title: Multi-Agency Lowcountry Take Down Results in Illegal Narcotics, Firearm Offenses, and Conspiracy Charges

body_text: CHARLESTON, S.C. — United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, announced that more than a dozen individuals were charged in federal court in connection with narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy offenses after a targeted violent crime reduction initiative in Walterboro and the surrounding areas. The indictments are a result of a series of coordinated arrests made following a targeted multi-agency investigation that spanned several months. During the investigation, the FBI assisted local and state law enforcement agencies in an advanced, intelligence-based, multi-faceted law enforcement operation. The purpose of the operation was to target criminal entities, specifically those engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as the unlawful possession and use of firearms. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials concentrated resources and personnel in these areas to curb the narcotics trafficking and its related violence. The joint investigation has led to 14 defendants facing federal charges. Agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and various dangerous drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to court documents: Trevor Courtney Fishburne, Jr., 34 of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of MDMA. Fishburne is currently serving a sentence for armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill and weapons offense in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Zaquann Ernest Hampton, 30, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of cocaine, 500 grams or more of cocaine base, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a quantity of heroin and a quantity of MDMA. Additionally, Hampton is charged with multiple counts of distribution of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl; two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Jaziah Samone Dresha Lewis, 27, of St. George, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Additionally, Lewis was charged with one count of possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a separate additional count of possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. Jamie Brown, 50, of Yemassee, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, a quantity of cocaine base and a quantity of fentanyl. Additionally, Brown is charged with possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl, possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Stephanie Hawkins, 37, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 4o grams or more of fentanyl. Additionally, Hawkins was charged with one count of possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Oshalum Grant, 27, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Grant was charged with one count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Matthew Rashaun Jones, 30, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, MDMA and fentanyl. Additionally, Jones was charged with possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl; possession of firearms by a prohibited person; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Brianna Alnisa Lawrence, 28, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Lawrence was charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and transfer of ammunition to a prohibited person. Rashawn Lymel Brown, 29, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Additionally, Brown was charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana; and one count of possession of a short-barreled rifle. Brittaney Smith, 28, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. James Joseph Young, III, 30, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Additionally, Young was charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine. Wanda Catrece Fishburne, 50, of Yemassee, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base. Additionally, Fishburne was charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine; possession of a firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. Jaden Tyrone Smith, 23, of Walterboro, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Richard Vernon Deas, 25, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Deas is currently serving a sentence for murder in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Florence County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Summerville Police Department and South Carolina Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys Carra Henderson and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. ###


title: Navajo Nation Man Sentenced to Prison for Second-Degree Murder

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A federal judge sentenced a man to federal prison for the December 2020 murder of his friend. Isaiah Augustine Bob , 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Bob was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim’s family for funeral expenses, as well as for expenses his victim’s family incurred cleaning up the blood and damage to the victim’s home that resulted from his killing. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, John Doe invited Bob , a lifelong family friend who was temporarily homeless, to reside with Doe in June 2020 at Doe’s residence in Church Rock, New Mexico. On December 4, 2020, Bob beat Doe to death following an argument at Doe’s home. Doe’s causes of death were determined to be blunt-force trauma to his head, torso, and extremities. On March 10, 2023, Bob pled guilty to second-degree murder in Indian Country. At sentencing, the federal judge found John Doe was a “vulnerable victim,” which means Doe was particularly susceptible to Bob ’s criminal conduct and thus was in need of greater societal protection than the average citizen. This finding resulted in an upward adjustment to Bob ’s sentencing-guideline level. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The case was investigated by Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander F. Flores and Zachary Jones prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over a Decade in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Far East Side Dollar General

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Devron Coleman, 39, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Interference of Commerce by Robbery, Brandishing a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. According to court documents, on August 30, 2023, Coleman entered the Dollar General store located on the far east side of Indianapolis and brandished a firearm at an employee, demanding cash from the register. Coleman inadvertently stole a tracking device from the store when he collected the cash, leading IMPD officers to locate him at his Indianapolis residence quickly after. Officers obtained a search warrant and recovered $200 in cash and a Smith and Wesson firearm used in the robbery on Coleman’s person. At the time of his arrest, Coleman had been previously convicted of multiple felonies including two counts of being a felon in possession of a handgun, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and pointing a firearm at another person. These felony convictions prohibit Coleman under federal law from ever legally possessing a firearm. “Reducing violence is a top priority for this office and illegally armed felons in particular will continue to be the target of our investigative resources,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Repeat violent offenders face lengthy terms in federal prison because we know they pose a higher risk to the community. I commend the FBI and IMPD, and our federal prosecutor, for their work to quickly arrest the defendant and hold him accountable.” “Our communities are put at serious risk when felons illegally arm themselves and endanger others in the process,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue our efforts to hold those accountable who choose to violate federal law.” The FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Chief Judge Pratt also ordered that Coleman be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release from federal prison and pay $200 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy C. Fugate, who prosecuted this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Federal Court Enters $9.9M Penalty and Injunction Against Man Found to Have Caused Thousands of Unlawful Spoofed Robocalls

component: Civil Division

body_text: WASHINGTON – A federal court in Montana entered a $9.9 million penalty on Tuesday against a man found responsible for causing thousands of unlawful and malicious “spoofed” robocalls to consumers across the nation. The court also imposed an injunction prohibiting any future violations of the Truth in Caller ID Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The case arose out of an investigation conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into unlawful robocalls received by consumers in states including Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa and Virginia in 2018. The calls displayed inaccurate caller IDs indicating they were from local phone numbers, inducing the recipients to answer the calls and listen to the recorded messages. Those messages included highly inflammatory and disturbing content, often directed at certain communities, that intended to offend or harm the recipients. For example, hundreds of the spoofed robocalls targeted residents of the Brooklyn, Iowa, area in the aftermath of a local woman’s murder. Similarly, more than 2,000 of the spoofed robocalls targeted residents of Charlottesville, Virginia, during the investigation and prosecution of James Alex Fields Jr. for killing one woman and injuring dozens during the “Unite the Right” rally in August 2017. Many consumers who received the calls submitted complaints to FCC and other law enforcement regarding unwanted and harassing robocalls. FCC traced the unlawful spoofed robocalls to Scott Rhodes, a resident of Idaho and Montana, and in January 2021, FCC imposed a $9,918,000 forfeiture penalty against Rhodes. In September 2021, the Justice Department sued Rhodes in the District of Montana to recover that penalty and obtain an injunction. In October 2023, the United States moved for summary judgment, and the court subsequently entered an injunction and the full $9,918,000 forfeiture penalty against Rhodes, after concluding based on a de novo review of the evidence that Rhodes committed the violations found by FCC. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from deceptive robocalls,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are very pleased by the court’s judgment, and we will continue working with the FCC and other agency partners to vigorously enforce the telemarketing laws that prohibit these practices.” “Virtually every Montanan has been the subject of unwanted and harassing robocalls, and the person responsible for such calls usually escapes accountability,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana. “But not this time. In placing thousands of harassing and malicious spoofing calls to consumers across the country, Rhodes showed a blatant disregard to caller ID and telephone consumer protection laws designed to prevent this sort of conduct. I applaud the court’s injunction and nearly $10 million forfeiture penalty that hold Rhodes accountable. These results send the clear message that the Justice Department is determined to protect consumers.” “When persistent and malicious robocallers break the law, it takes strong partnerships like this one to bring them to justice,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of the FCC. “I thank the Justice Department team, in conjunction with FCC lawyers, for vigorously pursuing this penalty. I especially want to thank FCC investigators for tracking down this robocaller and building such a strong case. Our agency will continue to relentlessly pursue these unwanted robocalls and build on our multi-faceted collaborative approach with law enforcement agencies at home, as well as the growing partnerships we’re fostering with our counterparts abroad, so that we can quickly and effectively neutralize bad actors.” Assistant Director Patrick Runkle, Trial Attorney Michael Wadden, Trial Attorney Amanda Kelly, Investigator Giovan Aloisio and Senior Deputy Director Lisa Hsiao of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch handled the case with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Clarke for the District of Montana.


title: Tracy Thibodeau Sentenced for Credit Union Fraud

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Tracy Thibodeau, 47, of Windsor, Vermont was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington to time served following her guilty plea to a charge of credit union fraud. U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III ordered that Thibodeau serve three years of supervised release and pay $136,936.57 in restitution. Thibodeau had not served any period of imprisonment prior to yesterday’s sentence. On February 22, 2023, a federal grand jury in Rutland returned a one-count indictment charging Thibodeau, who at the time was known as Tracy Hill, with defrauding her former employer, the Vermont VA Federal Credit Union. The VVAFCU is a small credit union that has one office in White River Junction. Thibodeau began working at the credit union in 2015 and was promoted to branch manager some time in 2016. The credit union offered VVAFCU VISA credit cards to members and employees. According to the indictment, in April 2019, Thibodeau misused her authority at the bank to open a personal VVVAFCU credit card account without proper authorization from her superiors. Later in 2019, Thibodeau again misused her access to the credit union’s credit card processing software to grant herself, without authorization, privileges on her card account. Those privileges eliminated maximum account limits; excused her from paying late fees and penalties on overdue balances; and eliminated monthly minimum payments. Between April 2019 and February 2021, Thibodeau used her credit card to make purchases in excess of $140,000. During that period, Thibodeau made only small monthly payments toward her large account balance. Thibodeau concealed her procurement and misuse of the credit card by manipulating internal credit card journal reports to hide from her superiors the existence of a large balance on her account. The credit union discovered the fraud in April 2022 and promptly fired Thibodeau. At that time, the outstanding balance on her account was about $137,000. That loss has been absorbed by the credit union and its insurer. Thibodeau pleaded guilty to the indictment last fall. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the United States Secret Service and the Hartford Police Department. Thibodeau is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.


title: Former Kentucky Probation and Parole Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Women Under His Supervision and Covering Up His Misconduct

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Ronald Raye Tyler, 56, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison and two years of supervised release for using his former position as a probation and parole officer at the Kentucky Department of Corrections to engage in unwanted sexual contact with women under his supervision. In December 2023, Tyler admitted to engaging in unwanted sexual contact with three women who were under his supervision and to making false statements during an interview with the Kentucky State Police for the purpose of obstructing an investigation into allegations that he had sexually assaulted women under his supervision. “The defendant is being held accountable for preying upon women who were under his supervision because of their probationary status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Probation officers should not use their position of authority to make unlawful and unwanted sexual advances on women, regardless of whether they are in custody or on probation. The Justice Department will continue to pursue justice for victims of sexual misconduct and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.” “I commend the FBI Louisville Field Office and Louisville Metro Police Department for their outstanding work in investigating this case,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “Citizens involved in our system of justice have every right to be treated with respect and dignity by employees within the system who exercise authority over them. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those employees who abuse their positions of trust.” “When allegations of abuse of power are brought to our attention, the FBI will stop at nothing to uncover all of the relevant facts,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “In this case, these women were preyed upon by an officer whose duty it was to protect them. Our hope is that today’s sentencing will bring some semblance of closure to the victims and their families, send a message that we will not ignore such egregious behavior, and begin to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement that was once placed in this officer.” The FBI Louisville Field Office and Louisville Metro Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit jointly investigated the case through the Louisville Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorneys Tara Allison and Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. xxx


title: Former U.S. Postal Service Employee Indicted for Theft of Postal Money Orders

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee has been indicted for allegedly embezzling over $19,000. Christine Hedges, 46, of Brockton, was indicted on March 20, 2024 on one count of theft of government money. She appeared today in federal court and was released on conditions. According to the indictment, Hedges began working for USPS around 2020, most recently as a Lead Sales & Service Associate in Brockton. It is alleged that from approximately October 2021 to August 2023, Hedges engaged in a scheme to steal USPS funds for her personal use. As part of this scheme, Hedges allegedly generated, for her own use, no-fee money orders without a customer physically present at her customer window and which a customer did not request. Hedges also allegedly stole cash from her USPS workstation and often attempted to conceal her theft by replacing the cash with these fraudulent money orders. During the relevant period, Hedges allegedly generated approximately 70 fraudulent no-fee money orders. It is alleged that 11 of those no-fee money orders were made out to her boyfriend or a family member. From on or about Aug. 1, 2023 to on or about Aug. 14, 2023, video surveillance from above Hedges’ workstation allegedly showed Hedges on at least one occasion removing cash from her assigned drawer and putting it in her pocket. In all, Hedges allegedly stole approximately $19,707 in postal funds. The charge of theft of government money provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Delaware County Mushroom Farm Owner Sentenced to 46 Months’ Imprisonment for Tax Violations

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Donna Fecondo, 63, of Garnet Valley, PA, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg to 46 months in federal prison for tax crimes. Fecondo was also ordered to pay restitution. Fecondo pleaded guilty in 2022, admitting that she failed to remit employment (payroll) taxes to the IRS, with a loss to the government, for the years charged in the indictment, of approximately $600,000, and failed to file corporate and personal income tax returns. Fecondo was the president and sole owner of Joseph Silvestri & Son, a/k/a Joseph Silvestri & Son, Inc. (“JSSI”). JSSI was a business operating a mushroom farm, with its principal place of business in Garnet Valley. As the sole owner of JSSI, Fecondo was responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over employment taxes. JSSI paid its employees weekly and was required by the IRS to electronically deposit its payroll taxes weekly. Fecondo withheld the taxes from her employees’ pay but did not remit the taxes to the IRS. Fecondo did not timely file Forms 943, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees, for tax years 2013 through 2016. Instead, Fecondo filed the Forms 943 for tax years 2013 through 2016 in or about July 2017, well after the due dates and after the Internal Revenue Service had contacted her about her failure to pay employment taxes and her failure to file returns. Although Fecondo reported substantial payroll taxes due and owing on the Form 943 for tax years 2013 through 2016 that she made in July 2017, and although JSSI withheld employment taxes from JSSI’s employees’ wages, Fecondo did not pay over any employment taxes to the IRS for those tax years. In total, for tax years 2013 through 2016, Fecondo should have withheld and remitted to the IRS a total of approximately $1,255,068.94 in employment taxes, but instead she remitted nothing. Of this amount, Fecondo should have withheld and remitted to the IRS a total of approximately $599,159.94 related to tax years 2015 and 2016, but instead remitted nothing. Fecondo also failed to file her 2015 and 2016 personal income tax returns even though she knew that she was required by law to file a tax return for each of those years. Further, Fecondo failed to file corporate tax returns on behalf of JSSI for tax years 2015 and 2016. “We’re in the middle of tax season, when a lot of people are grumbling about what they owe the IRS — but they still go ahead and pay what they’re supposed to.” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “It’s these honest taxpayers who are being robbed when people try to cheat the system. Donna Fecondo was obligated to properly remit payroll taxes to the government and file personal and business returns annually, but simply decided not to. Her nearly four-year prison sentence should send a loud message to anyone even contemplating tax fraud that it will wind up costing them dearly, in the end.” “Payroll taxes are an integral source of funding for government programs such as Social Security and Medicare,” said Yury Kruty, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge. “Employment tax fraud will continue to be a priority for IRS-CI and we will aggressively pursue those who do not comply with their employment tax obligations.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karen Grigsby.


title: Member of Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Prison

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced in federal court in Boston to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 vehicles. It is alleged that the crew also stole from ATMs and jewelry stores. Santo Feliberty, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Feliberty pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; conspiracy to commit bank theft; bank theft; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In April 2023 , Feliberty was arrested and charged along with six others in connection with the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from at least 496 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 through April 2023 alone. It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement. According to court filings, there has been a precipitous decline in catalytic converter thefts reported in Massachusetts as a result of the April 2023 takedown – with only seven reported incidents of catalytic converter theft over the past 11 months following the arrests, in comparison to the hundreds of thefts reported during the nine-month period prior. Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across a multitude of state, local, and federal jurisdictions due to the high-valued precious metals they contain – some of which are more valuable than gold, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each in recent years. The theft of a vehicle’s catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable – both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations. The thefts in this case resulted in losses of approximately $5,000 per vehicle with certain trucks costing over $10,000 to repair. This amounts to an approximate $2 million in losses suffered by more than 300 separate victims who were forced to deal with their vehicles being disabled for potentially weeks on end. The more than 300 victims included businesses and individuals across Massachusetts and parts of New Hampshire, including a food pantry, automotive businesses, tradesmen, a bakery, single parents, a home healthcare provider and the elderly. Some businesses were repeatedly targeted on multiple nights. Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, the crew would then sell them to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast – transacting approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week. Torres then sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering in the District of Connecticut , the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma . At sentencing, Feliberty was held accountable for his participation in thefts of catalytic converters from 52 vehicles across eight cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. On the first night of the thefts, Feliberty was confronted by the vehicle owner, who took matters into his own hands and smashed out the rear window of the car Feliberty was driving. In addition to the catalytic converter thefts, Feliberty also conspired to steal from ATMs of federally insured banks in Massachusetts on three separate occasions in December 2022. This conspiracy involved the use of stolen trucks to rip the ATMs from the ground and gain access to the vault. Feliberty also committed burglaries of two New Hampshire jewelry stores on Jan. 12, 2023, and the theft of a trailer on Dec. 14, 2022. The combined total value of the jewelry stolen during the burglaries was determined to be over $137,000, with each store facing approximately $10,000 in costs to repair the resulting damage. Additionally, a firearm and ammunition were found at Feliberty’s residence. Feliberty is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions. On May 17, 2023, Torres pleaded guilty to his role in the catalytic converter theft conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Kevin Gallagher, Director of Operations for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of California; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN). Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to this investigation through the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts in their jurisdiction. The Massachusetts police departments contributing to the investigation were Abington, Acton, Andover, Auburn, Bedford, Bellingham, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Chelmsford, Concord, Cranston, East Hampton, Easton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Hampton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Holliston, Holyoke, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plymouth, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, Wilmington, Woburn and Worcester. The Bow, Concord, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham New Hampshire police departments also contributed. The South Windsor and Windsor Connecticut Police Departments also contributed to the investigation. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Superseding Tax Indictment Against Chicago Attorney Adds Charge for Alleged Witness Tampering

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has charged a Chicago attorney with corruptly attempting to influence the testimony of a witness in his federal tax fraud case. MICHAEL ABRAMSON was originally indicted in 2018 on federal tax charges for allegedly filing false individual and corporate income tax returns. The original charges alleged that Abramson provided more than $1 million for personal expenses to a woman with whom he was romantically involved and then falsely characterized the funds as commissions or loans in his corporations' books and on the tax returns. Abramson was an attorney in Chicago who held ownership interests in two companies – Leasing Employment Services Co., Inc. and Eastern Advisors, Inc. The superseding indictment returned this week in U.S. District Court in Chicago renews the prior tax charges and adds counts of witness tampering and contempt of court for Abramson’s alleged attempt to script the testimony of a witness to make it more favorable to Abramson. Abramson allegedly gave the witness a copy of her previous court testimony, on which he had made handwritten notes changing, supplementing, or otherwise scripting her answers, and told her to review it before Abramson’s trial on the tax charges, which was scheduled for Feb. 5, 2024. The witness for several years had provided bookkeeping and accounting services for Abramson’s companies. As a result of the alleged witness tampering, Abramson’s trial was continued to July 1, 2024. Abramson’s bond was also revoked and he was remanded into federal custody pending trial. Abramson, 74, of Wilmette, Ill., will be arraigned on the superseding indictment on March 28, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall. The superseding indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard M. Rothblatt and Misty N. Wright. The public is reminded that charges are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Abramson superseding indictment


title: Man Ordered to Remove Shipping Container and Floating Docks from Lake Worth Lagoon after Violating Rivers and Harbors Act

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida ordered a man to remove a shipping container and floating docks on which it rested from Lake Worth Lagoon near Palm Beach, Florida. A 2021 complaint alleged that Fane Lozman violated the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) by placing the shipping container – which Lozman modified to include windows, doors, stairs, a rooftop deck and other additions – on floating docks in navigable waters of the United States without authorization. Since the United States commenced the action, Lozman removed several pieces of floating docks from Lake Worth Lagoon, but two floating docks and the modified shipping container remained. Photo of floating docks and a shipping container on Lake Worth Lagoon, from United States’ Motion for Summary Judgment, Page 4 in U.S. v. Fane Lozman, case no. 21-cv-81119. Lozman moved the floating docks and shipping container to different areas in Lake Worth Lagoon and anchored them. One of the floating docks split apart. And Lozman’s floating docks became unmoored on several occasions including once when the dock with the shipping container on it floated across Lake Worth Lagoon and beached at a public park. The floating docks together weigh over 100,000 pounds. Lake Worth Lagoon is Palm Beach County’s largest estuary at up to a mile wide and running approximately 21 miles from North Palm Beach to Ocean Ridge, with two inlets connecting it to the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway cuts through Lake Worth Lagoon. “Building or placing structures in navigable U.S. waters without authorization is a violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Unlawful structures can pose increased risks of harm to others, as in this case. We’re committed to enforcing the law.” “The Rivers and Harbors Act provides for the safety of navigable U.S. waters,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Prompt enforcement action to remove unauthorized structures is needed to protect persons and commerce in navigable U.S. waters.” “USACE Jacksonville greatly appreciates the expertise and support that the Justice Department brought to resolving this matter,” said District Commander Col. James Booth of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Jacksonville District. “The USACE Jacksonville regulatory enforcement program is working to deter unauthorized activities such as this, while continuously maintaining the integrity of the nation's waterways and aquatic resources,” said Compliance and Enforcement Chief Bobby Halbert of USACE’s Jacksonville District. The USACE’s Jacksonville District referred the case to the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). The Jacksonville District Enforcement Section is often aided by state and federal agencies, as well as groups and individuals who report suspected violations. To report suspected violations of the Rivers and Harbors Act, contact the Jacksonville District's enforcement program at SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil . Trial Attorneys Brandon N. Adkins and Rachel Martinez of ENRD’s Environmental Defense Section and Civil Section Chief Dexter Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida handled the case.


title: St. Louis Man Who Killed a Woman During Two Carjackings Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Thursday sentenced a man from St. Louis, Missouri to 40 years in prison for killing a woman during one carjacking and shooting another woman during a carjacking a few weeks later. Loyse Dozier, 21, fatally shot Laruth Jones on July 10, 2022, while stealing her Mercedes CLA 250. Jones had just parked at the Raqqa Mart at 352 Chambers Road, in Riverview, in St. Louis County. She was standing near the store’s entrance when she saw Dozier, who was wearing a full-face mask, get into her car. She confronted Dozier with her own pistol. During the resulting exchange of gunfire, Dozier fatally shot Jones. Before leaving in the stolen Mercedes, Dozier got out and stole Jones’ gun. He later set her car on fire in an alley in St. Louis. On Aug. 1, 2022, Dozier shot another woman while trying to steal her car from a Walgreens at 1400 North Grand Boulevard in St. Louis. A masked Dozier walked onto the parking lot, opened the door of the victim’s Kia Optima and ordered her out. The victim got out and handed her keys to Dozier, who shot her twice with Jones’ stolen gun before getting in the Kia. An off-duty Florissant Police Department officer, who was working as a security guard inside the Walgreens, ran outside after the shooting and scared Dozier away. Dozier left his phone behind in the Kia. Nine days later, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers spotted Dozier at a gas station at West Florissant and Adelaide Avenues. He ran, discarding the gun he’d stolen from Jones and a bag containing 5.76 grams of fentanyl. Dozier had cocaine base in 25 plastic baggies in his pocket when he was arrested. He is also a convicted felon and is barred from possessing a firearm. At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the surviving carjacking victim spoke of the impact of Dozier’s crimes, as did Jones’ sister. Dozier pleaded guilty in December to four felonies: carjacking resulting in death, attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Martin prosecuted the case.


title: Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute and Distributing Fentanyl Causing Two Overdose Deaths

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Devon Thurmond pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl from 2021 through 2023 and to distribution of fentanyl in April 2021that ultimately caused the overdose death of a victim (Victim-1). As part of his plea, Thurmond admitted that he knowingly conspired with his codefendant Cartier Funderburke to sell fake oxycodone pills that actually contained fentanyl and on or about April 29, 2021 sold fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to Victim-1, leading to their death. Additionally, Thurmond also admitted at his plea proceeding, that while he was incarcerated on an unrelated state charge, he caused fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to be distributed by codefendant Melissa Trimarchi which ultimately led to the overdose death of another victim (Victim-2) on or about January 9, 2023. The plea proceeding was held before United States District Gary R. Brown. Both codefendants previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. When sentenced, Thurmond faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and, William Whitton, Chief of Police, Glen Cove Police Department (GCPD), announced the guilty plea. “As he admitted today, Thurmond’s conspiracy and sale of fentanyl disguised as prescription pain pills directly led to the poisoning deaths of two Long Island residents,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to prosecute traffickers for their callous disregard for human life in pushing deadly drugs and contributing to the alarming opioid epidemic that has continued to harm this District.” "Fentanyl is the greatest threat to our nation. The men and women of DEA New York Division continue to do everything we can, along with our law enforcement partners, to target those responsible for poisoning and destroying our communities” stated DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While this guilty plea doesn’t bring back the lives lost, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible face the consequences.” “The Glen Cove Police Department will continue to collaborate with agents of the DEA and the U.S. Department of Justice to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who believe they can profit from selling lethal drugs in our community,” stated GCPD Chief of Police Whitton. Between April 2021 and February 2023, Thurmond conspired with Funderburke and Trimarchi to sell fentanyl disguised as oxycodone pain pills and sold such pills to Victim-1 and Victim-2. The investigation revealed that on April 29, 2021, a 34-year-old individual (Victim-1) died of a drug-related overdose at his residence in Glen Cove, Long Island. Cellular telephone analysis and additional investigation, showed that the fentanyl that Victim-1 used was purchased from Thurmond and Funderburke earlier that same day and that Thurmond personally delivered the drugs to Victim-1. On January 9, 2023, a 27-year-old individual (Victim-2) died of a drug-related overdose at his residence in Locust Valley, Long Island. A search of Victim-2’s phone revealed text messages between Trimarchi and Victim-2, which related to Victim-2’s purchase of fentanyl in the form of a single fake oxycodone pill in the hours before his overdose death. In recorded jail calls between Thurmond and Trimarchi, Trimarchi admitted to selling the fatal dose of fentanyl in the form of a fake oxycodone pill to Victim-2, which pill came from the supply of fake oxycodone pills provided by Thurmond to Trimarchi to sell on his behalf while he was incarcerated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Justice, in 2019, nearly 71,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. The increase in overdose deaths has been driven in large part by fentanyl, a drug that has been described as 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. In 2019, over 14,000 people died in the United States from a drug overdose involving heroin. From 2013 to 2019, the synthetic opioid death rate increased by more than 1,000 percent. Of those deaths, over 70% involved a prescription or illicit opioid. Among New York State residents, the number of overdose deaths involving any opioid increased each year between 2010 and 2017, with an overall increase of 200.2 percent from 1,074 in 2010 to 3,224 in 2017, according to the New York State Health Department. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Findtreatment.gov . The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Charles N. Rose is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : DEVON THURMOND (also known as “D Rock”) Age: 23 Glen Cove, New York Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty : CARTIER FUNDERBURKE (also known as “Kartier,” “Kar” and “Slim”) Age: 24 Glen Cove, New York MELISSA TRIMARCHI (also known as “Mel”) Age: 37 Glen Cove, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-232 (GRB)


title: $1.5M shopping spree: local man imprisoned for illegal use of stolen credit card information

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Missouri City man has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Emmanuel Babajide Awolaja pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2023. U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. has now ordered Awolaja to serve 138 months for the conspiracy as well as another 24 months for the aggravated identity theft which must be served consecutively. The total 162-month prison term will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $263,955.73 in restitution to the victims which included local merchants. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that determined Awolaja was responsible for more than $1.5 million in losses. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Awolaja’s criminal history dated back almost 20 years with this being his 13 th felony offense. Judge Werlein noted how the previous sentences have not deterred him from criminal activity, and the court was imposing this sentence to protect the public from his continued criminal recidivism. Awolaja and Tia Nicole Chavis came into possession of credit card information for numerous Chase Bank customers along with personal identifying information of various individuals. From February 2021 until October 2023, Chavis agreed to help Awolaja use the unlawfully obtained credit card information to purchase expensive jewelry, hotel rooms, rental cars, meals and various other goods or services. When they would first attempt to use the cards, the charges would be denied. However, Awolaja and Chavis persuaded merchants to manually enter the card numbers which typically resulted in approval, ultimately causing substantial loss for the merchants. The investigation revealed Awolaja used the stolen account information to make purchases in Iowa, Virginia and several other states. The scheme unraveled May 19, 2021, when they attempted to fraudulently purchase a $14,000 watch at Tomball Pawn and Jewelry. Law enforcement then worked with merchants throughout the country to identify Chavis and Awolaja from store video in other transactions. Chavis, 32, Houston, also pleaded guilty and it set for sentencing April 12. Both have been and will remain in custody. The Secret Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman prosecuted the case.


title: Four Indicted in Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment Thursday against Tracy Arnett, 38, of Los Angeles; Daniel Hooker, 35, of Los Angeles; Sandro Duval, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Shelina Bissett, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, charging them with conspiracy to commit money laundering and charging Arnett and Hooker with additional counts of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, from August 2023 through March 2024, Arnett, Hooker, Duval and Bissett conspired to launder purported drug trafficking proceeds, utilizing their personal bank accounts or commercial bank accounts they operated to wire the funds to controlled accounts. By wiring the proceeds, they intended to conceal their unlawful nature and source. In total, the co-conspirators received approximately $940,000 in purported drug trafficking proceeds. Of that amount, the co-conspirators laundered approximately $811,000. This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Thuesen and Whitnee Goins are prosecuting the case. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering for the conspiracy count. Arnett and Hooker face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $200,000 fine for each count of money laundering. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Los Angeles Attorney Charged with Tax Evasion and Willful Failure to Pay Taxes

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted a California attorney yesterday with attempting to evade payment of his individual income taxes and willful failure to pay taxes. According to the indictment, Milton C. Grimes, an attorney in Los Angeles, owed the IRS more than $1.7 million in taxes for tax years 2010 and 2014. The IRS allegedly tried to collect the unpaid taxes from Grimes by, among other things, levying his bank accounts. In response to the IRS’ collection efforts, from 2014 through 2020, Grimes allegedly engaged in a scheme to thwart the IRS’ levies by keeping his personal bank account balances low by routinely purchasing cashier’s checks and withdrawing cash from his business bank accounts, often immediately after depositing funds to his business bank accounts, thereby avoiding funding his personal accounts. Grimes allegedly withdrew approximately $16 million in funds from the accounts in cashier’s checks during those years. In addition, Grimes allegedly filed individual income tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2021 reporting that he owed approximately $700,000 in taxes. Grimes allegedly did not, and has not, paid the taxes that he self-reported he owes. In total, Grimes is alleged to have caused a tax loss of approximately $2,418,050 to the IRS. If convicted, Grimes faces up to five years in prison for the tax evasion count and up to one year in prison for each count of willful failure to pay taxes. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Sara Henderson of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie Makarewicz for the Central District of California are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Cannon County Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Committing Three Nashville Bank Robberies

body_text: NASHVILLE – Clifton Knight, 62, of Woodbury, Tennessee, was sentenced today to 11 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. In August 2023, Knight pled guilty to a three-count Indictment charging him with three bank robberies in Nashville. On January 4, 2022, Knight robbed a SunTrust Bank located on Hobbs Road in Nashville, where he took over $3,000. On February 4, 2022, he robbed a SunTrust Bank on Old Hickory Boulevard in Hermitage, where he threatened a clerk and stole over $5,000. Finally, on February 8, 2022, he robbed a Fifth Third Bank on Donelson Pike and took over $4,000. The case was investigated by the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy prosecuted the case. # # # # #


title: Lander man arraigned for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

body_text: Brennon Scott, age 35, of Lander, Wyoming, was arraigned on Mar. 22 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Scott pleaded not guilty. A trial has been set for May 28, before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Scott was detained at the request of the government and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. If convicted, Scott faces 5-40 years’ imprisonment with no less than four years of supervised release and up to a $5 million fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This crime is being investigated by the FBI and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist. An indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Case No. 24-CR-00041


title: Collierville Commodity Trader Sentenced to 51 Months for $2,000,000 Investment Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – A federal judge in Memphis sentenced a Collierville resident to more than four years in prison for running a fraudulent commodities investment scheme which lost investors over $2,000,000. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today. According to information presented in court, between January and November 2022, Donald Wray Rodgers , 55, lied to more than 50 investors in multiple states about the performance of his unregistered commodities trading fund, Three Brides Trading. Rodgers doctored monthly performance statements to mimic fund growth; in reality, the fund was depreciating due to Rodgers’s bad trades. The fraud victims ran the gamut of income levels, from bank executives to landscapers. Rodgers’s deception was finally uncovered in November 2022 when victims made calls on their investments that Three Bridges Trading Fund did not have the funds to cover. Rodgers pled guilty to wire fraud on December 18, 2023. On March 21, District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Rodgers to 51 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated this case. United States Attorney Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney William C. Bateman III, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the federal government, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.


title: Drug trafficker with 10 previous convictions sentenced again

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced today to 24 years and four months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, from July 28, 2020, to July 15, 2022, Kevin Ronregus Jones, 54, conducted numerous sales of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine to a confidential source working with federal investigators. In at least some of the fentanyl transactions, the defendant agreed to sell heroin, but instead knowingly sold fentanyl. On one occasion, Jones sold fentanyl while accompanied by a 12-year-old boy. On Oct. 24, 2020, investigators executed a warrant to search Jones’ Portsmouth drug house where he received, stored, packaged, and distributed controlled substances. Investigators recovered approximately 1,683 grams of fentanyl, 420 grams of powder cocaine, 31 grams of cocaine base, four plastic bags containing drug-cutting agents quinine and caffeine, a drug press, and $24,915 in fentanyl proceeds. Upon completion of his prison term, Jones will be subject to 10 years of supervised release. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Stephen Jenkins, Chief of Portsmouth Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-104.


title: Fifth Member of Alleged Gun Trafficking Group Arrested on Indictment Charging the Burglary of a Pawn Shop for Guns

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – A fifth defendant was arrested this morning as part of an 11-count indictment, filed in U.S. District Court, connected to the December 13, 2023, robbery of nearly three dozen firearms – which included handguns, rifles, and shotguns – from a pawn shop in Glen Burnie, Maryland that is a Federal Firearms Licensee. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the ATF’s Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Earlier today, agents with the ATF and officers from MPD arrested defendant Tyjuan McNeal, 27, of Washington, D.C. Charged in the conspiracy with McNeal are: Vincent Lee Alston, aka “Vedo,” 22, Juwon Markel Anderson aka “Peezy,” 21, and Niquan Odumn, aka “Stickz” and “Debo,” 22, all of Washington, D.C., and Cy’Juan Hemsley, aka “Juan,” 18, of District Heights, Maryland. Alston and Anderson were arrested December 15, 2023. Hemsley and Odumn are also in custody. The charges include conspiracy to commit firearm trafficking, conspiracy to commit theft from a federal firearms licensee, unlawful possession of stolen firearms, unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle. “These defendants allegedly conspired to steal dozens of firearms from a licensed dealer and to illegally flood our community with them,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The spread of illegal firearms is like the spread of a virus; when there are more illegal guns in the community, more people will get hurt. We appreciate the efforts of our partners at ATF and MPD to stop these firearms from hitting our streets.” “This group of individuals was looking to make a quick profit by filling the streets of D.C. with firearms and arming the sort of people who aim to destroy our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Kailimai. “But, today, we derailed that plan by arresting a fifth member involved in this scheme, all while seizing more of the stolen firearms. We will continue protecting the public from the proliferation of illegal guns.” According to the indictment, one of the goals of the conspiracy was to transport stolen firearms from the Maryland pawn shop into the District, and then sell or transfer the stolen firearms to other individuals. The indictment further alleges that on December 13, 2023, the five men broke into the pawn shop with a portable saw and a crowbar. They collected 34 firearms and traveled back to Washington D.C. in a stolen red sedan. Later that day, a co-conspirator attempted to sell some of the stolen guns. Hemsley reached out to an associate stating that “I got u a gift” and “I got u a missile” while sending a video of two firearms. On December 14, 2023, one of the co-conspirators transferred four of the firearms – which included two Smith & Wesson M&Ps; a Glock 47, 9mm; and an FN, FNX 45 – to an unknown third party. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the ATF Baltimore Field Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shehzad Akhtar and Ryan Lipes. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.


title: District Man Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder  for a May 2023 Fatal Shooting in Southeast D.C.

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON - Antoine Lynch, 37, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty today to second degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Devonte Maxwell, 30, of Southeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Superior Court Judge Robert Okun scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 7, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, around 7:54 p.m. on May 11, 2023, Lynch and two other individuals approached the victim, on foot, as he was walking down the sidewalk on Prout Street, Southeast, Washington, D.C. When they were about to pass each other, the defendant pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Maxwell several times. Mr. Maxwell was treated at the scene but died from his injuries a short time later. Mr. Maxwell and Lynch had previously gotten into a verbal dispute when Mr. Maxwell was walking by Lynch’s residence earlier that same day. Surveillance video captured the prior dispute and the murder. This case was investigated by the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ganjei.


title: Three men charged with armed robbery conspiracy targeting U.S. Postal Service mail carriers

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – Three men from the Hampton Roads area have been indicted and arrested on federal charges accusing them of planning and executing robberies of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers at gunpoint and related financial fraud. On March 19, Ricky Damion Christopher Jones, Jr., 20, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges: Charge Statute Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) Interference with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office 18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1349 On March 19, Samir As-sad Hurd, 23, of Chesapeake, was arrested on the following charges: Charge Statute Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) Interference with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office 18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1349 Possession of a Stolen Firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(j) and 2 On March 20, Manray Perry, 22, of Virginia Beach was arrested on the following charges: Charge Statute Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a) Interference with Commerce by Robbery 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2 Assault of a Federal Employee with a Dangerous Weapon 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(b) and 2 Stealing Keys Adopted by the Post Office 18 U.S.C. §§ 1704 and 2 According to court documents, beginning at least in April 2023 through at least July 2023, Jones, Hurd, Perry, and other co-conspirators allegedly planned and executed armed robberies of postal carriers in which the co-conspirators approached U.S. Mail Carriers, brandished a firearm, and demanded their U.S. Postal Service-issued “arrow” keys. These alleged offenses occurred in Norfolk, Hampton, and James City County, Virginia. The following co-conspirators pleaded guilty in the earlier-charged case United States v. O’Sirus Landres Charles Ford (a/k/a Siris), et al. , 4:23-cr-51, and are awaiting sentencing: On Dec. 13, 2023, Da’Twan Watson pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18. On Dec. 15, 2023, Jayden Stukes pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17. On Dec. 21, 2023, O'Sirus Ford pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division, made the announcement. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg-James City County, and Virginia Beach Police Departments also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office . Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-18.


title: Former Executive Director Pleads Guilty In Federal Court For Stealing Thousands Of Dollars From Gastonia Non-Profit

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Stephanie L. Roberts, 54, of Gastonia, N.C., pleaded guilty today to stealing thousands of dollars from a non-profit corporation for cancer patients, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. Attorney King is joined by Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI),Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, and Chief Trent Conard of the Gastonia Police Department in making today’s announcement. According to court documents, Roberts served as the executive director of a Gastonia non-profit corporation that provides support and resources for cancer patients. Beginning no later than January 8, 2016, through January 21, 2022, Roberts embezzled more than $136,000 from the non-profit corporation. In addition, Roberts admitted in court today that she failed to pay more than $200,000 withheld from the paychecks of the non-profit corporation’s employees for federal income, Medicare and Social Security taxes to the IRS. Lastly, Roberts made and subscribed under penalty of perjury U.S. Income Tax Returns in which she falsely stated the amount of tax withheld from her wages and claimed that amount was paid to the IRS. Roberts pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; failure to truthfully account for and pay over trust fund taxes, which carries a statutory sentence of no more than five years in prison; and making and subscribing a false tax return, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. According to the terms of Roberts’ plea agreement, she will be required to pay full restitution to the non-profit corporation. Also, at sentencing, Roberts will be subject to additional court fines and a forfeiture money judgement. A federal judge will determine the actual sentence at a hearing not yet scheduled. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended IRS-CI, USPIS, and the Gastonia Police Department for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Savage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Los Angeles Attorney Charged with Tax Evasion and Willful Failure to Pay Over $2.4 Million in Taxes

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has indicted Los Angeles attorney Milton C. Grimes with the evasion of payment of his individual income taxes and willful failure to pay taxes, the Justice Department announced today. The indictment filed Thursday afternoon charges Grimes with one count of attempted tax evasion and four counts of willful failure to pay taxes. He is expected to be arraigned in United States District Court on April 10. According to the indictment, Grimes owed the IRS more than $1.7 million in taxes for tax years 2010 and 2014. The IRS tried to collect the unpaid taxes from Grimes by, among other things, levying his personal bank accounts. In response to IRS collection efforts, from 2014 through 2020, Grimes allegedly engaged in a scheme to thwart the tax levies by keeping his personal bank account balances low. Grimes deposited the money he earned from representing clients into his law firm’s business bank accounts, and then he routinely purchased cashier’s checks and withdrew cash from those business bank accounts, the indictment states. By not depositing income earned into his personal accounts, Grimes allegedly avoided IRS collection efforts. With this scheme, Grimes allegedly withdrew approximately $16 million in funds from the business accounts in cashier’s checks during those years, rather than paying the amount owed to the IRS. Grimes also allegedly filed individual income tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2021 reporting that he owed approximately $700,000 in taxes. Grimes allegedly did not, and has not, paid the taxes that he self-reported he owes. In total, Grimes is alleged to have caused a tax loss of approximately $2,418,050 to the IRS. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Grimes faces up to five years in prison for the tax evasion count and up to one year in prison for each count of willful failure to pay taxes. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Valerie L. Makarewicz of the Major Frauds Section and Trial Attorney Sara A. Henderson of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Federal jury convicts New York man for defrauding restaurant employees and COVID-19 relief program

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Mount Vernon, New York, man today on charges of wire and mail fraud. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Derickson Lawrence, 67, was the Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of MarketView Resources, Inc., a company that provided third-party payroll services. MarketView had only one significant client, a Virginia Beach company that owned restaurant franchises in the mid-Atlantic region. The Virginia Beach company regularly transferred payroll money to a bank account controlled by Lawrence to pay the salaries of its employees who elected to receive their wages via debit card. From March 2017 through October 2019, Lawrence wired approximately $230,000 from the bank account with the employees’ wages to his brokerage account, most of which he lost through risky, speculative options trading. Lawrence also used the restaurant workers’ wages to pay debit cards he gave to himself, his own employee, and family members. As early as December 2018, on numerous occasions there was not enough money left to cover the transactions of employees who used their debit cards to withdraw their wages. The financial services company that processed those transactions for MarketView covered nearly $90,000 until they terminated their relationship with Lawrence in September 2019. On Sept. 25, 2019, when the paycards were shut off, MarketView’s own records showed an available balance to cardholders of more than $465,000, while the bank account only contained $2,400. In addition to defrauding his client, Lawrence defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The PPP program was intended to provide loans backed by the Small Business Administration to certain businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. In April 2020, Lawrence submitted a PPP loan application that falsely stated he had two employees and paid over $10,000 in monthly wages. Lawrence falsely portrayed MarketView’s 2020 payroll by using an altered bank statement that actually reflected activity from February 2016. Lawrence received a PPP loan of $26,250, which he used for options trading. Lawrence faces 20 years in prison on each of the 11 counts when sentenced on July 19. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr, accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Mozzi and E. Rebecca Gantt are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-89.


title: Mobile Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Mail Theft

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile woman was sentenced to 24 months in prison for bank fraud and mail theft. According to court documents, Sanya Heathco Gutierrez, 47, admitted to using the stolen personal identifying information of an elderly Saraland resident to create a Gmail account. Federal agents executed a search warrant for the contents of the Gmail account, which Gutierrez admitted that she used for fraudulent purposes. Specifically, in January 2023, Gutierrez used the Gmail account to open a Chime checking account and obtain a Chime debit card without the elderly victim’s knowledge or authorization. Gutierrez then fraudulently used the card at various merchants, including Cash App, Cricut, Hulu, Roku, and Walmart. In April 2023, Mobile police received several reports of mail thefts in a residential neighborhood. Police obtained surveillance video capturing Gutierrez stealing mail from her white Chevrolet Impala. On April 13, 2023, officers arrested Gutierrez at a gas station in Mobile and seized a pile of stolen mail from the passenger seat of the Impala. Gutierrez confessed to stealing mail and attempting to cash fraudulent checks that she stole from the mail. Gutierrez allowed agents to search her house, where they found additional stolen mail and a gun with an obliterated serial number. Agents seized and obtained a warrant to search Gutierrez’s cell phone, which contained numerous messages that she sent regarding her involvement in mail theft, check fraud, and identity theft. In addition to the 24-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Gutierrez to serve a five-year term of supervised release, during which time she will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Gutierrez to pay $200 in special assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of made the announcement. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case. The Jackson Police Department substantially assisted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Superseding Indictment Adds New Charges for Viva Grocery Store Owner and Adds New Defendants in Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: A federal grand jury returned a 58-count superseding indictment Thursday adding new charges for Shahrir “Sean” Loloee, 53, of Granite Bay, and charging Sacramento residents Mirwais Shams, 36, and Ahmad “Shah” Shams, 29, for their participation in the fraud conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Loloee is the owner of the Viva Supermarkets chain of grocery stores, and Karla Montoya, 42, of Sacramento, is the general manager. Mirwais Shams was the controller and financial auditor of the Viva Supermarkets, and Ahmad Shams held various positions, including as the human resources director. In December 2023, Loloee and Montoya were charged in the original indictment with conspiracy, obstruction of Department of Labor proceedings, and possession and use of false immigration documents. They are alleged to have employed a labor force with many workers who lacked employment authorization, to have reduced labor costs through unlawful means including by failing to pay overtime wages, and to have obstructed Department of Labor investigations into their employment practices. Loloee was additionally charged with falsification of records and a pandemic relief fraud scheme. Thursday’s superseding indictment additionally charges Loloee with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, willful failure to collect or pay over withheld taxes, three counts of filing a false tax return, and three counts of money laundering. Mirwais Shams and Ahmad Shams are each charged with conspiracy to defraud the IRS and two counts of filing a false tax return. Ahmad Shams is additionally charged with two counts of perjury. According to court documents, beginning in November 2017, Mirwais Shams and Ahmad Shams used various methods to manipulate employee time data to lower Loloee’s on-the-books payroll, overtime pay, the federal payroll tax obligation, and the labor costs overall. At the direction of Loloee, Mirwais Shams and Ahmad Shams modified the number of hours of Viva Supermarkets employees recorded on the time clock in tens of thousands of instances, representing a significant percentage of all punch-clock recorded worker time. This deprived employees of overtime pay and deprived the IRS of the payroll tax obligation that Loloee would bear if true hours were reported. Loloee and both Shams also filed their own false tax returns that underreported their own income, and Ahmad Shams is charged with two counts of lying to a federal grand jury about taxes and off-the-books payments. The superseding indictment further charges Loloee with three counts for money laundering fraudulently obtained COVID-19 pandemic relief funds. According to court documents, in May 2021 Loloee fraudulently applied for $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program (RRF) and received $1.2 million. After receiving the $1.2 million, Loloee initiated the laundering of funds with 10 checks all bearing the same issue date of June 18, 2021, moving the money through multiple accounts that he controlled. Loloee completed the laundering with three bank transfers that moved $949,900 into a trust account in the name of one of his family members. This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey B. Hemesath, Matthew Thuesen, and Kevin Khasigian are prosecuting the case. This case was investigated with the assistance of the Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy (TRUE) Task Force includes the California Department of Justice, the California Employment Development Department, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the Franchise Tax Board, the IRS Criminal Investigation and HSI. The TRUE Task Force was created to ensure multi-agency collaboration and to combat wage theft, tax evasion, and other crimes in the underground economy. If convicted, the defendants face these maximum sentences for each count of the following charges: five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for conspiracy to defraud the Department of Labor, to commit immigration document fraud, and to obstruct justice; 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for conspiracy to defraud the IRS; 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for possession of false immigration documents; five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for possession, acceptance and receipt of false immigration documents; 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for obstruction of agency proceeding; 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for falsification of records; five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for willful failure to collect or pay over tax; three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for a false tax return; 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for wire fraud; 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for money laundering; and five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for perjury. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. loloee_superseding_indictment.pdf


title: Bayamón Man Arrested for Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Bayamón man was arrested on March 19, 2024, on criminal charges related to various schemes involving bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and wire fraud. According to court documents, from July 2021 until September 2021, Manuel Burgos-Ortiz, 28, knowingly executed and attempted to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud a federally insured financial institution, and to obtain moneys, funds, credits, and property owned by and under the custody and control of said institution by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. The defendant conducted and attempted to conduct more than 70 fraudulent refund transactions for more than $5,000,000 using two debit cards and a Point of Sale (POS) system. The defendant was able to apply for and obtain a POS system by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, and by using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person. Shortly after acquiring the POS system, the defendant started to conduct fraudulent refund transactions to two debit cards associated with Global Marketing PR LLC’s bank account, a company that he owned and controlled. The fraudulent refund transactions created a temporary false balance of funds in Global Marketing PR LLC’s bank account. By taking advantage of the transaction validation process the defendant was able to gain access to funds he was not entitled to and spend funds that did not belong to him. Throughout the scheme the defendant managed to use funds originated by the fraudulent POS refund transactions, and temporarily available in his account, to conduct numerous purchases, cash withdrawals and ATH Móvil transfers, resulting in an overdraft of more than $270,000 in Global Marketing PR LLC’s bank account. The defendant engaged in monetary transactions in criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000.00, by conducting transactions to purchase a new vehicle with funds that originated from fraudulent refund transactions, which the defendant was able to use by taking advantage of the transaction validation process. On July 23, 2021, two fraudulent refund transactions totaling more than $140,000 were conducted and approved using the POS system acquired by the defendant and a debit card associated with Global Marketing PR LLC’s bank account. That same morning, the defendant went in person to purchase a manager’s check for $74,036.25. That same day, the defendant used the manager’s check to purchase a new 2021 Black Dodge Rebel 1500. From November 2023 until February of 2024, the defendant devised a scheme to defraud multiple small businesses and their owners, and to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises. As part of the scheme to defraud the defendant deceitfully identified himself as an employee of a transaction processing company that provides merchant acquiring, payment services and business process management services, and by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises, was able to gain access to multiple POS systems of small business to perform fraudulent refund transactions using debit cards associated with accounts he owned or had access to. “The defendant falsely represented himself as a legitimate business owner and employee of a company and stole money in many different ways,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the Secret Service agents and law enforcement partners who uncovered the complex web of financial transactions that led to the defendant’s arrest.” If convicted, Burgos-Ortiz faces the following penalties: up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud; a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years for the aggravated identity theft count; up to ten years for money laundering; and up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud or up to 30 years if the wire fraud violation affects a financial institution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The United States Secret Service is investigating the case with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi from the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Division is prosecuting the case. Tips and information assist the Secret Service and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. If you believe to be a victim of any of the fraudulent schemes describe above or if you have any information about this defendant, contact the Secret Service San Juan Resident Office at 787-277-1515. 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. ### 24-261_criminal_complaint_bank_wire_fraud_3-22-24.pdf


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Settlement Agreement With Nantahala Weddings, LLC To Provide Individuals With Disabilities Equal Access To Its Facilities

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with Nantahala Weddings, LLC (Nantahala Weddings) to remedy alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at its facilities in western North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal access to businesses and facilities available to the public,” said U.S. Attorney King who also serves as Chair of the U.S. Attorney General’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights. “This settlement reflects our commitment. It is critical for companies to maintain accessible facilities so that individuals with disabilities can fully use and enjoy a business’s goods and services. I commend Nantahala Weddings for its cooperation and for taking swift remedial action to ensure its facilities are ADA compliant.” According to a civil rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, Nantahala Weddings was violating the ADA by, among other things, charging a fee to transport individuals with mobility impairments up a non-accessible hill to the main wedding ceremony area and failing to offer accessible restrooms to guests. The property offers lodgings for rent and includes several buildings, outdoor pavilions, and open-air gathering areas separated by wooded areas and steep hills. Upon learning of the complaint, the Nantahala Weddings took prompt action to remedy certain architectural barriers on its own initiative. Thereafter, it fully cooperated with the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and subsequently agreed to remedy its accessibility issues. The business has already begun implementing the terms of the settlement agreement. As part of the settlement, Nantahala Weddings will construct accessible lodging for guests to rent, which will include an accessible entryway, bathroom, and bedroom; build accessible exterior walkways connecting its facilities or, where specified, offer accessible transportation to guests with no surcharge; renovate single use bathrooms and other facilities for ADA compliance; and remedy various other architectural barriers to access. “We appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office bringing these matters to our attention as – like many small businesses – we were not aware of the ADA’s requirements. We value the opportunity to make our property accessible, and we firmly believe that implementing the recommended changes will ensure all our guests feel comfortable, safe, and welcome,” said Jody Hafey, an owner of Nantahala Weddings. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public, such as Nantahala Weddings. Such businesses also cannot impose a surcharge on persons with a disability who seek to participate in its goods and services. Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may file an ADA complaint online here . Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov , or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Warren of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is handling this matter. In April 2022, U.S. Attorney King announced the formation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Team, to focus on prioritizing criminal and civil enforcement actions and increasing education and community outreach efforts. The Civil Rights Team comprises federal prosecutors and staff from the Office’s Criminal and Civil Divisions in Charlotte and in Asheville. U.S. Attorney King has appointed a Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator to lead the Team’s efforts in investigating and prosecuting criminal civil rights violations, including hate crimes, color of law violations, and human trafficking cases. U.S. Attorney King also appointed a Civil-Civil Rights Coordinator, who is tasked with prioritizing civil enforcement actions related to discrimination in housing, lending, employment, and education, and the protection of voting rights and disability rights or access, among other areas. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Team visit our website .


title: Schenectady Man Sentenced to 132 Months for Cocaine, Marijuana and Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jeffrey C. Civitello Jr., age 24, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to a total of 132 months and a day in prison for conspiring to traffic more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and to possessing two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. In previously pleading guilty to marijuana and firearms offenses, Civitello Jr. admitted that from 2019 to 2021, he worked with others to acquire and sell more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. On October 21, 2021, the DEA executed a federal search warrant on Civitello’s penthouse apartment residence in Schenectady. Investigators located approximately 75 pounds of marijuana, mostly packaged in 1-pound bags, which Civitello Jr. intended to sell. Additionally, they found $407,545 in cash and a 14-karat Miami Cuban chain, all of which were proceeds of drug trafficking. In Civitello Jr.’s bedroom, investigators located a loaded Taurus Judge Public Defender revolver and a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine containing numerous .22 caliber rounds, including a round in the chamber. Civitello Jr. admitted that he possessed these firearms to protect himself in the event that someone attempted to enter his apartment and steal his marijuana or his drug proceeds. Additionally, Civitello Jr. was found guilty of cocaine offenses following an 8-day trial in April 2023 . The trial evidence demonstrated a conspiracy to traffic about 15 kilograms of cocaine in March and April 2021, among Civitello Jr., his father Jeffrey C. Civitello, Sr., and three New York City-area men. Civitello Sr. was sentenced last year to 120 months in prison . United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed on Civitello Jr. a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Civitello Jr. has now forfeited the $407,545 in cash found in his safe, as well as the firearms, ammunition and the Miami Cuban chain, and agreed to entry of a $250,000 money judgment against him. These cases were investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local police agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia prosecuted these cases. These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.