title: NASHVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO TWELVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN A MULTIPLE DRUG CONSPIRACY

body_text: NASHVILLE – Defendant Anthony Bryant, 38, of Nashville, was sentenced yesterday to 12 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a poly-drug distribution conspiracy that took place in 2020, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. Co-defendant Carlos Wall, 48, of Franklin, Tennessee, previously was sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment, and co-defendant Arthur Kinnard, 38, of Franklin, Tennessee, previously was sentenced to 83 months in federal prison. Co-defendant Samantha Brady, 27, of Nashville, Tennessee, has entered a guilty plea, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2023. Bryant and his co-defendants were charged with multiple crimes by information in 2021. On October 5, 2022, Bryant pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute a kilogram or more of heroin; 400 grams or more of fentanyl; 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; a quantity of cocaine; and a quantity of cocaine base; multiple counts of Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute multiple kinds of drugs; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The charges stem from a wiretap investigation into Wall and his co-defendants, in which they were intercepted discussing the distribution of multiple kinds of drugs, including fentanyl. At the sentencing for Bryant yesterday, when discussing the danger of fentanyl, United States District Judge Eli Richardson said, “fentanyl has [left] corpses all over this city.” "Drug trafficking, and specifically fentanyl trafficking, is having a devastating impact on communities throughout Middle Tennessee. Too many people have lost loved ones to this poison. This prosecution and the lengthy prison sentences handed down in this case reaffirm our commitment to fighting back and to holding drug traffickers accountable," said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda J. Klopf for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case. #####


title: Howard County Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in a Murder-For-Hire Conspiracy

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Jourdain Larose, a/k/a “JBlacc,” age 28, of Ellicott City, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, in connection with a murder-for-hire conspiracy. Larose admitted that he solicited others to murder victim Juan Ross in exchange for money and that in the course of the murder-for-hire Larose aided and abetted his co-conspirators who discharged firearms, resulting in the death of Ross. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Chief Gregory Der of the Howard County Police Department; and Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. According to his plea agreement, Larose accused Juan Ross, age 23, of Columbia, Maryland, of cooperating with law enforcement, including on a live social media conversation on September 9, 2020, and in text message. As detailed in his plea agreement, Larose provided a gun to a conspirator on September 12, 2020, for the purpose of killing Juan Ross. On October 3, 2020, when the conspirator had not committed the murder yet, Larose solicited co-defendant Tyrik Braxton to commit the murder instead. On that same date, Braxton texted a cell phone number linked to co-defendant Daquante Thomas with the address where Ross could be found. According to court documents, on October 4, 2020, after text messaging each other about the address where they could find the victim, Braxton, Thomas, and another co-conspirator drove to the area of Basket Ring Court in Columbia to locate Juan Ross, then drove to a drug store nearby, where Braxton got out of the car and left the area. A short time later, Thomas and the co-conspirator returned to Basket Ring Court, shot and killed Juan Ross and drove away together. Although they denied knowing each other in post arrest statements, investigators linked Larose and Braxton through cellphone records and witness interviews. According to the plea agreement, after Ross’s murder, Braxton texted Larose that he had something important to discuss, and Larose told Braxton to Facetime him. As detailed in the plea agreement, on October 7, 2020, Braxton texted Larose, “It’s going to be hot as sh** out here” to which Larose responded, “It already is bro.” Larose and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Larose will be sentenced to no more than 40 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin has scheduled sentencing for Larose on February 27, 2023. Co-defendant Tyrik Braxton, a/k/a “Son-Son,” age 27, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death and is expected to be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in federal prison. No date has been set for his sentencing. On January 11, 2023, Judge Rubin sentenced co-defendant Daquante Thomas, age 21, of Baltimore, to 35 years in federal prison for the same charge. Thomas admitted that he was one of the shooters. This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin . 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the Howard County Police Department, and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution and thanked the FBI, the Maryland State Police, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Hagan, who is prosecuting 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/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: O’Donnell ISD Teacher Convicted at Trial for Enticement of Minor Student Sentenced to 240 Months

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: A Lubbock man who was convicted at trial for enticement and attempted enticement of a minor was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Nicholas Dominique Bueno, 28, was convicted, following a bench trial in June 2023, of one count of enticement and attempted enticement of a minor. In May 2023, Mr. Bueno pleaded guilty to three counts of transfer of obscene material to a minor. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who also order Mr. Bueno to 25 years of supervised release following imprisonment and ordered him to pay a $5,000 assessment to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. According to court documents, Mr. Bueno was a teacher and coach at O’Donnell High School and “Jane Doe” was a 14 year-old student. In October 2022, a school administrator for O’Donnell High School notified the Lynn County Sheriff’s Office of allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student. An investigation revealed, between September 23, 2022 through October 18, 2022, Mr. Bueno and Jane Doe exchanged thousands of messages. On numerous occasions the messages were controlling, grooming, sexual and enticing in nature. When interviewed, Mr. Bueno initially denied any communication with Jane Doe outside of school, however, as the interview progressed he admitted to using a second phone to communicate with Jane Doe and admitted he destroyed the phone after the relationship was discovered. The Lynn County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Public Safety, and the Lubbock Police Department investigated the case with the full support and assistance of the O’Donnell Independent School District. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam and Matt McLeod prosecuted the case.


title: Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Cyberstalking of Maryland Woman

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Michael Ghali, age 35, of Fairfax, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to a federal cyberstalking charge, related to sexually explicit and threatening messages and emails he sent to two victims. The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office. According to his guilty plea, beginning in June 2020, Ghali sent an acquaintance, Victim 1, a series of sexually explicit and threatening text messages using an application which allows users to acquire phone numbers to send text messages that they don’t want to be associated with their known phone number. During that same time, Ghali sent Victim 2, who was the head of a medical department at a Baltimore-based hospital, a series of emails from email addresses he created for the purpose of sending Victim 2 threatening messages, accusing Victim 2 of sexually abusing employees in the medical department and minors, and which claimed that the sender had photos of the abuse. Ghali demanded that Victim 2 resign from his position at the hospital and threatened to send the purported photos of the abuse to the press. Victim 2 knew of Ghali, as Ghali had previously completed a short medical rotation at the hospital. As detailed in the statement of facts, as a result of the threatening messages, Victim 1 contacted the Anne Arundel County Police Department and obtained a protective order that became effective on July 7, 2020. Similarly, after Victim 2 received an email from Ghali which threatened Victim 2’s life and the lives of his grandchildren, Victim 2 hired a professional security detail and changed his surgical and other schedules. Victim 2 suspected that Ghali sent the messages and became aware that in 2019 Ghali had been charged in Fairfax, Virginia, with brandishing an AR-15 assault rifle within 1000 feet of a school. On July 21, 2020, the hospital obtained a temporary restraining order and ultimately a preliminary injunction against Ghali on behalf of Victim 2. On August 25, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ghali’s residence, seizing a number of electronic devices, including two Apple iPhones, as well as three boxes of .44 caliber ammunition. From a Federal Firearms Licensee in Fairfax County law enforcement also seized a .22LR caliber semi-automatic firearm, a 10-round capacity magazine, and additional ammunition. A subsequent review of Ghali’s phone revealed another social media page Ghali created in which he posted photos of individuals, including Victim 1. Several images of Victim 1 with sexually explicit captions were located on the page. According to the plea agreement, on August 28, 2020, Ghali obtained a new Apple iPhone and, in violation of the protective orders that were in place, sent Victim 1 and Victim 2 additional messages and emails. In addition, Ghali posted sexually explicit and threatening messages regarding Victim 1 to another of his social media pages. On October 9, 2020, law enforcement executed a second search warrant at Ghali’s home which authorized seizure of among other things, the new Apple iPhone used by Ghali to send the message to Victim 1. Law enforcement ultimately were unable to locate the device but did locate a receipt for its purchase and packaging material. Ghali faces a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum of five years in prison for cyberstalking. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. Ghali has been detained since his arrest and remains detained pending sentencing. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Paul A. Riley, who is prosecuting 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: Two Former Tennessee Department of Corrections Officers Plead Guilty for Their Roles in the Assault of an Inmate

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Two former tactical officers for the Tennessee Department of Corrections Strike Force pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault of an inmate and the cover up that followed at Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Javian Griffin, 38, of Nashville pleaded guilty yesterday to using unlawful force on an inmate and to providing false information in his official report for the incident. His co-defendant, Sebron Hollands, 33, of Clarksville pleaded guilty last week to providing false information in his official report regarding the same incident. “These two defendants used their power as correctional officers to engage in criminal conduct that victimized a person in state custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to hold accountable correctional officers who assault inmates and then try to cover up their criminal conduct.” “We look to corrections officers to keep prisons safe and secure and to carry out their duties with the utmost integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “Instead of upholding and enforcing the oath he took, this officer used his position of authority to violate an inmate’s rights and then conceal the harm he caused. No correctional officer is above the law. This office’s National Security and Civil Rights Unit will continue to prioritize the prosecution of public employees who violate the civil rights of others.” “Correctional officers who abuse their authority and harm or cover up harm to inmates whose safety they are charged with undermine the criminal justice system as a whole,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “The FBI is committed to protecting the civil rights of all people and will aggressively investigate and bring to justice any officer who violates the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect.” According to court documents, Griffin admitted that he punched an inmate, identified as K.W., in the head without justification, breaking his jaw. Griffin admitted that at the time he punched K.W., the inmate did not resist or pose a threat justifying his use of force. Griffin and Hollands each admitted that they provided false information in their official reports to obstruct the investigation of the incident. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the parties agreed to jointly recommend that Griffin serve a 48-month prison sentence. Hollands faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his false report. Sentencing is scheduled for Griffin on March 5, 2024. Sentencing is scheduled for Hollands on Jan. 19, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Andrew Manns and Matthew Tannenbaum for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.


title: Pinehaven Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Leonard Yazzie was sentenced to 78 months in prison. Yazzie, 41, of Pinehaven, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pled guilty in federal court to abusive sexual contact on July 7, 2023. According to court documents, on April 30, 2021, following a report from school personnel, Jane Doe disclosed to the Farmington Police Department during a forensic interview that Yazzie had sexually abused her during the summer of 2016. Jane Doe reported three separate incidents over the summer. When Yazzie was interviewed by law enforcement on July 30, 2021, he admitted to touching Jane Doe when she was seven years old. Upon his release from prison, Yazzie will be subject to 5 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Ramah Navajo Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-246


title: Trinitarios Gang Member Convicted Of Murdering A Confidential Informant

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM JONES, a/k/a “Principe,” was convicted by a jury of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses for his role in the murder of Frederick Delacruz on December 28, 2019. The defendant was found guilty on all counts following an eight-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “William Jones executed Frederick Delacruz in cold blood because Delacruz had the courage to do the honorable thing and cooperate with law enforcement. We hope today’s verdict will bring some peace to the victim’s family and sends the message that we will not rest until justice is done.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented at trial: WILLIAM JONES was a high-ranking member of the Trinitarios, a racketeering enterprise that has engaged in a pattern of murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, fraud, and witness tampering and retaliation. On December 28, 2019, JONES and other Trinitarios members lured Frederick Delacruz from the Bronx, New York, to Suffolk County, New York, where JONES shot and killed Delacruz because Delacruz was acting as a confidential informant for law enforcement. * * * JONES, 45, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; a firearms offense, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Suffolk County Police Department. He also thanked the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Johnson, Justin V. Rodriguez, and Christy Slavik are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Grayson Glogoff.


title: Arkansas man sentenced for trafficking meth through Liberty County

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Little Rock, Arkansas man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Nicholas Iron Wilson, 27, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. According to information presented in court, on September 15, 2021, Wilson was stopped by law enforcement officers near a truck stop in Cleveland, Texas. During the stop, law enforcement noticed a strong odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed two large plastic bags on the back floorboard containing 596 grams of methamphetamine. Wilson was indicted and charged with federal drug trafficking violations. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson. ###


title: Former Indiana Police Officers Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations in Assault of Handcuffed Detainee

body_text: A former police officer with the Elkhart Police Department, Joshua Titus, 34, was sentenced today to one year and one day in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for his role in assaulting a handcuffed detainee in his custody. On Dec. 8, 2022, Titus’s co-defendant, former Elkhart Police Officer Cory Newland, 40, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in the same offense. Titus and Newland were both sentenced by District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon in the Northern District of Indiana after pleading guilty to their respective roles in the assault. “When officers abuse their power by assaulting handcuffed and defenseless arrestees, it erodes the public trust and tarnishes the reputation police officers everywhere,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one is above the law, and the Justice Department will continue to ensure that officers who violate the rights of individuals in their custody are held accountable.” “To have effective law enforcement, the public must be confident that the officers will perform their duties consistently, within the boundaries of the constitution and federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Instead of honoring their duties by protecting and serving the public, these defendants engaged in criminal behavior. When this happens, my office will fulfill our duties by vigorously prosecuting those officers.” “The majority of law enforcement officers are well trained professionals who uphold their oath to serve and protect and do so with the utmost integrity. But the few who violate that oath and betray public trust will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert “Alex” Middleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “There is no acceptable level of abuse of power and the FBI will vigorously investigate those officers who violate that oath.” According to court documents, on Jan. 12, 2018, while on duty, Newland assisted in the arrest of an individual identified by the initials M.L. and transported him to the booking area at the police department. Once at the police department, M.L. was placed in a chair with his hands handcuffed behind his back, with both arms behind the back of the chair. While seated in the chair, M.L. spat in the direction of Newland, at which point both Titus and Newland began punching M.L. in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the concrete floor. Titus and Newland then hunched over M.L. and punched him approximately 10 more times in the face and body. Both former officers have acknowledged that they knew at the time of the assault that their use of force on M.L. was unjustified and unlawful under the circumstances. The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case. Trial Attorney Katherine G. DeVar of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and General Crimes Unit Chief Abizer Zanzi for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.


title: Former Indiana Police Officers Sentenced For Civil Rights Violations In Assault Of Handcuffed Detainee

body_text: WASHINGTON-A former police officer with the Elkhart Police Department, Joshua Titus, 34, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for his role in assaulting a handcuffed detainee in his custody. On Dec. 8, 2022, Titus’s co-defendant, former Elkhart Police Officer Cory Newland, 40, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in the same offense. Titus and Newland were both sentenced by District Court Judge Phillip P. Simon, in the Northern District of Indiana, after pleading guilty to their respective roles in the assault. “When officers abuse their power by assaulting handcuffed and defenseless arrestees, it erodes the public trust and tarnishes the reputation police officers everywhere,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one is above the law, and the Justice Department will continue to ensure that officers who violate the rights of individuals in their custody are held accountable.” “To have effective law enforcement, the public must be confident that the officers will perform their duties consistently, within the boundaries of the constitution and federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana. “Instead of honoring their duties by protecting and serving the public, these defendants engaged in criminal behavior. When this happens, my office will fulfill our duties by vigorously prosecuting those officers.” “The majority of law enforcement officers are well trained professionals who uphold their oath to serve and protect and do so with the utmost integrity. But the few who violate that oath and betray public trust will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert “Alex” Middleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “There is no acceptable level of abuse of power and the FBI will vigorously investigate those officers who violate that oath.” According to court documents, on Jan. 12, 2018, while on duty, Newland assisted in the arrest of an individual identified by the initials M.L. and transported him to the booking area at the police department. Once at the police department, M.L. was placed in a chair with his hands handcuffed behind his back, with both arms behind the back of the chair. While seated in the chair, M.L. spat in the direction of Newland, at which point both Titus and Newland began punching M.L. in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the concrete floor. Titus and Newland then hunched over M.L. and punched him approximately 10 more times in the face and body. Both former officers have acknowledged that they knew at the time of the assault that their use of force on M.L. was unjustified and unlawful under the circumstances. The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case. Trial Attorney Katherine G. DeVar of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and General Crimes Unit Chief Abizer Zanzi for the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Pharmaceutical production manager sentenced in counterfeit  drug trafficking conspiracy

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man who served as a production manager in a counterfeit drug trafficking scheme has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and money laundering violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Willis Reed, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone. According to the indictment, from April 2014 until August 2021, Reed conspired with ten others including Adam P. Runsdorf, the owner and president of Woodfield Pharmaceutical LLC based in Boca Raton, Florida. According to information presented in court, Reed was a production manager and director of technical operations at Woodfield Pharmaceutical’s manufacturing facility in Houston, where employees produced more than 500,000 pints of counterfeit cough syrup for Byron Marshall, a Houston drug trafficker. Marshall’s drug trafficking organization sold the counterfeit drugs across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, California, Florida, Arkansas, and Ohio. Prices generally ranged from $100 to more than $1,000 per one-pint bottle. Depending on the market and brand of cough syrup, prices went as high as $3,800 to $4,000 per pint. All eleven defendants charged in the indictment, including Reed, pleaded guilty. All eleven have been sentenced. Byron A. Marshall, Tunji Campbell, and Adam Runsdorf pleaded guilty to conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit drugs, and money laundering conspiracy. Marshall was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison. Campbell, who partnered with Marshall to hatch the scheme, was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment. Runsdorf was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment and ordered to forfeit $5 million and a McLaren sportscar. Chauntell D. Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy and trafficking in counterfeit drugs and was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment. In addition to Reed, Cheryl A. Anderson, Ashley A. Rhea, Maria Anzures-Camarena, Kalpen Patel, and Jonathan Shaver each pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were sentenced to 60 months imprisonment. Gina Acosta pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment. Reed was the last defendant to be sentenced in the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; Houston Police Department; Galveston Police Department; Galveston County Sheriff’s Office; Dickinson Police Department; League City Police Department; Pearland Police Department; Pasadena Police Department; Texas City Police Department; Harris County Precent #2; Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office; Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office; Liberty County Sheriff’s Office; and the Texas National Guard. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John B. Ross, Jonathan C. Lee, and Robert Wells. ###


title: Former Olympic Equestrian Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing Minor Student

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A former Olympic equestrian who in retirement became a world-class equestrian coach was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor student. Richard Rankin Fellers, 63, of Sherwood, Oregon, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. According to court documents, from late 2019 until the summer of 2020, Fellers maintained an intimate sexual relationship with a minor female equestrian student who he had been coaching since the student was 14 years old. The relationship, which began when the student was 16 years old, culminated with a multiday road trip in June 2020 to an equestrian event in Michigan. Investigators later learned Fellers planned the trip so he could engage in sexual conduct with the student. On May 24, 2023, Fellers was charged by criminal information with one count of traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. On July 13, 2023, he pleaded guilty. Fellers has a pending state criminal case in Washington County Circuit Court where he is facing four counts of second-degree sex abuse for illegal sexual conduct with the same minor student. As part of a global resolution with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Fellers’ federal prison sentence will run concurrently with any state prison term imposed when he is sentenced on October 27, 2023, in Washington County. Fellers was ordered to voluntarily surrender into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman and Kelly A. Zusman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. Anyone who has information about the physical or online abuse of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Two former tactical officers for the Tennessee Department of Corrections Strike Force pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault of an inmate and the cover up that followed at Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee. Javian Griffin, 38, of Nashville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to using unlawful force on an inmate and to providing false information in his official report for the incident. His co-defendant, Sebron Hollands , 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty last week to providing false information in his official report regarding the same incident. “These two defendants used their power as correctional officers to engage in criminal conduct that victimized a person in state custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to hold accountable correctional officers who assault inmates and then try to cover up their criminal conduct.” "We look to corrections officers to keep prisons safe and secure and to carry out their duties with the utmost integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “Instead of upholding and enforcing the oath he took, these officers used their position of authority to violate an inmate’s rights and then conceal the harm they caused. No correctional officer is above the law. This office’s National Security and Civil Rights Unit will continue to prioritize the prosecution of public employees who violate the civil rights of others." “Correctional officers who abuse their authority and harm or cover up harm to inmates whose safety they are charged with undermine the criminal justice system as a whole,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “The FBI is committed to protecting the civil rights of all people and will aggressively investigate and bring to justice any officer who violates the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect.” According to court documents, Griffin admitted that he punched an inmate, identified as K.W., in the head without justification, breaking his jaw. Griffin admitted that at the time he punched K.W., the inmate did not resist or pose a threat justifying his use of force. Griffin and Hollands each admitted that they provided false information in their official reports to obstruct the investigation of the incident. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the parties agreed to jointly recommend that Griffin serve a 48-month prison sentence. Hollands faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his false report. A sentencing hearing will take place for Griffin on March 5, 2024. A sentencing hearing for Hollands will take place on Jan. 19, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Andrew Manns and Matthew Tannenbaum for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.


title: Ohio Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Narcotics Laws

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA – An Ohio resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Luis Mattei-Albizu, 43, of Columbus, Ohio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine from March of 2019 through September of 2020 before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Mattei-Albizu is one of thirteen defendants charged in the Indictment returned in this case. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a cocaine and fentanyl trafficking organization that operated throughout the United States, including Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. Beginning in December of 2019 and continuing through August of 2020, the DEA received authorization to conduct a Title III wiretap investigation into the organization. Mattei-Albizu was intercepted orchestrating and directing the movement of cocaine through the mail for redistribution. In addition to the intercepted communications, agents seized cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, ecstasy, marijuana, firearms, and bulk United States Currency from members of the organization. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2024. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years to a maximum of 40 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The DEA in Pittsburgh, PA; the DEA, Columbus, OH; the DEA, Harrisburg, PA; Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Pittsburgh, PA; HSI, Orlando, FL; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations; United States Postal Service, Columbus, Ohio; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Lawrence County Drug Task Force – Special Investigations Unit; and New Castle Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Mattei-Albizu. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Rochester man going to prison for COVID fraud

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kenyatta Phipps, 47, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison and pay restitution totaling $376,747.23 by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who handled the case, stated that in February 2020, Phipps filed a federal income tax return for the tax year 2019, reporting wages and interest income of $13,273.00, which resulted in a refund of $696. In August 2020, Phipps attempted four times to file a second 2019 federal income tax return on which he falsely reported additional income he earned in the amount of $333,522 from a company he operated called Platinum Express Cleaning. If the returns were accepted Phipps would have received a fraudulent tax refund of $164,951. After all four attempts were rejected by the IRS, in September 2020, Phipps filed a fraudulent amended federal income tax return for the year 2019, which was accepted by the IRS. In the fraudulent return, Phipps falsely reported that Platinum Express Cleaning received gross receipts of $455,734 from Eastman Kodak Company and had taxes withheld from such income of more than $355,000. This resulted in Phipps receiving a fraudulent tax refund and tax loss to the IRS of $186,570. In addition to defrauding the IRS, Phipps used information from the false tax returns to submit three fraudulent loan applications in the name of Platinum Express Cleaning to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in attempts to obtain COVID relief funding through the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program provided by the 2020 CARES Act. Phipps also falsely stated on the EIDL loan applications that Platinum Express Cleaning had more than 120 employees which would have qualified his company for $573,200 on EIDL program loans. Prior to funding the EIDLs program loans, the SBA discovered the fraudulent loan applications and did not fund the loans. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso. # # # #


title: United States Attorney’s Office hosts second anti-hate crime forum

body_text: WINSTON-SALEM – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina (USAO-MDNC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hosted their second anti-hate crime forum today in Winston Salem, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. The Federal government’s Hate Crime Statistics Program began in 1990 to monitor hate crimes and enhance the federal response to crimes motived by bias against race or ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. The United Against Hate program, launched in 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland, aims to increase reporting on hate incidents as well as hate crimes so that law enforcement can identify patterns and trends in their communities and protect victims. The Department of Justice-wide initiative is also designed to educate the community about how to report hate crimes, what resources are available to them, and offers a chance for community members to meet with the USAO and the FBI to learn more about what the Justice Department is doing to reduce hate crime incidents nation-wide. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, you can report the incident directly to the FBI by submitting a tip to the FBI online https://www.fbi.gov/tips or by calling your local FBI field office https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices . In the event of an emergency, individuals should always contact 911 first. ###


title: Southfield, MI Resident Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin and Cocaine

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA– Deyon Robinson was sentenced to 90 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Robinson, age 22 of Southfield, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge William S. Stickman. Judge Stickman ordered that Robinson serve four years of supervised release at the completion of his prison sentence. On April 26, 2021, Robinson got caught possessing with intent to distribute 150 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and 70 grams of crack. He got caught as a result of a Pennsylvania State Police investigation and traffic stop in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Robinson also possessed a loaded Glock pistol and over $2,400 in cash at that time. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. The Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the conviction and sentence in this case.


title: IRS Contractor Pleads Guilty to Disclosing Tax Return Information to News Organizations

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: An IRS contractor, Charles Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to disclosing tax return information without authorization. “By using his role as a government contractor to gain access to private tax information, steal that information, and disclose it publicly, Charles Littlejohn broke federal law and betrayed the public’s trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In every case, the Department of Justice is committed to following the facts wherever they lead and holding accountable those who violate our laws.” “The unauthorized theft and disclosure of tax return information by government employees or contractors is a serious breach of the public’s trust,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department will hold accountable those who illegally exploit their access to sensitive personal information.” “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is dedicated to conducting comprehensive investigations of criminal activity that impacts federal tax administration. The American people have every right to expect the utmost integrity from those who are granted access to sensitive taxpayer information through their employment with the IRS. TIGTA stands ready to investigate, pursue, and bring to justice any individuals, whether they be employees, contractors, or unaffiliated outside parties who abuse IRS’s systems, steal taxpayer information, and/or illegally disclose taxpayer information,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Trevor Nelson of TIGTA. “TIGTA is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those individuals who illegally disclose taxpayer information. I want to thank TIGTA special agents, the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s offices for their hard work in their commitment to this goal.” According to court documents, Littlejohn, while working at the IRS as a government contractor, stole tax return information associated with a high-ranking government official (Public Official A). Littlejohn accessed tax returns associated with Public Official A – and related individuals and entities – on an IRS database after using broad search parameters designed to conceal the true purpose of his queries. He then evaded IRS protocols established to detect and prevent large downloads or uploads from IRS devices or systems. Littlejohn then saved the tax returns to multiple personal storage devices, including an iPod, before contacting News Organization 1. Between around August 2019 and October 2019, Littlejohn provided News Organization 1 with the tax return information associated with Public Official A. Littlejohn then stole additional tax return information related to Public Official A and provided it to News Organization 1. In September 2020, News Organization 1 published a series of articles about Public Official A’s tax returns. In July and August 2020, Littlejohn separately stole tax return information for thousands of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. Littlejohn was again able to evade IRS detection. In November 2020, Littlejohn disclosed this tax return information to News Organization 2, which published over 50 articles using the stolen data. Littlejohn then obstructed the forthcoming investigation into his conduct by deleting and destroying evidence of his disclosures. Littlejohn pleaded guilty to unauthorized disclosure of tax return and return information. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. TIGTA investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Lauren Castaldi and Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney for the Northern District of West Virginia. If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Public Integrity Section by email at CRM-PIN.Victims@usdoj.gov . Victims can find case updates and additional information at www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-charles-littlejohn .


title: Nurse practitioner arrested, charged with selling oxymorphone

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Ostolski, 55, of North Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute oxymorphone. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that Ostolski is a nurse practitioner working at Acacia Family Health in Lockport, NY, and is authorized to prescribe and dispense controlled substances. According to the complaint, Ostolski over-prescribed oxymorphone dosage units to select individuals who were patients, who then agreed to sell all or a portion of the prescribed pills for a financial profit. The patients were expected to give Ostolski the profits from the sale during their next office visit. The office visits were being billed to insurance including Medicare and Medicaid. Data from the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement shows that between August 2021, and September 2023, Ostolski prescribed his co-conspirator patients collectively approximately 123 controlled substance prescriptions of oxymorphone, totaling in excess of 13,000 oxymorphone pills. During the course of the investigation, investigators conducted several controlled purchases of oxymorphone from Ostolski, and multiple controlled office visits with Ostolski, during which he received cash payments. Ostolski made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Buffalo Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steven Abbott, and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Faso. Additional assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, The New York State Attorney General’s Office, and New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Ghanaian National and a Florida Resident Indicted for Money Laundering

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A Ghanaian National and a resident of Florida have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment, returned on September 12, 2023 and unsealed on October 4, 2023, named David Kakra Mensah, 30, of Accra, Ghana, and Charles Wilson Stout, 65, of Ocala, Florida as defendants. According to the Indictment, from April 2022 through June 2022, Mensah and Stout conspired to launder over $600,000 of fraudulent proceeds of a business email compromise scam that victimized an educational institution located in Washington, D.C. They opened a shell cooperation, multiple bank accounts, and multiple cryptocurrency accounts to facilitate their fraud. They subsequently transferred portions of the fraudulent proceeds into those accounts to conceal their true nature, location, source, ownership, and control. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than twenty years in prison, a fine of not more than $500,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Both Mensah and Stout remain detained pending trial. Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: California Attorney Sentenced for Selling Unregistered Securities

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A California attorney was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with the illegal sale of over $1.3 million worth of unregistered shares of a Massachusetts-based health care company. Daniel V. Martinez, 64, of Yuba City, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. Martinez was also ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 and forfeit $110,999. In December 2022, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of sale of unregistered securities. Between 2013 and 2016, Martinez served as a real-estate attorney for Avtar Singh Dhillon, who was then chairman of the Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, Arch Therapeutics, Inc. Dhillon and Martinez placed 2.75 million Arch Therapeutics shares that Dhillon beneficially owned into a limited liability company that Martinez created and for which Martinez was the sole manager. At Dhillon’s direction, Martinez then sold the shares in the open market without a valid exemption under the relevant securities laws and distributed the approximately $1.34 million in proceeds. Martinez distributed the proceeds primarily to third parties for Dhillon’s benefit, taking a small portion directly for himself. In December 2022, Dhillon pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to disclose stock sales, one count of aiding and abetting the sale of unregistered securities and one count of touting compensation nondisclosure conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2024. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by SEC’s headquarters and Boston regional office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Box Elder man sentenced to 22 months in prison for assaulting partner on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to assaulting a woman on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 22 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Titus Lee Pedraza, 40, pleaded guilty in May to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury of a spouse, intimate or dating partner. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The government alleged in court documents that on November 23, 2022, Pedraza was home with the victim, identified as Jane Doe, and the victim’s children. Jane Doe told Pedraza she wanted a babysitter so they could go gambling together. Pedraza, who was drunk, became enraged and accused Jane Doe of wanting to cheat on him. Pedraza then assaulted her by strangling and hitting her, causing serious bodily injury. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Pocatello Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: POCATELLO –Trenton Powell, 43, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Powell to 15 years of supervised release, which will commence upon completing his prison sentence. Powell will also be required to register as a sex offender. A restitution hearing will be set at a later date to determine any restitution owed to the victim by Powell. Powell was convicted of the eight counts by a federal jury on May 2, 2023. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Powell sexually abused the first victim for six years while living in Pocatello. Powell photographed the abuse with his iPhone. Years after the abuse ended, another of Powell’s victims reported the abuse to police. Police later seized Powell’s iPhone. After the phone was forensically examined, police recovered images of Powell sexually abusing the first victim. Both victims testified during the trial and confirmed that Powell was the man who molested them. “This sentence underscores our commitment to protecting our children from exploitation and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “This case is a testament to the dedicated efforts of our law enforcement partners and serves as a stark warning to those who would consider victimizing innocent children.” “This investigation highlights the strength one voice can have against a child predator, even after years have passed.” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Because of one victim’s courage, HSI and our partners were able to deliver justice to ensure this man can never again victimize the innocent.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit credited the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Pocatello Police Department, which led to the charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Shirts and Justin Paskett. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Entering the United States After Prior Removal

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Eduardo Ruiz Rojas , 36, to time served, and he will be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal to Mexico. Ruiz Rojas had been incarcerated since he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on April 21 after he and others were discovered in Aroostook County, a short distance from the international boundary. Immigration records showed that Ruiz Rojas had been previously removed from the U.S. in September 2019 and had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission. The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case. ###


title: Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud Scheme Involving Fake NASA Contracts

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Marne, Michigan, man pleaded guilty today to a wire fraud charge arising from his participation in an investment fraud scheme. According to court documents, beginning in at least February 2014, Steven Vernon Cross, 52, along with co-defendant Pranit Patil, 34, an Indian national, engaged in a years-long scheme to defraud victims who lent funds to or invested in Cross’s company, Commonwealth Applied Silica Technologies, LLC (CAST). Cross falsely represented to victims that CAST had valuable contracts with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for silica processing. As part of the scheme, Cross provided victims with fake NASA contracts, assisted by Patel, who falsely presented himself as a NASA employee in charge of contracting. Cross led victims to believe that their funds were being invested in profit-making endeavors, when in fact many of the funds were being used to pay Cross’s personal expenses and also being paid out to Patil. Cross is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Adelle K. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Moore and Thomas A. Garnett are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-158.


title: Brookline Man Sentenced for Possessing Machine Guns

body_text: BOSTON – A Brookline man was sentenced today for illegally possessing two privately made machine guns. Stewart Silvestri, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 42 months in prison. On July 19, 2023, Silvestri pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machine guns. On Oct. 15, 2022, law enforcement responded to multiple calls about an erratic driver on Route 95 in Rowley, Mass., who had pulled into a weigh station. Upon arriving at the weigh station, law enforcement approached the driver – Silvestri – who stated he had just come from an armory in New Hampshire. While asking for his license and registration, Silvestri was observed sitting on what appeared to be firearms. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered 14 privately made firearms (also known as ghost guns), hundreds of rounds of ammunition and numerous firearm parts. Two of the firearms were fully automatic pistols, classified as machine guns. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Lynn Woman Sentenced for Stealing Social Security Benefits Intended for Her Deceased Mother

body_text: BOSTON – A Lynn woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing over $50,000 in Social Security benefits intended for her deceased mother over a period of three and a half years. Teresa M. Carrington, 66, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to five years’ probation. Carrington was also ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the amount of $50,210. On May 31, 2023, Carrington pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds. Carrington’s mother died in May 2016. However, the death was never reported to the SSA and, as a result, continued to issue monthly SSA Retirement Insurance Benefits to Carrington’s mother. From June 2016 through January 2020, Carrington stole at least $50,210 in RIS benefits erroneously paid to her deceased mother. To obtain the funds, Carrington wrote monthly checks on her deceased mother’s bank account – each of which was made payable to Carrington and fraudulently endorsed with her mother’s forged signature. Carrington then used the funds to pay bills and other personal expenses. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Associate of Minneapolis Highs Gang Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – An associate of the Highs, a Minneapolis street gang, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on November 15, 2022, Deon Necole Williams, aka Ghost, 28, was in possession of a Smith & Wesson model M9 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Because Williams has prior felony convictions, including aggravated robbery and firearms violations, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition. Williams pleaded guilty on June 5, 2023, to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. Williams was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, St. Cloud Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Belton Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Stashed During Police Pursuit

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Belton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing firearms that he stashed under the deck of a residence while fleeing from police officers through a residential neighborhood. Jonathon M. Pentlin, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to eight years and four months in federal prison without parole. On June 2, 2023, Pentlin pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. A police helicopter was following a stolen 2015 Ford Focus, which Pentlin was driving, from Belton to a Phillips 66 gas station at 5151 E. Red Bridge Road in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 23, 2022. Law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance on Pentlin and another person as part of an ongoing investigation into a residential burglary in which multiple firearms were stolen. A passenger got out of the Focus and into another vehicle at the gas station. Pentlin continued driving the stolen Focus westbound on Red Bridge Road. As the helicopter followed the Focus, Pentlin began driving at a high speed. The Focus crashed into an innocent motorist in the area of 107th Terrace and Grandview Road in Kansas City, Mo., causing significant damage to that motorist’s vehicle as well as injury to the motorist. Pentlin got out of his vehicle and ran westbound through several residential backyards. A Kansas City police sergeant who got out of his vehicle in an attempt to apprehend Pentlin saw that Pentlin was armed with a handgun as he was running through the backyards. Additional officers arrived and located Pentlin in the backyard of a residence on E. 107th Terrace. Officers ordered Pentlin to get on the ground, but he refused to follow their commands and continued to act erratically. Pentlin balled up his fists, assumed a fighting posture, and reached for his waistband as if he still had a firearm, while stating, “I’m going to kill you all.” A Kansas City police officer shot Pentlin with a taser and he fell on his back. While on the ground, Pentlin continued to resist arrest and tried to kick officers. While taking Pentlin into custody, he bit an officer on the right thigh, which caused an open wound with bruising and swelling. While officers waited for EMS to arrive, Pentlin continuously slammed his head into the grass and attempted to bite several officers’ hands and fingers. Pentlin was transported to a local hospital by EMS. An ATF agent with a police dog searched the area and found two firearms, a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a loaded Beretta 9mm semi-automatic handgun, under the deck of a residence in a densely populated neighborhood less than a mile from an elementary school. Officers also found two plastic baggies that contained approximately 4.03 grams of methamphetamine, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia in the stolen car Pentlin was driving. Court documents also refer to a pending case in Cass County, Mo., in which Pentlin fled from law enforcement officers at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. Pentlin drove recklessly, entering the oncoming lane of traffic. After officers terminated the pursuit, Pentlin lost control of his vehicle and struck a white van. The collision caused the van to slide and roll one time down an embankment, causing injuries to the driver and two juvenile passengers. Pentlin ran from his vehicle, which also flipped, but was eventually apprehended. Police officers found a loaded firearm in Pentlin’s vehicle. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Pentlin has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, possessing a controlled substance, and distributing marijuana. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Baker. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Project Safe Neighborhoods This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Massachusetts Businessman Pleads Guilty to Million Dollar Payroll Tax Fraud Scheme

body_text: BOSTON – A Melrose man pleaded guilty today to a decade-long tax fraud scheme in which he failed to pay employment taxes he had withheld from employees of his two businesses. Stephen Schofield, 70, pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay over taxes before U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 23, 2024. Schofield operated and controlled two businesses – Schofield Concrete Forms in Stoneham and Schofields of Melrose, Inc. located in Melrose. For tax years 2010 through 2020, Schofield withheld federal and state employment taxes from his employees’ wages and issued W-2 forms to the employees showing that the taxes had been withheld. However, Schofield did not pay over those taxes to the IRS as required by federal law, resulting in a tax loss of approximately $1,051,000. The charge of failure to pay over taxes provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Bourne Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Bourne man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving and possessing child pornography. Bryan C. Mileikis, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Feb. 16, 2024. Mileikis was initially arrested and charged in July 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2020. Mileikis was identified as the owner of a Kik Messenger account distributing child pornography online. A subsequent search of Mileikis’ Bourne residence in June 2019 resulted in the seizure of his iPhone which contained approximately 156 images and 22 videos depicting child pornography. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; and Bourne Police Chief Brandon Esip made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Hosts Third Community Event as Part of DOJ's United Against Hate Initiative

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2023-153_United Against Hate Event

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona held its third United Against Hate event yesterday at Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona. The event provided an opportunity for an informative and robust discussion with leaders from Arizona’s Hispanic community. Over 130 invited guests, including community members, local leaders, and law enforcement, were in attendance. The event focused on establishing a dialogue between the community and law enforcement and on increasing community understanding and reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents. “Hate crimes are among the most serious of federal offenses, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing charges against those who victimize our fellow citizens based on who they are, how they worship, or who they love,” said Gary Restaino, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “We likewise remain committed to organizing community events like these United Against Hate meetings, which are essential to encourage reporting of hate crimes and to improve trust between law enforcement officials and the communities we serve.” Yesterday’s event featured a panel discussion among community leaders and the U.S. Attorney. The discussion allowed attendees to hear directly from members of the local Hispanic community, who shared their thoughts, concerns, and experiences with hate crimes and hate incidents. This third United Against Hate event follows similar meetings between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and leaders of Arizona’s African American and LGBT+ communities. The District of Arizona will hold additional United Against Hate events in the coming months to engage with communities across the state. These events will further encourage collaboration, support hate crimes prevention efforts, and encourage more Arizonans to report hate crimes and hate incidents. RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-153_United Against Hate Event # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Member of Violent New Haven Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charge

body_text: KIVEON HYMAN, also known as “Tiny, ” 25, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to an offense stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang. Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson. According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, including murders and attempted murders, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven. Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020. The investigation has revealed that Hyman and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Specifically, on June 16, 2018, Hyman shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang, and shot another individual in the vicinity. Hyman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled. Hyman has been detained since his arrest on March 24, 2023. This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Former Executive Director of Tribal non-profit job training program pleads guilty to embezzling federal funds

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – The former Executive Director of the Western Washington Indian Employment Training Program (WWIETP) pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to embezzling from a program receiving federal funds, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Debbie Rawle, 68, of Tacoma served as Executive Director of the tribally owned non-profit job training program for several years until October 2019. The non-profit is now defunct and no longer receiving any federal funds. Rawle is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo for the embezzlement of nearly $100,000 on January 5, 2024. According to the plea agreement, the job training non-profit received $698,153 in 2018 and $703,388 in 2019 to provide employment and training services for eligible tribal members. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Indian and Native American Programs administers the funds. In September 2019, the Division of Indian and Native American Programs began investigating questionable expenditures using the debit card of the non-profit training organization at a Macy’s store. Rawle provided false and misleading information about the purchases, claiming they were work related. In fact, there were multiple purchases of items for Rawle’s own use including a new mattress, sunglasses, and clothing. Further investigation revealed Rawle used the organization debit card for purchases at Best Buy, Amazon, and Costco. At Costco she purchased a cedar pavilion and above ground swimming pool, while on Amazon she ordered a pool maintenance kit, and motorcycle accessories costing more than $1,000. In all, the embezzled funds amount to $99,990. “The Western Washington Indian Employment and Training Program (WWIETP) provided education, job training, and employment services to Native Americans through grants funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. As Executive Director, Debbie Rawle used her position at the WWIETP to embezzle these funds to personally enrich herself. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively identify those who commit similar crimes and bring them to justice,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. Rawle has agreed to pay $99,990 in restitution. Embezzlement from a program receiving federal funds is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by Chief Judge Estudillo who will consider a number of statutory factors before determining the appropriate sentence. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Indian and Native American Programs (“DINAP”). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.


title: Essex County Felon Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking, Firearm Possession, and Possessing Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 228 months in prison for drug trafficking, firearm possession, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Ricky Hubbard, 46, of Newark, was convicted on March 13, 2023, following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty on one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial: On Nov. 6, 2019, law enforcement officers pulled over Hubbard’s car in Union, New Jersey. Inside a secret compartment, Hubbard possessed over 369 doses of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl packaged for distribution; drug-packaging materials; and a 9mm Taurus handgun loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber. In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Hubbard to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Union Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Chris Donnelly; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Union County Sheriff Peter D. Corvelli Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olta Bejleri and Emma Spiro of the Criminal Division in Newark.


title: United States seeks to forfeit more than $72 million involved in bribery and money scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On Sept. 29, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to forfeit more than $72 million involved in a bribery and money laundering scheme centered around Ecuador’s public police pension fund (ISSPOL). As alleged in the complaint, from 2014 through 2020, more than $2.6 million in bribes were paid to ISSPOL officials (directly or through family members) to obtain and invest ISSPOL funds for the benefit of Jorge Cherrez Miño (Cherrez), his companies, and co-conspirators. Under an agreement between ISSPOL and Cherrez—reviewed by ISSPOL officials, including at least one to whom a bribe was paid—ISSPOL entrusted Cherrez with approximately $327 million worth of their local Ecuadorian bonds to invest in the global market and to provide ISSPOL with the return on that investment. Cherrez allegedly obtained approximately $65 million in profits from one aspect of the scheme. Payments from the ISSPOL investment business were obtained in an account in the United States, Florida-based companies and bank accounts were used to pay the bribes and acts in furtherance of the bribery scheme occurred in the Southern District of Florida. Further, to conceal and promote the bribery scheme, corrupt proceeds were allegedly laundered through Florida-based companies and bank accounts, including numerous U.S. investment fund companies incorporated in Florida with Cherrez as an officer or director. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Washington, D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annika M. Miranda and Jorge R. Delgado are handling the civil forfeiture case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs has provided significant assistance on this matter. IRS-CI and HSI, jointly under the auspices of the Global Illicit Financial Team, investigated the related criminal cases. Trial Attorneys Katherine Raut and Alexander Kramer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the related criminal cases, United States v. Jorge Cherrez Miño , et al. , Case No. 21-CR-20528-KMW (S.D. Fla.), and United States v. Luis Alvarez Villamar, Case No. 21-CR-20308-KMW (S.D. Fla.). Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cv-23730. ###


title: Three Colorado Law Enforcement Agencies Agree to Policies to Ensure Effective Communication With Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced today that three Colorado law enforcement agencies—the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Springs Police Department, and the Longmont Public Safety Department—have each agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Each agency has agreed to revise its policies in ways that will improve those individuals’ ability to communicate effectively in interactions with law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney's Office investigated these three law enforcement agencies after receiving ADA complaints from individuals who are deaf. Title II of the ADA requires public entities, including law enforcement agencies, to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Auxiliary aids and services can include items such as computers with video communication software or qualified in-person interpreters. The incident that led to the investigation of the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office (CCCSO) and the Idaho Springs Police Department (ISPD) involved a complainant who is deaf and uses sign language to communicate. The complainant was arrested by ISPD on September 17, 2019. He alleged that during his arrest, he could not hear commands given by ISPD officers from their police vehicle, and that he could not see that ISPD officers were speaking to him because it was dark and the police vehicle’s lights were on. Based on the complainant’s perceived noncompliance, an ISPD officer immediately engaged the complainant in a use of force, bringing him to the ground. The complainant was then handcuffed and repeatedly asked questions by ISPD officers. The complainant alleged that he was unable to understand this questioning because he is deaf, and that even if he could have understood the questioning, he would have been unable to respond to the officers’ questions because his arms were handcuffed behind his back, preventing him from using sign language. The complainant was initially charged with assault and obstructing a peace officer. Those charges were later downgraded to lesser charges and were ultimately dropped. After the complainant’s arrest, he was transferred to the custody of the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office (CCCSO), where he spent four months at the Clear Creek County Jail, as he was unable to post bond. The complainant alleged that during his four months of incarceration in the jail, CCCSO never obtained a sign language interpreter for him or set up a remote interpreter by video. The complainant alleged that he complained to CCCSO on multiple occasions that his rights were being violated, but that throughout his four months in custody, CCCSO did not provide any auxiliary aids and services other than a pen and paper. The complainant alleged that, as a result, he was extremely isolated and became depressed. The incident that led to the investigation of the Longmont Public Safety Department (LPSD) involved another complainant who is deaf and uses sign language to communicate. The complainant alleged that he was twice called to Trail Ridge Middle School when his son, a student at the school, was facing disciplinary charges. In both instances, the complainant’s son was cited for criminal infractions by a School Resource Officer employed by LPSD. The complainant alleged that he was not provided with auxiliary aids and services that would have enabled him to understand the charges against his son and the subsequent law enforcement proceedings. To address issues relating to interactions with deaf or hard of hearing individuals, CCCSO, ISPD, and LPSD each entered into a settlement agreement with the United States and agreed to improve their existing policies for communicating with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office resolved the complaints against CCCSO and ISPD in October 2023 and the complaint against LPSD in March 2023. Under the revised policies, each of these agencies must evaluate the communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, provide those individuals with appropriate auxiliary aids and services, and train their employees on the procedures that apply to interactions with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Department of Justice has reached prior ADA agreements with other Colorado law enforcement agencies, including the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and with other local governmental entities, including the City of Englewood and the St. Vrain Valley School District, in circumstances where the agreement followed an ADA complaint involving a law enforcement interaction. “As these resolutions reflect, our office has continued to receive complaints from members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing about difficulties they experience in their interactions with law enforcement agencies in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “The measures adopted in these settlement agreements will improve public safety, safeguard the rights of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, and ensure that law enforcement officials know what to do when they encounter someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.” The Department of Justice has now reached resolutions with seven different Colorado governmental entities of ADA complaints arising from law enforcement interactions with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The United States Attorney’s Office encourages law enforcement and other governmental agencies in Colorado to examine their policies, resources, and training, to ensure that officers and staff know their responsibilities under the ADA to provide effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. If such agencies or members of the public have questions about the ADA or effective communication in law enforcement, they can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at usaco.civilrights@usdoj.gov . Additional resources on effective communication and law enforcement can be found on ADA.gov. These matters were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeyen Wu and Bill Scarpato.


title: Former Army Reservist Pleads  Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit  Theft of Government Funds

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that former United States Army reservist LEROY DANIELS, JR. pled guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. DANIELS stole $11,693.87 from the United States Department of the Army by claiming reimbursement for the performance of military funeral honors ceremonies that never occurred. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 authorizes military funeral honors (MFH) for active-duty soldiers, retirees, and veterans. At a family’s request, eligible persons can receive military funeral honors, including the folding and presenting of the United States flag and the playing of “Taps.” According to court documents, in or about May 2013 and continuing until in or about June 2016, DANIELS and a co-defendant conspired to obtain money from the United States under false pretenses by submitting false applications for MFH payment requests for services that had not been performed to the Department of the Army. As a result of this conspiracy, DANIELS received approximately $l1,693.87 from the United States government to which he knew he was not entitled. DANIELS faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, including Special Agents Dustin Stevens, John Hiniker, Jeffrey Riedeman, and Denny Richter. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.