title: Former Southern California Business Owner Charged with Access Device Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft and Witness Tampering

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former Inland Empire resident who was the chief executive officer of an Upland business has been charged with causing unauthorized charges to be placed on thousands of consumer credit and debit card accounts, the Justice Department announced today. Jason Edward Thomas Cardiff, 48, formerly of Upland, is charged with access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and two counts of witness tampering. A four-count indictment was unsealed Monday at Cardiff’s arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Cardiff, who is currently in federal custody, is scheduled to appear this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Brianna Fuller Mircheff for a continued hearing on the government’s motion to have him detained pending trial. The indictment alleges that Cardiff owned and operated Redwood Scientific Technologies, which sold various homeopathic thin film strip products to consumers. Between January 2018 and May 2018, Cardiff directed his employees to use the credit and debit card information associated with previous customers to charge for additional products that those customers had not ordered. The indictment further alleges that Cardiff ordered employees to destroy documents that were responsive to a Federal Trade Commission Civil Investigative Demand. “This indictment alleges a blatant ripoff that simply charged customers for products they never ordered,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We will remain vigilant to protect consumers from predatory businesses that exploit the trust placed in them by consumers.” “These charges reflect the department’s commitment to investigate unauthorized charges imposed on consumer accounts and hold criminals accountable for their wrongdoing,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will use all of the tools at its disposal to prosecute such schemes.” “The outstanding work by postal inspectors in this investigation uncovered a fraud scheme, where American consumers never received the products for which they were billed,” said Inspector in Charge Carroll Harris for the U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPIS), Los Angeles Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting American consumers from falling victim to these types of fraud schemes.” At his arraignment on Monday, Cardiff was ordered to stand trial on January 23. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Cardiff would face a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years for access device fraud, 20 years for witness tampering and a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment for aggravated identity theft. A United States District Court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. USPIS is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Valerie Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section, along with Justice Department Trial Attorneys Manu Sebastian and Brianna Gardner of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, are prosecuting the case.


title: St. Louis Man Who Struck Officer While Fleeing Sentenced to Prison

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri, who struck a St. Charles police officer while trying to flee was sentenced Thursday to 63 months in prison. On July 11, 2022, officers from the St. Charles Police Department were called to a Waffle House and found Ameer Raff-Covington, now 32, passed out behind the wheel of a Mazda SUV. Officers had also been told that Raff-Covington had been involved in a dispute with a waitress earlier. Once awakened, Raff-Covington refused to get out of the SUV and provided a false date of birth and Social Security number to police. After being told he was under arrest, Raff-Covington put the SUV in reverse, striking an officer in the knee and pinning him between his car and another vehicle, according to Raff-Covington’s plea agreement. Raff-Covington also struck two vehicles and two Ameren electrical boxes. He stopped when officers held him at gunpoint. After Raff-Covington was removed from the vehicle, officers found a stolen Glock handgun between the driver’s seat and the center console. Raff-Covington pleaded guilty in August to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The St. Charles County Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassandra Wiemken is prosecuting the case.


title: Las Vegas Doctor Convicted Of Unlawful Distribution Of Opioid Medications

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS — A federal jury in Las Vegas convicted a Las Vegas doctor Tuesday of unlawfully distributing opioid pain medications in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. William Alvear (68), of Las Vegas, unlawfully distributed Hydrocodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, has a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. In addition, Alvear unlawfully distributed and dispensed Alprazolam, common brand name Xanax. Alprazolam is a Schedule IV controlled substance that also has the potential for abuse and can lead to psychological or physical dependence. The jury convicted Alvear of three-counts of distributing a controlled substance – Schedule II and five-counts of distributing or dispensing a controlled substance – Schedule IV. The six-day jury trial was held before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva. Alvear faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, and three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Supriya Prasad and Kimberly Sokolich are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Omaha Attorney Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Nebraska attorney was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for filing false individual income tax returns. Thomas Campbell, of Bennington, pleaded guilty on July 27 to one count of filing a false tax return. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2014 and 2018, Campbell, a licensed attorney since 2011, was the owner and manager of TLN Law, a solo-practice law firm in Omaha. Campbell controlled the law firm’s finances and was aware of substantial amounts of cash payments his firm received for legal services. For 2014 through 2018, Campbell did not report over $2.8 million in cash his firm received, which flowed through to, and should have been reported on, his personal tax returns. In total, Campbell caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $400,000. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher ordered Campbell to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $407,665 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr for the District of Nebraska made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Mahana Weidler of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Ferretti for the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.


title: St. Louis County Man Who Altered and Deposited Stolen Checks Sentenced to Prison

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Thursday sentenced a man who fraudulently deposited checks stolen from St. Louis area businesses to two years in prison. Jacob Wolf, 35, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty in August to a felony bank fraud charge and admitted hatching a scheme to defraud banks by acquiring and depositing checks stolen from the mailboxes of St. Louis area businesses. The names of the intended recipients on the stolen checks were removed and replaced. Wolf also obtained identification documents belonging to others and posed as those other people when trying to deposit checks. Wolf tried to fraudulently deposit checks totaling $84,557, but only successfully received $11,163.76, his plea agreement says. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuted the case.


title: Five defendants convicted of health care kickback conspiracy

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: TYLER, Texas – Five defendants, including laboratory executives and hospital executives, were found guilty of conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Susan L. Hertzberg, 65, of New York, New York; Matthew John Theiler, 57, of Mars, Pennsylvania; David Weldon Kraus, 65, of Loudon, Tennessee; Thomas Gray Hardaway, 51 of San Antonio, Texas; and Jeffrey Paul Madison, 48, Georgetown, Texas, were found guilty by a jury on November 30, 2023, following a seven-week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. “Patients should be able to trust that their physicians are ordering tests and making laboratory referrals based on what is best for the patient, and not because the physicians are looking to pad their pockets with profits from kickbacks,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “For several years, these defendants utilized an elaborate marketing scheme to facilitate payments to physicians in return for the physicians’ laboratory referrals. Improper financial relationships such as these undermine the integrity of federally-funded healthcare programs by influencing physician decision-making. This case emphasizes our District’s commitment to justice by pursuing both the hospital and lab executives who sought to influence the physicians and the physicians who accepted the illegal kickbacks.” “The reach of HHS-OIG is far and wide. Our agents and law enforcement partners will not be deterred by the scope of a health care fraud investigation or the location of its’ defendants,” said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Dallas Region. “Kickback arrangements, regardless of their intended complexity, will always be an investigative priority for our agency.” “The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of TRICARE, the health care system for military members and their dependents,” said Gregory P. Shilling, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of DCIS’s Southwest Field Office. “Today's guilty verdicts send a clear message that DCIS, along with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will diligently pursue fraudsters who seek self-enrichment by undermining the integrity of this critical program.” On January 12, 2022, Hertzberg, Theiler, Kraus, Hardaway, and Madison, as well as Jeffrey Paul Parnell, 55, of Tyler; Laura Spain Howard, 49, of Allen; Todd Dean Cook, 58, Wimauma, Florida; William Todd Hickman, 60, of Lumberton; Christopher Roland Gonzales, 47, of McKinney; Ruben Daniel Marioni, 39, of Spring; Jordan Joseph Perkins, 39, of Conroe; Elizabeth Ruth Seymour, 40, of Corinth; Linh Ba Nguyen, 59, of Dallas; Thuy Ngoc Nguyen, 55, of Dallas; Joseph Gil Bolin, of Dallas; Heriberto Salinas, 63, of Cleburne; and Hong Davis, 55, of Lewisville, were indicted for conspiring to commit illegal remunerations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs. The defendants were charged for their roles in a conspiracy through which physicians were incentivized to make referrals to rural hospitals and an affiliated lab in exchange for kickbacks which were disguised as investment returns; and in which marketers were incentivized to arrange for or recommend the ordering of services from rural hospitals and an affiliated lab. Two rural Texas hospitals, Little River Healthcare (LRH) based in Rockdale, and Stamford Memorial Hospital based in Stamford, partnered with Boston Heart Diagnostics (BHD), a clinical laboratory based in Framingham, Massachusetts, that specialized in advanced cardiovascular lipid testing. For a fee, BHD processed the blood tests while the hospitals billed the tests to insurers as hospital outpatient services, with the hospitals charging insurers a much higher rate than BHD could receive as a clinical laboratory. The hospitals utilized a network of marketers who in turn operated management services organizations (MSOs) that offered investment opportunities to physicians throughout the State of Texas. In reality, the MSOs were simply a means to facilitate payments to physicians in return for the physicians’ laboratory referrals. Pursuant to the kickback scheme, the hospitals paid a portion of their laboratory revenues to marketers, who in turn kicked back a portion of those funds to the referring physicians who ordered BHD tests from the hospitals or from BHD directly. BHD executives and sales force personnel leveraged the MSO kickbacks to gain and increase referrals and, in turn, to increase their revenues, bonuses, and commissions. Parnell, Howard, Cook, Hickman, Gonzales, Marioni, Perkins, Seymour, Thuy Nguyen, Salinas, and Davis pleaded guilty prior to trial. In January 2022, Robert O’Neal, 65, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit illegal remunerations, in violation of Anti-Kickback Statute, and with conspiracy to commit money laundering. His role in the kickback conspiracy was to arrange for physician referrals and recommend the ordering of services to the rural hospitals and BHD. O’Neal also had kickback proceeds laundered on his behalf and, at times various times, obtained proceeds from the kickback conspiracy. In July 2023, Peter J. Bennett, 49, of Houston, was convicted of money laundering conspiracy, money transmitting conspiracy, and perjury. According to information presented in court, Bennett created sham trusts and shell corporations through which he laundered at least $2,724,080.41 in healthcare kickback proceeds. Bennett used his law firm’s Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA), operating account, and a personal bank account to launder and transmit the kickback proceeds. The defendants face up to five years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce - Export Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian Garcia, Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld, Lucas Machicek, and Robert Austin Wells. ###


title: Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office named in award for prosecutions targeting major drug trafficking operations

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Award recipients who attended the Atlanta ceremony for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Special Group Achievement Award include Blake Dill, with Customs and Border Protection (from left); Jacob Royal, with the Blackshear Police Department; Kristeena Jackson-Billiot, with the Drug Enforcement Administration; Barry Ripley, Georgia Ports Authority Police Department; Brandon Carver, Appling County Sheriff’s Office; AUSA Marcela Mateo; Jason Peters, DEA; Jason Kennedy, DEA; AUSA John Harper; Shawn Fields, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office; AUSA Frank Pennington; DEA Group Supervisor Deverron “Ram” Ramcheran; U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg; and Linh Vuong, DEA. SAVANNAH, GA: Prosecutors with the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office are among the recipients of an award celebrating success in investigating, prosecuting and dismantling major drug trafficking operations in Georgia and beyond. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg announced receipt of the Special Group Achievement Award from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Southeast Region, recognizing the efforts of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force Group that includes the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office. Three federal prosecutors – Assistant U.S. Attorney and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank M. Pennington II and John P. Harper III – are named in the award, along with individuals and task force officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies. “This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding success of the collaborative efforts between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in disrupting regional and transnational drug trafficking and money laundering operations,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The award is a visible symbol of their unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe.” The Special Group Achievement Award recognizes a group of individuals who demonstrate a commitment to OCDETF’s mission and goals, including its principal strength in partnership through multi-agency cooperation. The investigations and prosecutions named as part of the award are credited with the seizure of more than 2,200 kilos of cocaine; more than 18,000 kilos of marijuana; approximately 56 kilos of heroin; dozens of firearms; and approximately $13 million, with more than 60 defendants prosecuted as result of indictments from the investigations. In addition to the prosecutors from the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office, recipients of the award and their agencies at the time of the operations include DEA Group Supervisor Deverron M. Ramcheran, Intelligence Analyst Kristeena Jackson-Billiot, and special agents Lupersio Perez, Jason Peters, Linh Vuong, and Jason Kennedy; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Harry D. Hamrick; Customs and Border Protection Agent Blake R. Dill; Georgia Ports Authority Police Department Investigator Barry T. Ripley; GBI Special Agent Nicholas K. McNeal; Chatham-Savannah County Narcotics Investigators Joseph Hood, with the Savannah Police Department, and Thomas Hicks, with the Thunderbolt Police Department; Investigators Ryan Alexander with the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, Shawn E. Fields with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Robert L. Livingston with the Treutlen County Sheriff’s Office, Thimothy G. Burris with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Carver with the Appling County Sheriff’s Office, and Michael Lewis with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office; and Investigators Jacob T. Royal with the Blackshear Police Department, and Willie J. Tyler with the Richmond Hill Police Department. Operations cited in the OCDETF award include: Operation Apex: This investigation targeted a transnational criminal organization operating within the United States and abroad with activities ranging from harvest and distribution of shark fins and other illegal seafood products, and resulted in the seizure of tons of cocaine and marijuana, and more than $11 million in laundered proceeds including diamonds, gold, silver and jewelry. Twelve defendants were prosecuted as a result of the investigation. Operation Hear My Train A-Comin’: Agents from the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations targeted a transnational criminal organization using container vessels to smuggle bulk quantities of cocaine and other illegal drugs from South America and the Caribbean to European ports by way of the Port of Savannah. The operation seized more than 1,200 kilos of cocaine and approximately $664,000 in cash. Operation Snow Plow: In conjunction with the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, this investigation targeted a major drug trafficking organization in the Savannah area, and resulted in 29 federal arrests from Georgia, Florida and Texas and the seizure of nearly 40 kilos of cocaine and other drugs, 38 firearms, nearly $600,000 in cash and 11 vehicles. Operation Monroe Doctrine: Centered in the greater Laurens County area, this operation seized nearly 20 pounds of methamphetamine, 86 firearms, nearly $50,000 in cash and resulted in the prosecution of 29 defendants on drug trafficking charges. Operation Deadlier Catch: In collaboration with the FBI, this investigation in the Chatham County area resulted in nearly 60 arrests on drug trafficking charges, along with the seizure of more than 24 kilos of cocaine, 126 pounds of marijuana, three kilos of heroin, 14 firearms, and $1.5 million in cash and other assets.


title: Placer County Doctor Charged with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Khursheed Haider, 48, of Roseville, charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Haider, a Sacramento Area pulmonologist, used an application called Wire to post, distribute, and request child pornography that included videos and images of prepubescent boys and girls being sexually abused. After a search warrant was executed, agents discovered additional prepubescent child sexual abuse material on one or more of Haider’s electronic devices. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Klein is prosecuting the case. If convicted of distribution of child pornography, Haider faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of child pornography, Haider faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Five persons sentenced to federal prison in international drug and money laundering operation

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Jason Arias, Daniel Newton, Anthony Blair, David Barros, Shondra Vernon, and Madison Rene Kelleher have been sentenced for their participation in a conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States from the Dominican Republic in the checked baggage of airline travelers. “These defendants exploited our country’s airline carriers to carry out a large-scale drug trafficking operation,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “For several years, the defendants imported a great deal of cocaine into the United States but eventually were arrested and prosecuted thanks to the diligent work of our federal and local law enforcement partners.” “Anthony Blair orchestrated a drug trafficking conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the United States, destroying communities and putting countless lives at risk,” said Acting Special Agent in charge Travis Pickard who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “This sentence is the culmination of a great investigation executed by HSI and its partners and its success is directly related to their hard work and professionalism. We will continue to exhaust all resources and use all of our available assets to pursue those criminals and organizations involved in bringing poison into our communities.” “Customs and Border Protection officers work side by side with our law enforcement partners to keep dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said Zachary Thomas, CBP Area Port Director Atlanta. “Narcotics interdiction remains an enforcement priority for CBP, and it is one of the many ways CBP helps protect our citizens and the public.” Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division stated, “Through hard work, this illegal drug distribution and money laundering network has been removed from our streets. This criminal enterprise had no regard for the potential impact of their actions.” “Anytime law enforcement agencies work together to stop illegal activities, it is a win for communities locally, nationally, and internationally,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “The conviction of this group proves the effectiveness of our law enforcement partnerships, the dedication of the members of the various agencies that protect the world’s busiest airport, and our commitment to bringing criminals to justice.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: From approximately 2015 through June of 2018, these defendants and members of their conspiracy obtained cocaine in Costa Rica, concealed the drugs in sealed cans labeled as food, and smuggled the contraband into the United States in checked luggage. Jason Arias obtained and packaged the cocaine in Costa Rica. Anthony Blair then recruited over 60 travelers in Atlanta to agree to an “all-expenses paid” vacation to Costa Rica to assist with the transport of the drugs into the United States. As a part of the scheme, the recruited travelers, when ready to depart Costa Rica, met with Arias who arranged for the travelers to bring purported souvenirs to Blair and others in the United States. In fact, the souvenirs included sealed cans containing kilograms of cocaine. After the cocaine was sold, profits were reinvested in the enterprise, smuggled back to Costa Rica, and spent to support the defendants’ extravagant lifestyles, including the rental of a $14,000 per month Atlanta-area apartment. In total, the organization imported more than 150 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. The conspiracy unraveled when U.S. Customs and Border Protection special agents located cocaine in the luggage of two travelers and arrested Blair when he arrived to meet the travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The following defendants have been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May for their respective roles in the drug trafficking conspiracy: Anthony Blair, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $434,195 in drug profits to the United States. Blair was convicted of multiple narcotics and money laundering offenses following a jury trial on May 23, 2023. David Barros, 37, of Taunton, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Barros was convicted of multiple narcotics and money laundering offenses following a jury trial on May 23, 2023. Jason Arias, 39, of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been sentenced to four years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Arias was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering on August 10, 2020, after he pleaded guilty. Daniel Newton a/k/a “Russia,” 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been sentenced to one year and one month in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Newton was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine and money laundering on September 12, 2019, after he pleaded guilty. Shondra Vernon a/k/a “Frenchie,” 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Vernon was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine on November 9, 2021, after she pleaded guilty. Madison Rene Kelleher, 32, of Fall River, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to three years of probation. Kelleher was convicted of money laundering conspiracy on November 19, 2019, after she pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Atlanta Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler A. Mann and Calvin A. Leipold III prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: California Man Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Huntington Park, California, man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing 2.6 pounds of cocaine, which he carried hidden in a suitcase while travelling by bus through Kansas City, Mo. Alan E. Sanchez, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to eight years and one month in federal prison without parole. On July 18, 2023, Sanchez was found guilty at trial of one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. A detective with the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics (MOWIN) Task Force approached Sanchez at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station as he got off the bus, which originated in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2021. Sanchez, who had a bus ticket with an ending destination in Baltimore, Maryland, was carrying a soft-sided suitcase. He claimed to have dirty clothes in the bag, but nothing illegal, and agreed to let officers search his luggage. When the detective searched the suitcase, he found a bundle that contained approximately 1,133.98 grams (2.6 pounds) of cocaine. Sanchez also had $2,626 in cash. Evidence was presented during the trial that Sanchez was conspiring with another drug-trafficking mule who was on the same bus, who was transporting nearly two kilograms of cocaine. Testimony during the trial indicated that Sanchez had transported illegal drugs previously and was planning to smuggle illegal drugs from Mexico to the United States. When cocaine is broken down it can sell on the street for as much as $100 per gram; Sanchez personally was transporting nearly $100,000 worth of cocaine, indicating that he had earned the trust of his co-conspirators. According to court documents, Sanchez made false statements and perjured himself at trial in an effort to obstruct justice, which was a factor considered by the court in determining his sentence. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trey Alford and John C. Constance. It was investigated by the Kansas City Interdiction Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses and Possessing Car Stolen from Norfolk Southern Railyard

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NORMAN ANDREWS , age 23, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on November 28, 2023 before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to possession of a car stolen from the Norfolk Southern Automotive Distribution Facility, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 659; possession with intent to distribute tapentadol and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). According to court documents, ANDREWS was arrested, following a brief chase, on February 11, 2023 in the French Quarter by a New Orleans Police Department officer. When ANDREWS was finally apprehended, he possessed a Glock Model 19x firearm with a loaded, extended magazine containing 31 rounds, a black ski mask, two blister packs of tapentadol, two bags of marijuana, and over $2,000 in cash. On March 27, 2023, a Ford Explorer Timberline was stolen from the Norfolk Southern Automotive Distribution Facility. Andrews was observed on surveillance video driving the Ford Explorer, two days after it was stolen. For possessing the stolen car, ANDREWS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. For possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and a minimum of three years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. For possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, ANDREWS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 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. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Blue Springs Man Sentenced for Meth Conspiracy

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Blue Springs, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Kenneth James Paulson, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 10 years in federal prison without parole. On Nov. 16, 2022, Paulson pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Aug. 11 to Oct. 14, 2020. Paulson is the third and final defendant to be sentenced in this case. Louis Melvin Williamson, 52, of Independence, Mo., was sentenced on May 16, 2023, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Kurt Thomas Kingsley, 41, of Independence, was sentenced on April 6, 2023, to seven years in federal prison without parole. Williamson sold bulk quantities of methamphetamine to other dealers, including Kingsley, who in turn sold to Paulson. Williamson also sold smaller quantities to methamphetamine users. Paulson admitted that he purchased methamphetamine from Kingsley and sold bulk quantities to lower level dealers. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, through undercover agents and confidential informants, made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Paulson at his home and at a movie theater parking lot in Grain Valley, Mo. On Oct. 13, 2020, DEA agents stopped Paulson’s car in Blue Springs while he was on his way to another undercover controlled purchase. Agents found 145 grams of 99 percent pure methamphetamine in his car. Agents also searched his residence and found 226 grams of 99 percent pure methamphetamine in his garage. Agents also found a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver in his garage. On Oct. 14, 2020, Kingsley arrived at Paulson’s residence for an arranged drug sale. DEA agents found a black backpack on the passenger’s seat of Kingsley’s Ford F-150 that contained 46.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Gibson. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Man Gets 11+ Years in Prison for Aiding St. Louis County Armed Robbery, Gun Crime

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Thursday sentenced a man to 11 years and five months in prison for helping rob a St. Louis County Boost Mobile store in 2021. Damonta Bridges, who is a convicted felon, also admitted possessing a firearm in a carjacked vehicle. Bridges was present at a Boost Mobile store at 12135 Bellefontaine Road on Aug. 9, 2021 when his co-defendant, Kadijah McFadden, pointed a firearm at a store employee and demanded cash. McFadden stole about $630. She and Bridges also stole mobile phones. On Sept. 5, 2021, Bridges was a passenger in a 2017 Jeep Cherokee that McFadden had carjacked at gunpoint earlier that day. McFadden was driving. After police spotted the stolen vehicle, Bridges threw a Stoeger 9m pistol out of the window. Both McFadden and Bridges were caught by police after McFadden crashed. Bridges, 31, pleaded guilty in August to a robbery charge and a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McFadden was sentenced in September to 15 years in prison. She pleaded guilty in December to carjacking, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Walker prosecuted the case.


title: 15 Charged after FBI Task Force Investigation into Waterbury Drug Trafficking Rings

body_text: United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo today announced that the following 15 individuals have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl in and around Waterbury: ANGEL QUIROS , aka “Papa John,” 34, Waterbury DANIEL DIAZ-RIVERA , a.k.a. “Danny,” “Lupin,” “Lupito,” and “L,” 31, Waterbury LUIS MUNOZ , aka “P.R.” and “Puerto Rico,” 39, Waterbury LUIS CRUZ , aka “Fat Boy” and “Goldo,” 26, Waterbury RICARDO VERDEJO , aka “Ricky,” 25, Waterbury JOSE RINCON , aka “Mexico,” 42, Prospect JESUS MALDONADO , aka “Zeus,” 34, Waterbury CARMELO CANCEL , aka “Bebe,” 30, Waterbury WILLIE REDD , 42, Naugatuck TOMMY FIGUEROA , aka “Coco,” 30, Waterbury JOSE DELROSARIO-CANELA , aka “Domi,” 38, Waterbury MICHELLE MORALES-RIOS , 31, New Britain AMBAR MORALES-RIVERA , aka “Gorda,” 34, Waterbury NEYSA VAZQUEZ-FERRER , 33, Waterbury OSCAR PENA-CRESPO , aka “Boti,” 28, Waterbury As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies have been conducting an investigation into drug trafficking in and around the city of Waterbury by drug organizations headed by Angel Quiros and Daniel Diaz-Rivera. The investigation, which has included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the Quiros and Diaz-Rivera organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers. Munoz, Cruz, Verdejo, Maldonado, Rincon, and Redd distributed drugs within the Quiros organization, which was based out of the William Street area of Waterbury, and Figueroa, Pena-Crespo, Delrosario-Canela, and Morales-Rios, distributed drugs within the Diaz-Rivera organization, which was based out of the Maple Avenue area of Waterbury. Morales-Rios, Vazquez-Ferrer, and Morales-Rivera packaged and stored narcotics. Carmelo Cancel supplied both organizations with narcotics, and investigators identified additional overlap between the two organizations. Fourteen of the defendants were arrested yesterday on criminal complaints, and Figueroa is currently detained in state custody. An additional five individuals were arrested on state charges. In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash. “We and our federal law enforcement partners continue our work with Waterbury Police to stifle the flow of dangerous narcotics into and around Waterbury, and federally prosecute those responsible,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “I thank the members of the FBI Task Force and all the agencies involved in this investigation and who assisted with today’s arrests. Their work is saving lives and making our communities safer.” “The FBI Joint Task Force execution of several search and arrest warrants in various locations in and around Waterbury concluded without incident or physical harm to anyone within those communities, and stolen firearms, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cash were among the items seized,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Fuller. “The individuals responsible for violating the law will now have to face the consequences of their actions and risk to Connecticut residents. We would like to thank all our incredible law enforcement partners for great collaboration and making Connecticut a bit safer today.” “The culmination of this investigation has addressed many issues tied to drug activity and violence in our City,” said Chief Spagnolo. “We are grateful for our partnerships with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The continued support we receive from our federal partners makes our community safer.” U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department are assisting the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Patrick Doherty through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case. ###


title: Missouri Man Indicted, Accused of Seeking Child Pornography Online

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from O’Fallon, Missouri was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday and accused of coercing two underage girls to send him images containing child pornography and the statutory rape of one of the girls. Andrew Haller, 33, was indicted on two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. Haller was initially charged by complaint November 14. Charging documents say the FBI received a tip about Haller in October alleging that a 15-year-old girl had met Haller online, communicated with him via Tumblr and Telegram and sent him nude pictures at his request. A motion seeking Haller’s detention until trial and a subsequent detention order say the second alleged victim is also 15, and that Haller traveled out of state to meet her. The indictment accuses Haller of the statutory rape of that girl. “It is common for child predators to lurk and prey where children spend time interacting with others on the internet. It is no different in the physical world,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “When it comes to online child exploitation, we need our children to know they are the victims and are not in trouble with the law so they feel comfortable telling a trusted adult.” The FBI is asking for information relevant to the investigation of Andrew Haller or any potential victims to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former U.S. Marine Pleads Guilty to Firebombing a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Orange County and Admits to Planning Additional Attacks

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for firebombing a Planned Parenthood clinic in March 2022 and admitted to plotting other attacks. Chance Brannon, 24, of San Juan Capistrano, who was an active-duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the offense, also admitted to making plans for additional attacks on a second Planned Parenthood clinic, a Southern California Edison substation, and an LGBTQ pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium. Brannon pleaded guilty to all counts of the four-count indictment: conspiracy, malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility – a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Brannon has been in custody since his arrest in June 2023. “This defendant exemplifies the insidious danger posed by domestic extremism,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “The defendant, who was a member of the U.S. military, admitted not only to attacking a Planned Parenthood facility but also to planning for attacks on the power grid and a pride celebration at Dodger Stadium. We must never waver in our commitment to protect the American people from violent extremist ideology.” “Extremist violence fueled by an insular hatred intended to intimidate law abiding Americans will not be tolerated,” said FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Don Alway. “It is crucial that individuals who seek reproductive health services be able to obtain them in an environment that is free from interference, intimidation, and fear. Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to defending the American people against such acts of cruelty.” “NCIS is a proud member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and we are committed to swiftly and thoroughly investigating those who perpetrate acts of terror against our fellow Americans,” said Special Agent in Charge Todd Battaglia of the NCIS Marine West Field Office. “This case represents the impact of close interagency coordination and should serve as a warning that we will seek out and defeat extremist intimidation and hate that threatens access to reproductive health services.” According to his plea agreement, in February and March of 2022, Brannon and his co-defendants – Tibet Ergul, 22, of Irvine, and Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Florida – conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property. Brannon considered various targets, including the Anti-Defamation League in San Diego, but ultimately chose to target a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa to scare pregnant women, deter doctors and staff from providing abortion services, and encourage similar violent acts. During the early morning hours of March 13, 2022, Brannon and Ergul ignited and threw the Molotov cocktail at the clinic, striking the clinic entrance. Brannon admitted in his plea agreement that, in May 2022, he counseled Batten on how to “get away with” committing a similar attack to the Costa Mesa one. In June 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade , its 1973 ruling that recognized a constitutional right to abortion, Brannon and Ergul planned to use a second Molotov cocktail to damage or destroy a second Planned Parenthood clinic. Brannon further admitted that beginning sometime in 2022 and continuing through the time of their arrests, Ergul and he discussed starting a race war by attacking an electrical substation with the goal of disrupting the functioning of the power grid in Orange County. On a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace bearing the motto for the Marine Corps, Brannon kept a file containing an operation plan and a gear list for targeting a Southern California Edison substation. Brannon possessed several items on the gear list, including a specific rifle with “Total [N-word] Death” written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shooting, in which a white supremacist murdered 51 people and injured 40 others. Throughout the early summer of 2023, Brannon and Ergul also discussed and researched how to attack Dodger Stadium on a night celebrating LGBTQ pride, including by using a remote-detonated device. As part of those conversations, Brannon shared a “WW2 sabotage manual” with Ergul, discussed doing “dry runs” to “case” the stadium, and conducted research on Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. Brannon and Ergul were arrested two days before the event. At the time of his arrest, Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle and two silencers, which he had not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney scheduled an April 15, 2024 sentencing hearing, at which time Brannon will face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of the conspiracy and malicious destruction counts as well as a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of those counts. The count of possession of an unregistered destructive device is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. The intentional damage to a reproductive health facility charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison. Ergul and Batten have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. They are scheduled to go to trial on March 19, 2024. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the Costa Mesa Police Department and the Costa Mesa Fire Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: 2 defendants plead guilty in case involving armed robbery of mail carrier

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two defendants pleaded guilty in federal court here today to crimes related to an April 2023 armed robbery of a mail carrier. Da’mon D. May, 18, of Columbus, and Cody N. Beasley, also known as “Drose,” 22, of Columbus, are two of three defendants charged in this case. According to court documents, on April 4 at 3:20pm, May and Mahad S. Jama, 21, of Westerville, robbed at gunpoint a USPS letter carrier who was sitting in his work vehicle on Sawmill Road in Dublin. Jama allegedly approached the USPS vehicle, brandished a handgun that May provided him, and demanded the carrier’s U.S. Postal Service key. Beasley aided and abetted them in that robbery. The defendants robbed the worker of an “arrow key” that gives access to mail collection boxes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and partner law enforcement agencies continue to investigate a network of individuals involved in robbing or stealing U.S. Postal Service keys for the purpose of stealing checks from collection boxes. Two additional defendants were charged in a separate indictment in Columbus in August for four different armed robberies against U.S. Postal carriers. May admitted in his plea that he provided Jama a 9mm handgun just prior to the robbery. On April 13, investigators discovered the stolen Postal key at May’s residence. May pleaded guilty this morning to aiding and abetting the aggravated robbery of property of the United States, a crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison, and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence, which carries a potential sentence of at least seven years and up to life in prison. Beasley pleaded guilty to possessing stolen mail in another district and to aiding and abetting the aggravated robbery of property of the United States in the current case. Beasley admitted to stealing a Postal key in March 2023 in the Cleveland area. He and Jama were stopped for a traffic violation in Parma Heights and fled from law enforcement. Officers eventually detained the men and searched the vehicle they had been using, discovering a black trash bag with numerous pieces of mail that had not yet been postmarked. A search of Beasley’s phone also revealed pictures of stolen checks and research about 38 Post Offices and blue USPS collection boxes in Cleveland. While Beasley and Jama were detained in jail together for the crimes in the Northern District of Ohio, Beasley admits he began planning for a new Postal robbery in Dublin. Beasley directed the April 4 armed robbery and later paid Jama for his alleged role in the theft. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at future hearings. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Lesley C. Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; announced the guilty pleas entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Noah R. Litton and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: California Businessman Pleads Guilty to COVID-Relief Fraud

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 30, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Sean Winston, the CEO of Atlas Capital Management, LLC, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he fraudulently obtained $875,900 from COVID-19 pandemic-era loan programs. According to his plea agreement, Winston held Atlas Capital Management out to the public as an entity that financed business projects, but in fact performed no business and was a shell corporation. Winston admitted that he submitted five loan and loan-forgiveness applications containing false statements to trick lenders into giving his company relief funds. Winston submitted fabricated bank account records, false payroll data, and a fake IRS Form 1120-S to create the illusion that Atlas Capital Management qualified for various pandemic era loans. Winston admitted that he used the borrowed funds to pay his personal expenses and purchase luxury vehicles, such as a 2021 Lamborghini Urus, 2018 Rolls Royce Dawn, 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, and 2021 Cadillac Escalade. On September 28, 2023, federal law enforcement agents seized the vehicles and money in two bank accounts. Winston agreed to forfeit the cars and money to the United States. The defendant applied for loans through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which was enacted on March 27, 2020, to provide more than $2 trillion of economic relief to workers, families, small businesses, industry sectors and other levels of government that were hit hard by the public health crisis created by COVID-19. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to temporarily guarantee loans under a new loan program titled the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Under the PPP, financial institutions made loans to qualified borrowers, and the SBA backed the loans. Borrowers agreed to use the PPP loans to cover payroll costs and certain eligible nonpayroll costs. In some cases, the borrower could apply for forgiveness of the loan. If approved for forgiveness, the SBA paid the loan for the borrower. One of Winston’s loans was forgiven. The CARES Act also authorized the SBA to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). Winston also submitted a false EIDL application. Borrowers agreed to use EIDL funds solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the disaster. Working capital expenses included payroll expenses, sick leave, production costs, and ordinary business obligations, like debts, rent, and mortgage payments. Winston is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes on March 4, 2024. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Christopher Beeler and Carl F. Brooker, IV. DEFENDANT Case Number 23-CR-2441-WQH Sean K. Winston Age: 44 Chino Hills, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1343 Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine AGENCY Homeland Security Investigations


title: Goshen Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison And Ordered to Pay $2,313,873.28 in Restitution

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Earl D. Miller, 44 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced today by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio on guilty verdicts returned by a federal jury after a five-day jury trial in May 2022, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. On May 13, 2022, Miller was found guilty by the federal trial jury of five counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud. That same jury acquitted Miller of one count of wire fraud and one count of bankruptcy fraud. Miller was sentenced to 97 months in prison, 1 year of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,313,873.28 in restitution. According to documents in the case, Miller became the sole owner of “5 Star”, a real estate investment firm, in July of 2014. Through 5 Star and it its numerous related entities, Miller obtained funds from multiple investors’ by fraudulently telling them he would invest their funds in certain real estate investments but then actually using their funds in other ways, such as paying interest to other investors, investing in non-disclosed entities, paying for a spiritual advisor and a pontoon boat. From July of 2014 to January of 2016, Miller made over $4.5 million worth of payments from 5 Star accounts to entities not disclosed or approved by investors. Approximately 80% of investors in 5 Star were Amish or Mennonite. On January 25, 2016, Miller filed petitions for bankruptcy relief on behalf of eleven 5 Star related business entities. In these bankruptcy proceedings, the United States Trustee appointed a chapter 11 trustee to administer the cases, and the chapter 11 trustee was able to recover some improper payments Miller had made and, on July 2, 2018, negotiate an agreement with Miller to pay $600,000 to the bankruptcy estates. As of April 2021, he had only paid approximately $36,000.00 of the agreed amount to the bankruptcy estates. United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said, “The essence of this defendant’s crime is that he convinced people to invest in businesses by telling them a lie: that their money would be invested one way, while he used those funds in other ways. Mr. Miller’s crimes are particularly offensive because trial evidence showed that he perpetrated his fraud against Amish and Mennonite community members. This case shows that my office will vigorously prosecute affinity frauds.” “Today’s sentencing should serve as a strong reminder that there are consequences for this illegal behavior and those who choose fraud will be held accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our partners will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those engaging in criminal behavior.” “Today’s sentence shows that abusive and fraudulent conduct will not be tolerated, and the bankruptcy system and its integrity will be protected through the commitment of U.S. Attorney Johnson and our law enforcement partners,” said Nancy J. Gargula, the United States Trustee for Indiana and the Central and Southern District of Illinois (Region 10). The United States Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. Region 10 is headquartered in Indianapolis with additional office in South Bend, IN and Peoria, IL. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Northern Indiana Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group coordinated by Region 10 U.S. Trustee Nancy J. Gargula. The U.S. Security Exchange Commission along with the Fairfax County Virginia and Salinas California Police Departments also assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John M. Maciejczyk and Jerome W. McKeever


title: Former WVDEP Official Sentenced for Theft of Federal Grant Funds

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jerry D. Elkins, 54, of Danville, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including 10 months on home detention, and ordered to pay $94,197.93 in restitution for theft from programs receiving federal funds. Elkins admitted to fraudulently obtaining $94,197.93 of federal abandoned mine land (AML) remediation sub-grant funds while employed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Elkins also set up a shell limited liability company to receive a portion of the sub-grant award funds and created fraudulent invoices in an attempt to conceal the nature of the payments. According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about April 2017 until on or about August 7, 2019, Elkins assisted Aleksey Krylov and one of Krylov’s companies with their application for a DEP AML pilot program sub-grant. The DEP receives grant funding from the United States Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) for, among other purposes, accelerating the remediation of eligible sites for economic revitalization and community development purposes under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. Since 2016, West Virginia has received $181 million in AMLER block grant funds. Numerous private entities apply to receive AML sub-grants, and the process for selecting projects to receive sub-grant awards is competitive. Elkins was initially a regional planner and later an inspector for the DEP during the time period, and had become acquainted with Krylov prior to joining the DEP. Krylov and his company proposed to construct and operate an aquaponics facility that would produce commercial quantities of vegetables and fruits at a project site near Madison. To assist Krylov and his company, Elkins collected water samples, obtained public support, boosted Krylov’s project internally at DEP, provided his opinion and suggestions for improving the sub-grant application, and continuously monitored the application’s status. In August and September 2018, Elkins registered a limited liability company, Wanaque River Holdings LLC (“Wanaque”), in Delaware and opened a bank account for Wanaque at a bank in Charleston, West Virginia, in order to receive and obscure payments from Krylov. Elkins admitted that Wanaque had no other legitimate business purpose besides receiving funds from Krylov and Krylov’s companies. Elkins further admitted that he directed the creation of a third-party pay-bill account through Bill.com, a cloud-based payments platform, that was used to send invoices from Wanaque to companies under Krylov’s control. From about October 19, 2018, through about August 7, 2019, Wanaque received $94,197.93 in electronic fund transfers and checks from Krylov and his companies. Elkins admitted that the $94,197.34 originated from the aquaponics project’s sub-grant reimbursements from the DEP and were ultimately diverted to him. Elkins further admitted that he had no right to receive those funds and fraudulently converted them to his own use. Elkins also admitted to taking steps to hide, conceal and cover up his activity and the nature and scope of his dealings with Krylov. Those steps included failing to list his interest in Wanaque when he signed the federal OSMRE State Employee Statement of Employment and Financial Interest form on February 20, 2019. Krylov, 42, of South Orange, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting theft from programs receiving federal funds on July 27, 2023, and awaits sentencing. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the investigative work of the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations, and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Robeson and Holly Wilson prosecuted the case. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-78. ###


title: Nicholas County Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jolene Myers, 41, of Mount Nebo, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 19, 2022, Myers sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant outside of a Summersville-area business. Myers admitted to that transaction and further admitted to selling methamphetamine to the confidential informant on three other occasions in Nicholas County. On April 9, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Myers on Mount Lookout Road in Nicholas County. Myers admitted that officers found a quantity of methamphetamine in her pants and a SCCY Model CPX-1, 9mm pistol in her purse when they searched her and the vehicle. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Central West Virginia Task Force. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-53. ###


title: Florida Promoter of Tax Fraud Scheme Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for promoting a scheme to file false documents with the IRS to fraudulently obtain large tax refunds. Rafael Ramos, of Orlando, pleaded guilty on Sept. 5 to conspiring to defraud the United States, filing a false tax return, and aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. According to court documents and statements made in court, Ramos recruited clients and prepared tax returns on their behalf that falsely claimed banks and other financial institutions had withheld large amounts of taxes from the clients’ incomes, thereby entitling them to refunds from the IRS. To further the scheme, Ramos and his co-conspirators filed with the IRS false documents purporting to have been issued by banks to support the false withholding information reported on the returns. When the IRS initiated proceedings to collect the fraudulently-issued refunds, Ramos held meetings with his clients and attempted to obstruct the IRS’s efforts by providing clients with frivolous correspondence to send to the IRS, instructing clients to falsely inform the IRS that they self-prepared their returns, and telling clients to move funds out of their bank accounts to avoid IRS levies. In total, Ramos’s scheme caused a tax loss to the IRS of over $1.15 million. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron ordered Ramos to serve two years of supervised release and to pay approximately $594,685 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida and Tara K. Reed IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Acting Special Agent in Charge made the announcement. IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Jeffrey McLellan, Ezra Spiro and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Child Support

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jancent M. Powell, 39, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $44,628.39 in restitution for failure to pay child support obligations. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 18, 2013, the Family Court of Wood County, West Virginia, ordered Powell to pay $361 a month in child support for his twin daughters. Powell admitted that he made only six of the monthly payments, all in 2014. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-100. ###


title: Kanawha County Woman Sentenced for Federal Fraud Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tonja Oakes, 58, of Cross Lanes, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including eight months on home detention, and ordered to pay $21,943.80 in restitution for wire fraud. Oakes admitted to defrauding the American Red Cross (ARC) while employed at its Cross Lanes office. According to court documents and statements made in court, the ARC hired Oakes in 2015 as a business operations specialist, and her duties included acting as the purchasing agent for the ARC Central Appalachian Region. On March 9, 2019, Oakes began working as the executive assistance to the chief executive officer of the ARC Central Appalachian Region. Among her duties in that position, Oakes reviewed monthly statements of credit cards issued by ARC to certain employees and approved the statements for payment. This position allowed Oakes to review and approve her own expenditures. Oakes admitted to making multiple unauthorized purchases with ARC-provided credit cards from at least February 17, 2017 through at least October 5, 2020. Oakes further admitted that the unauthorized transactions included a $973.77 payment for servicing a 2011 Kia Sorento on June 8, 2020. Other unauthorized purchases by Oakes included buying items while on vacation in South Carolina, groceries, and personal items purchased on Amazon. Oakes admitted that she used her employment position to review and approve her credit card statements, even though she knew many of the payments were unauthorized. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Blackwell and Holly Wilson prosecuted the case. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-67. ###


title: Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Perry Johnson Jr., 29, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Johnson admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that operated in the Charleston area. According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about November 28, 2022, Johnson conducted phone calls with co-conspirator Alexandria Jasmine Estep, during which he arranged to sell multiple pounds of methamphetamine to her. Johnson arranged for the methamphetamine to be delivered by third parties in a vehicle to Estep’s Charleston residence the following day. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Estep, 22, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on November 15, 2023, and awaits sentencing. Johnson and Estep are among 32 individuals indicted as a result of Operation Smoke and Mirrors, a major drug trafficking investigation that has yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. Law enforcement seized well over 400 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash. Johnson, Estep and 22 other defendants have pleaded guilty. Indictments against the other defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-33. ###


title: Physician sentenced for $1.2M pill mill scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A Texas doctor has been sentenced to seven years in prison for operating a pill mill clinic that unlawfully prescribed over 600,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury convicted Dr. Oscar Lightner, 73, Laredo, April 11 of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and conspiracy. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lightner and Andres Martinez Jr., 29, Laredo, operated Jomori Health and Wellness (Jomori), a purported Houston pain management clinic, as a pill mill. Lightner, who was the owner of and physician at Jomori, unlawfully prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances — including of hydrocodone, carisoprodol and alprazolam — to his patients without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash payments ranging from $250 to $500. Martinez, who was Jomori’s office manager and Lightner’s stepson, coordinated with crew leaders to bring multiple people, including individuals living in homeless shelters, into Jomori to pose as patients to obtain prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Jomori received over $1.2 million in cash over 14 months through its scheme that resulted in the unlawful distribution and dispensing of more than 600,000 opioids and other controlled substances. Martinez is set for sentencing Dec. 12 Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division made the announcement as well. The DEA conducted the investigation. Trial Attorneys Monica Cooper and Andrew Tamayo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Kenner Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Misprision of a Felony

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RYAN MOREAU , age 30, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 29, 2023 by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to time served, 1 year of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee after previously pleading guilty to misprision of a felony, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, on November 19, 2020, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy learned than an individual was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 after having purchased narcotics from his source of supply. Agents established surveillance along Interstate 10 and conducted a traffic stop of the truck. As the agents approached the truck, the front seat passenger gave a bag containing several ounces of methamphetamine to MOREAU . MOREAU , who was seated in the back seat, put the bag into a container of bleach that was also located on the back seat. As one of the agents approached, he saw a torn plastic bag with methamphetamine next to MOREAU . MOREAU admitted placing the methamphetamine in the container of bleach to avoid detection by law enforcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Shawn Michael Patton, 47, of Dunbar, was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 13, 2022, Patton sold 2 ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on the front porch of his Park Drive residence in Dunbar in exchange for $700. On February 9, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Patton’s residence and seized approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine from a bedroom chair and $14,572. On September 20, 2022, officers executed another search warrant at Patton’s residence and seized approximately 287 grams of methamphetamine, two firearms and $554. On October 5, 2022, Patton was arrested by officers and consented to a search of his residence. Officers seized approximately 25 grams of heroin, 379 grams of marijuana and $2,315. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case. 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. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-212. ###


title: Sugar Land business owner imprisoned for nine-year fraud scheme

body_text: HOUSTON – A 56-year-old business owner has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to commit mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Sudhakar Kalaga pleaded guilty March 6. U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has now ordered him to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $10,406,219 although the court noted that the restitution had already been paid. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from a representative of the victim company that described the losses the company incurred and how it had caused employees at the company to lose their jobs. In handing down the sentence, the court stated that while Kalaga was very active in his community, he had taken an oath when he became a U.S. citizen to defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States and was a coward for going along with the fraud. At the time of his plea, Kalaga admitted that from 2010 to 2019, he engaged in a bribery and bid rigging fraud scheme to secure construction and maintenance work contracts from a company with a manufacturing facility in Houston. Kalaga admitted he submitted fake bids from non-existent construction companies to the victim company’s facilities manager. This was designed to make it appear his companies’ bids were the lowest. In return, Kalaga paid the facilities manager millions of dollars in kickbacks. Kalaga failed to disclose he was submitting falsified bids and paying kickbacks from the victim company’s own funds. The victim company would not have paid Kalaga’s companies’ invoices had it known about the falsified bids or the kickback payments. Kalaga was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek prosecuted the case.


title: Fairbanks man arrested on child pornography, enticement of minor charges

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Fairbanks man was arrested by the FBI Tuesday at an Anchorage hotel on criminal charges related to his alleged attempts to produce child pornography and entice a minor. According to court documents, Dahkota Mitchell, 30, started communicating with and attempting to meet an individual that he believed was a 12-year-old girl on July 7, 2023. The conversation lasted for multiple months. The defendant used an online messaging application where he directed the individual to send explicit content, and discussed meeting in person and sexual interactions that would occur if they met in person. Mitchell is charged with one count attempted production of child pornography, in violation 18 U.S.C. §2251(a), one count attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §2251(b), and one count of possession for child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B), (b)(2). If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case. If anyone has information concerning Mitchell’s alleged actions or may have encountered someone using the username “daxter1495” or screenname “Dahkota Mitchell” on an online messaging app, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously online at tips.fbi.gov . Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carly Vosacek and Jennifer Ivers are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Physician Sentenced for $1.2M Pill Mill Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Texas doctor was sentenced today to seven years in prison for operating a pill mill clinic that unlawfully prescribed over 600,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. Oscar Lightner, 73, and Andres Martinez Jr., 29, both of Laredo, operated Jomori Health and Wellness (Jomori), a purported Houston pain management clinic, as a pill mill. Lightner, who was the owner of and physician at Jomori, unlawfully prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances — including of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and alprazolam — to his patients without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash payments ranging from $250 to $500. Martinez, who was Jomori’s office manager and Lightner’s stepson, coordinated with crew leaders to bring multiple people, including individuals living in homeless shelters, into Jomori to pose as patients to obtain prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Jomori received over $1.2 million in cash over 14 months through its scheme that resulted in the unlawful distribution and dispensing of over 600,000 opioids and other controlled substances. On April 11, Lightner and Martinez were convicted of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and conspiracy. Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division made the announcement. The DEA investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Monica Cooper and Andrew Tamayo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: St. Louis Sex Offender Admits Seeking Child Pornography Online

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A sex offender from St. Louis, Missouri on Thursday admitted seeking explicit images from teens online. James W. Rankin, 47, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of solicitation of child pornography and one count of transfer of obscene material. Rankin admitted communicating on an anonymous chat site with multiple individuals he believed to be underage and seeking explicit pictures from them. In January of 2023, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California were conducting an undercover investigation into internet-facilitated child exploitation when they received a message from Rankin. Using the screen name “Lonely_Nerd,” Rankin began communicating with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. After moving the conversation to the social media application Whisper, Rankin sent her a picture of his genitals, discussed going to California to pick her up and asked for sexually explicit pictures of her. Rankin also admitted in his plea agreement that he possessed child pornography on his cell phone and that he’d engaged in conversations via Whisper with individuals who identified themselves as minors. In those conversations, Rankin sought more sexually explicit pictures. Rankin was convicted of first-degree statutory rape of a minor under 14 in Greene County Circuit Court in 2021 and sentenced to five years in prison. He had been released on parole and was residing in a residential re-entry center at the time of his federal crimes. He was also convicted of endangering the welfare of a child and domestic assault in a 2017 Christian County, Missouri case after he engaged in sexual contact with a child under 17. The solicitation of child pornography charge carries a penalty of at least 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years because Rankin is a prior offender. The transfer of obscene material charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s office will ask for 20 years at Rankin’s sentencing, scheduled for March 5, 2024. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former Bixby Gun Store Owner Sentenced in Federal Court

body_text: U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell, sentenced Jeffery David Sutton, 55, to 157 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In Oct. 2022, Sutton was convicted by a federal jury for carrying, using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country. Judge Frizzell further ordered Sutton to pay $5,000 in restitution. In Dec. 2021, Sutton got into an argument with his girlfriend, whom he told to move out of his house. The girlfriend moved her things out the next day and was waiting for a ride to pick her up. Sutton changed his mind, returned home and the parties argued in the front yard. Sutton then went to his truck, pulled a handgun and started shooting at his girlfriend. He fired at least eight times toward her. Multiple bullets hit the doorway she was standing in, and one hit her in the chest. While Sutton was shooting at her, he stated he was going to kill her, as well as her family. Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department was the first to respond to the scene and found Sutton in the front lawn, with an empty firearm and he was taken into custody. Law enforcement personnel applied pressure to the victim’s wound. She was transported to the hospital, treated, and later released from the hospital. Court records show that Sutton was the owner of a Bixby gun store and trained in handling firearms. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The FBI, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven J. Briden and Kristin F. Harrington prosecuted the case.


title: Brownsville man admits to attempting to transport more than $200,000 of cocaine

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than four kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. On Oct. 4, Elias Garcia attempted to drive a Jeep Cherokee SUV through the primary inspection lane of the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. Soon thereafter, an X-ray of the vehicle showed the presence of an anomaly inside the vehicle’s battery compartment located beneath the driver’s seat. Authorities searched the vehicle and discovered four bundles of cocaine concealed within the battery. The weight of the cocaine was approximately four kilograms and had an estimated street value of more than $200,000. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing Feb. 21. At that time, Garcia faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a possible $5 million maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. BP and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.


title: Allentown Man Facing Federal Charges For Armed Robbery Spree

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Rubiel Perez, 29, of Allentown, Pennsylvania was arrested and charged by Indictment with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with three armed robberies that occurred over the course of two days in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The Indictment alleges that on March 28, 2023, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a firearm at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing. The following night, the defendant targeted a 7-Eleven convenience store on South Fourth Street in Allentown. There, he pointed a handgun at a store employee and threatened him, before stealing $150 from the store. Also on March 29 th , the defendant entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township, and attempted to rob the store by pointing a firearm at the store employee and threatening him. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 14 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.