title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Justice Department Employees and Partners for the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees. “Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country. The 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards and recipients are as follows. 70th Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2022 The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize employee achievement. The Attorney General commends Special Litigation Counsel Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter , Evan Gilead , LeeAnn Bell Manda Sertich , and Samantha Bates for the District of Minnesota; FBI Special Agent Blake Hostetter ; Paralegals Henry Fronk of the Civil Rights Division and Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialists Selina Kolsrud and Christina Busse for the District of Minnesota; and Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota. The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the Department’s second highest award for employee performance; there are 13 Distinguished Service Awards for 2022. The first Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Deputy Chief Barbara “Bobbi” Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Roberts , Marcus Griffin , and Skylar Barnes ; Investigator Steven Harrell of the Civil Rights Division; Paralegals Taylore Thomas of the Civil Rights Division and Tracy Long for the Southern District of Georgia; Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell for the Southern District of Georgia; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Maria Pagan ; Special Litigation Counsel Christopher J . Perras of the Civil Rights Division; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Amy Vaughan . The second Distinguished Award for 2022 is presented to Supervisory Special Agents Michael D . Muller and Kerry M . Whitmore of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DEA Diversion Investigator Jessica A . Stransky-Chrisman ; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos , Alexandra Rothman , Louis Pellegrino , Stephanie Lake , and Thomas Burnett for the Southern District of New York; DEA Special Agent George J . Burdzy ; DEA Diversion Investigators Kathleen M . Whitmore , Brittany G . Korines , and Christine L . Barnes ; and DEA Staff Coordinator William J . Kivelehan . The third Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth S . Clark , Zachary Stendig , and Anatoly Smolkin for the District of Maryland; FBI Special Agent Alicia C . Zimmerman , FBI Task Force Officer Detective Tara Baione Augustin , FBI Task Force Officer Kyrie Yackovich , FBI Staff Operations Specialist John Coward II ; Special Agent Kimmesia Sampson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The fourth Distinguished Award is presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J . McKenzie and S . Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarod J . Douglas for the Northern District of West Virginia and Jessica Lieber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone , Justin Van Tromp , and Peter L . Olinits ; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray ; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell ; Special Agent John C . Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce ; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard ; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini ; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith ; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington . The fifth Distinguished Award is presented to Acting Director Katherine Harman-Stokes of the Office of Privacy & Civil Liberties; Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Richard Downing and Bruce Swartz of the Criminal Division; Associate Director Sheri Shepherd-Pratt of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs; Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Senior Counsels Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Kenneth Harris of the Criminal Division; and Attorney Advisor Hannah Mayer of the Criminal Division. The sixth Distinguished Award is presented to Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshal Jerry Viera ; Deputy U.S. Marshals Teddy Josh Moff , Brady M . Flannigan , Troy W . Oberly , and Kyle L . Perry ; and Task Force Officers Brandon J . Bansemer and Truman S . Wiles of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). The seventh Distinguished Award is presented to Director John Patrick Glynn of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Section. The eighth Distinguished Award is presented to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aidan Taft Grano-Mickelsen , Dennis M . Fitzpatrick , and John T . Gibbs for the Eastern District of Virginia; Trial Attorney Alicia H . Cook of the National Security Division; Paralegal Specialist Nicole M . Lopez for the Eastern District of Virginia; Victim-Witness Coordinator Jennifer A . Donnarumma for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI Supervisory Special Agent John M . Chiappone ; FBI Special Agents Brian D . Czekala , Daniel P . O’Toole , William H . Heaney , and Julius F . Nutter ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Edward R . Laney ; Command Judge Advocate Elisabeth L . Gilman of the Department of Defense; and Associate Deputy General Counsel Michael D . Vozzo of the Department of Defense. The ninth Distinguished Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss R . Basil , Alexia R . DeVincentis , Stephen E . Frank , Kristen A . Kearney , Justin D . O’Connell , Ian J . Stearns , Leslie A . Wright , and Carol E . Head for the District of Massachusetts, Financial Investigator Lauren M . George for the District of Massachusetts, FBI Special Agents Laura C . Smith , Kaitlyn A . Cedrone , Keith T . Brown , and Chris Giankura ; IRS Special Agent Elizabeth A . Keating ; and Special Agent Mark G . Deckett of the Department of Education Office of Inspector General. The 10th Distinguished Award is presented to FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andrew P . Patchman ; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edward A . Panetta ; FBI Special Agents Raymond Esposito and Keri A . Shannon ; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Amanda Rossi and Samir Taslaman ; FBI Language Specialist Dragan Minic ; FBI Assistant Legal Attaches Veh Bezdikian and Justin Hefner ; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Hafetz , J . Matthew Haggans and Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York; Paralegal Specialist Huda Abouchaer for the Eastern District of New York; and DHS Special Agent/Task Force Officer Charles M . Reich . The 11th Distinguished Award is presented to Attorney-Advisors Christopher Clements , Megan Fluckiger , Alice Jou , Tyler Wood , and Stephen Buckingham of the National Security Division; Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Mike Granzini . The 12th Distinguished Award is presented to Special Agent in Charge Matthew J . Nutt of the Office of the Inspector (OIG); OIG Program Manager Mark E . Gray ; OIG Special Agent Rolando Ortiz-Rodriguez ; Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Karen Rich , Office of the Inspector General. The 13th Distinguished Award is presented to Chief of the Criminal Appeals Division David C . James for the Eastern District of New York. The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes a remarkable act of bravery and risk of life while performing official duties. Two Exception Herrorism Awards are presented this year. The first Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented posthumously to DEA Group Supervisor Michael G . Garbo ; DEA Special Agent Steven J . Fox ; DEA Detective/Task Force Officer Gabe A . Lopez of the Tucson Police Department; Sergeant/Task Force Officer Jesse Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department; and Officer/Task Force Officer Phillip M . Hengsteler Chamberlain of the Tucson Police Department. The second Award for Exceptional Heroism is presented to USMS Senior Inspector Michael Cundiff . The Edward H . Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity pays tribute former Attorney General Edward H. Levi by honoring an individual whose service to the Department exemplifies these qualities. The 2022 recipient of this award is Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S . Raab of the Civil Division. The Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2022. The first Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Acting Deputy Chief Gerald A . Toner of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section. The second Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented posthumously to Deputy Chief Nathaniel Douglas of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environment Enforcement Section. The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who have made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. The 2022 recipients of this award are Assistant Special Agents in Charge Richard Dial and Jason Seacrist of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country recognizes extraordinary efforts by Justice Department employees that demonstrate the Department’s commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The award is presented to DEA Supervisory Special Agent Mihajlo D . Zivkovic ; DEA Special Agents Daryl A . Iannillo , Christopher H . Salyer , and Virginia W . Foster ; DEA Task Force Officer Preston H . Brogdon ; Officer Tyler Bond of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Rex Van Ausdall of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; Detective Sergeant Steve Gunis of the Yavapai Apache Police Department; and Chief Nathan Huibregtse of the Yavapai Apache Police Department. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers within the Justice Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards are presented for 2022. The first Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to DEA Special Agents Adam J . Cirillo , Adrian M . Owens , Kelly Y . Chang , Kelly D . Webster , Kevin D . Novick , Silvana M . Restrepo , Trenton L . Shaffer , and Tiffany Hsieh ; and DEA Intelligence Analyst Diana D . Wu . The second Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Margaret Mande ; FBU Special Agent Jose M . De La Sierra ; FBI Special Agent William Lewis Donaldson III ; and Supervisory Officer/Task Force Officer Daniel Jose Gonzalez of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significant improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. The award is presented to Director for Strategic Planning and Performance Staff Robin S . Funston of the Justice Management Division; Senior Performance Advisor Tennille R . Nance of the Justice Management Division; Senior Evaluation Advisor Russell C . Burnett of the Justice Management Division; Senior Advisor for Enterprise Risk Management Debra R . Williams of the Justice Management Division; Program Analyst Marita J . La Palm of the Justice Management Division; Senior Counsel Sonja M . Ralston of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; and Special Advisor Apiyo Oloya of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology recognizes exceptional achievement in applying information technology to enhance Department operations, maintain efficiency, and solve problems. This award is presented to FBI Information Technology Specialists Angela S . Epperly , Chad E . Elliott , Dennis G . Klingensmith , Donald Carpenter Jr ., Dustin Tawney , Gregory A . Wood , James D . Marple , James M . Murray , Matthew L . Groves , Nicholas Daniel Fleming , Richard L . Whitescarver , Tonya Nicole Church , and Warren A . Morgan Jr . The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U . S . National Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. national security. This award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred Sheppard and Sabrina Feve for the Southern District of California; Chief of National Security and Cybercrimes John Parmley for the Southern District of California; FBI Special Agents Amy Poling , Adam James , Marina Shalfeyeva , Nicholas Arico , and Udell Hardy ; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Edison Constante . The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the Department’s highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Special Assistant Erika Pugh of the Office of the FBI Deputy Director; FBI Supervisory Management and Program Analysts Janelle Anite Jones and Joshua Lyn Curry ; FBI Management and Program Analysts Kathleen Ann Oltman , Kourtney Pearson , and Amanda L . Carroll ; and FBI Special Advisor/Management and Program Analyst Apiyo Oloya . The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by paralegal specialists and other legal assistants. The first award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Litigation Technology Case Manager Amanda J . Reinken of the Tax Division. The second award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Data Analyst Patrick Gifford of the Criminal Division. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. This award is presented to Administrative Services Specialist Rae N . Ross of the Justice Management Division. The Claudia J . Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility recognizes a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in the area of professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The award is presented to Senior Associate Counsel William J . Birney of the Office of Professional Responsibility. The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud, white collar crimes, and official corruption. The award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke C . Watson and Nicole Grosnoff for the Southern District of Florida and Dina McLeod for the Southern District of New York; Special Agents David Brant of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Special Agent Tyreek Brown of the U.S. Secret Service; Special Agents Sara Oliver , Sandip Singh , and Simon Dinitis of the Small Business Administration; Special Agent Ramon De Leon of the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agents Adam Dixon and Zac Effting ; and General Analyst Larry Alfonso of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes excellent achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes the significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of these programs. This award is presented to Deputy U.S. Marshal Albert Maresca Jr . The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of federal career service. The 2022 award is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Daniel L . Winik of the Civil Division. The John Marshall Awards are the Department’s highest awards presented to attorneys for contributions and excellence in specialized areas of legal performance. Ten awards in eight categories are presented this year. The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Deputy Chiefs Alixandra E . Smith and Jennifer E . Ambuehl of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Co-Principal Deputy Chief Brent Wible of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew G . Rolle and Dylan Stern for the Eastern District of New York. The second John Marshall Award is presented to Acting Chief Saritha Komatireddy for the Eastern District of New York’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F . Mindlin and Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York. The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Deputy Chief Rachael Tamar Hagler of the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section; Trial Attorneys Erin Meehan Richmond , Kathryn Legomsky , and Natasha Babazedeh of the Civil Rights Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Campion and Susan Millenky for the District of New Jersey. The fourth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Counsel Jared S . Hosid of the Criminal Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Miller for the District of Columbia, Geoffrey Barrow for the District of Oregon, and Marcus Busch for the Northern District of Texas; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator Andrew Goldsmith of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Legal Administrative Officer Caitlin Grzymala of the Antitrust Division; FBI Associate Division Counsel Vicki Wilson ; Litigation Technology Coordinator Susan Cooke of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Program Manager Mustafa Edrisy of the Justice Management Division; Information Technology Program Manager John Brandon Platt of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys; Information Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell of the National Security Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Taylor ; FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan ; Information Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen for the Western District of North Carolina; Paralegal Specialist Cassi Wiseman of the Antitrust Division; and Litigation Chief Karen McColman of the National Security Division’s Technology Support Services. The fifth John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Appellate Trial Attorney Lindsey Powell of the Civil Division. The sixth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Rosemary A . Hart of the Office of Legal Counsel; Senior Counsels Laura E . Heim and Nathan Forrester of the Office of Legal Counsel; Counsel Nicholas Nasrallah of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Attorney-Advisors James A . Durling , Amin Aminafar , Janine S . Balekdijan , Kevin J . Barber , Conor J . Clarke , Conor J . Craft , Adam Grogg , Kelley Brooke Hostetler , Anjali Motgi , and Ryan Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel. The seventh John Marshall Award for Preparation or Handling of Legislation is presented to Chief Sarah Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; and Attorney-Advisors Molly Cusson and Susan Schneider of the Criminal Division. The eighth John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Section Chief Seth M . Barsky of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Assistant Section Chief Meredith L . Flax of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section; Senior Attorney Mary E . Hollingsworth of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Briena L . Strippoli and Devon L . Flanagan of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Chief Susan S . Brandon for the Eastern District of Oklahoma’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J . O’Malley for the Eastern District of Oklahoma; Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L . McCullough of the Criminal Division; Assistant Section Chief Jennifer L . Crane of the USMS’ Asset Forfeiture Division; USMS Property Management Specialist Cynthia L . Bridges ; and USMS Assistant Chief Inspector Sean M . Xuereb . The ninth John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M . Soler , David Z . Moskowitz , Katherine A . Ross , Jacob Licht , and Nicholas A . Deuschle for the District of Colorado. 71st Annual Attorney General’s Awards – 2023 The Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the Justice Department. The 2023 award is presented to Director Hilary Axam of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda Williams , Laura Provinzino , Craig Baune , and David Genrich for the District of Minnesota; Paralegal Stefnie Braun for the District of Minnesota; Victim/Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud for the District of Minnesota; Litigation Support Specialist Daniel Czapko for the District of Minnesota; Supervisory Litigation Support Specialist Mark Zeitz for the District of Minnesota; HSI Supervisory Special Agent Tonya Price ; IRS Special Agent John Tschida ; and Special Agent Kevin Sullivan of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service is the second highest Justice Department award granted by the Attorney General. There are 16 Distinguished Service Awards presented in 2023. The first Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Director Andrew R . Lange of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)’s Enforcement Programs and Services; Chief Vivian S . Chu of the ATF’s Office of Regulatory Affairs; ATF Senior Economist Jeana L . Davalos ; ATF Regulations Writers Helen L . Koppe and Denise R . Brown ; ATF Senior Policy Counsel Eric M . Epstein ; ATF Associate Chief Counsel James P . Vann ; ATF Deputy Associate Chief Counsel Jonathan S . Jacobs ; ATF Senior Counsel Melissa A . Anderson ; ATF Firearms & Ammunition Chief William J . Ryan ; ATF Chief Counsel Pamela J . Hicks . The second Distinguished Service award is presented to Economists Malika Krishna and Jessica C . Stahl of the Antitrust Division; Trial Attorneys Ihan Kim , Jessica Leal , Brittney A . Dimond , Sarah Licht , Jon Goldsmith , Bennett Matelson , Collier Kelley , John P . Read , Kevin Krautscheid , Lauren Riker , Ethan Stevenson , and Robert Vance of the Antitrust Division; and Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Vernon of the Antitrust Division. The third Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah E . Harrington of the Civil Division; Appellate Litigation Counsel Michael S . Raab of the Civil Division; Senior Appellate Counsel Alisa B . Klein of the Civil Division; Assistant Branch Directors Eric B . Beckenhauer and Julie Straus Harris of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch; Assistant Director Hilary K . Perkins of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch; Appellate Attorney Cynthia A . Barmore of the Civil Division; Trial Attorneys Christopher A . Eiswerth , Kate Talmor , Emily B . Nestler , Noah T . Katzen , Scott P . Kennedy , Oliver J . McDonald , and Isaac C . Belfer of the Civil Division; Assistants to the Solicitor General Luke McCloud and Erica Ross ; Special Counsel Daniel S . Schwei of the Civil Division; Counsel Kathleen A . Choi of the Civil Division; Attorney-Advisor Naomi Gilens of the Office of Legal Counsel; and Senior Trial Counsel Amy D . Kossak of the Civil Division. The fourth Distinguished Service award is presented to Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Alison Zitron of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Bryan Hamaker , Delaney Jester , Paul Rey , Justin Crenshaw , and Timothy Callinan ; Assistant Deputy Chief William Hall and Deputy Chief James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia; FBI IT Specialist Angel V . Nanov ; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ryan J . Leszczynski ; and Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa Becker of the Criminal Division. The fifth Distinguished Service award is presented to Deputy Chief Elizabeth E . McDonald of the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section; Trial Attorneys Lindsey M . Weinstock , Hans Justin Park , James V . Fletcher , Lauren M . Latterell Powell , Jillian R . Lenson , Amanda B . Pearlstein , Janelle J . Geddes , Nonny Onyekweli , Beth Esposito , and Nicole Kovite Zeitler of the Civil Rights Division; Program Specialist Sara Olsen of the Civil Rights Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica Harrell James for the Southern District of Florida; Litigation Support Specialist Justin Fields-Gray of the Civil Rights Division; and Paralegal Specialist Krysten Diaz-Silveira of the Civil Rights Division. The sixth Distinguished Service award is presented to Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory McDonald and Ian Hanna for the Western District of Texas; Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas; Trial Attorneys Timothy Visser and Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division; Trial Attorney Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Forrest Christian of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section; Victim Witness Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez for the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agents Eddie Dominguez , Christina Papp , and America Guevara ; FBI Victim Specialists Jennifer Romero , and Kelly Murphy ; ATF Special Agent Nate Anderson ; and FBI Task Force Officer Brandon Speed . The seventh Distinguished Service award is presented to DEA Group Supervisors Eric Jolley and Elvis Hugee and DEA Special Agents Brent Ramos , Peter Kinyoun , Rochelle Cup-Choy , Alexander Pearlstone , Audrey Alaniz , Michael Sier , and Eric Kischer . The eighth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Senior Attorney Gabriel M . Allen of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Katherine A . Abend of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; Assistant Section Chief Lori B . Jonas of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section; Community Outreach Specialist Brenda J . Horner of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Cynthia M . Ferguson Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Office of Environmental Justice; Chief Angela Givens Williams for the Southern District of Mississippi’s Civil Division; Paralegal Specialist Minnie V . Becton of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Senior Counsels Karl J . Fingerhood and Angela Mo of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige for the Southern District of Mississippi; and Lead Conciliation Specialist for Region IV Walter L . Atkinson of the Community Relations Services. The ninth Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy , Philip Pilmar , and Adam Amir for the Eastern District of New York; Deputy Chief Erin Reid for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Rights Section; Chief Ryan Harris of the Eastern District of New York’s Public Integrity Section; Paralegal Specialists Huda T . Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett for the Eastern District of New York; Special Agent George Dietz for the Eastern District of New York; FBI Special Agent Paul West ; DEA Special Agents Jason Franks , James Cain , and John Muglia ; and HSI Special Agents Damian Mazzaferro , Jimmy Cepeda , and Scott Vogel . The 10th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Rakoczy , Jeffrey Nestler , Alexandra “Alex” Hughes , Jocelyn Ballentine , and Troy A Edwards Jr. for the District of Columbia; FBI Special Agents Michael Palian , Sylvia Hilgeman , Joanna Abrams , Byron Cody , Kelsey Harris , John D . “Jack” Moore , Adam K . Pope , and Justin T . Eller ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Katherine Riley Prendergast ; Paralegal Specialist Amanda Rohde for the District of Columbia; Victim/Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant for the District of Columbia; and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Banks . The 11th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason B . A . McCullough and Erik M . Kenerson for the District of Columbia and Nadia Moore for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Conor Mulroe of the Criminal Division; FBI Special Agents Nicholas Hanak , Kathryn Camiliere , Anthony J . “A . J . ” Needler , Peter R . Dubrowski , Nicole Miller , and Brandon Camiliere ; FBI Tactical Specialist Rebecca Corazzi ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brian M . Lizana ; and FBI Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Jennifer Kathryn Cain . The 12th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents David B . Bannan , Steven M . Dixon , Melissa M . Fair , Deana M . Jones , Ashley T . Kakareka , Brian Sharrow , and Jason R . Maslow ; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Tawnya Delarosa ; FBI Intelligence Analysts Kris Hemme and Stacy Hamilton ; FBI Legal Assistant Thomas Donnelly ; FBI Task Force Officer Andrew Maurer ; Chief Cherie Krigsman for Middle District of Florida’s National Security Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida. The 13th Distinguished Service Award is presented to FBI Special Agents Ryan Boron , Nicholas Milan , and Thomas H . Lipp ; Special Agent Christopher O’Neill of the Department of Commerce; FBI Supervisory Special Agents Calvin R . Davis and Steven Jefferson ; FBI Staff Operations Specialists Alexander J . Kornberger and Kathryn McCool ; FBI Forensics Accountant Jordanna A . Lubelli ; FBI Assistant Legal Attache Jonathan R . Schmidt , Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell and Madeline O’Connor for the Eastern District of New York; Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division; Justice Department Attache Josh Cavinato of the Office of International Affairs. The 14th Distinguished Service Award is presented to OIG Special Agent Lyeson T . Daniel ; OIG Assistant Special Agents in Charge Dennis E . Matulewicz Jr ., Ryan T . Geach and H . Jeremy Horne ; OIG Deputy Assistant Inspector General Sandra D . Barnes ; and Senior Counsel to the Inspector General Erin Aslan . The 15th Distinguished Service Award is presented to Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S . Kneedler ; Appellate Trial Attorneys Amber B . Blaha and Mary Gabrielle Sprague of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Assistant to the Solicitor General Frederick Liu ; Chief S . Craig Alexander of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Indian Resources Section; Assistant Appellate Section Chiefs William B . Lazarus and Rachel E . Heron of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Attorney-Advisor Christine W . Ennis of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Gina L . Allery of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice; and Deputy Director JoAnn L . Kintz of the Office of Tribal Justice. The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism is designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty. One Exceptional Heroism Award is presented to ATF Special Agent Adam R . Daniels . The Edward H . Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity is established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor, and dean and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department. In 2023, one Edward H. Levi Award is presented to Deputy Assistant Attorney General George Z . Toscas of the National Security Division. The Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. This award is presented only in exceptional circumstances to those individuals of special merit and is not awarded to express general appreciation for tenure alone. Two Mary C. Lawton Awards are presented for 2023. The first Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to ATF Senior Counsel to the Director Joseph J . Allen . The second Mary C . Lawton Lifetime Service Award is presented to Section Chief Steven H . Rosenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. The William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement was established to pay tribute to the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees (LECCs), and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the nation. It is designed to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives. This award is presented to DEA Task force Officer Jason Pearce- Best . The Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service is the top public service award granted by the Department and is designed to recognize the most significant contributions of citizens and organizations that have assisted the Department in the accomplishment of its missions and objectives. This award is presented to District Attorney Summer Stephan for the County of San Diego California. The Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the Department's commitment to fight crime in Indian Country. The first Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Victim Assistant Specialists Brandi Duvall , Taelyn Langford , and Karriem Harris for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The second Award for Exceptional Service in Indian Country is presented to Supervisory Grants Management Specialists Anne Hamilton and LeBretia White of the Office of Justice Programs; Principal Deputy Director Katherine Darke Schmitt of the Office of Justice Programs; and Grant Management Specialists Jessica Andrew , Mary Atlas-Terry , Yolanda Curtis Gibson , Dawn Hill , Tanya Miller , Ramesa Pitts , Alexis Polen , Barbara L . Robertson , Carmen Santiago Roberts , Lori Gardner , Jenny Semanta Stancell , and Kimberly R . Woodard of the Office of Justice Programs. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs. This award is presented to Director Christian C . Alvarez of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Deputy Director Matthew J . Roper of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Associate Directors Jeffrey D . Pullen and Nathaniel H . Wheeler of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Assistant Directors Marc Berlove and Vu C . Truong of the Justice Management Division’s Finance Staff; Finance Management Specialists Dara L . Sabanosh and Catherine Green-Lee of the Justice Management Division; Systems Accountant Jocelyn M . Harris of the Justice Management Division; Supervisory IT Specialist Leon Braddell of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialists Giles T . Welles , Vincent B . Anderson , and Reena J . Shah of the Justice Management Division; and IT Specialist Jerome K . Milligan of the Justice Management Division. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Information Technology is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems. Two Awards for Excellence in Information Technology are presented this year. The first Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to Special Assistant to the Assistant Director Edward Stely in the ATF’s Office of Enforcement Programs and Services; ATF Special Agent Cassandra Mullins ; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard ; ATF Intelligence Research Specialist Stacie Alvey of the Louisville Field Division; ATF Acting Branch Chief Carl A . O’Day of the Application Development Branch; and Colonel Philip Burnette Jr . and Lieutenant Colonel Larry Newton of the Kentucky State Police. The second Award for Excellence in Information Technology is presented to DEA Chief Information Officer Nick Ward ; Senior Counsel Leonard Bailey of the Criminal Division; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Michael Bettine ; Attorney Advisor Gabriel Slater of the National Security Division; Deputy Cyber Chief Sean Newell of the National Security Division; and Chief Information Security Officer Vu Nguyen of the Justice Management Division; Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Yasuda of the Justice Management Division; and Acting Assistant Director Larry Tun of the Justice Management Division’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U . S . National Security is designed to recognize a special act or service by a Department employee who has greatly contributed to protecting U.S. national security. The 2023 award is presented to FBI Computer Scientist Michael R . Berger ; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Katherine Miles ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Laci Falk ; FBI Special Agents Chad R . Loewenstine , Jason Moore , Jonathan R . Perlstein , Martin A . Quintana , Justin H . Rowland and Taylor M . Forry ; FBI Intelligence Analysts Adam E . Foster and Alec T . Hass Cyber Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson for the District of New York. The Attorney General’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is designed to recognize significant contributions to the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. This award is presented to Director Richard Toscano of the Justice Management Division’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff; Special Assistant to the Executive Officer Elizabeth D . Preston of the Tax Division’s Office of Management and Administration; and Assistant Section Chief Michelle O . Rindone of the Antitrust Division’s International Section. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support is designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Paralegal Support is presented to Paralegal Specialist Anna Rogers of the Criminal. The award for Excellence in Legal Support – Legal Assistance Support is presented to Legal Assistant Debra L . Nash for the Northern District of Iowa. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by administrative employees or secretaries. There are two Excellence in Administrative Support Awards this year. The first Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented to Lead Management Analyst Catherine M . Murray of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The second Award for Excellence in Administrative Support is presented posthumously to IT Specialist Hector Radhames Gonzalez for the District of Massachusetts. The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Administrative Support – Non-Legal Secretarial is designed to recognize outstanding administrative or managerial achievements. This award is presented to Psychology Secretary Christa A . Butler of Federal Correctional Institution – Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. The Claudia J . Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is designed to recognize a Department attorney who has made significant contributions in professional responsibility by successfully handling a sensitive and challenging professional responsibility issue in an exemplary fashion and/or leading efforts to ensure that Department attorneys carry out their duties in accordance with the rules of professional conduct. The first Claudia J . Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Peter Ko for the Southern District of California. The second Claudia J . Flynn Award for Professional Responsibility is presented to Assistant Chief Jeremy Sanders of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Victim-Witness Attorney Coordinator Brian Strang of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Gwendolyn Stamper of the Criminal Division; Senior Counsels Lauren Britsch Slater , Alissa Kempler , and Daniel Richenthal of the Criminal Division; Trial Attorneys Sonja Lauren Kupersmith and Anne Pings of the Criminal Division; Deputy Chief Alexandra Gelber of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section; Child Victim Witness Program Administrator Nicole Borello of Criminal Division; Attorney Advisor Molly Cusson of the Criminal Division; Appellate Attorney Sonja Ralston of the Criminal Division; and Assistant Deputy Chief Erica O’Neil of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section. The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Administration is designated to recognize exceptional dedication to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. A Recipient’s actions through participation in the processes of FOIA administration should foster a spirit of openness in government and dedicated service to FOIA requesters. This award presented to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah S . Normand for the Southern District of New York. The Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention is designed to recognize those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes. This award is presented to Trial Attorneys James F . Bresnahan II , Lauren A . Darwit , Richard G . Rose , Harris J . Phillips , and Gregory E . Van Hoey of the Tax Division. The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a community. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to building collaborations that draw upon the skills and resources of a range of stakeholders within a community – including state and local community leaders, law enforcement, service providers, as well as local residents and representatives of the business community – in addressing public safety, crime prevention and control, community justice and other community-building and revitalization issues. This award is presented to FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kalon P . Fancher ; FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Ryan C . Summers ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Donald L . Metzmeier ; FBI Operational Support Technician Amelia M . Herrera ; FBI Liaison Specialist John Bush ; FBI Management and Program Analyst Russell J . Myers II ; FBI Intelligence Analyst Nicolette G . Rose ; FBI Native American Affairs Coordinator Dawn Begay of the City of Albuquerque; Task Force Chair Lynn Trujillo of the Department of Interior; Public Safety Answering Point Supervisor Reycita Billie of the Albuquerque Division of Public Safety; Special Agent in Charge Clarence Gibson of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Assistant General Counsel Stephanie Salazar of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office; Acting Commander Gerald Bartlett of the Albuquerque Police Department; Staff Lead M elody Delmar of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department; Task Force Officer Darlene Gomez of the Albuquerque Law Offices of Darlene Gomez LLC. The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Service by a Federal Wage Grade System Employee is designed to recognize extraordinary performance and contributions by wage grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics and skilled craft workers. The award is presented to Electrical Worker Foreman Charles D . Treadway II of the Federal Detention Center SeaTac. The Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee is designed to recognize exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and federal government. This award is presented to Trial Attorney Nathan J . Bu of the Civil Division’s Environmental Torts Litigation Section. The John Marshall Award , named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys of the Justice Department. The first John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S . Leach , Kelly I . Volkar , John C . Bostic , and Jeffrey D . Nedrow for the Northern District of California. The second John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth M . Yusi John , F . Butler , and E . Rebecca Gantt for the Eastern District of Virginia. The third John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Senior Trial Counsel John Adam Bain of the Civil Division. The fourth John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation is presented to Co-Chiefs David J . Kennedy and Ellen Blain for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; Deputy Chief Christine S . Poscablo for the Southern District of New York’s Civil Rights Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T . Lillywhite for the Southern District of New York. The fifth John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation is presented to Senior Attorneys Paul Cirino and Leslie M . Hill of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; Trial Attorneys Lucy E . Brown and David M . Mitchell of the Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and Assistant Section Chief Martha C . Mann of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section. The sixth John Marshall A ward for Support of Litigation is presented to Trial Attorney Leigh P . Rendé of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. The seventh John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals is presented to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Thomas Rivero and Michael Brenner for the Southern District of Florida. The eighth John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice is presented to Special Counsel Laura Eddleman Heim of the Office of Legal Counsel; Attorney-Adviser Ryan N . Watzel of the Office of Legal Counsel; Director Mark R . Freeman of the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff; and Assistant Director Joshua M . Salzman Civil Division’s Appellate Staff. The ninth John Marshall Award for Handling Legislation is presented to Special Master Mary Patrice Brown of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recover Section; Attorney Advisors Barbara Gilmore , Regan Kruse , Jane Lee , Anish Mather , and Jacqueline Feil of the Criminal Division; Senior Legal Counsel James Curt Bohling of the Criminal Division; Chief Sarah B . Dorsey of the Criminal Division’s Policy Unit; Chief Jennifer Bickford of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit; and Deputy Chief Matthew Colon of the Criminal Division’s Program Management and Training Unit. The 10th John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture is presented to Chief Brent S . Wible of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Principal Deputy Chief Margaret A . Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Deputy Director Michael Khoo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; Attorney Advisor Janice Nsor of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Deputy Assistant Attorney General Christina Calce of the Office of Legislative Affairs; Director Andrew C . Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Associate Deputy Attorney General L . Rush Atkinson of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thane Rehn , Jessica Greenwood , and Vladislav Vainberg for the Southern District of New York; and Deputy Director David Lim National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The 11th John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution is presented to Assistant Branch Director Carlotta P . Wells of the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and Senior Trial Counsel Lisa A . Olson Civil Division. The 12th John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation is presented to Senior Litigation Counsel John J . W . Inkeles of the Civil Division; Trial Attorney Mack J . Swan of the Civil Division; Senior Attorney Kim Kucik of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office (ICE); ICE Deputy Chief Counsel Kimberlee Krawchuk ; ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Katerina Alexopolous ; ICE Associate Legal Advisor Michael McVicker ; ICE Special Agent Thomas Connors ; and ICE Historian William Tomljanovich .


title: FBI agent indicted for theft

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old federal agent from Houston has been charged with theft of personal and government property and providing false statements, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Authorities have arrested Nicholas Anthony Williams. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 2 p.m. According to the indictment, returned Jan. 31, Williams has been an FBI special agent in the Houston Field Office since 2019. He allegedly served in both the criminal violent gang and counterterrorism squads. The charges allege that from March 2022 to July 2023, Williams took money or property from multiple residences while executing search warrants as an FBI special agent and then allegedly converted the money or property to his personal use. Williams also stole multiple cell phones which were FBI property and provided false statements with regard to several fraudulent charges on his government-issued credit card, according to the indictment. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General is conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia and Sarina DiPiazza prosecuted the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Pleads Guilty to Willful Failure to Implement Anti-Money Laundering Controls

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union . Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison.Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Gyanendra Asre pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Diane Gujarati. When sentenced, Asre faces up to 10 years in prison. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Erin Keegan, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the guilty plea. “Asre was an experienced anti-money laundering specialist well-versed in the Bank Secrecy Act’s provisions and deliberately ignored these protections, exposing financial institutions to the risk of illicit criminal activity,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will vigorously enforce these laws to ensure the integrity of the U.S. financial system and to hold responsible those who would deliberately disregard them for financial gain.” “Gyanendra Asre was specifically trained in proper banking protocols and procedures. Yet, instead of following the necessary steps, the defendant took advantage of a small New York financial institution, which primarily served state employees, to the tune of $1 billion," said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. "I commend HSI New York and our law enforcement partners for their dedication to ensuring vitally integral regulations — the foundation of our banking system — are upheld.” According to court filings, from 2014 to 2016, Asre devised a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business lines such as international currency trading to small, unsophisticated financial institutions. Asre was trained in anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, and represented to the financial institutions that, because of his experience and training, he understood the risks associated with the high-risk business lines and would conduct appropriate anti-money laundering oversight as required by the Bank Secrecy Act. Based on Asre’s representations, the New York State Employees Federal Credit Union (NYSEFCU), a small financial institution with a volunteer board that primarily served New York state public employees, allowed Asre to conduct high-risk transactions through the NYSEFCU. Asre then caused the transfer of more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions, including hundreds of millions of dollars originating from high-risk foreign jurisdictions, through the NYSEFCU and other entities. Asre, who was a certified anti-money laundering specialist with experience in international banking and anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, was a member of the NYSEFCU’s supervisory board during this time period. However, contrary to his representations, Asre willfully failed to implement and maintain the requisite anti-money laundering programs or conduct oversight required to detect, identify and report suspicious transactions. This caused, among other things, the NYSEFCU to process more than $1 billion in high-risk transactions during Asre’s tenure, without ever filing a single Suspicious Activity Report as required by law. In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, in coordination with the Office’s Bank Integrity Task Force, which is charged with investigating and charging corporate and individual actors who launder criminal proceeds using the U.S. banking system and enforcing anti-money laundering controls under the Bank Secrecy Act. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Francisco J. Navarro of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case with Acting Chief Margaret Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. The investigation is being conducted by HSI’s El Dorado Task Force in New York. The Defendant : GYANENDRA ASRE Age: 56 Greenwich, Connecticut E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-174 (DG)


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Welcomes Three New Federal Prosecutors

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has sworn in three new federal prosecutors to serve the Southern District of Illinois. “It’s an honor to welcome new federal prosecutors to our office,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Each attorney has a deep knowledge of and respect for the law, and I look forward to supporting them in their new roles.” Amanda McQuaid, Madalyn Campbell and Kathleen Howard joined the office in various Assistant U.S. Attorney positions. McQuaid will focus on e-Litigation, Campbell fills a position to prosecute domestic terrorism and other violent crime cases and Howard joins the office’s Fraud and Corruption unit. Before becoming AUSAs, McQuaid served as a law clerk to the Honorable District Judge David W. Dugan of the Southern District of Illinois, Campbell was an Assistant Attorney General for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Howard was in private practice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Illinois serves the lower 38 counties of the state. The main office is in Fairview Heights with branch offices in Benton and East St. Louis.


title: Connoquenessing Resident Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for $1.67 Million Embezzlement and Filing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on January 30, 2024, to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release on her convictions for wire fraud and making false statements on her tax returns, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Constance Stobert, 58. According to information presented to the court, Stobert worked as a controller for a company called Mechanical Operations Company (MOC) from 1994 until July 2021. Between January 2014 and July 2018, Stobert stole at least $1,678,893 in MOC’s assets to pay for her personal expenses. Among other things, Stobert wrote checks from MOC’s business banking accounts to make personal credit card payments and used MOC’s credit cards to withdraw cash at ATMs in casinos located in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas. Stobert also admitted that, during the tax years 2016 through and including 2019, she willfully and knowingly filed false tax returns, in which she failed to report the money she embezzled from MOC, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $545,990. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Schwab stated that Stobert caused substantial financial hardship to MOC and its owners and noted that Stobert’s crimes were intentional, serious, and occurred over a substantial period of time. Judge Schwab also stressed that efforts to portray the defendant as the victim were not convincing and that, given the seriousness of the offenses, defense counsel’s request for a sentence of home incarceration “is a bridge too far.” “The victim entrusted Ms. Stobert with unfettered access to corporate funds, and, for years, she betrayed that trust by stealing more than $1.5 million and taking deliberate steps to cover up her theft,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This type of deception will not be tolerated, and bringing the perpetrators of such financial crimes to justice will continue to be an important part of the work of this office and our partners in law enforcement.” “Ms. Stobert used her position to fund her lavish lifestyle and while doing so not only defrauded her employer, but honest hardworking Americans who pay their tax obligations every year,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “This sentencing should serve as reminder to anyone willing to take advantage of their employment to steal funds - the FBI will ensure you are held accountable in the criminal justice system.” “No matter the source of the income, all income is taxable, and accurate tax returns must be filed,” said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. “Constance Stobert embezzled from her employer for years and failed to report the stolen funds on her personal income tax returns. The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is always a priority for IRS-CI.” Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Stobert.


title: FORMER WAYNE COUNTY EMPLOYEE SENTENCED TO  1½ YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING COUNTY OUT OF  OVER $2.3 MILLION IN TAXPAYER FUNDS

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Former Wayne County Roads Division employee John Gibson was sentenced to 1½ years in prison today for conspiring to defraud the county out of over $2.3 million, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced. Ison and Worthy were joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington. Gibson, 55, of Detroit, pleaded guilty in July 2023. He and fellow Wayne County employee Kevin Gunn engaged in a scheme to use taxpayer dollars to make unauthorized purchases of generators and other power equipment from retailers in southeast Michigan which they sold for hundreds of thousands in personal profit. Gunn also pleaded guilty as part of the scheme and was sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison on November 8, 2023. According to court documents, in March of 2021, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars. The Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the FBI to investigate the criminal actions of Gunn, Gibson, other employees of the Wayne County Roads Division, and vendors to Wayne County. At the beginning of the investigation, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office secured a search warrant which broke open the case and exposed the embezzlement scheme. Investigators with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office have played an ongoing and important role in the investigation. As part of the scheme to defraud, between January 2019 and August 2021, Gunn solicited Wayne County vendors to provide generators and other power equipment the vendors were not authorized to provide under their contracts with the county. To conceal the scheme to defraud, Gunn instructed the vendors to list on their invoices different items which they were authorized to sell as part of their Wayne County contracts. Roads Division employees approved and paid each vendor’s invoice with taxpayer funds. After these fraudulent purchases were verified and approved by Roads Division employees, Gibson took possession of the equipment, paid Gunn for the items, and resold the generators and other items to members of the public. A review of invoices from Wayne County vendors revealed that between January 16, 2019, and August 3, 2021, Wayne County vendors sold to Wayne County 596 unauthorized generators, and a variety of other power equipment including lawnmowers, chainsaws, and backpack blowers. The purchase of these items was not authorized under any vendor contract with Wayne County nor were the items ever provided to or used by Wayne County. The total value of equipment obtained as part of the scheme was over $2.3 million. United States Attorney Dawn Ison said, “Today’s sentence represents our commitment to ensuring that the citizens of the Eastern District of Michigan are served by public officials who elevate the needs of the public over their own self-interest.” “This sentence should serve as a deterrent to prevent any future employees from stealing from Wayne County. If you do, there will be life changing criminal consequences,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Worthy. "The alleged misconduct by Mr. Gibson was a betrayal of his fellow government employees and is not representative of the honest and hard work they perform on a daily basis," stated Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The defendant was entrusted with taxpayer money, which was intended to be used for a specific purpose, not his personal profit. I would like to commend Prosecutor Kym Worthy and the Wayne County investigators for their assistance during this case. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take strong action against individuals who seek to corrupt the integrity and fair administration of government programs." “The alleged actions of these individuals are nothing short of disgraceful,” said Sheriff Raphael Washington. “To brazenly steal from hardworking taxpayers and fraudulently line their own pockets while holding positions of public trust make these crimes all the more deplorable. Today’s sentencing is another example of our strong commitment to working together.” The investigation of this case was conducted by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Area Corruption Task Force. In addition, Wayne County Executive Evans and his administration have been assisting and cooperating with the investigation since they first learned of fraudulent activity within their organization. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.


title: Indiana Man Charged with Obstructing Gambling Investigation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An Indiana man has been charged with obstructing a federal grand jury investigation in the Northern District of Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. A one-count information filed earlier today in United States District Court charges Bert Eugene Neff, 49, of Indianapolis, Indiana, with one count of obstruction of justice. The charge arose from a scheme to impede an investigation into suspicious gambling activity surrounding a National Collegiate Athletic Association baseball game. According to the Information, Neff engaged in a multi-month obstruction scheme that began in May 2023 and continued until January 2024. During the course of the scheme, Neff destroyed his cell phone, encouraged witnesses to destroy their cell phones and delete encrypted messaging applications, and provided false statements to federal investigators. The scheme culminated in October 2023 when Neff participated in a one-hour twenty-one-minute telephone call concerning topics related to the investigation with two witnesses the day before they were scheduled to testify before a grand jury in the Northern District of Alabama. All of this activity was designed to interfere with ongoing grand jury investigation. According to the plea agreement, also filed today, Neff has agreed to plead guilty to the charge, The Court will set a date for Neff to enter his guilty plea. The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice is ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Edward J. Canter and Lloyd C. Peeples are prosecuting the case. An information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Philadelphia Man Charged in Connection with Eight Carjackings and Nine Robberies

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Khalil Dickens, 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy, eight counts of carjacking and aiding and abetting, and four counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. Between approximately June 2023 and July 2023, Dickens and others allegedly took part in eight armed carjackings and nine additional robberies, in the city of Philadelphia, several of which involved the perpetrators physically assaulting, or even shooting at, their victims. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment. The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Indicted on Firearms Violation

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment named Demond Pinkett, 45, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment presented to the Court, on January 17, 2024, Pinkett possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in 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. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Firearms Charges

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On January 30, 2024, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Hobbs Act robbery and violating federal firearms law, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Anthony Kendrick, 37, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Kendrick had been one of three individuals involved in a string of robberies targeting gas stations, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants in the Pittsburgh area between June and August of 2019. In particular, Kendrick pleaded guilty to armed robberies at two BP gas stations on the evening of August 4 and August 5, 2019. The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 27 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Kendrick.


title: Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Violate U.S. Export Laws

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on January 30, 2024, to a charge of conspiring to violate federal export laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Derby Clerfe, 44, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Clerfe had purchased nine handguns and provided them to another individual who would arrange for their export to Haiti without filing the export information required by federal law. Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for May 30, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Clerfe.


title: Port Trevorton Man Sentenced For Straw Purchase Of Firearms

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dalon Sass-Maxwell, age 26, of Port Trevorton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by the Honorable Matthew W. Brann to serve two years of incarceration based upon his previously entered guilty plea to straw purchasing thirteen firearms for individuals who were prohibited from possessing firearms. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on six separate occasions in 2020 and 2021, Sass-Maxwell purchased firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and falsely stated at the time of the purchases that he was the actual purchaser. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case. ###


title: Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act Charges in $1B Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A New York man pleaded guilty today to failure to maintain an anti-money laundering program in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act as part of a scheme to bring lucrative and high-risk international financial business to a small, unsophisticated credit union. According to court documents, from 2014 to 2016, Gyanendra Asre, 56, of New York, was a member of the supervisory board of the New York State Employees Federal Credit Union (NYSEFCU), a financial institution that was required to have an anti-money laundering program. Through the NYSEFCU and other entities, Asre participated in a scheme that brought over $1 billion in high-risk transactions, including millions of dollars of bulk cash transactions from a foreign bank, to the NYSEFCU. In addition, Asre was a certified anti-money laundering specialist who was experienced in international banking and trained in anti-money laundering compliance and procedures, and represented to the NYSEFCU that he and his businesses would conduct appropriate anti-money laundering oversight as required by the Bank Secrecy Act. Based on Asre’s representations, the NYSEFCU, a small credit union with a volunteer board that primarily served New York state public employees, allowed Asre and his entities to conduct high-risk transactions through the NYSEFCU. Contrary to his representations, Asre willfully failed to implement and maintain an anti-money laundering program at the NYSEFCU. This failure caused the NYSEFCU to process the high-risk transactions without appropriate oversight and without ever filing a single Suspicious Activity Report, as required by law. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York made the announcement. HSI investigated the case. Acting Chief Margaret Moeser of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan C. Harris and Francisco J. Navarro for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case. MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.


title: Honduran National Previously Deported Three Times Admits to Illegal Reentry, Social Security Fraud

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Honduran national who repeatedly entered the United States illegally and was removed in 2007, 2018, and October 2019, admitted to a federal judge today in Providence that he had entered the United States illegally for a fourth time prior to his most recent arrest in Providence in January 2023, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. At the time of his arrest in Providence, Belfran Joel Najera-Chirinos, 42, was employed by a local shipbuilder, working under the name of and using the Social Security of another individual. When arrested, Najera-Chirinos provided law enforcement with yet a different name, and produced a Puerto Rican driver’s license in the name of that person. Najera-Chirinos today pleaded guilty to charges of illegal reentry after deportation and Social Security fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron. The matter was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Todd Gee Announces Recipients of  Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Awards for their Work Related to the Jackson Water Crisis

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – U.S. Attorney Todd Gee announced that two members of his staff were honored with Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Awards at a ceremony held today at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C. The annual Attorney General’s Awards recognize Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. “Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country. In the Southern District of Mississippi, Civil Division Chief Angela Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitzi Dease Paige were chosen, along with other team members from the Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section, Office of Environmental Justice, and Community Relations Service, for their work related to the City of Jackson’s water crisis. The Jackson Safe Drinking Water Act/Clean Water Act team was recognized for its outstanding work engaging with the City of Jackson on both its drinking water and wastewater systems and negotiating two stipulated orders appointing a third-party manager to take over the City’s failing systems. “The Department of Justice’s work with the City of Jackson and other partners to obtain a third party administrator for the water system has already had a real impact on making Jackson’s water safer,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “This award reflects the hard work of the DOJ attorneys and other personnel that helped make that happen.”


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Honors Department of Justice Employees and Partners With Attorney General’s Awards

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, honoring Justice Department employees and others for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation’s laws. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were selected from a group of more than 800 nominees. “Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, and in so doing, they have enabled the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Their exceptional leadership, heroism, and dedication have benefited people and communities across the country. Jarod Douglas, Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for Outstanding Work in Investigation Threats to Critical U.S. Navy Technology for his exemplary work in U.S. v. Toebbe et al. Jonathan Toebbe and his wife, Diana Toebbe, of Annapolis, Maryland, were sentenced last year after pleading guilty to conspiracy to communicate restricted data related to the design of nuclear-powered warships. Read more about the case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/maryland-nuclear-engineer-and-his-wife-sentenced-espionage-related-offenses . This is Mr. Douglas’s second Distinguished Service Award. Along with Mr. Douglas, the Distinguished Award was presented to Trial Attorneys Matthew J. McKenzie and S. Derek Shugert of the National Security Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Leiber Smolar for the Western District of Pennsylvania; FBI Special Agents Jason Serone, Justin Van Tromp and Peter L. Olinits; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Bass Gray; FBI Unit Chief Andrew Thomas Mitchell; Special Agent John C. Nocella of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI Intelligence Analyst Brent Cronce; FBI Staff Operations Specialist Vicky Mineard; FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Brassini; FBI Supervisory Investigative Specialist Keith Smith; and FBI Intelligence Analyst Sean Cottington.


title: Peace Ambassadors Leadership Program sees area high school students become leaders in school and community

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, South Florida high school students are participating in the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) Peace Ambassadors Leadership Program. Some 110 students from 11 area high schools recently gathered in Miami Jackson Senior High’s auditorium to learn about the program and commit to seeing it through. Students will become leaders in both their schools and in their communities. The program is a collaboration between Miami-Dade School District and staff from the USAO for the Southern District of Florida. Students will have a monthly classroom challenge as well as a community challenge. Past classroom challenges have included teaching conflict resolution skills to underclassmen and past community challenges have seen students pack “essentials bags” to distribute to the homeless as well as organize park cleanups. “It’s rewarding when you find students who lean into it and make the most of the program,” said USAO Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Michael L. Martinez. “It feels good to hear their success stories.” The program teaches students to focus on core principles such as integrity, authenticity, and empathy to look within and take on projects that are personal to them. Creating positive environments and activities in communities that struggle with violence can have a snowball effect and may be able to offset some of the negativity these communities experience. “How many here are happy with safety in your communities?” asked Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith, USAO. “How many think it could be better?” Many student hands went up to signify that improvements could be made. “Why not you? That is the question. You could be the people who change your communities for the better … change your families for the better.” According to Smith, the key is start small and focus on oneself. Strive to be better every day. By doing so, students can lay a foundation that will get stronger with every positive action taken. Only then can they move on to affect others in a positive manner. “They should work on themselves first, then start working on their families, and then on to their schools and communities,” said Smith. “That is how it starts. You have to take those first steps. This is about the students in the program being positive role models. If they take anything away from this, be positive role models in your families and communities.” Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section Chief J.D. Smith presents to area high school students on the USAO Peace Ambassador Leadership Program. This program encourages and helps students become leaders in their communities. ###


title: California Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Defrauding Amtrak, Trailways of More Than $475,000

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Korey Wise was sentenced today to 51 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release by United States District Judge Nitza Alejandro Quinones for defrauding Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems of approximately $475,910. Wise was also ordered to pay full restitution of that sum. On May 17, 2023, defendant Wise, 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before United States District Judge Edwardo C. Robreno. From January 2014 through May 2017, Wise devised a scheme in which he made telephone calls to individuals and small business owners located throughout the country. During these calls, he pretended to be a representative of a utility company, calling to collect an overdue bill or an official from a licensing board that oversaw nail salons. Wise falsely told the business owner that the business owed an inspection fee and if the fee was paid over the telephone with a credit card, the fee would be less. Unbeknownst to the victims, he then used the credit card information he collected to purchase travel reservations on carriers, including Amtrak and Trailways Transportation Systems, and then resold those reservations for profit. The investigation revealed that Wise victimized individuals and small business owners, who spoke English as a second language, throughout the country. He fraudulently obtained the credit card information of three victims located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania at the time of his calls. Wise falsely told these three victims, who each owned nail salons, that he was from the Cosmetology Board and the Board was planning an inspection of their salon. He told each victim that he or she could prepay the fee with a credit card. Without their knowledge and authorization, Wise used their respective credit cards to purchase reservations from Trailways Transportation Systems in various amounts. “Korey Wise defrauded Amtrak and Trailways of nearly half a million dollars, using the stolen identities of innocent people to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “It’s despicable that he specifically targeted victims for whom English may have been a second language, hoping they’d be easier to exploit. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold financial fraudsters like Wise accountable for their crimes.” The case was investigated by the Amtrak Police Department, the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terri A. Marinari.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Flight Attendant in Austin

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – A Tennessee man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to six months in prison for simple assault on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. According to court documents, on March 20, 2022, Michael Goins, Jr., 35, of Spring Hill, assaulted a flight attendant on a Southwest Airlines flight. The aircraft landed at Austin Bergstrom International Airport and was sitting on the airport apron awaiting the availability of an arrival gate. Goins, a passenger, loudly uttered several expletives during a cell phone call which was overheard by passengers seated near him. A passenger traveling with children was disturbed by the language used by Goins, which led to his aggressive response toward the passenger. During an altercation, Goins intentionally and deliberately pushed his closed fist into a flight attendant’s upper abdomen and pushed her back, causing her pain. The six-month prison sentence is the statutory maximum. In addition to his imprisonment, Goins was ordered to pay $650.00 in restitution. “This prison sentence reflects the seriousness of these types of crimes and promotes respect for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Airline passengers and employees should be able to travel safely, and this violent behavior cannot be tolerated.” "As a passenger on an active flight, Mr. Goins disruptive behavior escalated into a violent outburst directed at a flight attendant,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron G. Tapp of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI is dedicated to ensuring Americans can go to work and travel by plane without the fear of being attacked. We are grateful to our partners at the Austin Police Department for their work on this case – and their ongoing dedication to keeping our citizens safe.” The FBI and Austin Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Pierce prosecuted the case. ###


title: Massachusetts Resident Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Capital Region to Meet Minor for Sex

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Martin Connearney, age 34, of Lenox, Massachusetts, pled guilty today to traveling across state lines to the Capital Region with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Connearney admitted that between April 6, 2022 and May 5, 2022, he communicated with an individual to discuss and plan Connearney’s sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl in the Capital Region. Connearney and the individual ultimately devised a plan for Connearney to travel from Lenox to the Capital Region so Connearney could engage in sexual contact with the 10-year-old. On the morning of May 5, 2022, Connearney drove from Lenox to a location in Columbia County, New York, where he was encountered by law enforcement officials at a prearranged location and arrested. Connearney is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci on May 30, 2024. He faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Connearney also agreed to forfeit the phone he used to commit the offense. The FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force investigated this case. The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Wilmington Resident Sentenced to Over 11 years in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution and Firearm Possession

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

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware announced that a Delaware man was sentenced on Monday to 135 months in federal prison following a jury conviction in August 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly presided over the trial and pronounced the sentence. The jury found that James Richard Smith III, age 46 of Wilmington, DE, sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and a firearm to a Delaware State Police undercover officer in November 2019. During trial, the government introduced audio and video evidence that Smith flaunted himself as a drug dealer, stating he could obtain whatever drugs the undercover wanted. Indeed, in November 2019, Smith sold the officer drugs on three occasions – the first of which involved not only illegal drugs but included selling the undercover officer a stolen semi-automatic rifle. During the final drug transaction, Smith sold the undercover officer over 50 grams of methamphetamine, resulting in a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence. U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The combination of trafficking illegal drugs while possessing firearms is doubly dangerous.” My office is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to combat illegal drug distribution and firearm possession within our communities. This case is a testament to the multiple law enforcement agencies who tirelessly investigated this case to ensure Mr. Smith was brought to justice.” The case was investigated by Delaware State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Briana Knox and Samuel Frey tried the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 20-cr-26.


title: Winona man sentenced to prison for distributing drugs

component: USAO - Mississippi, Northern

body_text: Greenville, MS – A Winona man was sentenced today to ten years in prison for distribution of a controlled substance. According to court documents, William Earl Murray, aka “Big Earl,” 48, previously pled guilty to one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Murray was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown to 120 months imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Murray was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals following the sentencing hearing. “We will continue to use all available resources to pursue those who spread the scourge of illegal drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “Today’s sentencing will hopefully deter other methamphetamine traffickers who contribute to our nation’s drug crisis and destroy lives and I commend the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Winona Police Department for bringing this defendant to justice.” "I am proud of the work done by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Northern District of Mississippi - U.S. Attorney's Office, and Winona Police Department on this case," said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. "When we work together to combat crime, we not only strengthen our law enforcement partnerships but also create a safer environment for our communities." The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Winona Police Department investigated the case. AUSA Robert Mims prosecuted the case.