title: Washington woman admits meth trafficking role in large-scale investigation  centered on Crow Indian Reservation

body_text: BILLINGS — A Washington woman on Dec. 8 admitted her role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking investigation that was centered on the Crow Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Mariana Tyler Wallace, 23, of Okanogan, Washington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Wallace faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wallace was released pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, engaged in a large-scale, multiple-state, narcotics trafficking investigation centered on properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. Wallace is one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation. The government alleged that individuals were living and storing meth at two residences on the Crow reservation. Co-conspirators from Washington were tasked with protecting the residence and distributing drugs. Wallace was one of those individuals who facilitated several drug transactions with another co-defendant. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: Marion County Woman Pleads Guilty To More Than $600,000 Payroll Theft From Alternative School

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Danielle Jane Liles (41, Summerfield) has pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud. For each count, she faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Liles will also be ordered to forfeit $616,793.43, which represents the proceeds of her offenses. Her sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. According to court records, between January 11, 2016, and April 10, 2023, Liles devised a scheme to defraud Silver River Mentoring and Instruction (SRMI), an alternative school for middle and high school students. During this time, Liles handled the payroll at SRMI. Liles had 137 unauthorized paychecks issued in her name by logging false information into SRMI’s accounting software. She then received the paychecks through Automated Clearinghouse Services (ACH) wire transfers directly into her bank account. During a financial review with the school’s executive staff in April 2023, Liles admitted that she had been “paying [herself] extra money” and had become addicted to stealing the payroll funds. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.


title: IT consultant sentenced to federal prison for filing false tax returns

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Angela Brady has been sentenced for filing false tax returns in connection with her IT consulting business. Brady falsely claimed she incurred millions of dollars in contract labor expenses, and despite making millions of dollars in income, sought and received refunds during tax season. “Brady’s criminal greed coupled with business savvy allowed her to skirt her tax obligations for years,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of such greed-based offenses and should serve as a reminder that we all have an obligation to be truthful in tax filings.” “As people prepare for the 2024 tax season, this sentencing serves as an important reminder that willfully filing false tax returns is defrauding the U.S. government,” said Lisa Fontanette, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-Criminal Investigation in partnership with the US Attorney’s Office is ensuring those who do defraud the government are held accountable.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Brady operated a profitable IT software consulting business, AB Williams & Associates. While she had no full-time employees, she often contracted her work out to contractors in India, who she paid via PayPal. Between 2013 and 2018, Brady claimed that she incurred millions of dollars more than she actually incurred paying these contractors via PayPal. As a result, she was able to reduce her taxable income by her claimed business expenses, and in some years, obtained a tax refund from the IRS despite earning more than $1 million in income. Brady accomplished this fraud by providing false spreadsheets to her tax preparer and later provided a similar false spreadsheet to IRS agents. Brady’s fraud resulted in a loss of close to $1.1 million in unpaid taxes. Angela Brady, also known as “Angela Brady-Williams,” 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to two years, nine months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release, and she was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,080,606.44. Brady was convicted on these charges on June 12, 2023, after she pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Dillingham and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Krepp prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Jefferson Parish Man Indicted for Federal Weapons Offense

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RONALD TAYLOR , age 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to the indictment, TAYLOR was in possession of three firearms and ammunition. If convicted, TAYLOR faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, as well as a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the 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. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Clarksburg man sentenced to 15 years for selling heroin and fentanyl stamps

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Clarksburg, West Virginia, man was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for selling thousands of heroin and fentanyl stamps in Harrison County. James Curtis Jones, also known as “Donk,” 26, pled guilty in August 2022 to a distribution charge near a protected location, Emmanuel Christian School in Clarksburg. Jones was supplying other dealers in the Clarksburg area with heroin and fentanyl and investigators determined that Jones was responsible for the distribution of more than one kilogram of the mixture. During a search of Jones’s home, officers found additional heroin, fentanyl, and approximately $10,000 in cash. Jones has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as well as a felony conviction from Beaver County, Pennsylvania for use of communications device to engage in heroin trafficking. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: San Pedro Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years in Federal Prison for Committing Armed Robbery Where a Victim Was Shot and Wounded

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A San Pedro man has been sentenced to 177 months in federal prison for – while on parole from a life sentence in state prison for armed robbery – robbing an armored truck in Harbor City last year in which the truck’s driver was shot and suffered serious injuries, the Justice Department announced today. Gregory James, 48, was sentenced Monday afternoon by United States District Judge David O. Carter. James pleaded guilty on June 12 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. He has been in federal custody since October 2022. On October 17, 2022, James and co-defendant Lamond Akins, 31, of Compton, robbed a Loomis armored truck after the truck driver had finished servicing an ATM at a Bank of America branch in Harbor City. James and Akins waited for the driver to finish his ATM work, and then – both brandishing firearms – approached the driver and robbed him. During the robbery, the victim was shot and wounded. James and Akins stole a bag filled with approximately $145,000 in cash that belonged to the Loomis company – which operates in 40 states and three nations – before driving away from the scene. The victim truck driver experienced significant bodily injury because of the shooting and required surgery. Akins also pleaded guilty on June 12 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. On October 27, Judge Carter sentenced Akins to 177 months in federal prison. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated this matter. The Gardena Police Department provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremiah M. Levine of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.


title: Honduran National Charged with Illegal Re-Entry and Firearm Possession

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – VAIRON LOBO-BARAHONA , age 30, a native of Honduras, was indicted for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A), and illegal re-entry by a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the indictment, on or about November 23, 2023, LOBO-BARAHONA, an alien illegally present in the United States, was found in possession of a Smith and Wesson handgun. For the charge of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, LOBO-BARAHONA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the charge of illegal re-entry by a removed alien, LOBO-BARAHONA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years, up to one (1) year of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to each charge. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Armed Harnett County Drug Trafficker Involved in a Kidnapping Sentenced to 15 Years

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – An armed methamphetamine and cocaine trafficker from Dunn was sentenced to 180 months for drug trafficking and firearm charges after holding a victim at gunpoint. On August 22, 2023, Deandre Coleman, age 42, pled guilty to the charges. “Drug traffickers the world over try to use kidnapping and intimidation to impose their will on their communities. We won’t allow it in North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Coleman kidnapped a woman and held her at gunpoint in furtherance of his cocaine and meth trafficking scheme. Our Violent Crime Strategy targets violent drug traffickers like Coleman for federal prosecution and we aren’t backing down. I’m grateful to my law enforcement partners for keeping North Carolina safe.” “The successful conviction of Deandre Coleman highlights how teamwork among different law enforcement groups can tackle drug and violent crimes,” said Dunn Police Chief Cary Johnson. “Dunn is lucky to have a strong working relationship with Federal agencies like the ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office, which helped achieve this result. The Dunn Police Department and its partners are dedicated to keeping Dunn a safe and welcoming place for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the area.” According to court documents and other information presented in court, officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Harnett and Johnston County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Dunn Police Department were involved in an undercover investigation of drug activity by Coleman. Working together, law enforcement executed multiple controlled purchases of both methamphetamine and guns, including a 9mm rifle with a high-capacity magazine and a shotgun with a drum magazine. Coleman received an enhancement at sentencing for using force to restrain a person in connection with his drug trafficking. The enhancement stemmed from a June 13, 2022, response to a reported kidnapping. That investigation revealed that Coleman, and multiple others, held a victim at gunpoint while driving the victim around in a car. The victim was kidnapped because Coleman thought the victim had knowledge about a recent robbery of Coleman's drugs and drug proceeds. After the kidnapping, Coleman was stopped by Raleigh Police while driving the vehicle that had been used in the kidnapping. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm with a high-capacity magazine, nearly $10,000 in cash, 70 grams of marijuana, 14 grams of THC wax, 17 grams of “moon rocks” or cannabis dipped in hashish oil, and a ski mask. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dunn and Raleigh Police Departments investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-00281-BO. ###


title: Maryland Tax Preparer Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Federal Prison for Preparing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Ronald Eugene Watson, also known as Sabir Muhammad, age 59, of Brandywine, Maryland, today to 27 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for 23 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Judge Chuang also ordered Watson to pay restitution of $268,634.35. Watson was convicted on March 9, 2023, after an eight-day trial. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office. According to the evidence presented at trial, Watson was a self-employed tax return preparer operating SW Accounting Associates (“SWAA”) in Largo, Maryland. The evidence proved that from at least 2015 to at least 2017, Watson prepared and electronically filed with the IRS fraudulent Forms 1040 and related Schedules A and C for his taxpayer-clients. Watson included inflated and fictitious tax deductions and fraudulent business profits and losses in order to obtain larger tax refunds to which the taxpayer-clients were not entitled. According to witness testimony, Watson varied his preparation fees depending on the amount of the refund requested, with fees typically ranging from approximately $500 up to approximately $1,500. The tax loss to the United States was $325,330. Additionally, Watson failed to file his own tax returns for two years and willfully filed false tax returns in three other years. U.S. Attorney Barron and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg commended the IRS-CI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron and Mr. Goldberg also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leah B. Grossi and Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, who prosecuted the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Virginia Man Sentenced for Securities Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Virginia man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for participating in a pump-and-dump securities fraud scheme involving the Massachusetts-based company Cannabiz Mobile, Inc. Anthony Jay Pignatello, 53, of Winchester, Va., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. OToole, Jr. to five months probation, with the first six weeks to be served on home detention. He was also ordered to pay $41,547 in forfeiture. In March 2021, Pignatello pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Between 2012 and 2015, Pignatello and co-conspirator Christopher R. Esposito worked together to conceal their control over Cannabiz Mobile and to use backdated promissory notes and other false and misleading documents to fraudulently obtain free-trading shares in the company. Among other steps taken in furtherance of the scheme, Esposito caused another individual to be installed as the company’s chairman, president and CEO, and Pignatello then drafted numerous backdated and false documents for the executive to sign. In reality, the executive reported to Esposito. Pignatello and Esposito then arranged for a promotional campaign in October 2014 to artificially inflate the value and trading volume of Cannabiz Mobile, Inc’s stock so that they could secretly sell their shares. In total, Pignatello personally sold over 800,000 shares fraudulently obtained as part of the scheme. On Nov. 14, 2023 , Esposito was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years of probation, with three months to be served at a halfway house. Esposito was also ordered to pay $20,294 in forfeiture in connection with the pump-and-dump of Cannabiz Mobile. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $61,693.50 in restitution to investors who lost money in a separate purported business venture that Esposito pitched involving the company Code2Action, Inc. Between August 2019 and February 2020, Esposito represented to investors that he would take Code2Action, Inc. public via a reverse merger and he solicited investments in the company for that purpose. The reverse merger, however, never took place. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Bath man previously convicted on child pornography charges going back to prison on new charges

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ryan Hamilton, 32, of Bath, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 162 months in prison and 15 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Hamilton was also ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution to victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in August 2016 and again in September 2017, Hamilton was convicted in Steuben County Court of Possessing Sexual Performance by Child Less than 16. In October 2019, while being supervised by New York State Parole, Hamilton possessed approximately 87 videos and 1,124 images of child pornography on an SD card. Some of the images and videos included children under the age of 12 and depictions of violence. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of under the direction of Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III. # # # #


title: U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell Presents at White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C.

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS – Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota and Chair of the Attorney General’s Native American Issues Subcommittee, participated in a panel discussion at the White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C., on December 6, 2023. The panel, moderated by Deb Haaland, Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, focused on the Department of Justice’s engagement with tribes throughout the nation, as well as the Department’s response to recently published recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC). Speaking at the Tribal Nations Summit, U.S. Attorney Ramsdell noted it has long been a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of Indigenous persons reported missing. The Department does so through the work of U.S. Attorney’s Offices (USAOs), which assign Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) to prosecute federal crimes occurring in Indian country. Working with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement, AUSAs prosecute a range of violent crime, including murder, assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, as well as drug trafficking. USAOs further serve Indian country by convening monthly Multidisciplinary Team meetings to address cases involving child abuse with various community stakeholders, including law enforcement, social services providers, and medical personnel. At the invitation of tribal leadership, local law enforcement, and school administrators, USAOs also conduct extensive outreach with tribal partners, from addressing tribal councils and assisting in training efforts to making presentations at school assemblies. As it relates to the topic at the center of the NIAC’s Report—Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP)—U.S. Attorney Ramsdell discussed the newly created MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places Assistant U.S. Attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the nation. USAOs will support the MMIP Regional Outreach Program and leverage the MMIP AUSAs and Coordinators to assist in resolving cases where federal jurisdiction exists and bridging gaps in communication that sometimes develop between federal, tribal, state, and local partners when an Indigenous person is reported missing. U.S. Attorney Ramsdell also discussed the fact that all USAOs in federal judicial districts with Tribal lands, including Public Law 280 states, implemented Savanna’s Act guidelines in the Spring of 2022. These are law enforcement guidelines regarding interjurisdictional cooperation among law enforcement in cases related to missing persons. They set forth best practices in conducting missing persons searches; establish standards for the collection, reporting, and analysis of MMIP data and human remains; and ensure access to culturally appropriate victim services. Finally, U.S. Attorney Ramsdell discussed the Department’s work with individual tribes to develop Tribal Community Response Plans, which are cross-jurisdictional protocols that govern law enforcement responses to reports of missing persons within a Tribal community. Importantly, the process, which involves local and federal partners, is led by Tribes. This leadership role allows Tribes to incorporate culturally appropriate protocols in every aspect of their plans. USAOs and the MMIP Regional Outreach Program will support and assist Tribal communities who choose to develop their own TCRPs.


title: Man Convicted of Obtaining Money by Threat From Strip Club in Chicago Suburb

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A man has been convicted in federal court of obtaining money by threat from a strip club in a Chicago suburb. ROMMELL KELLOGG, 71, of Harvey, Ill., was convicted Monday on all five counts against him, including conspiracy to commit theft and intimidation and causing the use of facilities in interstate commerce to promote theft and intimidation. The jury returned its verdicts after a week-long trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Each count of conviction is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman did not immediately set a sentencing date. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Kellogg and a co-conspirator, COREY JOHNSON, 68, of Dolton, Ill., are cousins whose relatives served in high-ranking positions in Harvey government. From 2003 to 2018, Kellogg and Johnson conspired to regularly demand and collect payments from a Harvey strip club based on threats that the city of Harvey would potentially interfere with the club’s operations if the payments were not made. In exchange for the payments, the business was allowed to continue to operate, even though the conspirators and others knew that acts of prostitution were occurring onsite. Johnson served as a bagman in the conspiracy, receiving bi-weekly $3,000 payments from the business and delivering the money to Kellogg. Johnson pleaded guilty to a theft charge prior to trial. He is awaiting sentencing. The convictions were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Machelle L. Jindra, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General in Chicago; and Thomas J. Dart, Cook County Sheriff. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Franzblau and Megan DeMarco.


title: Harnett County Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Exploitation of a Child and Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO – A Dunn man was sentenced today to 600 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). According to court records, JOSHUAH TAYLOR BRADSHAW, 33, was arrested after his roommate discovered a series of disturbing photos and videos associated with his email account. After the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) was notified of possible criminal activity, they executed a search warrant on BRADSHAW’S personal devices where they discovered evidence that he had abused a minor as well as 150 videos and 200 images of child pornography. BRADSHAW was subsequently arrested in August 2020. In June 2021, the HCSO contacted the FBI for additional assistance investigating the case. A review of forensic files revealed over 600 images and 500 videos of sexually explicit content including minors. The files also included instances of BRADSHAW abusing a minor that he then distributed to other individuals. BRADSHAW was sentenced to a 600-month term of imprisonment followed by 25 years of supervised release by the Honorable Catherine C. Eagles, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC. In addition to prison time, BRADSHAW was ordered to pay restitution to victims totaling $27,500.00 and special assessments totaling $5,200.00. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography on June 20, 2023. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney K. P. Kennedy Gates. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov . ###


title: Former Operator of Two Municipal Golf Courses Found Guilty of Tax Conspiracy and Making False Statement to Financial Institution

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal jury convicted a Massachusetts man Monday for conspiring to defraud the United States and making a false statement to a financial institution related to his purchase of real estate. He was acquitted of embezzlement from a local government receiving federal benefits, wire fraud, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kevin M. Kennedy, of East Longmeadow, conspired with two individuals in western Massachusetts to evade taxes Kennedy owed on money he received from his ownership of a company that managed two municipal golf courses on behalf of the City of Springfield. Kennedy paid for, mostly in cash, the construction of two custom homes in East Longmeadow and on Cape Cod. To induce the bank to provide him a mortgage for part of the East Longmeadow home, Kennedy submitted a home purchase contract to the bank that falsely reflected a total purchase price reduced by the $160,000 cash downpayment he had made. Just prior to trial, Kennedy pleaded guilty to four counts of filing a false individual income tax return for 2011 through 2014, during which he also admitted to filing a false return in 2009 and 2010. For each of those years, Kennedy did not report to his return preparer all of the cash and checks his management company received from his operation of the golf courses. Kennedy is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2024, and faces maximum penalties of 30 years in prison for making a false statement to a financial institution, five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return. He also faces a period of supervised release, criminal forfeiture and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant Chief Eric B. Powers of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Desroches for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case.


title: Maryland Tax Preparer Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Preparing False Tax Returns

body_text: A Maryland man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for preparing and filing false tax returns on behalf of his clients following his conviction by a federal jury in Greenbelt. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ronald Eugene Watson, also known as Sabir Muhammad, was a self-employed tax return preparer who operated SW Accounting Associates (SWAA) in Largo, Maryland. The evidence proved that from at least 2015 through 2017, Watson willfully prepared and electronically filed tax returns with the IRS on behalf of his clients, which falsely reported income and deduction information, including fictitious or overstated business and unreimbursed employee expenses. The false deductions reduced clients’ tax liability, often resulting in large, inflated refunds to which they were not entitled. According to witness testimony, Watson varied his preparation fees depending on the amount of the refund requested, with fees typically ranging from $500 to $1,500. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang also ordered Watson to serve one year of supervised release and to pay approximately $268,634 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah B. Grossi for the District of Maryland prosecuted the case.


title: Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 5 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Madison

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Emmanuel Herrera Sanchez, 41, Mexico, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Herrera Sanchez pleaded guilty to this charge on September 26, 2023. On April 14, 2022, a confidential informant coordinated with Emmanuel Herrera Sanchez to purchase 10 kilograms of methamphetamine for $49,000. Co-defendant Julio Alvarez Sanchez traveled to meet with the confidential informant at a parking lot in Madison and provided the confidential informant a toolbox containing 6.77 kilograms of methamphetamine. Alvarez Sanchez was arrested following the drug deal. Herrera Sanchez was arrested on June 13, 2022, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as he attempted to enter the United States from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Alvarez Sanchez was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to coordinating the April 14 delivery of methamphetamine with Herrera Sanchez and another associate, Juana Armenta Mora, who herself had delivered 973 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant about two weeks prior to the April 14, 2022 drug deal. Alvarez Sanchez also said he had completed additional deliveries of methamphetamine for Herrera Sanchez. At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that this was a very serious drug crime given the great quantity of methamphetamine involved and that it occurred in the context of an organized drug operation. In arriving at the five-year sentence, Judge Peterson weighed these aggravating factors against Herrera Sanchez’s lack of a prior criminal record. Co-defendant Julio Alvarez Sanchez pleaded guilty to distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced by Judge Peterson to 60 months in federal prison on April 6, 2023. Juana Armenta Mora pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and was sentenced by Judge Peterson to 15 months in federal prison on December 22, 2022. The charge against Herrera Sanchez was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Jefferson County Drug Task Force, and Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson and Kathryn E. Ginsberg prosecuted this case.


title: Nampa Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: BOISE – Jordan Brown, 28, of Nampa, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, the investigation began in January 2021 when the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a CyberTip involving the social media and messaging application Discord. A CyberTip is a report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC gathers leads and tips regarding suspected online crimes against children and forwards them to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. ICAC determined that a Discord account, later identified as belonging to Brown, had uploaded child pornography. ICAC obtained a search warrant for the contents of the Discord account and located numerous files of child pornography within the account. ICAC later contacted Brown and interviewed him. During the interview, Brown admitted to receiving and viewing child pornography. ICAC seized Brown’s cellphone and obtained a search warrant to examine it. During the examination, ICAC located files of child pornography and evidence that Brown had distributed child pornography to others. ICAC also located evidence that Brown had engaged in online conversations with people who appeared to be juveniles. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also sentenced Brown to ten years of supervised release and ordered Brown to pay $12,000 in restitution to the victims in the images he possessed. Brown will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the Idaho Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which is a partially federally funded cooperative effort between the state, counties, cities, and the United States to protect children from sexual exploitation and online predators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kassandra McGrady prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: North Tonawanda man going to prison for receipt of child pornography

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Angstenberger, 48, of North Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 87 months in prison and 10 years supervised released by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that Angstenberger created and used a Snapchat account with the username “catybug1234,” to communicate with, and obtain sexually explicit images from, minor girls. When doing so, he posed as a minor girl. Angstenberger communicated with minor victims in other states and countries. For example, Angstenberger communicated with a victim located in Kentucky (Victim 1), who was 12 years old. On December 5, 2021, Angstenberger asked Victim 1 to send him sexually explicit photos, which she did. Angstenberger communicated with a second victim located in Arkansas (Victim 2), who was approximately 11-12 years old. Victim 2 also sent sexually explicit photos as Angstenberger’s request. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. # # # #


title: District Man Pleads Guilty in a Spree of Six Armed Robberies Targeting Small Businesses in the District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – A District man pleaded guilty today to a string of armed robberies occurring in early 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Michael Daniels, 36, of Washington D.C., pleaded to interference with interstate commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery). Beginning in late January 2022, an armed robber held up a half-dozen small commercial establishments in the District of Columbia. At a dry cleaner on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2022, a man wearing a distinctive sweatshirt with an image of the Pink Panther and Inspector Clouseau approached the cash register with a dollar bill and asked for change. The cashier opened the register. The man pulled out a weapon, demanded “all the money,” and then ordered the cashier to lie down on the floor and count down from 100. Five similar robberies followed. On Jan. 30, 2022, a man entered a liquor store shortly before 2:30 p.m. on the 1900 block of 9 th St., NW. He asked for a bottle of cognac and a pack of rolling papers. Then he pulled out a black handgun. On Jan. 31, 2022, at a mobile phone store on the 1700 block of Columbia Rd., NW, a man wearing a mask asked an employee for change for a dollar. Flashing a black handgun, he demanded money from the register. He fled after ordering the employee to lie down on the floor and count down from 100. On the way out he dropped a mask. The ATF determined that the DNA recovered from the mask originated from Michael Daniels. On Feb. 7, 2022, a man wearing a mask walked into a mobile phone store on the 3100 block of Mt. Pleasant St. NW. He lingered for a few minutes, asked about various items for sale, and inquired about a job. He next handed a dollar bill the cashier and asked for change. When the cashier opened the register, the man flashed a handgun and began counting down from five. The cashier handed over cash. The man fled. The cashier noted that the robber had tattoos of numbers near his eyes that were visible despite the suspect’s mask. Michael Daniels has tattoos of numbers near his eyes. On Feb. 10, 2022, a man walked into a vape shop on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Ave., SE. He asked for a pack of rolling papers, flashed a handgun, and demanded money from the cashier. On Feb. 13, a man wearing a black mask entered a mobile phone store on the 3700 block of Georgia Ave, NW. He requested change for a $10 bill, asked about a job, then brandished a gun and demanded money. He fled with cash and a cell phone. Daniels was arrested on Apr. 12, 2023, in Washington, D.C. U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras scheduled sentencing for Apr. 5, 2024. Daniels faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the ATF. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar Ranjan Mohanty and Madhu Chugh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Candace Battle and Kim Hall provided valuable assistance.


title: Clinic office manager sentenced for $1.2M pill mill scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A medical clinic office manager has been sentenced for operating a pill mill clinic that unlawfully distributed over 600,000 opioid pills, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury convicted Andres Martinez, Jr., 30, and Dr. Oscar Lightner, 74, both of Laredo, April 11 for unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and conspiracy. Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered Martinez to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the trial, the jury heard evidence that Lightner and Martinez operated Jomori Health and Wellness (Jomori), a purported Houston pain management clinic, as a pill mill. Lightner, owner of and physician at Jomori, unlawfully prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances — including hydrocodone, carisoprodol and alprazolam — to his patients without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash payments ranging from $250 to $500. Martinez, Lightner’s stepson, coordinated with crew leaders to bring multiple people, including individuals living in homeless shelters, into Jomori to pose as patients to obtain prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Jomori received more than $1.2 million in cash over 14 months through the scheme that resulted in the unlawful distribution and dispensing of more than 600,000 opioids and other controlled substances. Lightner was previously sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division made the announcement as well. The DEA conducted the investigation. Trial Attorneys Monica Cooper and Andrew Tamayo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Gun Control Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – COREY HALE, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to 70 months incarceration after previously pleading guilty to a two-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Judge Fallon ordered that HALE be placed on supervised release for three (3) years following release from imprisonment. HALE was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. According to public records, on May 26, 2020, a Louisiana State Police (“LSP”) trooper was conducting speed enforcement near Marrero, LA. The trooper clocked a blue Chevrolet HHR vehicle driving at 101 mph in a 60 mph zone. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper determined that HALE did not have insurance and turned off the ignition. While doing so, the trooper saw and a marijuana and a Taurus Model G2c 9-millimeter firearm on the passenger floorboard of the car. HALE then fled the scene on foot and escaped. The trooper later learned the firearm was stolen and the temporary tag on the vehicle was fake. On August 3, 2020, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office charged HALE with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as possession of narcotics. On November 29, 2021, an attachment was issued for when HALE failed to appear in Jefferson Parish Criminal Court. A bail bondsmen eventually attempted to locate and arrest HALE at his residence. While doing so, they saw him flee into the backyard. As the bondsmen struggled to arrest HALE, they observed as he pulled a firearm from his waistband. Thereafter, a gun shot went off, striking one of the agents. Eventually, the bondsmen wrestled the firearm, a Bersa Model Thunder, .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, out of HALE ’s hands. HALE later admitted to possessing the handgun. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Clinic Office Manager Sentenced for $1.2M Pill Mill Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A medical clinic office manager was sentenced today to seven years in prison for operating a pill mill clinic that unlawfully distributed over 600,000 opioid pills in exchange for cash. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Andres Martinez Jr., 30, of Laredo, Texas, was the office manager of Jomori Health and Wellness (Jomori), a purported Houston pain management clinic. Martinez operated Jomori with Dr. Oscar Lightner, 74, also of Laredo, as a pill mill. Lightner, who was the owner of and physician at Jomori, unlawfully prescribed dangerous combinations of controlled substances — including of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and alprazolam — to his patients without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash payments ranging from $250 to $500. Martinez, who is Lightner’s stepson, coordinated with crew leaders to bring multiple people, including individuals living in homeless shelters, into Jomori to pose as patients to obtain prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances. Jomori received over $1.2 million in cash over 14 months through its scheme that resulted in the unlawful distribution and dispensing of over 600,000 opioids and other controlled substances. On April 11, Martinez and Lightner were convicted of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances and conspiracy. On Nov. 30, Lightner was sentenced to seven years in prison. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division made the announcement. The DEA investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Monica Cooper and Andrew Tamayo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on His Revocation of Federal Supervised Release

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 10 years of imprisonment on his revocation of federal supervised release in connection with his violent conduct occurring in July of 2022, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Damien Bradford, age 42. According to information presented to the court, Bradford was previously convicted in the Northern District of Ohio of Interstate Stalking and Use and Carry of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Those convictions related to Bradford’s killing of Dr. Gulam Moonda in May 2005. Bradford was initially sentenced to a 210-month term of imprisonment, followed by 5-years of federal supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Bradford’s supervision was transferred from the Northern District of Ohio to the Western District of Pennsylvania. On July 29, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Police charged Bradford with numerous offenses, to include Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault – Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury Designated Individual, Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, Disarming Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Firearms Prohibited. In November 2023, Bradford was convicted in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 36 1/2 to 73 years. Following that sentencing proceeding, a federal supervised release violation hearing was held. At the proceeding, the government introduced videos of Bradford’s conduct in July 2022. The videos depicted Bradford pointing a firearm at an individual, a bystander applying a torniquet to a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper who Bradford shot in the leg, and a bystander assisting another Pennsylvania State Police Trooper restrain Bradford as he grabbed the Trooper’s firearm and taser. Bradford admitted to violating some conditions of his federal supervised release and requested that the Court impose a sentence to be served concurrently to his sentence in Beaver County. The government requested that the Court revoke Bradford’s supervised release, sentence him to the maximum term of imprisonment of 10-years, and to impose that sentence consecutively to the Beaver County sentence. Judge Hardy imposed a total 10-year sentence, to be served consecutively to the Beaver County sentence. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the seriousness of Bradford’s conduct, Bradford’s propensity for enduring violence, and the need to impose the maximum sentence authorized by law to protect the public from Bradford. Finally, Judge Hardy commended the bystanders who assisted the Pennsylvania State Police, as depicted in the videos introduced at the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bradford.


title: Indictment Charges Mexican National with Illegally Reentering U.S. after Deportation

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CARLOS FERNANDEZ-BARRITOS, also known as “Ricardo Fernandez,” 30, a citizen of Mexico formerly residing in East Hartford, has been charged by indictment with illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on December 11, 2014, Fernandez was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to approximately 14 months of imprisonment, time already served, for his role in a narcotics trafficking ring. Fernandez was deported and removed from the U.S. to Mexico in January 2015. It is further alleged that Fernandez subsequently illegally reentered the U.S. On November 4, 2022, Fernandez was arrested by Hartford Police for disorderly conduct, threatening, assault in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and interfering with police. He was released on a $20,000 bond shortly thereafter. On March 15, 2023, the East Hartford Police Department responded to a report that Fernandez had stabbed his domestic partner. Fernandez fled before police arrived, and an arrest warrant charging him with assault in the second degree, violation of a restraining order, and disorderly conduct is still outstanding. Fernandez has been detained since August 15, 2023, when he was arrested on federal criminal complaint charging him with illegally reentering the U.S. On November 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging him with the offense. Fernandez appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty. If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Fernandez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Jessica Casey.


title: Readout of Justice Department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative Virtual Convening

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Today, as part of the Justice Department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, the Civil Rights Division hosted a virtual convening with law enforcement stakeholders to discuss their efforts to address language barriers in policing and build effective language access programs. The initiative, launched in December 2022, is a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies in meeting their obligation to provide meaningful language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) to better serve and protect communities. The initiative also builds on the division’s longstanding work to ensure that law enforcement agencies receiving federal financial assistance comply with their federal antidiscrimination obligations, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. In her opening remarks, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke provided an overview of the division’s consistent efforts to improve how law enforcement agencies communicate with people with LEP. For example, she announced that the division has reached an Agreement in Principle with the King County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) that, once finalized, will resolve allegations that KCSO discriminated against individuals with LEP. Under the agreement, KCSO commits to ensuring language access for individuals with LEP, including creating a language access policy and implementing procedures; developing a community engagement and outreach strategy; creating a robust training program; and more. KCSO serves over two million people and provides law enforcement services to a dozen other cities in the county. She also announced the division issued a letter today to law enforcement agencies reiterating their federal civil rights obligations to provide language assistance services to individuals with LEP, and to provide effective communication to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Finally, she highlighted several resources, including a training video and translations of the FBI’s Advice of Rights in over 40 languages, to help officers reduce language barriers, build community trust and keep officers safe. These resources are housed on the COPS Training Portal . Funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and powered by the National Center for Policing Innovation, the Portal is a no-cost platform for law enforcement practitioners and community partners that features interactive training and resources in emerging public safety topics and community policing. Following Assistant Attorney General Clarke’s remarks, Justice Department officials and law enforcement leaders participated in a panel discussion regarding effective strategies around language access, including the development of language access policies tailored to the community and police department; avoiding the use of unqualified and potentially biased interpreters; appointing a language access coordinator to implement policies and procedures; translating vital information; training officers on language access procedures; and establishing meaningful complaint procedures. Panelists also highlighted the importance of affirmatively engaging with stakeholders and communities with LEP. Participants for the panel discussion included U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York; First Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; COPS Office Deputy Director Robert Chapman for Community Policing Advancement; FBI Unit Chief Trent Glosson for the Language Services Section; Denver Police Department Police Chief Ron Thomas; and Brown County, Wisconsin, Sheriff Todd Delain. Today’s convening and announcements continue to build on the Justice Department’s longstanding commitment to advancing language access. In November, the department announced the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group , a new interagency effort that will coordinate language access across the federal government. Along with the creation of this working group, the department also announced the release of updated federal agency language access plans on its website, www.LEP.gov , on the one-year anniversary of the Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s language access memorandum to federal agencies. The Civil Rights Division also recently issued a fact sheet on courts language access in coordination with a webinar for state courts . To obtain copies of the letter to law enforcement or find additional information about the Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative, visit www.lep.gov .


title: Resumen de la Junta Virtual de la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico del Departamento de Justicia

body_text: Hoy, como parte de la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico del Departamento de Justicia, la División de Derechos Civiles organizó una junta virtual con las partes interesadas de las fuerzas de orden público para hablar sobre sus esfuerzos encaminados a abordar las barreras lingüísticas en sus prácticas policiales y para crear programas eficaces de acceso lingüístico. La iniciativa, que se lanzó en diciembre de 2022, es una labor nacional que tiene el objeto de ayudar a los organismos del orden público a cumplir con su obligación de brindar asistencia lingüística significativa a las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés), a fin de servir y proteger mejor a las comunidades. La iniciativa también se basa en el trabajo a largo plazo de la división para garantizar que los organismos de las fuerzas orden público que reciben asistencia financiera federal cumplan sus obligaciones federales contra la discriminación conforme al Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y la Ley Ómnibus de Control del Crimen y Calles Seguras. En sus comentarios de apertura, la fiscal general adjunta Kristen Clarke presentó una sinopsis de los esfuerzos invariables que ha hecho la división para mejorar la manera en que los organismos de las fuerzas del orden público se comunican con las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado. Por ejemplo, anunció que la división ha llegado a un acuerdo en principio con la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de King (KCSO, por sus siglas en inglés) en el estado de Washington que, una vez finalizado, resolverá las acusaciones relativas a la discriminación por parte de la KCSO de las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado. En virtud del acuerdo, la KCSO se compromete a garantizar el acceso lingüístico para las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado, incluso a crear una política de acceso lingüístico e implementar procedimientos, formular una estrategia de participación y extensión comunitarias, y, entre otras cosas más, crear un programa sólido de capacitación. La KCSO atiende a más de dos millones de personas y presta servicios de aplicación de la ley a más de una decena de ciudades adicionales en el condado. También anunció que la división emitió hoy una carta a los organismos de las fuerzas del orden público en la que reitera sus obligaciones federales con respecto a los derechos civiles de brindar servicios de asistencia lingüística a las personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado y de proporcionar comunicación eficaz a las personas que tengan discapacidades y dificultades auditivas. Por último, destacó varios recursos como, entre otros, un video de capacitación y traducciones de la “Notificación de Derechos” del FBI en más de 40 idiomas para ayudar a los oficiales a reducir las barreras lingüísticas, generar confianza en la comunidad y mantener a los oficiales seguros. Estos recursos se encuentran en el Portal de Capacitación de los Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad (COPS, por sus siglas en inglés). El portal, que es financiado por la Oficina de Servicios Policiales Orientados a la Comunidad (Oficina de COPS) e impulsado por el Centro Nacional para la Innovación Policial, es una plataforma libre de costos que presenta sesiones de capacitación interactivas y recursos en temas emergentes en materia de seguridad pública y servicios policiales comunitarios para profesionales de las fuerzas del orden público y socios de la comunidad. Tras los comentarios de la fiscal general adjunta Clarke, los funcionarios del Departamento de Justicia y los líderes de las fuerzas del orden público participaron en una mesa de debate a fin de tratar las estrategias para el acceso lingüístico, incluida las maneras de formular políticas de acceso al idioma adaptadas a la comunidad y a los departamentos de la policía, evitar el empleo de intérpretes que no reúnan los requisitos necesarios y que podrían tener prejuicios, nombrar a un coordinador de acceso lingüístico para implementar políticas y procedimientos, traducir información vital, capacitar a funcionarios en procedimientos de acceso lingüístico y establecer procedimientos valiosos para presentar quejas. Los miembros de la mesa también destacaron la importancia de comprometerse de manera positiva con las partes interesadas y las comunidades que tengan personas cuyo dominio del inglés es limitado. Entre los participantes que asistieron estuvieron Breon Peace, fiscal federal del Distrito Este de Nueva York; Matthew Kirsch, primer fiscal federal adjunto del Distrito de Colorado; Robert Chapman, subdirector de la Oficina de COPS, en pro del avance de los servicios policiales comunitarios; Trent Glosson, jefe de unidad en la Sección de Servicios Lingüísticos del FBI; Ron Thomas, jefe del Departamento de Policía de Denver; y Todd Delain, alguacil del condado de Brown en Wisconsin. La reunión y los anuncios de hoy continúan basándose en el compromiso a largo plazo del Departamento de Justicia de promover el acceso lingüístico. En noviembre, el departamento anunció el lanzamiento del Grupo de Trabajo Federal de Acceso Lingüístico , un nuevo esfuerzo interinstitucional que coordinará el acceso lingüístico en todo el gobierno federal. Junto con la creación de este grupo de trabajo, el departamento también anunció la publicación de planes actualizados de acceso lingüístico de organismos federales en su sitio web www.LEP.gov , en el primer aniversario del memorando de acceso lingüístico del fiscal general Merrick B. Garland a los organismos federales. La División de Derechos Civiles también publicó recientemente una hoja informativa sobre el acceso lingüístico en los tribunales en coordinación con un seminario web para los tribunales estatales . Para obtener copias de la carta a las fuerzas del orden u obtener información adicional sobre la Iniciativa de las Fuerzas del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico, visite www.lep.gov .


title: 법무부의 법률집행 언어접근 발의안 관련 가상회의 개요

body_text: 오늘 민권국은 법무부의 법률집행 언어 접근 발의안의 일환으로 법률집행 관계자들과 가상회의를 소집하여 치안 유지시 부딪히는 언어 장벽의 해소와 효과적인 언어 접근 프로그램을 구축하기 위한 그들의 노력에 대해 논의하였습니다. 2022년 12월에 출시된 이 발의안은 법률집행 기관이 영어 구사 능력에 한계(LEP)가 있는 개개인들에게 의미있는 언어 지원을 제공해야 할 의무를 충족시켜 지역 사회를 더욱더 봉사하고 보호할 수 있도록 지원하는 전국적인 노력의 결과입니다. 또한 이 발의안은 1964년 민권법 제6장 (Title VI)과 옴니버스 범죄 통제 및 거리 안전법에 따라 연방 재정 지원을 받는 법률집행 기관의 연방 차별금지 의무화를 준수토록 하기 위한 본 부서의 오래된 업무를 기반으로 합니다. 크리스틴 클라크(Kristen Clarke) 법무차관보는 개회사를 빌어 법률집행 기관이 LEP가 있는 사람들과 소통하는 방식을 개선하기 위한 본 부서의 일관된 노력을 개략적으로 설명하였습니다. 한 예로 법무차관보는 본 부서가 킹 카운티(워싱턴주) 보안관 사무실 (KCSO)과 원칙적으로 합의에 도달했으며 이 합의가 완료되면 LEP가 있는 개개인들을 KCSO가 차별했다는 주장을 해소할 수 있을 것이라고 발표했습니다. 이 합의에 따라 KCSO는 LEP가 있는 사람들의 용이한 언어 접근을 위한 언어 접근 정책 수립 및 절차 시행, 지역 사회 참여 및 봉사 활동 전략 개발, 강력한 교육 프로그램 창출 및 기타 많은 것을 포함하는 제도를 약속하였습니다. KCSO는 200만여명의 시민들을 보호하고 카운티 소재 약 12개 도시 내의 법률집행 서비스를 제공하고 있습니다. 법무차관보는 또한 오늘 본 부서가 법률집행 기관들에게 발행한 편지 를 통해 LEP가 있는 사람들을 위한 언어 지원 서비스를 제공하고 청각 장애인과 청각 장애가 있는 사람들에게 효과적인 통신을 제공해야 하는 연방 민권에 대한 그들의 법적 의무를 반복 강조하였다고 발표하였습니다. 마지막으로 법무차관보는 경찰관들이 언어 장벽을 줄이고 지역 사회 신뢰를 구축하며 경찰관들의 안전을 유지하기 위해 마련된 교육 비디오와 40개 이상의 언어로 번역된 FBI의 권리 조언서를 포함한 여러 리소스가 있음을 부각하였습니다. 이러한 자원은 COPS 교육 포털( Training Portal )에 소장되어 있습니다. 지역사회 지향 치안 서비스 제공 사무실(COPS Office)이 자금을 지원하고 국립 치안 혁신 센터(National Center for Policing Innovation)가 운영하는 이 포털은 법률집행 실무자 및 지역 사회 파트너에게 새로운 공공 안전 사안 및 지역 사회 치안에 관한 인터렉티브 교육 및 리소스를 제공하는 무료 플랫폼입니다. 클라크 법무차관보의 발언에 이어 법무부 고위관리와 경찰 기관장들은 지역 사회와 경찰서에 맞춤화된 언어 접근 정책 개발을 포함하여 자격 미달 및 편향적일 수 있는 통역사 고용 방지, 정책과 절차 이행을 위한 언어 접근 조정자 선임, 중요 정보 번역, 언어 접근 절차에 관한 경찰관 교육, 의미 있는 고충 처리 절차 수립 등 언어 접근에 관련된 효과적인 전략에 대한 패널 토론에 참여했습니다. 패널들은 또한 이해 관계자들 및 LEP가 있는 지역 사회와 긍정적 관계 맺음의 중요성을 강조했습니다. 패널 토론에는 브리언 피스(Breon Peace) 뉴욕 동부 지검 검사, 매튜 커쉬(Matthew Kirsch) 콜로라도 지검 수석 검사, 로버트 채프만(Robert Chapman) COPS Office부실장, 트렌트 글로슨(Trent Glosson) FBI 언어업무부 과장, 론 토마스(Ron Thomas) 덴버 경찰서장 및 토드 들레인(Todd Delain) 위스콘신 주 브라운 카운티 보안관이 참여하였습니다. 오늘의 회의 및 발표는 언어 접근성 발전에 대한 법무부의 오랜 공약의 기반을 지속적으로 다져나가는데 기여합니다. 법무부는11월에 연방 정부 전반에 걸쳐 언어 접근을 조정할 새로운 관계 부처 간 노력의 결과인 연방 언어 접근 실무그룹의 출범을 발표하였습니다( announced the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group ). 이 실무그룹의 창설과 함께 법무부는 메릭 갈랜드(Merrick B. Garland) 법무장관이 연방 기관들에게 보낸 언어 접근 각서( memorandum )의 대한1주년이 되는 날을 맞아 법무부의 웹사이트 www.LEP.gov 를 통해 업데이트된 연방 기관 언어 접근 계획을 발표하였습니다. 또한 민권국은 주 법원 웨비나( webinar for state courts )와 협력하여 법정 언어 접근에 대한 팩트 시트( fact sheet on courts language access )를 최근 발행하였습니다. 법률집행청으로 보낸 서신의 사본이나 법률집행 언어 접근 발의안에 대한 추가 정보를 찾으시려면 www.lep.gov 를 방문하십시오.


title: Babasahin ng Departamento ng Hustisya sa Makatotohanang Pagpupulong sa Pagpapasimuno sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Pagpapatupad ng Batas

body_text: Ngayon, bilang bahagi ng Pagpapasimuno sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Pagpapatupad ng Batas ng Departamento ng Hustisya, pinaghandaan ng Dibisyon sa Mga Karapatang Sibil ang isang makatotohanang pagpupulong kasama ang mga nakikipagsapalaran sa pagpapatupad ng batas upang talakayin ang kanilang mga pagsisikap na tugunan ang mga hadlang sa wika sa pagpupulis at pagtatayo ng mabisang mga programa sa kaparaanan sa wika. Ang pagpapasimuno, na inilunsad noong Disyembre 2022, ay isang pagsisikap sa buong bansa upang makatulong sa mga ahensya ng pagpapatupad ng batas sa pagtupad sa kanilang obligasyon na magkaloob ng makahulugang tulong sa wika sa mga indibidwal na may limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles [limited English proficiency (LEP)] upang mas mahusay na mapaglingkuran at maprotektahan ang mga komunidad. Ang pagpapasimuno ay dumaragdag rin sa pangmatagalang trabaho ng dibisyon na tiyakin na ang mga ahensya ng pagpapatupad ng batas na tumatanggap ng pederal na tulong pinansiyal ay sumusunod sa kanilang pederal na mga obligasyon laban sa pagtatangi, sa ilalim ng Titulo VI ng Batas sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng 1964 at ng Sinasaklaw ng Batas sa Pagpigil ng Krimen at Ligtas na Mga Lansangan. Sa kanyang pambungad na pananalita, nagbigay si Pangalawang Pangunahing Abogado Kristen Clarke ng isang pangkalahatang ideya na alinsunod sa mga pagsisikap ng dibisyon upang mapabuti kung paano makipag-usap ang mga ahensya ng pagpapatupad ng batas sa mga taong may LEP. Halimbawa, inihayag niya na naabot ng dibisyon ang isang Kasunduan sa Prinsipyo kasama ang Kondehan ng King (Washington) Tanggapan ng Serip [ Agreement in Principle with the King County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) ] na, kapag natapos na, lulutasin ang mga paratang na ang KCSO ay nagdiskrimina laban sa mga indibidwal na may LEP. Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, nangangako ang KCSO sa pagtitiyak ng kaparaanan sa wika ng mga indibidwal na may LEP, kasama ang paglikha ng isang patakaran sa kaparaanan sa wika at pagpapatupad ng mga pamamaraan; pagbuo ng isang pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad at estratehiya sa pag-abot sa karamihan; paglikha ng isang matatag na programa sa pagsasanay; at iba pa. Sinisilbihan ng KCSO ang mahigit na dalawang milyong mga tao at nagkakaloob ng mga serbisyong pagpapatupad ng batas sa labindalawa pang ibang mga lungsod sa kondehan. Inihayag din niya na naglabas ang dibisyon ng isang sulat [ letter ] ngayon sa mga ahensya ng pagpapatupad ng batas na inuulit ang kanilang mga obligasyon sa pederal na mga karapatang sibil na magkaloob ng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa mga indibidwal na may LEP, at magkaloob ng mabisang pakikipag-usap sa bingi at hirap sa pandinig na mga indibidwal. Sa wakas, itinampok niya ang ilang mga mapagkukunan, kasama ang isang bidyo sa pagsasanay at mga pagsasalin sa Payo ng mga Karapatan ng FBI sa mahigit na 40 mga wika, upang tulungan ang mga opisyal na mabawasan ang mga hadlang sa wika, bumuo ng tiwala ng komunidad at mapanatiling ligtas ang mga opisyal. Namamahay ang mga mapagkukunang ito sa COPS Portal ng Pagsasanay [ Training Portal ]. Pinopondohan ng Tanggapan ng mga Serbisyong Pagpupulis na Nakatuon sa Komunidad [Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)] at pinapalakas ng Pambansang Sentro para sa Pagbabago ng Pagpupulis [National Center for Policing Innovation], ang Portal ay isang walang-bayad na plataporma para sa mga propesyonal ng pagpapatupad ng batas at mga kasosyo sa komunidad na nagtatampok ng sama-samang pagsasanay at mga mapagkukunan sa umuusbong na mga paksa sa kaligtasan ng publiko at pagpupulis sa komunidad. Sumunod sa mga pananalita ni Pangalawang Pangunahing Abogado Clarke, nakilahok ang mga opisyal ng Departamento ng Hustisya at mga pinuno ng pagpapatupad ng batas sa isang talakayan ng lupon tungkol sa mga mabisang estratehiya na pumapaligid sa kaparaanan sa wika, kasama ang pagbuo ng mga patakaran sa kaparaanan sa wika na naaayon sa komunidad at departamento ng pulisya; pag-iwas sa paggamit ng hindi kwalipikado at posibleng may kinikilingang mga tagasalin; paghirang ng isang tagapagtugma sa kaparaanan sa wika upang ipagpatupad ang mga patakaran at mga pamamaraan; pagsasalin ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon; pagsasanay ng mga opisyal sa mga pamamaraan sa kaparaanan sa wika; at pagtatag ng makahulugang mga pamamaraan sa daing. Itinampok din ng mga entrepanyo ang kahalagahan ng nakakaengganyong pagsang-ayon sa mga nakikipagsapalaran at mga komunidad na may LEP. Kasama sa mga kalahok sa talakayan ng lupon ay ang Abogado ng Estados Unidos na si Breon Peace para sa Silangang Distrito ng New York; Unang Kawani Abogado ng Estados Unidos na si Matthew Kirsch para sa Distrito ng Colorado; Kinatawang Direktor sa Tanggapan ng COPS na si Robert Chapman para sa Pagsulong sa Pagpupulis sa Komunidad; Pinuno ng Yunit ng FBI na si Trent Glosson para sa Seksyon ng mga Serbisyo sa Wika; Hepe ng Pulis sa Departamento ng Pulisya ng Denver na si Ron Thomas; at si Serip Todd Delain para sa Kondehan ng Brown, Wisconsin. Ang pagpupulong at mga pagpapahayag ngayon ay nagpapatuloy na magtaguyod sa pangmatagalang pangako ng Departamento ng Hustisya sa pagsulong sa kaparaanan sa wika. Noong Nobyembre, inihayag ng departamento ang paglulungsad ng Nagtatrabahong Grupo ng Pederal sa Kaparaanan sa Wika [ announced the launch of the Federal Language Access Working Group ], isang bagong pagsisikap ng pangkaloobang mga ahensya na magtutugma sa kaparaanan sa wika sa buong pederal na pamahalaan. Kasama sa paglikha ng nagtatrabahong grupong ito, inihayag din ng departamento ang paglabas ng pinakabagong mga plano sa kaparaanan sa wika ng pederal na ahensya sa website nito, www.LEP.gov , noong unang anibersaryo ng panandaan [ memorandum ] sa kaparaanan sa wika ni Pangunahing Abogado Merrick B. Garland sa pederal na mga ahensya. Kamakailan-lamang din na naglathala ang Dibisyon sa mga Karapatang Sibil ng isang katotohanang pilyego [ fact sheet ] tungkol sa kaparaanan ng mga hukuman sa wika [ courts language access ] sa pakikipagtugma sa isang webinar para sa mga hukuman ng estado [ webinar for state courts ]. Upang makakuha ng mga kopya ng sulat sa pagpapatupad ng batas o makahanap ng karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Pagpapasimuno sa Kaparaanan sa Wika ng Pagpapatupad ng Batas, bisitahin ang www.lep.gov .


title: Thông Tin về Cuộc Họp Qua Mạng về Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật thuộc Bộ Tư Pháp

body_text: Hôm nay, nhằm thực hiện một phần trong Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật thuộc Bộ Tư Pháp, Ban Dân Quyền đã tổ chức một cuộc họp qua mạng với các đơn vị thi hành pháp luật để thảo luận về những nỗ lực của họ trong việc khắc phục các trở ngại về ngôn ngữ trong công tác kiểm soát và tạo dựng những chương trình tiếp cận ngôn ngữ hữu hiệu. Chương trình này được phát động vào Tháng Mười Hai năm 2022, là một nỗ lực trên toàn quốc nhằm hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật làm tròn bổn phận của họ trong việc đáp ứng nghiã vụ cung cấp ngôn ngữ có ý mghiã cho những cá nhân với trình độ Anh ngữ hạn chế (TĐANHC/ Limited English Proficiency/LEP) nhằm phục vụ và bảo vệ cộng đồng tốt hơn. Chương trình này cũng được lập ra trên nền tảng của những công việc lâu dài của Ban Dân Quyền để đảm bảo rằng các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật được liên bang hỗ trợ tài chính phãi tuân theo các nghĩa vụ liên bang chống kỳ thị của họ, theo Tiêu Đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền 1964 và Đạo Luật Kiểm Soát Tội Ác và An Ninh Đường Phố Omnibus. Trong bài phát biểu khai mạc, Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Kristen Clarke đã đưa ra cái nhìn tổng quát về những nỗ lực không ngừng của Ban Dân Quyền để cải thiện các cách giao tiếp giữa các cơ quan thi hành pháp luật và những người với TĐANHC/LEP. Ví dụ, bà công bố rằng Ban Dân Quyền đã đạt được một Thỏa Thuận về Nguyên Tắc với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Quận King (Washington) (KCSO) và khi đã hoàn tất, thỏa thuận này sẽ giải quyết những cáo buộc cho rằng KCSO đã có kỳ thị đối với những người có TĐANHC/ LEP. Theo thỏa thuận này, KCSO cam kết đảm bảo sự tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho những người với TĐANHC/LEP, bao gồm việc đưa ra một chính sách về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và thực hiện các thủ tục; phát triển chiến lược tiếp cận và tham gia với cộng đồng; lập ra một chương trình huấn luyện cho có ý nghiã; và nhiều hơn nữa. KCSO phục vụ hơn hai triệu người và cung cấp các dịch vụ thực thi pháp luật cho hàng chục thành phố khác trong quận hạt. Bà cũng công bố rằng Ban Dân Quyền hôm nay đã gửi một bức thư đến các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật để nhắc lại những nghĩa vụ dân quyền thuộc cấp liên bang của họ trong việc cung cấp những dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ cho các cá nhân với TĐANHC/LEP, và cung cấp một sự giao tiếp hữu hiệu cho các cá nhân điếc và lãng tai. Cuối cùng, bà nhấn mạnh một số nguồn tài nguyên, bao gồm video huấn luyện và Tư Vấn về Quyền của FBI được dịch ra hơn 40 ngôn ngữ, để giúp các viên chức giảm bớt những trở ngại về ngôn ngữ, tạo tin tưởng trong cộng đồng và giữ an toàn cho các viên chức. Những nguồn tài nguyên này được đăng tại Cổng Thông Tin Điện Tử về Huấn Luyện của COPS. Được Văn Phòng Dịch Vụ Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Cộng Đồng (Văn Phòng COPS) tài trợ và Trung Tâm Đổi Mới về Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Quốc Gia cung cấp, Cổng Điện Tử này là một nền tảng miễn phí dành cho những nhân viên thực thi pháp luật và các đối tác trong cộng đồng để họ thực hiện việc huấn luyện tương tác và những nguồn tài nguyên về các đề tài về an toàn công cộng mới nổi lên cũng như những vấn đề về kiểm soát trật tự cộng đồng. Sau bài phát biểu của Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp Clarke, các viên chức của Bộ Tư Pháp và lãnh đạo của các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật đã tham gia một nhóm để thảo luận về các chiến lược hữu hiệu xung quanh vấn đề tiếp cận ngôn ngữ, bao gồm việc phát triển các chính sách tiếp cận ngôn ngữ thích hợp cho cộng đồng và cơ quan cảnh sát; tránh sử dụng những thông dịch viên không đạt tiêu chuẩn và có thể thiên vị; bổ nhiệm một nhân viên điều phối tiếp cận ngôn ngữ để thực hiện các chính sách và thủ tục; phiên dịch những thông tin trọng yếu; huấn luyện các viên chức về thủ tục tiếp cận ngôn ngữ; và thiết lập những thủ tục khiếu nại cho có ý nghiã. Những người tham gia hội thảo cũng nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của sự tích cực tham gia của các bên liên quan và cộng đồng với TĐANHC/LEP. Những người tham gia buổi thảo luận nhóm này gồm có Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Breon Peace của Quận Đông New York; Trợ Lý Thứ Nhất Luật Sư Hoa Kỳ Matthew Kirsch thuộc Quận Colorado; Phó Giám Đốc Văn Phòng COPS Robert Chapman phụ trách việc Thúc Đẩy Kiểm Soát Trật Tự Cộng Đồng; Đơn Vị Trưởng Trent Glosson thuộc Bộ Phận Dịch Vụ Ngôn Ngữ của FBI; Cảnh Sát Trưởng Ron Thomas của Sở Cảnh Sát Denver; và Todd Delain, Cảnh Sát Trưởng Quận Brown, Wisconsin. Buổi họp và những công bố của ngày hôm nay sẽ tiếp tục dựa trên sự cam kết lâu dài của Bộ Tư Pháp trong việc thúc đẩy sự tiếp cận ngôn ngữ. Vào Tháng Mười Một, Bộ đã công bố việc triển khai Nhóm Làm Việc về Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Liên Bang , một nỗ lực liên ngành mới nhằm phối hợp việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ giữa các cơ quan chính phủ liên bang. Cùng với việc thành lập nhóm làm việc này, Bộ cũng công bố những kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của cơ quan liên bang được đăng tải trên trang mạng www.LEP.gov , nhân dịp kỷ niệm một năm kể từ ngày thực hiện bản ghi nhớ của Bộ Trưởng tư Pháp Merrick B. Garland về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ dành cho các cơ quan liên bang. Ban Dân Quyền cũng vừa phát hành tờ thông tin về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho tòa án phối hợp với hội thảo trực tuyến dành cho các tòa án tiểu bang . Để có được bản sao của thư gửi cho cơ quan thực thi pháp luật hoặc để tìm thêm thông tin về Chương Trình Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ của Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật, hãy vào trang www.lep.gov .


title: 在美国司法部《执法语言无障碍倡议》网上会议上的发言

body_text: 今天，作为美国司法部《执法语言无障碍倡议》的一部分，民权司主持了一个由执法界相关人士参加的网上会议，探讨他们在处理警务中出现的语言障碍以及建立有效的语言无障碍项目上做出的努力。 《执法语言无障碍倡议》于2022年12月提出，旨在全国范围内帮助执法部门履行为英语能力有限者 (LEP) 提供有意义的语言协助的职责，更好地服务和保护社区。此倡议还在本司长期工作的基础上，确保接受联邦财政资助的执法部门遵守其根据1964年《民权法》第六条和《综合打击犯罪和安全街道法》中相关的规定应承担的联邦反歧视职责。在助理检察长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 的开场发言中，她介绍了民权司在改善执法部门与英语能力有限者之间的沟通所做出的坚持不懈的努力。例如，她宣布，民权司和华盛顿州金郡警长办公室 (KCSO) 达成了 原则性协议 。一旦最终确定，该协议将会化解针对该办公室歧视英语能力有限者的指控。根据该协议，金郡警长办公室承诺保证为英语能力有限者提供语言服务，包括设立语言服务政策和实施程序，建立与社区参与和推广的策略，创建强有力的培训项目，等等。金郡警长办公室为辖区内两百多万民众服务，并为郡里面其他十几个城市提供执法服务。 助理检察长克拉克还宣布，民权司今天向各执法部门发出了 一封信 ，重申了执法部门担负的联邦民权职责，即他们必须为英语能力有限者提供语言协助服务，以及为聋哑人和听力障碍者提供有效的沟通方式。最后，她特别指出了几项能帮助警员减少语言障碍、增进社区信任感和保障警员安全的资源，包括一个培训视频和被翻译成40多个语言的《联邦调查局权利通知书》。这些资源位于面向社区警务服务办公室的 培训门户网站 上。该门户网站由社区警务服务办公室提供经费，由全国警务创新中心运作，是一个执法从业者和社区合作伙伴们的免费平台，其特色是提供关于新兴公共安全专题及社区警务方面的互动式培训和资源。 助理检察长克拉克发言后，司法部的官员和执法界的领导参加了一个制定语言服务有效策略的专题小组讨论会。讨论会议题包括制定专门面对社区和警察局的语言服务政策，避免使用不合格或可能带有偏见的口译员，指派语言服务协调员来落实政策和流程，翻译关键的信息，对警员进行语言服务流程的培训，和设立有意义的投诉机制等。专题小组成员还强调了与英语能力有限者相关的各方和社区积极接触的重要性。 专题小组讨论会的与会者包括美国纽约东区检察长布里昂·皮斯 (Breon Peace)、科罗拉多区首席助理检察长马修·柯什 (Matthew Kirch)、面向社区警务服务办公室中负责社区警务发展工作的副主任罗伯特·查普曼 (Robert Chapman)、联邦调查局语言服务处科长川特·格朗森 (Trent Glosson)、丹佛警察局局长朗·托马斯 (Ron Thomas) 和威斯康辛州布朗郡警长托德·德莱恩 (Todd Delain)。 今天的集会和声明是对司法部改善语言服务的长期承诺做出的继续改进。11月时，该部宣布成立了 “联邦语言无障碍工作组” 。 这是一个新的跨机构组织它将在整个联邦政府里协调语言的使用工作。在成立该工作组的同时，司法部还在在总检察长梅里克·B·加兰德 (Merrick B. Garland) 向联邦机构发表语言无障碍 备忘录 一周年之际,在其网站 www.LEP.gov 公布了更新的联邦机构语言无障碍计划。民权司最近还与 各州法院的在线研讨会 协调，合作发表了 法院语言使用 的 实情表 。如果您需要获取给执法部门的相关信件副本或了解更多有关《执法语言无障碍倡议》的信息，请登陆 www.lep.gov 。


title: 在美國司法部《執法語言無障礙倡議》網上會議上的發言

body_text: 今天，作為美國司法部《執法語言無障礙倡議》的一部分，民權司主持了一個由執法界相關人士參加的網上會議，探討他們在處理警務中出現的語言障礙以及建立有效的語言無障礙專案上做出的努力。 《執法語言無障礙倡議》於2022年12月提出，旨在全國範圍內幫助執法部門履行為英語能力有限者 (LEP) 提供有意義的語言協助的職責，更好地服務和保護社區。此倡議還在本司長期工作的基礎上，確保接受聯邦財政資助的執法部門遵守其根據1964年《民權法》第六條和《打擊犯罪和安全街道綜合法》應承擔的聯邦反歧視的職責。 在助理檢察長克裡斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 的開場發言中，她介紹了民權司在改善執法部門與英語能力有限者之間的溝通所做出的堅持不懈的努力。例如，她宣佈，民權司和華盛頓州金郡警長辦公室(KCSO)達成了 原則性協議 。一旦最終確定，該協議將會化解針對該辦公室歧視英語能力有限者的指控。根據該協議，金郡警長辦公室承諾保證為英語能力有限者提供語言服務，包括設立語言服務政策和實施程式，制定社區參與和推廣的策略，創建強有力的培訓專案，等等。金郡警長辦公室為轄區內兩百多萬民眾提供服務，並為該郡其他十幾個城市提供執法服務。 助理檢察長克拉克還宣佈，民權司今天向各執法部門發出了 一封信 ，重申了執法部門擔負的聯邦民權職責，即他們必須為英語能力有限者提供語言協助服務，以及為聾啞人和聽力障礙者提供有效的溝通方式。最後，她特別指出了幾項能幫助警員減少語言障礙、增進社區信任感和保障警員安全的資源，包括一個培訓視頻和被翻譯成40多個語言的《聯邦調查局權利通知書》。這些資源位於面向社區警務服務辦公室的 培訓門戶網站 上。該門戶站由社區警務服務辦公室提供經費，由全國警務創新中心運作，是一個執法從業者和社區合作夥伴們的免費平臺， 其特色是提供關於新興的公共安全專題及社區警務方面的互動式的培訓和資源。 助理檢察長克拉克發言後，司法部的官員和執法界的領導參加了一次制定語言服務有效策略的專題小組討論會。討論會議題包括制定專門面對社區和警察局的語言服務政策，避免使用不合格或可能帶有偏見的口譯員，指派語言服務協調員來落實政策和流程，翻譯關鍵的資訊，對警員進行語言服務流程的培訓，和設立有意義的投訴機制等。專題小組成員還強調了與英語能力有限者相關的各方和社區積極接觸的重要性。 專題小組討論會的與會者包括美國紐約東區檢察長布里昂·皮斯 (Breon Peace)、科羅拉多區首席助理檢察長馬修·柯什 (Matthew Kirch)、面向社區警務服務辦公室中負責社區警務發展工作的副主任羅伯特·查普曼(Robert Chapman)、聯邦調查局語言服務處科長川特·格朗森(Trent Glosson)、丹佛警察局局長朗·湯瑪斯(Ron Thomas)和威斯康辛州布朗郡警長陶德·德萊恩(Todd Delain)。 今天的集會和聲明是對司法部改善語言服務的長期承諾做出的繼續改進。11月時，該部宣佈成立了 “聯邦語言無障礙工作組” 。這是一個新的跨機構組織，將在整個聯邦政府裡協調語言的無障礙使用工作。在成立該工作組的同時，司法部還宣佈在總檢察長梅瑞克·賈蘭德 (Merrick B Gland) 向聯邦機構發表語言無障礙 備忘錄 一周年之際，在其網站 www.LEP.gov 公佈了更新的聯邦機構語言無障礙計畫。民權司最近還與 各州法院的線上研討會 協調，合作發表了 法院語言使用 的 實情表 。如果您需要獲取給執法部門的相關信函副本或瞭解更多有關《執法語言無障礙倡議》的資訊，請登陸 www.lep.gov 。


title: Three Gang Members Convicted of Murder Plot

body_text: A federal jury in Norfolk, Virginia, convicted three men yesterday of conspiracy to commit murder and other crimes. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ronald Jenkins, 42, of Franklin, Virginia; Japree Brooks, 40, of Murfreesboro, North Carolina; and Malik Newsome, 30, of Ivor, Virginia, participated in three shootings in 2017 and 2019 in Franklin, Virginia. All three men were members or associates of a Blood-affiliated gang that operated in Franklin. The gang engaged primarily in narcotics trafficking, as well as some robberies and beatings to protect their territory. When a high-ranking member of their gang was murdered by a rival Crip-affiliated gang, the gang hunted down and shot several members of the Crip-affiliated gang. All three defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; Brooks and Jenkins were convicted of attempted murder in aid of racketeering; Brooks was convicted of discharge, carry, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; Jenkins was convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition; and Brooks and Newsome were each convicted of witness tampering. Jenkins faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2024. Brooks faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2024. Newsome faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2024. 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 Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations, Chief Steve Patterson of the Franklin Police Department, and Southampton County Sheriff Josh Wyche Sr. made the announcement. The ATF, HSI, the Franklin Police Department, and the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Taylor for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office legal intern Madison Albrecht. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Court Grants Default Judgment against Tampa-Area Tax Return Preparer

body_text: The District Court for the Middle District of Florida permanently enjoined Tyrone Johnson and TJ Professional Services LLC yesterday from preparing federal income tax returns for others, from owning or operating any tax return business in the future and from transferring customer lists or other customer information. In issuing the injunction, the court accepted as true that since 2016, the defendants prepared returns that claimed fictitious businesses and fabricated business losses so that those returns claimed larger refunds than the defendants’ customers were entitled to receive. The civil complaint alleged that the defendants’ schemes have cost the Treasury millions of dollars. The order also accepted that Johnson does not file using his Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) but hides his involvement by using only the taxpayer’s identification number. According to the IRS, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns is legally required to have a valid PTIN and paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return. Not signing a return, commonly known as “ghost preparation,” is often a red flag that a preparer is attempting to avoid detection by the IRS. The complaint alleged that Johnson acted as a ghost preparer. The injunction against the defendants was entered by default: according to the order, both Johnson and TJ Professional Services failed to appear in the action. The court also permitted the United States to conduct post-judgment discovery to monitor compliance with its order. Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. As the 2024 tax season approaches, taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS offers tips on how to accurately file returns and how to choose a tax return preparer , as well as steps taxpayers can take to get a jumpstart on filing . Taxpayers seeking assistance can access the IRS’s free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also has programs offering free basic return preparation for qualifying seniors and individuals with low to moderate income . In addition, IRS Free File , a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free. In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details. t._johnson_injunction_order.pdf


title: Money launderer for cartel sent to prison

body_text: HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Mexican citizen has been sentenced for international drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, operating on behalf of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ezequiel Alanis Espitia pleaded guilty May 17. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Espitia to serve 324 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted the ongoing drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies spanned over the course of eight years. The conspiracy involved 39 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms of fentanyl, two and a half kilograms of heroin and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. During the investigation, law enforcement seized $610,400 in drug proceeds. The court also heard Espitia was a leader of the criminal activity, maintained stash houses for the purpose of distributing drugs and was directly involved in the importation of controlled substances from Mexico into the United States. “The Cartel del Golfo, aka the Gulf Cartel, is a brutal and violent Mexican drug trafficking organization that relies on money launderers and drug distributors, like Espitia, to wash its ill-gotten gains and infect local communities with drugs,” said Hamdani. “This substantial sentence serves as a warning to those who help launder monies and deliver dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl, that destroy our neighborhoods and kill our kids.” Espitia’s associates, including his brother, Ramiro Alanis Espitia, 44 , Mexico, was also sentenced for his role in the conspiracies and received 60 months in prison to be immediately followed by four years supervised release. Espitia’s wife, Brenda Natalie Alanis Duran, 39, Houston, and his sister, Maria Isabel Lara Alanis, 55, Mexico, were also convicted and will be sentenced on Dec. 13 and Jan. 17, 2024, respectively. To date, a total of 16 have been convicted for their roles in the conspiracies and have received sentences between 12 and 81 months. Espitia will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Houston Police Department. This Operation, dubbed “Walking Eagle,” is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Houston Strike Force is to disrupt and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations that designated Consolidated Priority Organization or Regional Priority Organization Targets head with their affiliates and that impact Houston and south Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz prosecuted the case.