takes strong relationships between law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, coordinate efforts, and maximize resources. These partnerships have proven to be invaluable as we work together to save lives.” According to court documents, beginning in July 2023, investigators gathered evidence regarding individuals involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other narcotics in Tulare County using investigative tools that included confidential sources, surveillance, and wiretaps. As the investigation progressed, investigators developed evidence that the group was engaged in drug and firearm trafficking, including the following individuals now charged: Alberto “Beto” Alvarado, 53, of Mexico, is alleged to be the Mexico-based source of supply who directed the importation and transportation of methamphetamine, cocaine, as well as other controlled substances in Tulare County and elsewhere. He is currently a fugitive from justice. Alfonso Ortiz, 37, of Tulare, is alleged to be a large-scale methamphetamine distributor in Tulare County, who distributed methamphetamine with the assistance of his sister Angelica Flores. Angelica Flores, 32, of Tulare, is alleged to be a methamphetamine distributor and transporter who operated at the direction of her brother, Alfonso Ortiz. Yerlly Vega, 41, of Orisi, is alleged to be a poly-narcotic source of supply and transporter who operated at the direction of Alvarado. On Dec. 20, 2023, Vega was arrested while transporting approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine for Alvarado. Roberto Soria-Cuevas, 64, of Yettem, is alleged to be a poly-narcotic source of supply and transporter who operated at the direction of Alvarado. On Feb. 25, 2024, Soria-Cuevas was arrested while transporting approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine for Alvarado. Jose Maria Medina Franco, of Yokuts Valley, is alleged to be a drug stash house operator and transporter who operated at the direction of Alvarado. On Mar. 6, 2024, Medina was arrested while transporting approximately 266 pounds of methamphetamine for Alvarado. Anthony Ochoa, 40, of Orosi, and Vega’s cousin, is alleged to be involved in transporting and distributing methamphetamine that belonged to Alvarado. On Dec. 16, 2023, a vehicle Ochoa was driving was stopped resulting in the seizure of approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine. Jorge Avila Perez, 49, of Orosi, is alleged to be Alvarado and Soria-Cuevas’ transporter and distributer of methamphetamine. On Feb. 23, 2024, a vehicle Perez was driving was stopped resulting in the seizure of approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine. Lorraine Renteria, 39, of Tulare, and Ortiz’ girlfriend, is alleged to have used her vehicle and residence to aid in Ortiz’s distribution of methamphetamine. On Dec. 18, 2023, Renteria purchased a new cellphone for Ortiz after Ortiz informed Renteria that he was being monitored by law enforcement. Carlos Fernando Macias Manzo, 41, of Rancho Cordova, is alleged to be a poly-narcotic source of supply and transporter who supplied Ortiz with methamphetamine. On Feb. 19, 2024, Macias was seen at Ortiz’s residence, unloading three large duffle bags into Ortiz’ garage. On the same date, Macias was stopped by law enforcement, and investigators seized approximately $65,040 in U.S. currency. Francisco Garcia, 28, of Tulare, is alleged to have supplied methamphetamine to Hicks on Dec. 23, 2023, which resulted in the arrest of Hicks and the seizure of the methamphetamine. On Feb. 20, 2024, Ortiz and Flores allegedly supplied Garcia with 10 pounds of methamphetamine, which was seized from Garcia during a subsequent stop, and Garcia was found to be illegally in possession of a firearm. Cory Jay Donaldson, 46, of Tulare, is alleged to have distributed methamphetamine and firearms to a confidential source during controlled purchases. Donaldson has been intercepted multiple times distributing methamphetamine or obtaining methamphetamine from Ortiz. Adam Sahagun, 44, of Tulare, allegedly sold firearms and ammunition to a confidential source. Joshua Brock, 42, of Exeter, allegedly ordered methamphetamine multiple times and was arrested on Oct. 1, 2023, after obtaining methamphetamine from Flores. Alejandro Hernandez Diarte, 21, of Dinuba, is alleged to be a methamphetamine transporter. On Oct. 17, 2023, Hernandez was arrested with approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine while transporting the drugs from a known stash house in Orange Cove. Cornell Hicks, 45, of Tulare, is alleged to be a methamphetamine customer and transporter who was arrested on two occasions during this investigation. On Oct. 21, 2023, Hicks was supplied with methamphetamine by Flores and subsequently stopped and arrested with the drugs. On Dec. 23, 2023, Hicks purchased methamphetamine from Garcia and was arrested again. During the second arrest, Hicks was illegally in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Landon Jones, 43, of Tulare, is alleged to be a pound-level methamphetamine customer of Ortiz, as well as a methamphetamine distributor in Tulare County. William Bosma, 52, of Visalia, was arrested on Oct. 24, 2023, after fleeing from police with multiple pounds of methamphetamine previously purchased by Jones from Ortiz. Arnold Huerta, 37, of Visalia, is alleged to be a methamphetamine and illegal firearms distributor who consistently ordered pound quantities of methamphetamine from Ortiz. Arnold Huerta was also found to be illegally in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jennifer Huerta, 44, of Visalia, was arrested on Dec. 29, 2023, while transporting methamphetamine obtained from Ortiz to Arnold Huerta. Edgar Robles Amezquita, 41, of Hanford, is alleged to be a methamphetamine customer and transporter who was consistently supplied by Ortiz. On Feb. 13, 2024, Robles was arrested with the methamphetamine and was found illegally in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Priscilla Pitts, 37, of Ivanhoe, is alleged to be a methamphetamine customer supplied by Ortiz. On Feb. 19, 2024, Pitts ordered a pound of methamphetamine from Ortiz and was stopped and arrested with the drugs after departing Ortiz’s residence. James Earl Melo, 51, of Visalia, is alleged to be a poly-narcotic distributor. On Jan. 25, 2024, Melo was arrested after methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin were seized at his residence. Jesus Marin, 39, of Fontana, is alleged to be a methamphetamine source of supply and transporter who was arrested on Jan. 6, 2024, with approximately five pounds of methamphetamine that was supplied by Ortiz. Marie Quaadman, 49, of Corcoran, allegedly sold methamphetamine to a confidential source. She has also been intercepted multiple times ordering various quantities of methamphetamine from Ortiz. Jose Ramon Mayorga, 30, is alleged to have purchased approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine from Alvarado and distributed by Medina and Vega. Freddy Alvarado, 45, of Cutler, is alleged to have conspired with his brother, Alberto Alvarado, to receive approximately 266 pounds of methamphetamine from Medina. Derrick Wallen, 33, of Tulare, is alleged to have maintained a drug stash house for Alfonso Ortiz and possessed more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine. This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Tactical Narcotics Team, which is a part of Central Valley California HIDTA, the Tulare Police Department, the Visalia Police Department, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, the Porterville Police Department, the Woodlake Police Department, the Clovis Police Department, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Tulare County District Attorney. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Pataca is prosecuting the case. If convicted, the defendants face a range of sentences from 10 years in prison to life in prison, and some face mandatory minimum sentences of five and 10 years for drug trafficking offenses. 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. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Jury Finds Lexington Couple Guilty of Fraudulently Obtaining COVID Relief Loans

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two Lexington residents, Kelly Harris, 64, and Neal Harris, 57, were found guilty on Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, following a four-day trial, of eight counts of wire fraud, for obtaining Economic Injury Disaster Loans loans under false pretenses. According to the evidence at trial, from May 5, 2020 through July 25, 2020, the Harrises submitted materially false applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA), to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), for five businesses they claimed were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They obtained $357,600 in disaster relief funds from the SBA for three of the businesses. A local bank detected the fraud in August 2020 and returned the funds remaining in the business accounts. “The pandemic had a destructive effect on countless businesses, which prompted Congress to appropriate public funds to help them stay open,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When such funds get dissipated through fraud, that has two results: a theft of public funds and a shortcoming in the funds available to help those businesses who were supposed to receive it. The diligence and dedication of the bank and our law enforcement partners realized this result, and will hold these defendants accountable for their disgraceful conduct.” United States Attorney Shier; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Kelly K. Moening, Special Agent in Charge, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Great Lakes Field Division, jointly announced the jury’s verdict. The investigation was conducted by the USPIS and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. This case is being prosecuted on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith. The Harrises are scheduled to appear for sentencing on July 1, 2024. They each face up to 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence. The Harris’ also face potential fines, a forfeiture money judgment, and a judgment of restitution, as ordered by the Court. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. — END —


title: Kennewick Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Prison for Possessing  More Than a Dozen Weapons

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Richland, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Kyle Keith Trapp age 61, of Kennewick, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 78 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on January 7, 2023, an assault victim arrived at a hospital in the Tri-Cities, bleeding and missing several teeth. He told law enforcement several individuals had beaten him and accused him of stealing drugs from Trapp. Law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant for Trapp’s residence. Investigators located 18 firearms including 5 shotguns, 8 rifles, and 5 handguns. Two of the weapons had unknown serial numbers, a third was a privately manufactured firearm or “ghost gun”. Officers located a quantity of ammunition and miscellaneous gun parts. Investigators also located approximately 300 grams of suspected heroin and substances used to mix with heroin for the purpose of distribution, 9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia. Trapp told detectives the assault and kidnapping happened at his residence, but he did not contact police because he had guns and drugs at his house. He also admitted to distributing heroin and trading guns for drugs. Furthermore, he told detectives he knew he was prohibited from possessing guns because of his prior felony. “This case is an example of the culture of violence and dangerous behavior which surrounds drug distribution. Mr. Trapp had drugs, and more than a dozen illegal firearms, including a ghost gun, stashed at his house,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “My office will continue to target violent offenders who threaten the safety of our communities.” “Mr. Trapp knew he was barred from possessing firearms but demonstrated his complete disregard for the law and safety of his community.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “In addition to illegally possessing numerous weapons, he was distributing dangerous drugs into the community. I commend the work of our investigators and partners, whose hard work brought justice through putting this violent offender back in prison.” This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Perez.


title: Las Vegas Man Sentenced To Prison For COVID-19 Relief Loan Scheme Committed While On Supervised Release

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to two and a half years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $550,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications that the Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to court documents, at the time of the fraud scheme, Arian Anthony Bailey, 34, was serving a term of federal supervised release for felony drug and gun convictions. While on release, Bailey devised a scheme to defraud the SBA. As part of the scheme, Bailey submitted on behalf of businesses – including a home health services business – that did not exist loan applications that contained false information, including: (a) false revenue amounts for non-existent companies, and (b) false certifications that Bailey would spend the loan money on business expenses, such as payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. He also provided fraudulent documentation in support of his loan applications. The loss caused by Bailey’s scheme was $46,731.39. In addition to the prison term, Bailey was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $46,731.39. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI, Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Jon W. Ellwanger for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-CFPB OIG) made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI, the SBA OIG, and the FRB-CFPB OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . ###


title: Former Kentucky Federal Corrections Lieutenant Sentenced for Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate and Writing False Reports

body_text: PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant, Ryan O. Elliott, 47, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting one inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident. Two other former corrections officers at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Kentucky – Samuel Patrick, 41, and Clinton Pauley, 42 – previously pleaded guilty to related offenses and were sentenced to 36 and 40 months in prison, respectively. Another prison official, former Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, 39, was convicted of related offenses after a six-day trial and was sentenced to 66 months in prison. “While he was a lieutenant in a federal prison, this defendant violently assaulted an inmate and then worked with other officers to cover up the assault of a second inmate,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Supervisors should lead by example — not abuse their authority by using excessive force against inmates entrusted to their care and by helping colleagues conceal misconduct. The Justice Department will vigorously pursue law enforcement officers at the local, state or federal level who commit, condone or enable violations of constitutional rights.” “Not only did Elliott have a profound responsibility to protect people in his custody and care, he had an even greater one — to ensure that those under his supervision also protected them,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “He fell well short on both counts. Instead of honoring his obligations, he acquiesced in the abuse by his subordinates and then tried to cover it up. He now faces the consequences of this betrayal of the public trust placed in him.” “Rather than perform his supervisory responsibilities and ensure that FBOP staff complied with the law, former Lieutenant Elliot joined with other FBOP staff to assault an inmate and to lie about a separate FBOP staff assault of an inmate,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Midwest Region. “Today’s sentencing sends an important message to FBOP supervisors that they will be held to account for such egregious acts.” According to court documents and evidence introduced at the trial of Pearce, Elliott, who at that time held the rank of lieutenant, joined Pauley and other officers in assaulting one inmate and, in a separate incident, wrote false reports about the assault of another inmate. On March 26, 2021, Elliott was present when an inmate was taken to a room with no cameras following a non-violent violation of prison rules. When another officer began to assault the inmate, Elliott assisted by tackling the inmate to the ground and punching him in the body. Elliott continued to assault the inmate, and Pauley joined. On or about April 30, 2021, Elliott was asked by Pearce to help cover up an assault against another inmate who had been beaten by Pauley and Patrick. Elliott, who had not been present for that assault, agreed to help Pearce cover up the assault by writing a false report claiming that he had been there and had seen no assault. DOJ-OIG and the FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Thomas Johnson and Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted the case. — END —


title: Bank Insider Charged with Obstruction after Making False Statements to Agents About Accepting Bribes

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida-based employee of an international financial institution was arrested today for obstruction of justice after making false statements to agents about accepting bribes, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Gerardo Fermin Aquino Vargas, 38, of Hollywood, Florida, is charged by complaint with one count of obstruction of justice. Aquino had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jared M. Strauss in Miami, Florida federal court and was released on $100,000 bond. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Aquino worked for an international financial institution at a branch located in Hollywood. Starting in April 2022, Aquino repeatedly and corruptly accepted bribes from individuals in exchange for opening accounts in the names of straw owners who were not present at the account openings. In exchange for the bribes, Aquino also issued debit cards for these accounts and unblocked debit cards that had been flagged for potential fraud by the financial institution. These accounts were used to transfer millions of dollars from the United States to Colombia. When Aquino was interviewed by law enforcement in November 2023, he made false statements, including that he had only opened one or two accounts when the purported owners were not present at the bank and that he had never received payment for such actions. In fact, Aquino opened at least 28 accounts in this manner and accepted thousands of dollars in bribes for doing so. Aquino’s false statements obstructed a grand jury investigation being conducted in the District of New Jersey. The charge of obstruction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark; special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, New York Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida; U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Atlanta, Georgia; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation in Miami, Florida; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, South Florida Division; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Miami, Florida; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida for their assistance with the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams, Chad Davis, and Chelsea Rooney of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. aquino.complaint.pdf


title: Three Charged for Fraudulently Seeking $2.9 Billion in COVID-19 Tax Credits

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Three individuals were charged today for falsely seeking more than $2.9 billion from the IRS by filing 131 false tax forms claiming COVID-19 related employment tax credits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Rudolph Johnson, Frantz Pasteur, and Frederick Anderson, all of Irvington, New Jersey, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to file false claims against the government and one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Additionally, Johnson is charged with three counts of money laundering, Pasteur with two counts of money laundering, and Anderson with three counts of money laundering. Johnson and Pasteur appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and were released on bail. Anderson will appear at a later date. According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized an employee retention tax credit (ERC) that a small business could use to reduce the employment tax it owed to the IRS. To qualify, the business had to have been in operation in 2020 and to have experienced at least a partial suspension of its operations because of a government order related to COVID-19 (for example, an order limiting commerce, group meetings or travel) or a significant decline in profits. The credit was an amount equal to a set percentage of the wages that the business paid to its employees during the relevant time period, subject to a maximum amount. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. From June 2021 to November 2023, Johnson, Pasteur, and Anderson established a slew of sham entities and filed fraudulent IRS forms in the names of these entities claiming fraudulent entitlement to tax refunds, including the ERC. These entities had limited tax histories, never paid any W-2 wages, and made only nominal, if any, payments to the IRS. In total, the defendants claimed $2.9 billion in tax benefits, and as a result, the U.S. Treasury issued $1.03 million in refunds. Subsequently, the defendants deposited the falsely claimed refunds into their bank accounts and used the money to purchase various items such as luxury cars to fraudulently enrich themselves. The conspiracy to file false claims against the government offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the money laundering offenses carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the value of the criminally derived property. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; and postal inspectors from the U.S. Postal Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. A civil referral from the IRS Office of Fraud Enforcement contributed to the indictments in this criminal complaint. The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. johnsonetal.complaint.pdf


title: Tri-Cities Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for  Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: Richland, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Larry Jay Halls, age 54, of the Tri-Cities, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 78 months imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Judge Dimke also imposed $12,000 in restitution. Judge Dimke’s comments at sentencing focused on the impact on the victims and how the children in this case have been affected for the rest of their lives. Judge Dimke also highlighted the fact that Halls distributed 10,000 images and more than 600 videos to three separate undercover agents, demonstrating that Halls was distributing child pornography for a long period of time: “The quantity of images is substantial, but also the amount of particular victims’ images – the number of those images for any one victim is indicative of the viewer knowing how much abuse that victim was subjected to. That is significant to the court.” In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Dimke emphasized that Mr. Halls apologized to her, but never once apologized or expressed remorse for what happened to the victims depicted in the child pornography Mr. Halls possessed and distributed. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in February of 2021, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) linked image and video files depicting the sexual abuse of children (child pornography) on a file sharing program with an IP address assigned to Halls’s address in Kennewick, Washington. On March 18, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Halls’s residence and located a desktop computer. The on-scene forensic examiner previewed the device and discovered it was actively downloading child pornography utilizing the aforementioned file sharing program. Ultimately, a forensic analysis of the desktop computer seized from Halls’s residence revealed more than 600 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. When Halls was interviewed by investigators, he admitted to downloading files depicting the sexual abuse of children as early as 2018. Furthermore, Halls told investigators he had looked at such files twice the day before the search warrant was executed and that he had developed a sexual interest in children. Following his guilty plea, while on pre-sentence release, Halls violated specific court ordered conditions designed to keep the community, and specifically, children within the community, safe. In July of 2023, despite a prohibition on loitering within 500 feet of any playground, park, athletic field or facility, Halls went to a miniature golf facility, a location frequented by children. Later that month, Halls left his home without approval from the United States Probation Office and went to a gas station directly across from an athletic field. During the same timeframe, Halls traveled to an unknown residence and apartment complex in violation of his monitoring requirements. On September 5, 2023, Halls’s pre-sentence release was revoked, and Halls was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing. “For years Mr. Halls sought out depictions of children being abused and then shared those pictures with others online. Following his arrest, Mr. Halls ignored the conditions of his release and traveled to locations where young children were present,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to victimize children: The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice for vulnerable populations." “Each day HSI and its law enforcement partners bravely confront the harrowing reality of online predators,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Today’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the perilous landscape our children navigate online. Let us unite in our resolve to shield our most vulnerable from the dangers lurking in the digital abyss. Every click, every download, carries the potential to inflict harm. May this case embolden us to fortify our defenses and safeguard the sanctity of childhood against those who would seek to exploit it.” This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC). This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alison Gregoire and Laurel Holland.


title: Savoy, Illinois Man Sentenced to 15 years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: Peoria, Ill. – A Savoy, Illinois man, David Berry, of the 800 block of Hartwell, has been sentenced to 180 months in the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and registration as a sex offender, for the sexual exploitation of a minor. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that in October of 2021, Berry brought a minor to his home, sexually assaulted her, and recorded the acts on video. During the hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mihm noted that Berry was responsible for trauma caused to the minor and ordered a $6,140 restitution amount. Berry was indicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in February of 2022. He pleaded guilty in September of 2023. The statutory penalties for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor are 15 to 30 years in prison, and 5 years to life term of supervised release. The U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Champaign County Sherriff’s Office, the Urbana Police Department, and the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office participated in the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon O’Brien, who is also the Deputy Bureau Chief in the High Tech Crimes Bureau for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, represented the government in the prosecution. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), to marshal federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: On the Second Day of Trial, Fake Doctor Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Before opening statements, Gordon Hunter Pedersen, 64, of Cedar Hills, Utah, pleaded guilty today to mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with intent to defraud and mislead. The case against Pedersen received national attention after he, acting as a doctor, promoted and sold silver products that falsely claimed could treat and cure diseases, including COVID-19. In August 2023, Pedersen, a three-year fugitive, was arrested after he fled from law enforcement in 2020 and failed to appear on the indictment in this case. See prior news release here . According to court documents, from 2012 through 2020, Pedersen lied to consumers about his education, qualifications, and about the palliative abilities of his silver products – “structured alkaline silver solution,” silver lozenges, silver probiotics, silver soap, silver mouthwash and silver gel. His fraudulent salesmanship generated thousands of dollars and his sales skyrocketed in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and before approved vaccines were available. Mr. Pedersen distributed his Silver Products through his company My Doctor Suggests, LLC (MDS), where he was 25% owner and the company spokesman and primary marketer. At the end of 2019 through May 2020, through YouTube videos and other advertising means, Mr. Pedersen claimed that his silver products would prevent, cure, and treat COVID-19. Via the internet, Pedersen, sold the “structured alkaline silver” solution, which he claimed, “resonates or vibrates, at a frequency that destroys the membrane of the virus, making the virus incapable of attaching to any healthy cell, or to infect you in anyway.” To further defraud, Pedersen falsely claimed on YouTube videos to be medical doctor. On January 30, 2020, Pedersen posted a video promotion on YouTube entitled “Coronavirus Best Solution! Hand Sanitizers! Structured Silver Gel from Dr. Gordon Pedersen.” In April 2020, Pedersen shipped his silver products, via United States Postal Service, first class mail from American Fork, Utah to Kansas City, Kansas, therefore impacting interstate commerce. Pedersen is scheduled to be sentenced May 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.1 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob J. Strain and Brian Williams from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Speare Hodges and Sarah Williams from the Department of Justice, Civil Division’ Consumer Protection Branch. James Smith from FDA’s Office of Chief Council is also assisting. The case is being investigated jointly by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigation (FDA-OCI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was also provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.


title: Last Conspirator Sentenced in Firearms and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Case

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alexis Bernal Lopez, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for his participation in a firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bernal Lopez to 30 months’ imprisonment on the firearms charge and 60 months’ imprisonment on the use of the firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking charge for a total of 90 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bernal Lopez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Codefendant Rodolfo Falcon owned a house that was the central location for the distribution of marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cocaine. Falcon rented that house out to several younger drug dealers including Kenneth Blair, Alexis Bernal-Lopez, and Keland Strong. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force performed a search of the residence and recovered cocaine, marijuana, currency, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms. Falcon, who has a distinctive tattoo on his hand, was seen in photos posing with firearms. One of the firearms shown in the picture was recovered from the residence. Agents also located a stolen firearm and AR15 rifle. At the time of the search, Blair was in the basement of the residence along with two apparent narcotics customers. Drugs and cash were also recovered from that location. Strong was located in an upstairs room that contained numerous firearms. Falcon lived on the main level of the home where agents recovered cash, cocaine. and personal identification documents. Evidence of significant marijuana distribution such as wrappers for large quantities of marijuana were also recovered. This, along with text messages between the group members revealed that the home was being used as a narcotics distribution hub and that Majok Bethow, Bernal-Lopez, Strong, and Blair all worked together to sell drugs, particularly marijuana to ‘serves’ (their code word for narcotics purchasers) and would drive each other to sales and work together to get the right types of THC cartridges and marijuana to customers. On September 28, 2023, Bethow pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy in the furtherance of drug trafficking and was sentenced on January 11, 2024, to 24 months’ imprisonment to run concurrently with a federal case charging him with possessing a machinegun. On September 28, 2023, Blair pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and was sentenced December 21, 2023 to 21 months’ imprisonment. On October 27, 2023, Falcon pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced on January 19, 2024 to 24 months’ imprisonment. On November 17, 2023, Strong pleaded guilty to firearms conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced on February 8, 2024 to 72 months’ imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Jury finds Dayton men guilty on all counts in case involving murder of DEA task force officer

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted two Dayton men on all counts in a case involving the 2019 death of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio. Nathan Goddard, 44, was found guilty of murder. He and Cahke Cortner, 44, were also found guilty of multiple narcotics and firearms crimes. Goddard was found guilty of seven total counts and Cortner of four. The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on Feb. 26 before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. “Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio dedicated his life to protecting the great people of Dayton and DEA will be forever grateful that his passion for narcotics enforcement led him to us,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “TFO DelRio was a mentor and coach to many in law enforcement, and so much more at home as a husband, a father, and a friend. Our hearts are heavy tonight after reliving the events of November 7, 2019, but more determined than ever to continue our mission of keeping Americans safe in his honor. We will never forget his sacrifice.” “We stand with the DelRio family and our law enforcement partners, and we recognize that DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio sacrificed his life to protect this community. We will never forget his ultimate sacrifice,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “This case is a reminder that, as public servants, law enforcement officers do a dangerous job every day. Today’s guilty verdicts should also serve as a reminder to perpetrators of violent crime that we see these matters through to the end and we will hold you accountable.” “The Dayton Police Department is pleased to see that the jury has found Nathan Goddard and Cahke Cortner guilty in the tragic shooting of Detective Jorge DelRio,” said Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal. “This verdict marks a significant step towards closure for Detective DelRio's loved ones, our department, and our community. We extend our gratitude to the U.S. Attorney's Office for their diligent efforts throughout this case. It is imperative that those who inflict harm in our community are held accountable, and we anticipate that the sentencing will reflect this principle.” “Today’s verdict clearly illustrates the resolve of the federal government, state and local law enforcement, to hold accountable anyone who chooses to undermine the rule of law. It also brings some semblance of closure to the DelRio family,” said DEA Detroit Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “TFO Jorge DelRio made the ultimate sacrifice serving Dayton, a city to which he dedicated more than 30 years of his life as a law enforcement professional. TFO DelRio’s courage and dedication to the City of Dayton, the State of Ohio and the country will never be forgotten.” “While we all continue to mourn the death of Detective Jorge DelRio, this verdict is an important step forward, holding accountable those who are responsible for his death,” stated FBI Cincinnati Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Mimura. “Detective DelRio is a hero who gave his life protecting the community and he will never be forgotten.” “These individuals are responsible for the death of Detective Jorge DelRio, who was working to keep our community safe from dangerous drug traffickers,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “As a Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer, Det. DelRio was a selfless hero who gave his all, and ultimately his life, to protect the citizens of this nation. ATF is honored to have played a role in holding to account those responsible for Det. DelRio’s sacrifice. I hope this verdict brings some measure of closure to the family of Det. DelRio and sends a message to criminals that law enforcement will be relentless in our pursuit of justice.” According to court documents and trial testimony, on Nov. 4, 2019, Goddard murdered Det. DelRio while Det. DelRio and others were executing a federal search warrant at 1454 Ruskin Road in Dayton. During the execution of the search warrant, Det. DelRio and other officials announced themselves and entered the home at approximately 6:50pm. Det. DelRio descended the stairway to the basement of the residence, immediately came under gunfire from the basement, and was struck and killed. As the government proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial, from 2018 until November 2019, Goddard and Cortner participated in a narcotics conspiracy involving kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana. The defendants kept firearms – including handguns fitted with laser sights – to protect the illegal drugs and their illicit proceeds. In the residence they used, officials discovered 10 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, 50 to 60 pounds of marijuana, and more than $55,000 in cash. Goddard and Cortner were originally charged in this case on Nov. 6, 2019, and were charged by superseding indictment in July 2022. Goddard was convicted of murdering a federal law enforcement officer who was engaged in the performance of official duties, which is punishable by up to life in prison. He was also convicted of three counts of federal narcotics crimes (10 years up to life in prison), one count of intentionally killing someone while engaged in a drug crime (20 years up to life in prison), one count of discharging a firearm resulting in murder (10 years up to life in prison) and during a drug trafficking crime (10 years up to life in prison), and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (up to 10 years in prison). Cortner was convicted of two counts of federal narcotics crimes (10 years up to life in prison), one count of participating in a drug trafficking crime that caused death (20 years up to life in prison), and one count of using a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Their co-defendant Lionel Combs III, 45, pleaded guilty just before the start of trial to maintaining a drug premises, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court at future hearings based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. announced today’s verdict. U.S. Attorney Parker recognized the critical assistance of the Criminal Interdiction Team of Central Oklahoma (CITCO). Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi, Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Christina E. Mahy, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claypoole from the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Leader of Belle Glade Based Bank Fraud Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - Ja’kevious Ri’shaad Vickers, the leader of a bank fraud conspiracy, was sentenced today to federal prison. Vickers, Gregory Bernard Ashley Jr., and Naim W. Kahook were involved in a bank fraud conspiracy involving stolen checks, theft of personal identifying information, and the production of fraudulent or fake checks. Vickers was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $269,611.19 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks. Vickers previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Ashley Jr. and Kahook each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Ashley Jr. and Kahook were sentenced to seven months and two months prison, respectively. Ashley was further ordered to pay $30,986.91 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI, Miami Field Office, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), Chief David E. England of the Jupiter Police Department, and Special Agent in Charge Javan Wilson of the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General (TIG) made the announcement. The FBI Miami, West Palm Beach Resident Agency, PBSO, Jupiter Police Department, and TIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marton Gyires prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jorge Roberto Delgado is handling asset forfeiture. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-cr-80185. ###


title: Berkeley County Man Admits to Elder Financial Abuse

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – An Inwood, West Virginia man has admitted to fraudulently taking over a quarter of a million dollars from his father. Joseph Beach, age 54, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to court documents and statements made in court, Beach was the fiduciary for his father, who is under the care of a veterans’ care facility and receives monthly benefits. As the fiduciary, Beach received his father’s veteran’s disability, retirement, and social security payments but used them for his own benefit. The total amount of funds taken by Beach was $253,867.12. “It is always sad when older West Virginians are victimized by their own family members,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who steal from their loved ones in order to enrich themselves.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the Social Security Administration investigated. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.


title: Hopkinton Couple Arrested for Multiple Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON - A Hopkinton couple has been arrested and charged in connection with separate schemes to defraud their workers’ compensation insurance carriers, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and their mortgage lender. Ronaldo Solano, 51, and Adriana Solano, 40, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with one count each of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. Ronaldo Solano was also charged with one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. The defendants were arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 3:30 p.m. today. According to the indictment, between in or about 2012 and in or about 2020, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano — who operate a roofing and construction company based in Framingham under the names H&R Roofing & Construction Inc. and H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. — avoided more than $627,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums by underreporting their payroll and paying workers through a shell company. Separately, it is alleged that, between in or about 2021 and in or about 2022, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano submitted a loan application on behalf of H&R Roofing & Siding Corp. to the SBA under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, which provided for pandemic relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In the application, Ronaldo and Adriana Solano allegedly requested $2 million in relief funds for working capital and other eligible business expenses. After receiving the relief funds, it is alleged that Ronaldo and Adriana transferred $1 million of the funds to a personal bank account they shared, from which they allegedly used more than $825,000 for a down payment towards a home in Hopkinton. It is alleged that Ronaldo and Adriana Solano borrowed another $770,500 from a mortgage lender to fund the purchase of the Hopkinton home but did not disclose to their lender that they were using EIDL funds for the down payment. The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud provides for a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud provides for a sentence of no more than 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charges of mail fraud and wire fraud provide for a sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the EIDL Program, through which the SBA offers loans that can only be used on certain permissible business expenses, which can include payment of fixed business debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other business-related expenses that could have been paid had the COVID-19 disaster not occurred. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Additionally, this case was investigated in connection with the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force, which was established to promote transparency and coordinate oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC brings together federal agents from 20 agency Inspector Generals to detect fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in authorized COVID-19 funds. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Zuni Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse Against Children in Indian Country

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Rodney Waikaniwa pled guilty in federal court to 2 counts of abusive sexual contact. Waikaniwa, 51, of Zuni, and an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. A federal grand jury indicted Waikaniwa on May 24, 2023. According to publicly available court records, between September 2l, 2000, and September 20, 2001, Waikaniwa intentionally touched his first victim, Jane Doe 1 with the intent of gratifying his own sexual desire. At the time, Jane Doe 1 was only about eight years old. Between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015, Waikaniwa intentionally touched a second victim, Jane Doe 2, with the same sexual intent. At the time, Jane Doe 2 was approximately 6 years old. Under the terms of the agreement, at sentencing, Waikaniwa faces a minimum of ten years in prison up to a maximum of fifteen years. This term of incarceration will be followed by a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life. He will be required to register as a sex offender. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case. View the Plea Agreement If you have reason to believe you or your child may be a victim, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit their tips online at tips.fbi.gov . # # #


title: Former Telecommunications Company Manager Admits Role in SIM Swapping Scheme

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A former manager of a telecommunications company from Burlington County, New Jersey, admitted swapping the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers of cell phone customers into mobile devices controlled by another individual, who was paying the former manager for the unauthorized swaps, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today. Jonathan Katz, aka “Luna,” 42, of Marlton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court on March 12, 2024, to an information charging Katz with conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a protected computer. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In May 2021, Katz was employed as a manager at a telecommunications store and accessed several customer accounts by using managerial credentials. Katz swapped the SIM numbers associated with the customers’ phone numbers into mobile devices controlled by another individual, enabling this other individual to control the customers’ phones and access the customers’ electronic accounts – including email, social media, and cryptocurrency accounts. In exchange for the swaps, Katz was paid in Bitcoin, which was traced back to Katz’s cryptocurrency account. The conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to a computer offense carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss involved, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2024. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Cybercrime Unit. katz.information.pdf


title: Justice Department Sues Six Health Plans and Their Alliance for Concealing Overpayments for Military Managed Care Program

component: Civil Division

body_text: The United States filed a complaint alleging that six health plans participating in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) program, as well as their trade group, the US Family Health Plan Alliance, violated the False Claims Act by knowingly retaining erroneously inflated payments for healthcare services the health plans contracted to provide to retired military members and their families. The United States has also reached a settlement with Department of Defense (DOD) contractor Kennell & Associates Inc., a consulting firm, related to the conduct. The USFHP program is one of the healthcare options available to military personnel, retirees and their families. Six health plans are eligible to participate in this program, each of which is a defendant in the government’s complaint: Brighton Marine Health Center, CHRISTUS Health Services, Johns Hopkins Medical Services Corporation, Martin’s Point Health Care, Pacific Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers of New York. Through the USFHP program, the DOD pays the plans capitated rates to provide healthcare services to their enrollees. According to the complaint, in June 2012, the plans learned of calculation errors that had inflated the rates they had been paid in prior years. Nevertheless, the plans took steps to conceal the existence of the overpayments from the government and continued to submit invoices at the inflated payment rates. The complaint alleges that during discussions about rates for the subsequent year, some of the plans even asked the government to continue paying them at the prior, inflated rates even though, by that time, those plans knew the rates were inflated by the errors. “Contractors have an obligation to return overpayments, and we will hold accountable contractors that knowingly and improperly retain such funds,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayer funds for healthcare services to military members and their families are actually used for that purpose, not to enrich those charged with administering the program.” “Protecting the integrity of the healthcare system for our military members and their families, is a top priority of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Solecki of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “The DOD expects companies to adhere to contract requirements and DCIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department to hold DOD contractors who engage in fraudulent activity at the expense of the U.S. military accountable for their actions.” The United States filed its complaint in a lawsuit originally brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Jane Rollinson and Daniel Gregorie in the District of Maine. From 2007 to 2015, Rollinson worked at Martin’s Point Health Care, including as its Interim Chief Financial Officer. Gregorie was a consultant to the CEO and Board of Martin’s Point Health Care and later served on its Board of Trustees. The False Claims Act permits a private party to file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The United States has the ability to intervene in such lawsuits, as it has in this case. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Rollinson v. Martin’s Point Health Care Inc. , No. 2:16-cv-00447-NT. The United States entered into a settlement agreement with Kennell and Associates Inc., a research and consulting firm located in Falls Church, Virginia, that provides actuarial consulting services to the Defense Health Agency (DHA) in connection with the USFHP program. The settlement resolves allegations that Kennell & Associates failed to notify DHA about errors in executing the rate-setting methodology that caused the USFHP rates to be overstated and their impact on DHA’s payments made to the plans. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Kennell & Associates has agreed to pay the United States $779,951, plus interest, as well as contingent payments based on its annual contract revenue and cash reserves through the year 2025. The settlement amount is based on Kennell and Associates’ ability to pay. The Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine investigated the case, with assistance from DHA. Attorneys Diana Cieslak, Evan Ballan and Amy Kossak of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Lizotte and Sheila Sawyer for the District of Maine are handling this case. The United States’ intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The claims in the complaint and settlement agreement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. Settlement Complaint


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collected More Than $60 Million in Civil, Criminal, and Asset Forfeiture Actions in Fiscal Year 2023

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois collected more than $60 million in criminal, civil, and asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2023, Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced today. The 2023 collections included approximately $22.3 million in criminal actions, $29.5 million in civil actions, and $8.9 million in asset forfeiture actions. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice components across the country to collect another $27.6 million in cases pursued jointly with those offices. “Our attorneys and staff place a high priority on recovering funds for the federal treasury and victims of federal crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Our office will continue to responsibly safeguard taxpayer resources while delivering a valuable return to the citizens of our district.” U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Justice Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Federal law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Fund, which then distributes the money to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.


title: Insurance Agent Charged in Alleged Scheme to Steal Clients Identities,  File Fraudulent Insurance Applications

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A North Attleboro, MA, self-employed insurance broker has been charged in federal court in Rhode Island with executing a scheme to obtain tens of thousands of dollars in commissions from an Iowa-based life insurance carrier by making unauthorized use of his clients’ personal identity information to sign them up for end-of-life insurance policies and draw money to pay for the unauthorized policies from their bank accounts, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Bruno Francis Ragusa, 53, is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud, identity theft, and aggravated identity theft. He was released on unsecured bond following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on Tuesday. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. It is alleged in documents filed with the court that Ragusa, through his North Attleboro-based company Atlantic Coast Senior Solutions, Inc., fraudulently obtained sales commissions by affixing the electronic signatures and other personal identity information of clients, without their knowledge or permission, on insurance policy applications and payment authorization forms for policies they did not request or authorize. It is alleged that Ragusa utilized an online tool to submit approximately 206 policy applications to Great Western Insurance Company (GWIC), located in Des Moines, Iowa, from January 2019 to February 2023, of which an FBI review of records provided by Massachusetts insurance fraud investigators and GWIC determined that between December 5, 2022, and February 9, 2023, Ragusa electronically submitted nearly 150 insurance policy applications to GWIC, some just 15 minutes apart. The investigation revealed that some of the applications were being submitted in the names of people who had already passed away. Calls to the living “applicants” revealed that they did not know that policy applications had been submitted in their names and had not authorized Ragusa to submit the applications or payment authorization forms. Upon approval of an application, GWIC issues an advance commission to the agent responsible for the sale of the policy. The agent also receives an additional commission for each month a payment is received by GWIC and that the policy remains in effect. If a policy is cancelled shortly after being issued, the agent is required to return to GWIC the advance commission paid by the company. GWIC records show that Ragusa received $134,660.90 in advanced commission and $2,295.66 in additional commissions. Based on early policy cancellations, Ragusa owes GWIC $70,379.47. On November 28, 2023, the Department of Business Regulation for the State of Rhode Island revoked Ragusa license to sell insurance in Rhode Island. Ragusa’s licenses to sell insurance in Massachusetts and Connecticut remain active. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Milind M. Shah. The matter was investigated by the FBI. United States Attorney Cunha thanks the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the North Attleboro Police Department for their assistance. ###


title: Utah Felon Convicted of Murder Returns to Prison for Stolen Guns

body_text: ST. GEORGE, UT – A Southern Utah man, out on parole following a 1990 state murder conviction, was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, after he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition. According to court documents, Joseph Charles Gardner, 65, of St. George, Utah, is restricted from possessing a firearm because of his murder conviction and illegally possessed a SCCY CPX 9mm handgun, ammunition, and other firearms. The 9mm handgun crossed state lines and therefore affected interstate commerce. As stated in court documents, Gardner spent nearly 30 years in prison for a state murder conviction where he shot and killed a woman, removed her clothing, and left her lifeless body in the desert. In 2020, he was granted parole and returned to St. George. In the fall of 2022, Gardner conspired with a coworker to conceal and dispose of stolen firearms. During an investigation, officers found one of the stolen firearms, a 9mm handgun, in Gardner’s possession. This is the same type of gun that killed his female victim in 1990. Officers also discovered thousands of bullets in three different calibers. During the investigation, law enforcement also learned that Gardner previously possessed other firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle. U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement. The St. George Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the District of Utah 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 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: Lansing Man Sentenced For Illegal Gun Possession

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Chuncey Jabron Martin Sentenced to 92 Months For Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Chuncey Jabron Martin, 36, of Lansing, was sentenced to 92 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing hearing occurred before U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids Monday. “Gun violence is an epidemic in Michigan and across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to address gun violence and hold accountable those who inflict immense trauma on our communities. As we did here, we will also continue to identify opportunities to prosecute gun offenders with a record of domestic and intimate-partner violence.” Martin was arrested by the Lansing Police Department when a woman called 911 to report that she was being assaulted. After the phone became disconnected, police went to the scene and found an injured woman and Martin. Martin ran into a nearby apartment building and was eventually arrested. He had the woman’s gun in his possession, which was a violation of federal law because he had many prior felony convictions on his record. Because of Martin’s long violent record, he was referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for federal prosecution. On August 30, 2023, Martin was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and he pled guilty to the offense on October 24, 2023. At the sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested a lengthy jail term because of Marin’s 29 prior convictions and juvenile adjudications, which began in 2000. The government pointed out that these included violent felonies, like violence against women and were becoming more serious as time went on. The court agreed that in Martin’s case, the safety of the public was the most important concern. “All people deserve to feel safe in their relationships. Martin’s repeated use of firearms to commit domestic violence is unacceptable,” said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir . “ATF and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in holding violent offenders who threaten the safety of their family and our community accountable.” This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn . This case was investigated by the Lansing Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy VerHey prosecuted the case. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Will Thompson to Co-Host United Against Hate Community Forum on March 19 in Huntington

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will join with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and other community leaders for a United Against Hate forum on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center. The forum is free and open to the public. The United Against Hate (UAH) Community Outreach Program is a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat unlawful acts of hate. The initiative aims to improve hate crime reporting by teaching community members how to identify, report, and help prevent hate crimes, and by building trust between law enforcement and communities. UAH shares resources to combat hate and encourages discussion between representatives from law enforcement, community organizations, and members of the public. UAH emphasizes that while some hate-fueled incidents—standing alone—may not be a crime, people should still report those incidents to local law enforcement and the FBI. “This forum is an excellent opportunity to hear from the community, raise awareness and further education about hate crimes and bias incidents,” Thompson said. “Working together and listening to each other is how we combat violence, threats and other unlawful acts fueled by hate.” "Huntington is a welcoming community that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, but there are still individuals who want to tear down the progress we have made," Mayor Steve Williams said. "That's why I am eager to partner with the U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and engage our community on this important topic." U.S. Attorneys from across the country have so far hosted over 50 UAH events since the September 2022 launch of the initiative. The March 19, 2024, forum will include presentations about UAH and federal and West Virginia hate crime laws as well as a panel session featuring community leaders. The panel is scheduled to include: - Charles Meyers: past president, Cabell-Huntington NAACP - Hoyt Glazer, J.D.: president, Temple B’nai Sholom - Sue Barazi: vice president, Islamic Association of West Virginia - Ally Layman: president, Huntington Pride - Angela Adams: president and CEO, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living For more information about the forum, contact Tracy Chapman with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (800) 659-8726, (304) 340-2349 or Tracy.Chapman@usdoj.gov . WHAT: United Against Hate Community Forum WHEN: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE: Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington, W.Va. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. ###


title: Luzerne County Man Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Benjamin Woytas, age 34, of Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that in August 2023, Woytas distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions in Luzerne County. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #