title: Bank Manager Admits Coordinating Multistate COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud Scheme; New York Man Admits Laundering Proceeds

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A former branch manager of a national financial institution today admitted using his position to organize a conspiracy to help individuals obtain at least 38 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling approximately $5 million, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also announced that a New York man admitted laundering the proceeds of one of the fraudulent PPP loans. Tommy Hawkins, 61, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to one count of bank fraud conspiracy. Sieff Robert Sargeant, 44, of Island Park, New York, pleaded guilty before Judge Williams to one count of money laundering. According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). To obtain a PPP loan, a qualifying small business was required to apply and provide information on its operations, including the number of employees and expenses. In addition, businesses generally had to provide supporting documentation. In 2020 and early 2021, Hawkins worked as the branch manager of the Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, branch of a national bank that was accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. Hawkins worked with Eric Rivera, Lisa Smith, and others to recruit individuals who owned companies with little or no operations to open bank accounts at Hawkins’ branch and apply for PPP loans. Hawkins helped the recruited individuals submit PPP loan applications that contained materially false representations about the companies’ number of employees and payroll expenses. The applications also included false documentation, including tax forms. Based on these applications, Hawkins’ bank approved at least 38 PPP loans and disbursed approximately $5 million. Hawkins received incentive compensation through the bank for opening business bank accounts for the companies that received fraudulent PPP loans and also had an agreement with Rivera and Smith for them to pay Hawkins $5,000 of the loan proceeds for each PPP loan that Hawkins helped to obtain. In April 2021, Sargeant’s business received a PPP loan based on a fraudulent application that was submitted through Hawkins’ branch. Sargeant then paid another individual, James Wessels, to create fake payroll checks. Sargeant distributed fake payroll checks to a friend, who cashed the checks and returned the majority of the cash to Sargeant. This was done to conceal that the proceeds actually were being spent on non-payroll expenses. The count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud is punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count of money laundering is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Hawkins’ sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2024; Sargeant’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Patricia Tarasca; special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs in Philadelphia; special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Boston-New York Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley Parker; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman and Attorney-in-Charge Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden. The charges and allegations against Rivera, Smith, and Wessels are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. hawkins.information.pdf sargeant.information.pdf


title: Florida Felon Sentenced to Prison for Role in Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Kickback Scheme After Pleading Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud and Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, after admitting his role in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) kickback scheme and pleading guilty to carrying out a COVID-19 fraud scheme and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. On Feb. 8, 2024, Kareem Memon, 34, of Coral Springs, Florida, pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (Case No. 24-cr-60004). According to documents filed in the health care fraud case and statements made in court, Memon and his conspirators owned and operated marketing call centers and telemedicine companies through which they obtained doctors’ orders for DME for Medicare beneficiaries without regard to medical necessity. Memon and his conspirators provided doctors’ orders in exchange for bribes from DME companies that provided the braces to Medicare beneficiaries. Memon and his conspirators caused losses to Medicare in excess of $11 million. On Sept. 21, 2023, Memon pled guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and felon in possession charges in a separate case before Judge Singhal (Case No. 23-cr-80068). According to documents in the wire fraud case and statements made in court, Memon submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $451,000 in forgivable Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and used those funds for personal gains. Moreover, at the time of Memon’s arrest he was a convicted felon and illegally possessed 12 firearms and ammunition. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey (for the health care fraud matter); Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI, Newark Field Office, made the announcement. FBI West Palm Beach and Newark Field Offices investigated the cases. Invaluable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin W. Waugh for the Southern District of Florida and Matthew Specht for the District of New Jersey prosecuted these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 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 numbers 23-cr-80068 and 24-cr-60004. ###


title: Former Boy Scout Camp Employee Admits Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. William Mickel, 70, of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From February 2022 through April 2022, Mickel, who was employed by Boy Scout camps in New Jersey, distributed and possessed images and videos of child sexual abuse. Mickel used email accounts to distribute these materials, and stored hundreds of images and videos on electronic devices in his home. Some of the videos in Mickel’s possession depicted children who were surreptitiously recorded using bathrooms in the Boy Scout camps where Mickel worked. The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll; and the Chester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ryan T. McNamee, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. mickel.indictment.pdf


title: Lawrence Man Sentenced to More Than One Year in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Fredis Manuel Guerrero Guzman, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 21 months in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. In March 2024, Guzman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and aiding and abetting. Guzman was indicted by a federal grand jury along with Melvin Antonio Perez Medina and Fraily Rodriguez Morillo in November 2022. Between March 2022 and August 2022, Guzman, Morillo and Medina conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, in Lawrence, Woburn, Wilmington and Andover. Specifically, in March 2022, Guzman and Morillo met with a cooperating witness to negotiate future drug deals, including the price that Guzman would charge for fentanyl and cocaine. Thereafter, Guzman and Morillo distributed 50 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in April 2022. In July 2022, Morillo and Perez Medina distributed an additional nearly 130 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness on one occasion, as well as over 560 grams of a fentanyl and fentanyl analogue mixture to cooperating witnesses on another occasion. In August 2022, Perez Medina was arrested and found in possession of nearly two kilograms of a mixture containing fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue hidden inside of a cereal box. On Jan. 18, 2024, Perez Medina was sentenced to 64 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy. Morillo pleaded guilty on Feb. 12, 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31, 2024. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Department of Correction; the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Watertown, Reading, Peabody, Hudson, Concord and Waltham Police Departments provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This case 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 .


title: Final Texas Defendants Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Texas man pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and a Texas women pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud both in connection with a wide-ranging scheme to defraud the IRS. In all, seven defendants have now pleaded guilty to this scheme that sought over $111 million in fraudulent tax refunds. According to court documents, from 2018 to 2021, Abraham Yusuff, of Round Rock, led a stolen-identity-refund-fraud scheme by knowingly conspiring with Meghan Inyang, of San Antonio, Christopher Eduardo, of Round Rock, Christian Mathurin, of Nashville, Tennessee, Dillon Anozie, of San Antonio, Babajide Ogunbanjo, of Austin, and Aydin Mammadov, of Houston. As part of the scheme, Yusuff recruited and directed the co-conspirators to provide addresses for the purpose of receiving mail, including IRS correspondence such as identity verification letters. Yusuff and others then registered with the IRS, posing as authorized agents of multiple taxpayers. They used stolen information relating to the taxpayers and their real tax preparers to falsely persuade the IRS they were legitimate representatives. The conspirators then directed the IRS to change the addresses on file for the taxpayers and to send their tax information, including account transcripts and wage records, to the addresses and emails the conspirators controlled. The conspirators used this information to electronically file more than 370 tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds and directed the IRS to split the refunds among several prepaid debit cards. Prior to issuing tax refunds to some taxpayers, the IRS sent verification letters to the addresses controlled by the conspirators, and the conspirators and others, pretending to be the taxpayers, instructed the IRS to release the refunds. Yusuff and the co-conspirators obtained the prepaid debit cards that were to be used to receive the fraudulently claimed refunds. Once the refunds were deposited onto the prepaid debit cards, the funds were laundered by purchasing, among other things, money orders from local stores in amounts that were designed to avoid having to furnish identification or trigger reporting requirements. Prepaid debit cards and money orders were used to purchase designer clothing, home renovation materials and used cars at auction. The defendants kept or received money orders purchased with the fraudulent refunds as their share of the illegal proceeds. Yusuff pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Inyang pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Mammadov, Ogunbanjo, Eduardo and Anozie each previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Mathurin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. The defendants each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Yusuff also faces a mandatory penalty of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, to be served consecutively. Mathurin faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant Chief Michael Boteler and Trial Attorneys Mary Frances Richardson and Curtis Weidler of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas assisted in this matter.


title: Leaders Of Drug Trafficking Organization That Distributed Fentanyl Linked To Eight Overdose Deaths In The Bronx Plead Guilty

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JESUS CABRERA, a/k/a “Gee,” and MICHAEL AMAYA, a/k/a “Miz,” pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue, and CABRERA also pled guilty to a related firearm count. As part of the conspiracy, CABRERA and AMAYA distributed the fentanyl and fentanyl analogue that resulted in the death of Malik Rahman on August 25, 2021. CABRERA and AMAYA pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “In broad daylight, Jesus Cabrera and his lieutenant, Michael Amaya, sold massive amounts of fentanyl in New York City, feeding addiction and causing untold tragedy. Their drugs were in the fatal dose that killed Malik Rahman, and glassines stamped with the defendants’ logo ‘Supreme’ were found at the scene of multiple other overdoses in the Bronx. This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable the dealers who peddle this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death in our community.” As alleged in the charging instruments, court filings, and statements in the public record: CABRERA and AMAYA were the leaders of a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) that operated principally from a block on 142 nd Street between Brook Avenue and St. Ann’s Avenue in the Bronx (the “Set”), where its members sold glassines of fentanyl in bulk to dealers who then re-distributed the DTO’s product on the Set and in other areas of the Bronx. Members of the DTO also sold individual glassines to users who lined up on the Set on an almost daily basis. CABRERA was the ultimate leader of the DTO, and AMAYA worked as the second in command, managing and overseeing the DTO’s various street-level dealers, baggers, and lookouts, including the other defendants charged in this case. In the fall and winter of 2021 alone, the DTO distributed an estimated five to six kilograms of fentanyl per month. The DTO frequently used a signature “stamp” on the glassines of fentanyl it sold. For many months, the DTO stamped its glassines with a “Supreme” logo. Starting in or around December 2021, the DTO began using an “Off White” logo and then switched to a “Thriller” logo. Despite the DTO’s leadership’s awareness of the potential deadly impact of fentanyl, members of the DTO continued pushing the DTO’s product. For example, as early as about January 2019, CABRERA sent AMAYA a link to a news article that described law enforcement’s crackdown on heroin dealers in the Bronx who were “pushing a deadly cut of heroin . . . using a new drug known as fentanyl,” which had led to a rash of overdose deaths. On about August 25, 2021, one of CABRERA and AMAYA’s co-defendants, Alberto Concepcion, sold a quantity of loose “Supreme”-stamped glassines to an individual on the Set, who subsequently provided one of those glassines to Rahman. Rahman died from an overdose shortly after ingesting the substances in the “Supreme”-stamped glassine, the residue of which later tested positive for, among other things, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue. Both CABRERA and AMAYA were directly involved in overseeing Concepcion’s narcotics sales at that time. Indeed, in the days leading up to Rahman’s fatal overdose, AMAYA and CABRERA exchanged text messages referencing certain quantities of narcotics that were going to Concepcion for resale on the Set. Including Rahman’s fatal overdose, between around March 2021 and around December 2021, there were at least eight confirmed fatal overdoses in the Bronx at which the DTO’s “Supreme”-stamped glassines were found on the scene. * * * JESUS CABRERA, 44, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and to using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term imposed. MICHAEL AMAYA, 42, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this matter. He also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the case. The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. King, Kaylan E. Lasky, and David J. Robles are in charge of the prosecution.


title: First Degree Murder Charges Filed in 2023 Killing  Near Catholic University

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jaleil Jones, 19, of Washington, D.C., was charged by indictment, filed yesterday, for killing Robert Lavender, the manager of the BGR “Burgers Grilled Right” restaurant on July 17, 2023, near Catholic University in Northeast D.C. Jones was indicted by a grand jury in the District of Columbia on charges of conspiracy, first degree murder while armed (felony murder), robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. According to the government’s evidence, on July 17, 2023, Jaleil Jones and another person came across Mr. Lavender on a bench on the 600 block of Monroe Street, Northeast, D.C. Mr. Lavender was waiting for a ride home after work. Jones and the other person agreed together to rob Mr. Lavender. In the course of that robbery, Jones shot Mr. Lavender in the head. The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alec Levy. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Investment Banker and Registered Broker Sentenced to 41 Months’ Imprisonment for Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Rashawn Russell, a former investment banker, who was formerly a registered broker with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, was sentenced by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez to 41 months in prison for a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $1.5 million in investor losses and for a separate access device fraud scheme. Russell was also ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to victims of his fraud scheme. Russell pleaded guilty in September 2023 to wire fraud and access device fraud. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Eric Shen, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Criminal Investigations Group (USPIS), announced the sentence. From November 2020 to August 2022, Russell engaged in a scheme to induce multiple victims to invest with him based on false promises that he would use their funds for cryptocurrency investments and that they would earn large—and sometimes guaranteed—returns. Russell misappropriated much of the victims’ assets and used them for his personal benefit, to gamble, and to repay other investors. Russell also repeatedly failed to repay the victims’ principal investments and failed to provide them with promised rates of return. After some victims requested to be repaid their investments, Russell falsely represented that he had wired them money. In a separate scheme, between September 2021 and June 2023, Russell fraudulently obtained at least 97 credit/debit cards and at least 43 identification cards in the names of third parties, often from gym lockers in New York and New Jersey. Russell obtained these devices with the intent to use them to complete unauthorized transactions. Assistant United States Attorney Drew Rolle of the Eastern District of New York, Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford and Assistant Chief Scott Armstrong of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Defendant: RASHAWN RUSSELL Age: 28 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 23-CR-152 (HG)


title: Mexican Man Charged with Illegal Re-entry of a Removed Alien

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BALTAZAR GARCIA-MENDOZA , age 33, was charged on May 24, 2024, in a bill of information, with reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to the bill of information, BALTAZAR GARCIA-MENDOZA reentered the United States after being previously deported on February 3, 2014. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years followed by up to one (1) year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Investment Banker and Registered Broker Sentenced for Operating $1.5M Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A former investment banker, who was formerly a registered broker with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison for a fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $1.5 million in investor losses and for a separate access device fraud scheme. According to court documents, from November 2020 to August 2022, Rashawn Russell, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, engaged in a scheme to defraud multiple investors by inducing them to invest with him based on false promises that, among other things, he would use their funds for cryptocurrency investments and that the investors would earn large—and sometimes guaranteed—returns from those investments. Russell misappropriated much of the investors’ assets and used them to fund personal expenses, to gamble, and to repay other investors. Russell also repeatedly failed to repay investors’ principal investments and failed to provide investors with promised rates of return. After certain investors requested to be repaid their investments, Russell also falsely represented that he had wired the money to them. In a separate fraud scheme, between September 2021 and June 2023, Russell fraudulently obtained at least 97 credit and debit cards and at least 43 identification cards in the names of third parties, often from gym lockers in New York and New Jersey. Russell used the stolen card information to complete unauthorized transactions, including opening online gambling accounts and making fraudulent purchases. Russell was also ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to victims of his cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Russell pleaded guilty in September 2023 to wire fraud and access device fraud. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York; and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement. USPIS investigated the case. Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford and Assistant Chief Scott Armstrong of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Rolle for the Eastern District of New York prosecuted the case.


title: Illinois Resident Charged with Online Crimes Aimed at Children

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 29, 2024, a federal grand jury returned] an indictment alleging that Terrence E. Fabino (age: 61) of Grayslake, Illinois, engaged in the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene matters to a minor in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1470 and 2251(a) and (e). The indictment alleges that on November 20, 2023, Fabino “knowingly attempted to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor” to engage in sexually explicit conduct. It further alleges that on October 26, 2023, Fabino attempted to transfer obscene material to a minor under 16 years of age. Fabino faces a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the enticement charge. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the transfer of obscenity charge. This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Lake County Illinois Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. 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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. # # # For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Two Estonian defendants indicted in massive cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme extradited to U.S.

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle –Two Estonian citizens will appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 2:00 PM today following their extradition from Estonia, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 39, were arrested in Tallinn, Estonia on November 20, 2022, on an 18-count indictment from the Western District of Washington charging conspiracy, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The Estonian government authorized extradition. Late last week the Estonian Supreme Court declined to intervene in the extradition proceeding, clearing the way for the defendants’ removal to the United States. The FBI escorted the defendants to the United States. According to the indictment, Potapenko and Turõgin, are alleged to have induced hundreds of thousands of victims to purchase contracts in a cryptocurrency mining service called HashFlare. Victims paid more than $575 million to the defendants’ companies. The defendants then used shell companies to launder the fraud proceeds and to purchase real estate and luxury cars. According to the indictment, Potapenko and Turõgin claimed that their business, HashFlare, operated a massive cryptocurrency mining operation. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit. The defendants offered contracts under which customers could pay a fee to rent a percentage of HashFlare’s mining operations in exchange for the virtual currency produced by their portion of the operation. Customers from around the world, including from western Washington, bought more than $550 million worth of HashFlare contracts between 2015 and 2019. HashFlare allegedly did not have the virtual currency mining equipment it claimed to have. In fact, according to the indictment, HashFlare’s equipment performed Bitcoin mining at a rate of less than one percent of the computing power it purported to have. When investors asked to withdraw their mining proceeds, the defendants were not able to pay with the mined currency as promised. Instead, the defendants either resisted making the payments, or paid off the investors using virtual currency the defendants had purchased on the open market—not currency they had mined. HashFlare closed its operations in 2019. In May 2017, Potapenko and Turõgin offered investments in a company called Polybius, which they said would form a bank specializing in virtual currency. The defendants promised to pay investors dividends from Polybius’ profits. The men raised at least $25 million in this scheme and transferred most of the money to other bank accounts and virtual currency wallets they controlled. Polybius never formed a bank or paid any dividends. The indictment also charges the defendants with conspiring to launder their criminal proceeds by using shell companies and phony contracts and invoices. The indictment alleges that the money laundering conspiracy involved at least 75 real properties, six luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency wallets, and thousands of cryptocurrency mining machines. The men are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 16 counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each of these crimes is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The FBI is investigating the case. The United States thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the National Criminal Police of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with this investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided extensive assistance to the investigation and in securing the arrests and extraditions. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assisted in facilitating the defendants’ entrance to the United States. This investigation and arrests demonstrate the great cooperation between U.S. and Estonian law enforcement. Estonia has been a crucial ally to disrupt this cyber-enabled crime, and the United States thanks the Estonians for their continued assistance. Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson and Sok Jiang of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of DOJ’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jehiel Baer of the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case. Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare for more information.


title: Since February 2024, one defendant pled guilty and five others have been charged with distributing fentanyl resulting in death

body_text: MIAMI – U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), Sheriff Eric Flowers of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO), Chief Joe DeGiulio of the Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD), Chief Dominick Pape of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, and Chief Sean Scheller of the Lantana Police Department announced the results of their continuing efforts to combat the distribution of fentanyl crisis in South Florida. Since March 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, with assistance from law enforcement partners, has indicted five defendants with distributing fentanyl resulting in death. Their charges follow another defendant’s guilty plea to the same charge in February 2024. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death is an offense that upon conviction is punishable by a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life. According to the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment , synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, are poisoning our nation. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, killing 38,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023 alone. Just one fentanyl pill can kill, as noted in DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign. Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially fatal dose and laboratory testing indicates seven out of 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The public is encouraged to be cautious. “Drug traffickers who distribute fentanyl are handing out a death sentence to drug users and those who unknowingly come in contact with this dangerous and deadly synthetic drug,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “We will continue to target those who fuel the opioid epidemic, to include the Chinese companies and employees that manufacture and introduce the raw chemicals at the start of the fentanyl supply chain, the associates and members of the drug cartels that manufacture fentanyl, and, as we have seen with today’s announcement, the South Florida suppliers who handout the fatal fentanyl overdoses. We commend our partner agencies for their skill and resourcefulness, as we work collectively to prosecute the distributors of the fentanyl poison and protect the public.” “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country. Whether in a fake pill, in powdered form, or laced in other illicit drugs, the effects of illicit fentanyl are devastating on our Florida communities as drug distributors put profits over the lives of people,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “DEA will continue our collaborative efforts, working with our local, state, and federal partners, to target the entire illicit fentanyl supply chain and hold those who threaten the safety and health of our communities responsible for their actions.” “I commend all of our law enforcement partners in this investigation for their dedication and perseverance. The Boynton Beach Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting the distribution of dangerous narcotics. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for the distribution of these drugs are brought to justice," said BBPD Chief Joseph DeGiulio. “The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department appreciates the working partnership with our federal law enforcement partners to combat these dangerous drugs that are harming residents of our community. These efforts will hopefully result in reducing the impact of fentanyl and keep our community safe,” said Chief Dominick Pape of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department. The following cases exemplify the continued commitment between federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute drug dealers who distribute deadly fentanyl. U.S. v. Keyon Lewis, Case No. 23-CR-14030 On Feb. 20, 2024, Keyon Lewis, 27, of Indian River County, Florida pled guilty to distribution of fentanyl, the use of which resulted in the death of another person. According to the plea documents filed with the Court, on Nov. 5, 2021, Lewis sold fentanyl to a man in a parking lot in Vero Beach. The next day, the man’s wife found him dead on the kitchen floor of their residence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon in Fort Pierce. IRCSO and DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jorge Roberto Delgado is handling asset forfeiture. U.S. v. Samantha Hana Yi and Darnell Julio Mendez, Case No. 24-cr-80041 On March 28, 2024 , Samantha Yi, a/k/a “China,” 32 and Darnell Julio Mendez, 31, of Lake Worth, Florida, were indicted for distributing fentanyl causing death, following the fatal ingestion of fentanyl by a 10-month old baby in Boynton Beach, Florida. According to allegations in the court record, Yi and Mendez sold the fentanyl to the baby’s mother, who was a drug addict, the day before the baby’s death. Undercover officers also subsequently purchased fentanyl from Yi and Mendez. When the couple was arrested at their home, they were found in possession of fourteen firearms. Both Yi and Mendez were also charged in the indictment with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Yi and Mendez are detained pending trial, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg. A plea hearing is scheduled for Yi on June 11, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart. BBPD, PBSO, and DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McMichael and Shannon O’Shea Darsch are prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco is handling asset forfeiture. U.S. v. Alfonso Guerrero, Case No. 24-cr-14013 On April 11, 2024, Alfonso Guerrero, 37, of Vero Beach, Florida, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, resulting in death, distribution of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, resulting in death, and possession of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute, following the death of a 37-year-old male in Vero Beach on May 16, 2023. According to allegations in the court record, Guerrero delivered a white powdery substance to the victim hours before he died. Toxicology results determined that the victim died from a combination of dimethylpentylone, pentylone, and fentanyl. Two days after the victims’ death, Guerrero sold more fentanyl to an undercover officer. Guerrero is detained pending trial. A status conference is scheduled for June 26, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg. A trial date has not been scheduled in this matter. IRCSO and DEA investigated the case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily R. Stone is handling asset forfeiture. U.S. v. Gito St Fort, Case No 24-cr-80063 On May 16, 2024, Gito St Fort, 30, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was charged by indictment with distributing fentanyl on Dec. 24, 2023, to a young man who was visiting his parents in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. According to allegations in the court record, the victim took an Uber from his parent’s house to St Fort’s apartment in the early morning hours of December 24, 2023, to buy heroin capsules and cocaine. Tragically, the victim was found dead by his parents the next morning, on Christmas Day along with leftover capsules that tested positive for fentanyl. A toxicology report confirmed fatal levels of fentanyl in the victim’s blood. St Fort is detained pending trial, scheduled for July 1, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, PBSO and DEA investigated the case. FBI Miami provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ralston is prosecuting it. U.S. v. Anthony Raul Del Valle, Case No. 24-cr-80062 Today, Anthony Raul Del Valle, 29, of Lantana, Florida, was charged in a superseding indictment with distributing acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl causing the death of two sisters in Lantana, Florida. According to the criminal complaint, Del Valle sold counterfeit pills to the victims on April 8, 2024. According to the superseding indictment, the counterfeit pills contained acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl, quantities of which were found in the victims’ toxicology findings by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. Del Valle has also been charged with possessing additional fentanyl which he intended to distribute on April 10, 2024, along with a firearm he possessed in furtherance of his drug trafficking. Del Valle is detained pending trial, which is scheduled for June 24, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks. The Lantana Police Department and DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon O’Shea Darsch is prosecuting it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners thank the Office of State Attorney Dave Aronberg for the 15 th Judicial Circuit and the Office of State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl for the 19 th Judicial Circuit for their invaluable assistance with fentanyl cases. Anyone with information regarding the distribution of fentanyl is encouraged to contact 911 or call the DEA at 1-877-792-2873. A number of these prosecutions are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through the PSN program a broad spectrum of law enforcement and community 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 to reduce violence crime and gun violence, and to make our local neighborhoods safer for everyone. An indictment and complaint contain mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . 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 the corresponding case numbers. ###


title: Holyoke Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery

body_text: BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield in connection with a string of nine armed robberies of convenience stores across Western Massachusetts. Alfredo Aldeco, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 13 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Aldeco was also ordered to pay forfeiture and restitution of $7,375. In March 2024, Aldeco pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm in relation to crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Nov. 14, 2018 Aldeco, and co-defendant Emilio Rivera, robbed a clerk in a West Springfield convenience store at gunpoint. After forcibly taking cash and cigarettes from the clerk, Aldeco warned the clerk, “If you call the cops, I will come back and kill you.” The firearm used in the robbery was later found during a search of Rivera’s home – in a bedroom being occupied by Aldeco. At the time, Aldeco was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction. The November 2018 robbery was the last in a string of nine robberies that took place in Holyoke, Chicopee, Northampton, West Springfield and Agawam over the two-week period. In each of the robberies, Aldeco held store clerks at gunpoint. In total, Aldeco robbed the stores of almost $8,000 in cash. On July 6, 2023 , Rivera was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the West Springfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee, Northampton and Springfield Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla, Chief of the Springfield Branch Office, prosecuted the case.


title: Jersey City Attorney Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Tax Crimes

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City attorney was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for defrauding his clients of more than $2 million dollars and other crimes, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. James R. Lisa, 68, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to a superseding information charging him with one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of obstructing the IRS, one count of failing to file an individual income tax return, and one count of wire fraud while on pretrial release. U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. “James Lisa used his law license to execute a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme and rip off clients who placed their trust in him. Then, after being charged for that fraud, Lisa committed another when, posing as his own lawyer, he sent a bogus letter to a lender that falsely described the status of his criminal case. Lisa’s multiple criminal acts were serious violations of his oath as an officer of the court and a betrayal of his clients’ trust. The sentence imposed today is his just punishment for these crimes.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In 2014, Lisa was retained by a family to help repatriate millions of dollars that had been transferred by other family members to offshore bank accounts decades earlier. Lisa was also retained to help resolve the tax issues related to the repatriation of the funds. In 2015, Lisa successfully repatriated more than $6 million of the family’s funds, but proceeded to falsely advise the family that the funds remained offshore. In 2017, Lisa provided $4 million of the repatriated funds to the family but continued to falsely represent that the remaining $2 million remained beyond his control. Lisa falsely told the family that he successfully resolved the tax implications of repatriating the funds. In 2016, Lisa sent the family a fraudulent IRS “closing agreement” reflecting an agreement with the IRS for the family to pay $3 million in taxes and penalties for the repatriated funds. In 2018, Lisa sent the family another fraudulent closing agreement reflecting an agreement with the IRS for the family to pay $2 million in taxes and penalties because only $4 million was purportedly repatriated. In fact, the IRS never entered into these agreements and the IRS employees who purportedly signed the documents never did so. When one member of the family was audited by the IRS, the IRS issued Lisa a summons for records related to the family’s assets. In response to the summons, Lisa produced false and fraudulent documents suggesting that the IRS had agreed to closing agreements with the family. In January 2023, Lisa was arrested after being charged with this fraud scheme and placed on pretrial release. One condition of his pretrial release was that he not commit another crime. In April 2023, Lisa committed wire fraud when he applied for a $22,000 loan. In order to obtain the loan, Lisa caused the creation and submission to the lender of a fraudulent document that purported to be a letter from the attorney then representing him in his criminal prosecution. Lisa caused the letter to be sent in order to defraud the lender about the status of the criminal prosecution so that the lender would approve the loan. Lisa also admitted that he failed to file individual income tax returns for tax years 2015 through 2022, and as a result, caused a tax loss to the IRS of at least $550,000. In addition to the prison term, Judge Neals sentenced Lisa to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $2.05 million in restitution to his fraud victims and $550,000 to the IRS. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Mid Atlantic Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay; and IRS - Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.


title: Two Estonian Nationals Extradited from Estonia to the United States for $575M Cryptocurrency Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

body_text: Two Estonian nationals will make their initial appearance in the U.S. District Court in Seattle at 5:00 p.m. EDT today following their extradition from Estonia to the United States to face criminal charges related to their roles in a massive multi-faceted cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 39, were arrested on Nov. 20, 2022, in Tallinn, Estonia, on an 18-count indictment filed in the Western District of Washington. According to the indictment, Potapenko and Turõgin allegedly induced hundreds of thousands of victims to purchase contracts entitling them to a share of virtual currency mined by the defendants’ purported cryptocurrency mining service, HashFlare. Potapenko and Turõgin allegedly claimed HashFlare operated a massive cryptocurrency mining operation. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit. Potapenko and Turõgin allegedly offered contracts which, for a fee, allowed customers to rent a percentage of HashFlare’s purported mining capacity. In exchange, HashFlare agreed to pay out the virtual currency produced by the contract holders’ portion of the operation. Between 2015 and 2019, customers from around the world allegedly entered into more than $550 million worth of HashFlare contracts. However, HashFlare allegedly did not have the virtual currency mining equipment it professed to have and engaged in less than one percent of the Bitcoin mining activity it claimed. According to the indictment, when investors asked to withdraw their mining proceeds, Potapenko and Turõgin could not pay the investors with the mined currency they had promised. Instead, Potapenko and Turõgin either resisted making the payments or paid off the investors using virtual currency they purchased on the open market—not currency they had mined. According to the indictment, Hashflare continued offering contracts for virtual currency mining through August 2019. In May 2017, Potapenko and Turõgin offered investments in a company called Polybius, which they said would form a bank specializing in virtual currency. Potapenko and Turõgin allegedly promised to pay investors dividends from Polybius’ profits. Potapenko and Turõgin raised at least $25 million and used approximately $7 million of HashFlare proceeds in this scheme and allegedly transferred most of the money to other bank accounts and virtual currency wallets they and their co-conspirators controlled. Polybius never formed a bank or paid any dividends. Victims of the defendants’ schemes paid more than $575 million to the Potapenko and Turõgin companies. Potapenko and Turõgin allegedly used shell companies and phony contracts and invoices to launder the fraud proceeds and to purchase real estate and luxury cars. The indictment alleges that the money laundering conspiracy involved at least 75 real properties, six luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency wallets, and thousands of cryptocurrency mining machines. Potapenko and Turõgin are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 16 counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. Collodi of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case. The United States thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the National Criminal Police of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with the investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant investigative assistance and in securing the arrest and extradition of Potapenko and Turõgin. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also assisted in facilitating the defendants’ entrance to the United States. Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Wilkinson and Sok Jiang for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jehiel Baer for the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case. Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Fraudster Pleads Guilty

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN VOLOSHIN, also known as “Josh Thomas,” 68, formerly of New Haven and Woodbridge, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to fraud and identity theft offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2012, Voloshin was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 33 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for operating multiple fraud schemes that caused losses of more than $1.5 million to individuals and lenders. He was released from prison in May 2014. In November 2014, he was sentenced to an additional nine months of imprisonment for violating the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release for repeatedly lying to his supervising probation officer by concocting a bogus job for a real estate concern in London. He was released from prison in June 2015. In the fall of 2015, Voloshin engaged in another fraud scheme by soliciting money from individuals and falsely representing that the money would be fully invested to generate very high returns. In November 2017, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment for the offense and for violating his supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $275,000 in restitution, in addition to his restitution obligation from his 2012 conviction. He was released from prison in May 2018. Between January and April 2019, Voloshin defrauded a company in Bloomfield that provided accounting and tax preparation services to individuals and companies. Voloshin stole blank checks for both the company’s business account and the company owner’s personal account, forged the owner’s name on the checks, and negotiated the checks for his own benefit. Voloshin also stole and negotiated checks and money orders that were written out as payment by third parties to the company. As part of the scheme, Voloshin incorporated an entity in Wyoming with a name very similar to that of the company, opened a bank account in the name of the sham company, deposited misappropriated checks into the account, and used the stolen funds for his own benefit. Through this scheme, Voloshin defrauded victims of $56,548.71. On September 23, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Voloshin. He was arrested on July 14, 2021, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has been detained since his arrest. Voloshin pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on August 22. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Bloomfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Sean P. Mahard. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked Interpol and Brazilian authorities for their assistance in apprehending Voloshin, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for coordinating the extradition proceedings in this matter.


title: Mexican Man Charged with Illegal Re-entry of a Removed Alien Previously Convicted of a Felony

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that IGNACIO SORIANO-RUIZ , age 29, was charged on May 24, 2024, in a bill of information, with reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to the bill of information, IGNACIO SORIANO-RUIZ reentered the United States after being previously deported on January 14, 2018. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former Williamson Memorial Hospital CEO Pleads Guilty to Federal Theft Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charles Hatfield, 61, of Williamson, pleaded guilty today to theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Hatfield, who recently resigned as mayor of Williamson, admitted that while chief executive officer of Williamson Memorial Hospital he stole $34,872.62 in hospital funds for personal use and without authorization. According to court documents and statements made in court, Hatfield became the hospital’s interim CEO in September 2018. As CEO, Hatfield had control over the hospital’s finances and bank accounts, directed payments of the hospital’s funds, and had custody and control of the hospital’s checkbook. Hatfield was the permanent CEO when he was relieved of those duties in September 2019. Around that time, on Oct. 21, 2019, the rural, 76-bed hospital filed for bankruptcy. On May 16, 2019, Hatfield directed that $9,197.62 in hospital funds be used to purchase a cashier’s check made payable to an individual at Venice Sands Apartments-Argus Management of Venice in Florida. Hatfield admitted that he used the hospital funded-check to settle a personal lawsuit demanding the payment of delinquent real estate taxes and homeowners’ fees he owed for personal condominium property he owned in Venice. On September 25, 2019, Hatfield directed the transfer of $25,675 in hospital funds to Mid Mountain Properties, a real estate company owned and operated by Hatfield. The transaction occurred just days prior to Hatfield being relieved as CEO, and shortly before the hospital filed for bankruptcy. Hatfield admitted that he was aware that the hospital could not appropriately fund its employee benefits programs, including retirement and healthcare plans at the time he directed the transfer. Hatfield further admitted to telling his business partners that he used the transferred funds to pay a personal obligation. Hatfield also admitted that he never requested or received authorization from the hospital’s board of directors or anyone else at the hospital to direct the payments from the hospital to himself. Hatfield is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Hatfield also owes $34,872.62 in restitution. “Charles Hatfield abused a position of trust and diverted funds for personal gain from a community hospital at a time when he knew the hospital and its employees were financially vulnerable,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the United States Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Labor- Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and investigator Steve Rowley in this office for their investigative work, and Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Tessman for the prosecution of this case.” United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia . Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-74. ###


title: Foreign National Sentenced for Kidnapping and Assaulting U.S. Army Soldiers in Colombia

body_text: A Colombian national was sentenced today to 48 years and nine months in prison for his role in kidnapping and assaulting two U.S. Army soldiers who were on temporary duty in Bogota, Colombia. According to court documents, Jeffersson Arango Castellanos, 36, and his co-conspirators targeted, incapacitated, and kidnapped two U.S. soldiers in Bogota to rob them of their valuables. On the evening of March 5, 2020, the two victims went to an entertainment district in Bogota to watch a soccer game. They visited a pub, where Arango Castellanos incapacitated the two victims by putting drugs, including benzodiazepines, in their drinks. Arango Castellanos and one of his co-conspirators then escorted the victims into a waiting car driven by another co-conspirator, kidnapped them, and took their wallets, debit and credit cards and cell phones. Arango Castellanos and his co-conspirators used one victim’s credit card and the other victim’s debit card to make purchases and withdraw money. The two victims lost consciousness until the following day, by which point they had been separated. In May 2023, Arango was extradited from Colombia to the United States pursuant to a U.S. extradition request. On Jan. 26, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping an internationally protected person, conspiracy to kidnap an internationally protected person, assaulting an internationally protected person, and conspiracy to assault an internationally protected person. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché Office in Bogota, and the U.S. Marshals Service provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendant. The United States also thanks Colombian law enforcement authorities for their valuable assistance. Trial Attorneys Clayton O’Connor and Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertila L. Fernandez for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Extranjero sentenciado por secuestro y agresión a soldados del ejército estadounidense en Colombia

body_text: Un ciudadano colombiano fue sentenciado hoy a 48 años y nueve meses de prisión por su participación en el secuestro y agresión de dos soldados del ejército estadounidense que se encontraban de servicio temporal en Bogotá, Colombia. Según documentos judiciales, Jeffersson Arango Castellanos, de 36 años, y sus cómplices atacaron, incapacitaron y secuestraron a dos soldados estadounidenses en Bogotá para robarles sus objetos de valor. La noche del 5 de marzo de 2020, las dos víctimas fueron a un sector de entretenimiento de Bogotá para ver un partido de fútbol. Visitaron un bar, donde Arango Castellanos incapacitó a las dos víctimas colocando drogas, inclusive benzodiazepinas, en sus bebidas. Luego, Arango Castellanos y uno de sus cómplices escoltaron a las víctimas a un automóvil conducido por otro cómplice que les estaba esperando, los secuestraron y se apoderaron de sus billeteras, tarjetas de débito y de crédito, y los teléfonos celulares. Arango Castellanos y sus cómplices utilizaron la tarjeta de crédito de una de las víctimas y la tarjeta de débito de la otra víctima para realizar compras y retirar dinero. Las dos víctimas perdieron el conocimiento hasta el día siguiente, momento en el que ya habían sido separadas. En mayo de 2023, Arango fue extraditado de Colombia a los Estados Unidos de conformidad con una solicitud de extradición de los Estados Unidos. El 26 de enero, él se declaró culpable de secuestro de una persona protegida internacionalmente, concierto para secuestrar a una persona protegida internacionalmente, agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente y concierto para agredir a una persona protegida internacionalmente. La fiscal general principal adjunta Nicole M. Argentieri, jefa de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia; el fiscal federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida; y el agente especial a cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la oficina local del FBI en Miami hicieron el anuncio. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia, la Agregaduría Judicial de la Sección de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas en Bogotá y el Servicio de Alguaciles de los Estados Unidos brindaron asistencia significativa para asegurar el arresto y la extradición del acusado. Los Estados Unidos también agradecen a las autoridades colombianas del orden público por su valiosa asistencia. Los abogados litigantes Clayton O’Connor y Elizabeth Nielsen de la Sección de Enjuiciamientos Especiales y Derechos Humanos de la División Penal, y la fiscal federal adjunta Bertila L. Fernández para el Distrito Sur de Florida procesaron el caso.


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to Imprisonment for Animal Crushing Videos and Possession and Transportation of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: TOLEDO - Lucas Russell Vanwoert, 27, of Celina, Ohio, was sentenced to 97 months (more than eight years) in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, II for possession and transportation of child pornography, transportation of obscene materials and creating an animal crush video. Vanwoert was additionally ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release, required to register as a sex offender, and is prohibited from owning or possessing a pet in the future. Vanwoert created an animal crush video in 2022 with intent to distribute according to court documents. An animal crush video is defined as any photograph, motion picture, film, video or digital recording, or electronic image that depicts actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury, or bestiality and is obscene. Authorities seized three severely emaciated dogs that Vanwoert was abusing, and one recently deceased dog in the backyard of the residence. Authorities also seized several electronic devices that were found to contain videos of child pornography, which involved prepubescent children, as well as animal crush videos, as part of an executed search warrant at Vanwoert’s residence in Celina. At least one of Vanwoert’s dogs was used to create the animal crush videos. Homeland Security Investigations Agent Jason Guyton was the lead investigator. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Michelle M. Baeppler.


title: Essex County Man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm and Cocaine, Heroin, and Fentanyl

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for illegally possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for distribution and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Taurean Gordon, 40, of Irvington, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas to a superseding information charging him with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Bibas imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Gordon admitted that on February 11, 2021, he possessed heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine packaged for distribution with the intent to distribute. Gordon, a previously convicted felon, also admitted that he possessed a North American Arms Inc. revolver loaded with five rounds of ammunition. In addition to the prison term, Judge Bibas sentenced Gordon to 3 years of supervised release and ordered him to forfeit the weapon and ammunition he used during the commission of the offense, as well as the $526 seized from him at the time of the offense. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited officers of the Newark Police Division under the direction of Director Fritz Fragé and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit and George Barchini of the Narcotics/Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.


title: Federal Inmate Indicted for Threatening Federal Court Employee in Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A federal inmate was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston today for allegedly sending several threatening letters to an employee at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. Devin James Melycher, 31, has been indicted on three counts of mailing threatening communications. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the charging documents, Melycher is a federal inmate who, since 2023, has been in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons. It is alleged that on three separate occasions – Dec. 16, 2022; Jan. 3, 2023; and Jan. 12, 2023 – Melycher sent letters addressed to a U.S. official at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston threatening to injure the victim employee. The charges of using of mailing threatening communications each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Honduran Man Charged with Transporting Aliens

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that WILFREDO GARCIA-HERNANDEZ , age 31, was charged on May 24, 2024 in a bill of information with transporting illegal aliens within the United States, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii). According to the bill of information, WILFREDO GARCIA-HERNANDEZ was encountered during a traffic stop, knowing that the passengers he was transporting were in the United States illegally. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon M. Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Johnson, Vermont Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Drug and Gun Offenses

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 30, 2024, George Goins, 66, of Johnson, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III to a term of 57 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Goins previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, on June 8, 2022, Goins was arrested following an investigation into a shooting that occurred outside of Goins’ apartment complex in Johnson, Vermont on June 7, 2022. In the early morning hours of June 7, 2022, the victim, who lived in the same apartment building as Goins, confronted Goins near his apartment. Goins took a handgun from his pocket, shot the victim in the neck, and fled. Law enforcement later obtained a warrant to search Goins’ apartment where they recovered a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE 9mm semi-automatic pistol. From a riverbank behind the Johnson apartment complex, investigators recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol. Based on the caliber and characteristics of the weapon, investigators believe that the gun found near the riverbank was used to shoot the victim. The victim was treated at a hospital for injuries and later released. Goins is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history. On June 8, 2022, law enforcement located Goins outside of a hotel in South Burlington, Vermont. Law enforcement recovered fentanyl and cocaine base in Goins’ hotel room. Goins also had four bags of fentanyl on his person at the time of his arrest. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Vermont State Police, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, the Morristown Police Department, the South Burlington Police Department, and the Burlington Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig. Goins was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Weber County Man Behind Bars Following Death Allegedly Caused by Fentanyl

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Salt Lake City, Utah – A United States Magistrate Judge ordered a Weber County resident to remain in custody following the alleged sell of fentanyl laced pills that led to the death of another person. On May 8, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the defendant. According to court documents, Cullin Anthony Bullen, 37, of Roy, Utah, was contacted on December 19, 2023, by the victim in a death resulting drug case. As alleged, the victim was purchased “roxies,” which is slang for Roxicodone prescription pills. Bullen purchased 25-30 pills from a third individual for $20 each. Bullen then sold the “roxies” to the victim for $25 per pill. On December 20, 2023, the victim was found dead. The medical examiner’s preliminary report determined the cause of the victim’s death was fentanyl intoxication. Bullen is charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. His initial court appearance on the indictment was May 29, 2024, at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Tremonton City Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Ryan N. Holtan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting 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. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Cory Thomas, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession of prepubescent child pornography. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 7, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Thomas’ residence in Charleston and seized his cell phone and other electronic devices. An analysis of the electronic devices revealed numerous digital image and video files of child pornography. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Thomas must also register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia . Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-43. ###


title: Bradenton Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn K. Mizelle today sentenced Roger Lee Caldwell, Jr. (41, Bradenton) to life in prison for producing child sexual abuse material, transporting minors with intent to engage in sexual activity, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Caldwell was found guilty by a federal jury on February 8, 2024. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Caldwell sexually abused two minor victims over a period of six years and produced an image of one of the minor victims while forcing the victim to engage in a sex act. The image, recovered from Caldwell’s cell phone, depicted Caldwell wearing a uniquely designed belt, the same belt worn by Caldwell at the time of his arrest. In March 2022, Caldwell travelled alone with both victims, out of state, where he repeatedly sexually abused them. Upon their return to Florida, both victims disclosed the sexual abuse to family members and law enforcement. Caldwell’s sexual interest in children was confirmed upon law enforcement’s discovery of his collection of child sexual abuse material on a computer located during a search of the family’s home. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradenton Police Department, the Palmetto Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacie B. Harris, Courtney Derry, Abigail King, and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Lisa Thelwell.


title: Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Overstating Business Expenses and Charitable Contributions in Tax Returns

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for falsely overstating in personal tax returns the amount of his business expenses and charitable contributions. A federal jury earlier this year convicted NIKKO D’AMBROSIO, 32, of Des Plaines, Ill., of making false statements in his personal income tax returns for the tax years 2019 and 2020. D’Ambrosio, who worked as a salesperson for an Illinois-based electronic sweepstakes kiosk operator, falsely claimed to have driven more than 474,000 miles on business-related travel for those two years. He also falsely claimed to have incurred more than $263,000 in business-related meal expenses during those years. D’Ambrosio’s false claims about his charitable contributions involved alleged donations of more than $63,000 to a Catholic church in Chicago. Financial and vehicle records presented at trial revealed that the mileage and meal expenses were vastly overstated, and a church representative testified that D’Ambrosio was not a parishioner and that the church had no record of any donations by D’Ambrosio in those years. U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin imposed the year-and-a-day sentence during a hearing Wednesday in federal court in Chicago. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Jason Bushey, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard M. Rothblatt and Brandon D. Stone.


title: Clearwater Man Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Receiving And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. has sentenced Peter Fajardo (52, Clearwater) to 12 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Fajardo to pay restitution to the victims of the offense. Fajardo entered a guilty plea on January 4, 2024. According to court documents, on seven occasions in 2022, FBI agents downloaded multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material associated with a computer in Fajardo’s home. A search warrant executed at Fajardo’s home in 2023 revealed more than 2,500 images and over 100 videos of child sexual abuse material. Additionally, agents found multiple videos filmed by Fajardo where he rubbed and played with the feet of a 10-year-old girl. Fajardo explained to agents that he has a “foot fetish” and a “sexual fascination” with feet. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Orlando Resident Agency with assistance from the Lakeland Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Texas Man Faces 10 Years to Life for Online Sexual Exploitation of Maine Child

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Texas man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to coercing and enticing a minor. According to court records, in December 2021, Juan Jose Torres, 26, coerced and enticed a 13‑year-old to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Torres had first found the child on Snapchat and sent a friend request. They also communicated through Instagram, text, phone, and FaceTime. Torres knew the victim was 13 years old and sent the child explicit images of himself, pressuring the victim to do the same. He became angry or threatened to harm himself if the victim did not comply. The child’s father intercepted disturbing Instagram messages Torres sent to the victim and notified his local police department in Maine. Numerous sexually explicit images and videos were later found on Torres’ phone in Texas. Torres faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Online enticement is increasing: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported an alarming 300% increase in online enticement reports between 2020 and 2023. “Online enticement” involves an individual communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. This type of victimization takes place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. Learn more about online enticement, including red flags and risk factors, at https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/onlineenticement . If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 . Project iGuardian program available to Maine communities: The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) program Project iGuardian is focused on keeping children and teens safe from online predators through education and awareness. The in-person educational outreach effort was created to share information about the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity. Schools, parent groups, and other community groups interested in bringing the program to their community can find more information at: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/training . Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc . ###


title: Slidell Man Guilty for  Making False Statements to Small Business Administration

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DEAN MEILLEUR (“MEILLEUR”) , age 57, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long on May 28, 2024, to making or using false writings or documents to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3). According to court documents, MEILLEUR , submitted false writings and documents to the SBA to obtain Economic Impact Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). In his EIDL applications, among other things, MEILLEUR falsely represented that he was the owner of a trucking business that was formed in 2017 and that he was eligible for EIDL funds. As a result of these false submissions, MEILLEUR obtained $147,400 from SBA to which he was not entitled. MEILLEUR is to be sentenced on September 17, 2024, and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. After imprisonment, he faces up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. MEILLEUR has also agreed to pay restitution to the SBA, which amount shall be determined and ordered by the court. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . U.S. Attorney Evans commended the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Pontotoc County Resident Sentenced For Arson In Indian Country

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Shyla Faye Pittman, age 38, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release for one count of Arson in Indian Country. The charge arose from an investigation by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On October 16, 2023, Pittman pleaded guilty to one count of Arson in Indian Country. According to investigators, on March 11, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a call about a housefire and arrived to discover Pittman on the porch of the burning building, with a butane torch nearby. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, ATF Fire Investigators discovered multiple points of origin for the fire, indicating that Pittman had purposefully set fires throughout the home. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Pittman will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.