title: Antioch And Pittsburg Police Officers And Employee Charged With Various Crimes Ranging From Using Excessive Force To Defrauding Their Employers

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned four separate indictments August 17, 2023 that, collectively, charge ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with various crimes ranging from excessive force to fraud, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The indictments all were filed August 16, 2023, and unsealed the following day. The charges were described by U.S. Attorney Ramsey and Special Agent in Charge Tripp at a press conference held on August 17, 2023. “Police officers promise to enforce laws for the protection of the public and to protect the rights of the accused,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “That is the job. The indictments describe officers who are alleged to have violated this oath. When this happens, the damage done to the public trust cannot easily be calculated. This office will not rest until all persons who have engaged in this sort of behavior are apprehended and prosecuted.” “This case is one of the highest priorities for the San Francisco Field Office,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Tripp. “Law enforcement officers bear a tremendous responsibility to police our communities lawfully in keeping with the Constitution, and we must always be true to that guiding principle. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the FBI agents, analysts, and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case and whose efforts culminated in the operations today.” At the press conference, U.S. Attorney Ramsey referred to the first indictment as the “college degree benefits fraud indictment.” According to the indictment, six defendants engaged in a conspiracy to defraud police departments out of taxpayer dollars, including the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments, by claiming they had earned college credits toward degrees when, instead, they paid others to attend classes and take exams for them. Specifically, beginning in June of 2019, Officer Patrick James Berhan of the Pittsburg Police Department utilized a person identified as “Individual 1” to complete multiple college courses on his behalf. The courses were credited toward Berhan’s completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Berhan allegedly received a degree and then applied for and received reimbursements and increases to his pay from Pittsburg Police Department. Further, the indictment alleges Berhan “promoted Individual 1’s services” and “benefited from payments received by Individual 1 in furtherance of the scheme.” The indictment describes how five other members of the police departments retained Individual 1 to complete similar coursework from the university. Each paid money to Individual 1, obtained a degree based on the fraudulent coursework, and applied for benefits including reimbursements and increases in pay from their law enforcement employer. The second indictment charges two defendants with conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids. The indictment describes how Officers Daniel Harris and Devon Wenger, both employed by the Antioch Police Department, allegedly conspired illegally to distribute the drugs to an unnamed customer. The indictment also alleges that Harris possessed and attempted to possess the drugs, and that Wenger attempted to delete evidence of the scheme from his cellular phone prior to handing the phone over to law enforcement officers. The third indictment charges a single defendant, Timothy Allen Manly Williams (Manly), also then with the Antioch Police Department, with three charges—two involving alleged interference with a wiretap investigation and the third involving the illegal seizure and destruction of a telephone. The indictment alleges that on March 23, 2021, Manly was assigned to a “wire room” where, pursuant to a court order, he was supposed to monitor communications between a target and others who contacted the target by telephone. While monitoring the target, Manly allegedly used his personal cellphone, dialed a special code to ensure his number would not appear to others, and called a target of the investigation. After dialing the number, Manly also designated his call to the target to be “non-pertinent” ensuring the 14-second conversation would not be recorded. Manly also allegedly made entries on the wire logs to suggest that the call he made resulted in no answer and no audio. The indictment further alleges that on May 6, 2021, Manly was on the scene when another officer deployed a police dog when arresting a person. Upon seeing a witness using a cellular telephone to record the aftermath of the incident, Manly allegedly seized the witness’s telephone and destroyed it. The fourth indictment charges three Antioch police officers—Morteza Amiri, Eric Rombough, and Devon Wenger—with conspiracy against rights and deprivation of rights under color of law. The 29-page indictment describes how the defendants allegedly communicated with each other and others about using and intending to use excessive force against individuals in and around Antioch. The uses of excessive force included deployment of a K9, deployment of a 40mm “less lethal” launcher, and other unnecessary violence. Further, the indictment alleges that the defendants deployed uses of force as “punishment” to subjects “beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system,” and allegedly made repeated reference to or suggestion of violating the civil rights of their victims. Examples in the indictment include the following: • On July 24, 2019, Amiri allegedly pulled over a bicyclist, identified as A.A., for failing to have lights on after dark. The indictment alleges that “[i]n the course of apprehending A.A., Amiri punched him multiple times; K9 Purcy then bit A.A. in the arm, injuring him.” Amiri then shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers who exchanged text messages including: “Yeah buddy good boy pursy,” “F[expletive] that turd,” and Amiri later stated “Detectives already called PRCS and got him a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t have to go to court for the bite. easy.” In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.” • On October 8, 2020, Amiri allegedly sent a text message identifying a transient living in Antioch identified as M.Z. stating “anyone that finds him gets code [a free meal or beverage]. This f[expletive] stole my mail and was trying to open accounts under my name.” Wenger responded “Lets beat his f[expletive] ass I’m down after work morty” According to the indictment, the recipients of Amiri’s message located M.Z. later that evening. Amiri then arrived on the scene, shoved M.Z. against a wall and threatened to kill him. The indictment also alleges that a few months later Amiri texted another group of officers in reference to M.Z., “few months ago, I tracked him down and dragged him to the back of a car to ‘discuss’ the matter,” and “putting a pistol in someone’s mouth and telling them to stop stealing isn’t illegal. . . it’s an act of public service to prevent further victims of crimes” • On May 5, 2021, Rombough accompanied other Antioch police officers who responded to a report that transients were living inside a privately-owned unit. While responding, Rombough and another officer located a couple lying on a bed inside a room. Rombough deployed a 40mm less lethal launcher at one of the persons on the bed, hitting them in the chest and knocking them off the bed. • On August 24, 2021, Rombough accompanied other Antioch police officers as they executed a search warrant at a residence in Antioch. Officers located a subject—identified as J.W.—inside a locked bedroom holding a video game controller while sitting on an air mattress, with a video game on a television screen. J.W. removed a pair of headphones and raised his hands as officers, including Rombough, entered the room. One officer took J.W.’s left arm to arrest him as four other officers surrounded J.W. As the other officer held J.W.’s left arm on the bed, Rombough deployed the 40mm less lethal launcher at J.W., injuring him. The indictment describes several other incidents of excessive force as well as the collection and sharing of pictures to memorialize acts of violence and the collection by defendant Rombough of spent munitions to commemorate his deployment of the 40mm launcher. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The indictments charge the following defendants with crimes as follows: In addition, as part of any sentence following conviction, the court may order defendants to serve an additional term of supervised release to begin after a prison term as well as additional fines, and restitution, if appropriate. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section and Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the District Attorney of Contra Costa County. antioch_and_pittsburg_chart_rev3.pdf 23-cr-00269_amo_08162023_indictment.pdf 23-cr-00268_hsg_08162023_indictment.pdf 23-cr-00267_ygr_08162023_indictment.pdf 23-cr-00264_jsw_08162023_indictment.pdf


title: Bellevue Man Convicted of Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Steven Garcia, 27, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Garcia to 35 months’ imprisonment. He also ordered him to serve three years of supervised release after his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system. Between January 2020 and continuing through August 13, 2020, Garcia conspired with Fabiola Diaz to distribute methamphetamine in the Omaha area. In particular, on January 14, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant of the residence that Garcia shared with Diaz and seized 22.6 grams of actual methamphetamine that Garcia and Diaz intended to distribute. On July 26, 2023, Fabiola Diaz was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Seventeen Residents of the Western District of Pennsylvania Indicted on Violating Federal Narcotics and Firearms Laws

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA – Following a four-month long Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking, unlawful firearms possession, and gang activity in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhoods, seventeen residents of the Western District of Pennsylvania have been charged by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh in two separate but related Indictments with violations of the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. “This office is committed to protecting the residents of Western Pennsylvania from those who engage in gun violence and traffic in fentanyl and other dangerous drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Together with our trusted law enforcement partners at the FBI, ATF, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, we will continue to investigate and hold accountable the most dangerous offenders through effective enforcement of federal drug and firearm laws.” “Violence doesn’t belong in our communities,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “Those indicted today have targeted the Northside in and around the Allegheny Commons for far too long. The FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force pursues those who terrorize our communities with violence and dangerous drugs like fentanyl. We are proud to work side by side with the U.S. Attorney’s office and our state and local partners to hold these people accountable for their crimes.” The first Indictment names Dayon Shelton, 32, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on April 5, 2023, Shelton possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. A separate but related nineteen-count Indictment charges sixteen defendants with violations of the federal narcotics and firearms laws occurring between December 2022 and August 2023. Fifteen of the named defendants are: • Dejarnette Blanchard, 32, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Babangida Adam, 27, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania • Kenneth Blanchard, 37, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Terry Booth, aka “Sheisty,” 19, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Norman Davis, 37, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Lawrence Gray, 55, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Terry James, 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Clinton McLaughlin, 55, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Taemon Posey, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Demetrius Reynolds, 20, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Markel Sayles, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Gilbert Smith, 44, of Bruin, Pennsylvania • Ories Smith, 25, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Denzel Tomlin, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Damor Williams, 19, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania One defendant remains a fugitive so that name is not being released at the present time. According to this Indictment, between December 2022 and August 2023, the above-named defendants conspired with one another, and with others, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled substances, namely fentanyl and cocaine base (in the form commonly known as “crack”). Defendants Dejarnette Blanchard, Babangida Adam, Kenneth Blanchard, Terry Booth, Norman Davis, Terry James, Demetrius Reynold, and Denzel Tomlin, are also charged with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances such as fentanyl, cocaine, and/or cocaine base on various dates during the conspiracy. Defendants Dejarnette Blanchard, Babangida Adam, Norman Davis, Terry James, Demetrius Reynolds, and Denzel Tomlin are charged with violations of the federal firearms laws for unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and/or for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The penalties for these crimes vary. As to the drug trafficking conspiracy charged in the Indictment, defendants Dejarnette Blanchard, Babangida Adam, Demetrius Reynolds, and Ories Smith face a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both. Defendants Kenneth Blanchard, Terry Booth, Norman Davis, Lawrence Gray, Terry James, Taemon Posey, Markel Sayles, Gilbert Smith, Denzel Tomlin, and Damor Williams face a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up $5,000,000, or both. Defendant Clinton McLaughlin faces a maximum total sentence of up 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. Those defendants charged with additional violations of the federal narcotics and firearms laws face potential additional terms of imprisonment and fines, if convicted. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police led the investigation with the assistance of law enforcement officers from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Allegheny County Probation and Parole, and the Penn Hills Police Department. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Kevin Kesselberg, Jr., 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Kesselberg to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Kesselberg will serve 10 years of supervised release. Kesselberg was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution. In December 2021, law enforcement began investigating after receiving a Cybertip from Dropbox, Inc. stating that a user had uploaded child pornography. An IP address associated with the uploads was associated with Kesselberg. He admitted to using the account at issue and viewing child pornography. Investigators searched Kesselberg’s cell phone and located two videos of child pornography on the device. 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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Cell Tower Arsonist Pleads Guilty to Eight Counts in San Antonio

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty in federal court in San Antonio on Thursday to eight charges in two indictments related to arson and felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Sean Aaron Smith, 29, maliciously attempted to damage and destroy, by means of fire, multiple cellular telephone towers around San Antonio between April 2021 and May 2022. Smith was arrested in a traffic stop on May 13, 2022. During the traffic stop, law enforcement officers located a handgun on the floorboard in front of the driver’s seat. Executing a search warrant for Smith’s apartment on May 15, 2022, investigators found additional firearms. Smith knowingly possessed the firearms after being previously convicted of two felony crimes where he served more than a year imprisonment on each. Smith pleaded guilty to six counts of arson of cellphone towers and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. He faces a penalty of five to 20 years in prison for each charge related to arson, and up to 10 years in prison for each firearm possession charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. for the FBI San Antonio Division made the announcement. The San Antonio Fire Department Arson squad, FBI, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Texas Rangers are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Omaha Men Sentenced for Roles in Drug and Firearm Conspiracy

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ty-Sean Nunn, 32, and Anthony Hill-Gaines, 25, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced on August 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Nunn to 14 years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana and conspiring to violate federal firearms laws. Hill-Gaines was sentenced to 90 months in prison for conspiring to violate federal firearms laws. There is no parole in the federal system. After Nunn’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. After Hill-Gaines’s release, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Nunn is also forfeiting $13,180 that was identified as drug trafficking proceeds. From about July of 2016 to January of 2022, Nunn was part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The conspiracy largely occurred in Omaha. Nunn was involved in the distribution of the drugs. During this same time period, Nunn and Hill-Gaines conspired to violate federal firearms laws. Nunn and Hill-Gaines possessed firearms to facilitate the drug trafficking conspiracy. Co-defendants Willis Parker, George Buck, Dominique Thomas, and Jerrell Jackson have all pleaded guilty to charges related to the drug conspiracy. Thomas was sentenced on June 7, 2023, to 90 months of imprisonment. Buck was sentenced on July 26, 2023, to 120 months of imprisonment. Parker and Jackson are pending sentencing. Only co-defendant Terrance Traynham is pending trial. Traynham was previously sentenced to 106 months in federal prison for conduct related to this conspiracy. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Omaha Police Department, and the Bellevue Police Department.


title: Final Defendant Sentenced in South Carolina’s Largest RICO Conspiracy

component: Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section

body_text: WASHINGTON – The 40th and final defendant prosecuted as part of the District of South Carolina’s case against the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a branch of the nationwide Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today. “The incarcerated leadership of the IGD maintained the gang’s lucrative drug enterprise by ordering murders and terrorizing neighborhoods throughout South Carolina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This vertical prosecution of 40 gang leaders, members, and associates has disrupted the criminal enterprise both inside and outside of prison. The case demonstrates the Department’s resolve to pursue and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate.” According to court documents, the IGD was a sprawling criminal enterprise that included inmates within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) who were gang leaders and used contraband cell phones to orchestrate murders, kidnappings, gun trafficking, and an international drug operation. James Robert Peterson, 35, of Gaffney; Edward Gary Akridge, 31, of Greenville; Matthew J. Ward, 39, of Lexington; and Juan Rodriguez, 43, of Woodruff, orchestrated the crimes from inside SCDC where they were inmates. IGD also included non-incarcerated members who committed crimes outside the prison system. In South Carolina, IGD was divided into three primary “sets,” each with its own leader. “Contraband cellphones allowed gang leaders to perpetuate violence, traffic guns, and run an international drug operation from behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Through a years-long, multi-agency partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement, we have dismantled this criminal enterprise and held accountable both the incarcerated defendants and those who enabled them. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute inmates who use contraband phones to continue their criminal conduct from prison.” Since the initial indictment in this case, all charged defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute, or to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics (including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl). Ten defendants were charged with either VICAR murder or kidnapping resulting in death – all of whom pleaded guilty as charged. Nineteen of the 40 defendants in the case were sentenced on racketeering charges to the following prison terms: Peterson, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and kidnapping resulting in death. Ward, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Akridge, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder. Aaron Michael Carrion, 31, of Lexington, a member of and enforcer for IGD, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder. Aaron Corey Sprouse, 31, of Gaffney, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR kidnapping. Arian Grace Jeane, 29, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and aiding and abetting VICAR murder. Cynthia Rooks, 55, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Lisa Marie Bolton, 35, of Dallas, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Jonathan Eugene Merchant, 30 of Laurens, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder. Joshua Lee Scott Brown, 25, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder. Alex Blake Payne, 31, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Virginia Ruth Ryall, 46, of Gastonia, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Sally Williams Burgess, 40, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Jennifer Sorgee, 39, of Easley, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Heather Henderson Orrick, 36, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Crystal Nicole Bright, 43, of Lexington, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Lisa Marie Costello, 46, of Gaffney, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Amber Hoffman, 39, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Clifford Kyzer, 38, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy. Twenty-one other defendants in this case have also been sentenced to charges stemming from the IGD’s far-reaching narcotics organization after pleading guilty to narcotics distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and/or firearms offenses and related charges. The following are those defendants and their prison terms: Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Samuel Dexter Judy, 31, of Lexington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Kelly Jordan, 37, of Williamston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Richard Ford, 65, of Lexington, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and related charges. Brian Bruce, 51, of West Columbia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Montana Barefoot, 28, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. John Johnson, 39, of Gaston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Kelly Still, 46, of Windsor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Benjamin Singleton, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Kyla Mattoni, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and related charges. Alexia Youngblood, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Rebecca Martinez, 36, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Mark Edward Slusher, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Robert Figueroa, 46, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Britney Shae Stephens, 35, of Anderson, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Matthew Edward Clark, 44, of York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Catherine Amanda Ross, 31, of Gaffney, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting kidnapping. Brandon Lee Phillips, 39, of Gaffney, was sentenced to time served after serving approximately four years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Billy Wayne Ruppe, 58, of Gaffney, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Windy Brooke George, 24, of Gaffney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Tiffanie Brooks, 39, of Columbia, was sentenced to over three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. In connection with the investigation and prosecution of this case, law enforcement seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 130 firearms, and various quantities of heroin and fentanyl. “ATF joined our local, state, and federal partners in a very dedicated and focused effort to make a long-lasting impact on the level of gun violence and gang activity in South Carolina,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We brought some extremely dangerous individuals to justice and recovered over a hundred firearms from a criminal organization intent on harming our communities. Disrupting these major criminal networks will have a significant impact on public safety across the state.” “This sentence marks the end of an era for a violent organization responsible for a multitude of criminal activities across South Carolina that negatively impacted the way of life for many communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling complex criminal enterprises and ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.” The case is the result of a multi-agency effort to dismantle the IGD by the ATF, FBI, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team SCDC, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office provided valuable assistance. Trial Attorney Rebecca Dunnan and Principal Deputy Kim S. Dammers of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Holloway for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case. Attorneys Brandon B. Hinton, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Lisa K. Man, formerly of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, also assisted with the case. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Justice Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. ###


title: Minnesota Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Possession Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jeno Michael Paulucci, 42, of Duluth, Minnesota, was sentenced on August 15, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to 78 months’ imprisonment for Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. Paulucci was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release to be served after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Additionally, Paulucci will be forfeiting to the United States any interest he had in a 2018 Cadillac Escalade, which was used during the commission of the offense. Paulucci pleaded guilty to his offense on May 18, 2023. On August 3, 2022, law enforcement conducted a checkpoint on Interstate 80 in Dawson County, Nebraska. Jeno Paulucci was the driver and Paulucci’s co-defendant, Patrick Lewis McKinney, was the passenger. Paulucci exited the highway and parked on the wrong side of the road. Law enforcement initiated a traffic stop and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Paulucci did not have a driver’s license, registration, or insurance. Law enforcement subsequently searched the vehicle and located 63 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl pills, kief, and ecstasy pills. Law enforcement also located various dangerous weapons to include two machetes, multiple bladed weapons, a baton taser, and a firearm. McKinney pleaded guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute on April 17, 2023. On July 21, 2023, McKinney was also sentenced to a term of 78 months’ imprisonment, and three years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Richmond Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for After Investigators Discover His Collection of Nearly One Million Child Sexual Abuse Images

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- David Julien, 65, of Richmond, Indiana, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receipt of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, on the night of January 2, 2022, the defendant, David Julien, was making French fries in his kitchen. He left the kitchen to eat them, forgetting the hot grease on the stove and starting a fire in his kitchen. The Richmond Fire Department (RFD) responded, extinguished the fire, and began an investigation into its cause. While inside, a Deputy Fire Chief found notebooks on a dresser that contained pictures of child sexual abuse. Officers with the Richmond Police Department spoke to Julien, who admitted that “there will be thousands and thousands and thousands more of those photos.” Julien consented to a search of his house. During the search, officers located eight colored binders that had printed photographs of child sexual abuse material. Officers also found a computer with approximately 10 external hard drives and 2 internal hard drives. Located near the computer were an additional 5 hard drives that contained well over 100,000 child sex abuse material images and over 3,000 videos, including those of bondage and bestiality. One hard drive had approximately 722,000 CSAM images and 29,000 CSAM videos. The child sexual abuse materials Julien collected and repeatedly viewed dated back to at least 2017. Julien’s collection of child sexual abuse images and videos included depictions of children being subjected to sadomasochistic sexual abuse and bestiality, as well as depictions of the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the USSS Indianapolis Field Office, Chief Michael Britt of the Richmond Police Department, Tim Brown, Interim Fire Chief of the Richmond Fire Department made the announcement. “For years this defendant collected over a million depictions of children being subjected to horrific sexual abuses—including rapes of babies and toddlers,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “He didn’t care about the trauma that was inflicted and perpetuated, so long as he could enjoy the heinous material he craved. Thanks to the Richmond Fire and Police Departments, the U.S. Secret Service, and our federal prosecutors, our children are safer, and this pedophile is behind bars where he belongs.” The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Richmond Police and Fire Departments. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Jane Magnus-Stinson. Judge Stinson also ordered that Julien be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years following his release from federal prison and register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, and goes to school. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Eakman, who prosecuted this case. This case was 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc ###


title: Former Pharmacy President Admits $32 Million Health Care Kickback Scheme

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A former president of a pharmacy business admitted his role in a health care kickback conspiracy involving prescriptions for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced today. Elan Yaish, 53, of Israel, pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From September 2017 to around December 2020, Yaish participated in operating pharmacies, including Apogee Bio-Pharm LLC, in Edison, New Jersey. Yaish and others agreed to engage in a scheme to pay marketing companies to direct prescriptions for expensive medications to the pharmacies. The marketing companies identified Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries to target for expensive drugs and contacted the beneficiaries by telephone to pressure them to agree to try expensive medications, such as pain creams, scar creams, eczema creams, and migraine medication. The marketing companies then transmitted recordings of telephone calls with the beneficiaries, together with pre-marked prescription pads for particular drugs that would yield exorbitant reimbursements, to telemedicine companies. The marketers paid the telemedicine companies kickbacks for every beneficiary referred for a prescription, and the telemedicine companies paid doctors to approve the prescriptions. The marketing companies then directed the prescriptions to pharmacies, including Apogee, with which they had kickback arrangements. The pharmacies filled the prescriptions and sought reimbursement from federal health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE. The pharmacies, including Apogee, then paid a portion of each reimbursement to the marketing companies as a kickback. As a result of the scheme, Yaish and his conspirators caused a loss to Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs of over $32 million. The charge of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2023. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Barbara Ward, Senior Trial Counsel of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit, in Newark. yaish.information.pdf


title: Man Convicted of Submitting False Statements to COVID-19 Relief Program

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in Memphis convicted a Tennessee man yesterday for making false statements on an attestation to receive $107,568.03 from the Provider Relief Fund, a federal program that provided financial assistance to medical providers offering care to Americans suffering from COVID-19. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Raymond Earl Vallier, 52, of Fayette County, owned and operated North Delta Hospice and Palliative Services LLC in Southaven, Mississippi, from 2006 until June 2019, when he ceded ownership to Individual 1, who passed away in February 2020. By January 2020, North Delta Hospice had stopped billing Medicare and Medicaid and stopped paying employees. North Delta Hospice also did not file a 2020 federal income tax return. In April 2020, North Delta Hospice received a Provider Relief Fund payment of $107,568.03. When the payment was deposited into the company’s bank account, Vallier transferred some of the funds to accounts that he controlled. Then, he issued a $58,000 check to himself. To retain the Provider Relief Fund monies, Vallier submitted a false and fraudulent attestation on behalf of North Delta Hospice in the name of Individual 1, who at that time was deceased. In the attestation, Vallier accepted terms and conditions of payment, which involved certifying, among other things, that North Delta Hospice provided, after Jan. 31, 2020, diagnoses, testing, or care of individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19. Vallier also falsely certified that North Delta Hospice would only use the payment to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and only for health care related expenses and lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. The jury convicted Vallier of two counts of making false statements. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of making false statements. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorney Sara E. Porter and Assistant Chief Justin Woodard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Arvin for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the Provider Relief Fund, monies that were provided to medical providers that must be used for the medical providers’ coronavirus response. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is part of a joint initiative between the Justice Department and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.


title: Nigerian citizen extradited from Germany to face charges over attempt to steal $25 million in U.S. benefits

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – One of two Nigerian citizens residing in Canada, who allegedly defrauded the pandemic unemployment benefit programs in multiple states, made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma this afternoon at 2:00 PM. Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, 45, was arrested in February 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, as he traveled back to Canada from Nigeria. Ambali had been detained in Germany pending extradition. He arrived in the Western District of Washington yesterday afternoon. Ambali and codefendant Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, 45, are accused of using the stolen identities of thousands of Americans to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 different states, including Washington State. According to the indictment, Lawal and Ambali used the stolen personal information of thousands of U.S. taxpayers and residents to file fraudulent claims for COVID-19 pandemic assistance and false tax returns seeking refunds. In total, the claims sought approximately $25 million, but the conspirators obtained approximately $2.4 million, primarily from pandemic unemployment benefits. The co-conspirators allegedly submitted claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to more than 25 states including New York, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, California, and Washington. Using 13 Google accounts they filed some 900 claims. The co-conspirators also allegedly established four internet domain names that they then used for fraud – creating some 800 different email addresses that were used for fraud. Lawal and Ambali allegedly filed over 2,300 fraudulent income tax returns seeking over $7.1 million in tax refunds. The IRS caught most of the fraud and paid only about $30,000 in fraudulent refunds. The co-conspirators also attempted to use the stolen American identities for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to defraud the Small Business Administration. According to the indictment, the co-conspirators had the proceeds of their fraud sent to cash cards or to “money mules” who transferred the funds according to instructions given by the co-conspirators. They also allegedly used stolen identities to open bank accounts and have the money deposited directly into those accounts for their use. Lawal and Ambali are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, ten counts of wire fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. Lawal remains in Canada, pending extradition. The conspiracy and wire fraud counts are punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory minimum two years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison time imposed in the case. 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 National Unemployment Fraud Task Force provided a lead on this case to the investigative team in Western Washington. The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Also contributing to the investigation were Washington State Employment Security Division (ESD), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy Chang and Seth Wilkinson of the Western District of Washington. DOJ’s Office of International Affairs is assisting. On May 17, 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. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus 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 via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Consent Decree With Orange County Horse Racing Training Center For Violating Clean Water Act

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Lisa F. Garcia, the Regional Administrator for Region 2 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), announced today that the United States entered into a Consent Decree settling a civil lawsuit against MARK FORD, MARK FORD STABLES, INC., MARK FORD STAGE ROAD PROPERTY, INC., and FORD EQUINE, LTD. (collectively, the “defendants”), for violations of the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) in connection with the defendants’ construction and operation of a horse racing training facility on two adjacent properties in the Town of Wallkill in Orange County. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This consent decree puts the defendants down a path to reversing the harm they caused to the environment by filling wetlands on their properties and failing to prevent pollutants from entering public waters. It should serve as a reminder that those who pollute will be held accountable for their actions.” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said: “The Defendants in this case irresponsibly polluted and filled in wetlands without authorization or permits, improperly managed waste from their horses, and failed to comply with requirements in the stormwater construction general construction permit that they did hold. The Clean Water Act requires the protection of wetlands precisely because they support healthy ecosystems, provide flood and erosion control, and provide other valuable benefits. EPA will vigorously pursue its enforcement goals to restore illegally filled waters and wetlands and deter future violations.” The Consent Decree, which is subject to public comment and approval by the Court, will resolve a lawsuit filed in White Plains federal court in 2019. The complaint alleged that from 2007 to 2016, the defendants destroyed existing federal wetlands and rerouted streams in the course of building a horse racing training center at 90 Slaughter Road (“Slaughter Road site”) and 482/484 Stony Ford Road (“Ford Equine Site”) in violation of the CWA. The lawsuit also alleged that the defendants have operated a concentrated animal feeding operation without a permit, allowing horse wash water and process wastewater to be discharged into waters of the United States. The lawsuit further alleges that defendants violated the terms of a stormwater construction general permit during construction work at the Slaughter Road Site from February 2016 to February 2017. In the Consent Decree, the defendants admit, acknowledge, and accept responsibility for the following: From 2007 to 2016, the defendants used or caused the use of mechanized land-clearing and filling equipment to discharge fill material into 18.1 acres of federal jurisdictional wetlands and a tributary that are waters of the United States at the Slaughter Road Site. The defendants never sought or obtained authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the filling of these wetlands. From 2007 to 2013, the defendants caused the straightening or alteration of roughly 310 linear feet of a creek on the northern half of the Slaughter Road Site and roughly 1,460 linear feet of the same creek on the southern half of the site. The defendants also discharged approximately 150 linear feet of loose stone below the ordinary high-water mark of the creek. The defendants never obtained authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the rerouting and filling of portions of the creek. From 2015 to 2016, the defendants used or caused the use of mechanized land-clearing and earth-moving equipment to discharge fill material into approximately 1.86 acres of federal jurisdictional wetlands at the Ford Equine Site and rerouted roughly 900 linear feet of a stream that flowed southward through the eastern portion of the Ford Equine Site. The defendants never sought or obtained authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the rerouting of the stream and the filling of these wetlands. From at least December 12, 2016, to the present, the Slaughter Road Site and the Ford Equine Site constitute a medium concentrated animal feeding operation (“CAFO”), within the meaning of the CWA and its implementing regulations, that has discharged pollutants to navigable waters without a permit. Between January 19, 2016, and January 26, 2018, defendants FORD and MARK FORD STAGE ROAD PROPERTY, INC., were required to comply with an applicable general permit governing the discharge of stormwater during construction activity. However, in November 2016, EPA conducted an inspection at the Slaughter Road Site and found non-stabilized stockpiles of soil and mulch in the southwest portion of the Slaughter Road Site that lacked the erosion and sediment controls required by the general permit. Several areas of the Slaughter Road Site lacked erosion or sediment controls that caused turbid stormwater to flow into a catch basin and ditch/stream tributaries in the southwest portion of the site which, in turn, flowed into the creek in violation of the general permit. In addition, monthly inspections required by the general permit had not been conducted from February 2016 to February 2017. * * * In addition to the payment of a $200,000 civil penalty, the Consent Decree requires the defendants to create or restore approximately 18 acres of wetlands on their property, to restore two streams to their pre-fill configurations, to take additional measures to ensure the long-term success of the defendants’ restoration work, and to come into compliance with federal CAFO regulations. Notice of the proposed Consent Decree will be published in the Federal Register and the public will have the opportunity to submit comments on the Consent Decree for a period of at least 30 days before it is submitted for the Court’s approval. Mr. Williams thanked the attorneys and enforcement staff at EPA Region 2 for their critical work on this matter. This case is being handled by the Environmental Protection Unit of the Office’s Civil Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Bannon and Tomoko Onozawa are in charge of the case. U.S. v. Ford et al Proposed Consent Decree


title: Covington Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – MARC QUIROZ (“QUIROZ”) ,a resident of Covington, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court on August 17, 2023 before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to one count of wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 in connection with a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. QUIROZ’s co-conspirators, James Thomas Sinyard, Jr., a/k/a Jay Sinyard, and Mary Gigi Sinyard, a/k/a Gigi Sinyard, were charged by bill of information on February 14, 2023. On May 18, 2023, Jay and Gigi Sinyard pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. ( EDLA Case No. 23-30 “G” ). Co-conspirator John Sutton was charged by bill of information on June 13, 2023. On August 17, 2023, Sutton pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. ( EDLA Case No. 23-122 “M”). According to the bill of information, QUIROZ submitted fraudulent affidavits for home aid services provided when he knew that those services were not actually provided. As part of the scheme to defraud, beginning in or around April 2013 and continuing until July 2018, QUIROZ did knowingly devise and intend to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Affairs) and to obtain money and property by submitting false affidavits and applications to Veterans Affairs on behalf of veterans and their spouses, claiming that VetAttend had provided home services to the veterans, when in fact, it had not. During the scheme to defraud, Veterans Affairs issued funds to over 300 veterans and/or their surviving spouses from which QUIROZ fraudulently appropriated, without the knowledge of the veterans, totaling approximately $4,065,969.18. QUIROZ faces a possible maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. The Court set sentencing of MARC QUIROZ for November 30, 2023 The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh, of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Honduran Man Charged with Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – ELIAS MANUEL MURCIA-BONILLA , age 32, a native of Honduras, was charged yesterday in a one-count indictment with Illegal Reentry in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. MURCIA-BONILLA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years, a term of supervised release up to 1 year, a fine of up to $100,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations agents in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Four Texas Men Plead Guilty to Stealing Cash, Damaging ATMs in Three States

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ga. – Four Houston, Texas, residents pleaded guilty to federal charges for stealing cash and damaging ATMs using hooks, chains and stolen trucks in Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. Jamarlon Butler, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States on Aug. 15. Co-defendants Marques Strambler, 35, David Hill, 31, and Traveon Odoms, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States on Aug. 7. The defendants each face a maximum of five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge Clay Land is scheduled for Dec. 7. There is no parole in the federal system. “These defendants embraced lawlessness, stealing vehicles and mauling ATMs in numerous attempts to steal money in Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office will not hesitate to hold individuals accountable for criminal actions that cause loss and damage for people, their businesses and the broader communities we serve.” “Damaging property and stealing cash from a bank is a federal crime, regardless if violence occurred, and the FBI will always investigate” said Rich Bilson, Senior Resident of FBI Atlanta’s Columbus office. “Rather than legitimately work to make their money, these defendants choose to scheme and steal and will now be held accountable for their crimes.” According to court documents and other evidence, the defendants stole cash from ATMs in Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana during the summer of 2021 by accessing the machine’s internal safe using chains and hooks attached to stolen trucks. In total, the defendants are being held accountable for three ATM robberies totaling $166,482.18 of loss in cash and damages. The first theft occurred in the Middle District of Georgia on June 16, 2021. The defendants stole a Ford F250 from Phenix, Alabama, and targeted the SunTrust Bank on Courtyard Way in Columbus, Georgia. Ultimately, their attempt to access the money inside the ATM was unsuccessful but caused $12,727 in damage. Approximately forty minutes later and 11 miles away from the SunTrust Bank in Columbus, the defendants successfully robbed the ATM machine at Phenix Girard Bank on Highway 280 in Phenix City, Alabama, using the same stolen truck. The total in cash and damages there was $129,804.44. Police found the abandoned truck a half a mile from the Phenix Girard Bank the next day. Surveillance footage captured the truck being abandoned behind a business and three individuals running away towards another vehicle. An employee of the business stated he saw the truck traveling at a high rate of speed and dragging something causing sparks and noise (caused by the still-attached tow chain and hook), before it was abandoned in the parking lot. The truck was the same truck used in the attempted robbery of the SunTrust ATM in Columbus. The defendants stole a truck in Covington, Louisiana, on July 27, and attempted to rob the ATM at the Hancock Whitney Bank in Covington at 4:00 a.m. unsuccessfully. Surveillance video shows the defendants exiting a truck and attaching a tow chain and hook to the front of the ATM to access the internal safe. The defendants caused $23,950.74 in damage. The case was investigated by FBI-Atlanta, FBI-New Orleans, the Columbus Police Department, the Phenix City, Alabama, Police Department and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the government.


title: Hartford Man Pleads Not Guilty to Felon in Possession Charge

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on August 17, 2023, James Ingerson, 53, of Hartford, Vermont, pleaded not guilty to a single-count indictment that charges him with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. At the hearing, United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Ingerson to remain in custody during the pretrial proceedings. According to court records and proceedings, on June 7, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ingerson’s home in connection with a drug trafficking investigation. During execution of that search warrant, law enforcement discovered a shotgun. During a statement given to law enforcement after waiving his Miranda rights, Ingerson admitted to possessing the weapon. At the time, Ingerson had previously been convicted of approximately eight (8) felonies, including a 2003 conviction for burglary for which he received a 20-year sentence. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Ingerson remains presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted of a crime. Ingerson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines. U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative efforts of the Hartford, Norwich, and Lebanon, New Hampshire Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson is handling the prosecution of Ingerson. Ingerson is represented by Matthew Anderson, Esq. 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 https://www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Former Hoosick Falls Resident Sentenced to 144 Months for Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – William Hines, age 45, formerly of Hoosick Falls, New York, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for receiving and possessing more than 6,100 images of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement. As a part of his earlier guilty plea, Hines admitted that in December 2016 through January 2017, he downloaded child pornography from a website, and the images he possessed included images depicting the rape of a toddler, adults performing oral sex and using sexual devices upon pre-pubescent children, and images and videos depicting an underaged former girlfriend. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year-term of post-release supervision and ordered Hines to forfeit a phone, laptop, and external hardrive that he used to store the child pornography. Hines will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. HSI investigated the case with the assistance of the Hoosick Falls Police Department and the New York State Police. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locates, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Two Radcliff Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Robbery

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – Two Radcliff men were sentenced this week for interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Jeremy Thompson of the Elizabethtown Police Department, and Chief Jeffrey A. Cross of the Radcliff Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents, Damian Beamus, 27, was sentenced to 16 years and 4 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for five counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Beamus participated in armed robberies of five local businesses over a 30-day period. In each instance, Beamus or an accomplice was armed with a firearm and ordered employees to surrender business cash. On February 2, 2021, 007 Liquors in Radcliff was robbed of business cash. On February 28, 2021, Hibbett Sports in Radcliff was robbed of business cash. On February 21, 2021, the Applebee’s Bar and Grill in Radcliff was robbed of business cash. On February 25, 2021, the Stop N Shop in Elizabethtown was robbed of business cash. On March 2, 2021, Brooks Express in Radcliff was robbed of business cash. Joshua Dimon Jones, 30, was sentenced to 7 years and 8 months in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for interference with commerce by robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jones participated in the February 25, 2021, armed robbery of Stop N Shop in Elizabethtown. Jones, a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing a firearm, was later found to be in possession of one of the firearms used in the robberies. There is no parole in the federal system. “This case is indicative of the collaboration and cooperation that exists among our federal, state, and local enforcement agencies in the Western District,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. I commend our federal partners, the Elizabethtown Police Department, and the Radcliff Police Department for their outstanding work which was critical to the successful prosecution of this case.” “These two defendants threatened the safety of innocent people during this string of armed robberies,” said Special Agent in Charge Morrow. “I am proud of the investigative work of ATF and our law enforcement partners, and the diligent work of the United States Attorney’s Office. These offenders will no longer terrorize our local businesses or prey on the innocent in our communities. These sentences send a clear message that if you use a firearm to commit a violent crime, Kentucky law enforcement will ensure you receive justice.” “This case is an excellent example of collaboration at the local and federal level,” stated Chief Thompson. “When law enforcement agencies across our Commonwealth partner, we become a force multiplier in protecting our citizens. When agencies don’t care who gets the credit for great police work, the citizens of Kentucky win and criminals lose. We thank our local partners at the Radcliff Police Department, and our federal partners with the ATF, FBI, and United States Attorney’s Office.” The case was investigated by the ATF, the FBI, the Elizabethtown Police Department, and the Radcliff Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin McKenzie prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Leesburg Man Sentenced for the Unlicensed Sale of Firearms

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

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Leesburg man was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for selling at least nine firearms, for a profit and without a license, that he originally purchased from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in the Eastern District of Virginia. According to court documents from approximately June 17, 2021, through June 25, 2022, in Loudoun County, James Banville, 33, willfully engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. During this period, the defendant purchased 18 firearms from FFLs and illegally sold at least nine of those firearms. To date, law enforcement has recovered three firearms originally purchased by Banville from crime scenes. Of those three, one firearm was recovered by D.C. Metro Police and was loaded with an extended magazine. Another firearm was recovered in New York City following a foot pursuit of a suspect by officers of the New York Police Department. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Patterson and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-54.


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Tompkinsville Man for Methamphetamine Trafficking

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky returned an indictment on August 9, 2023, charging a Tompkinsville, Kentucky man with methamphetamine trafficking. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Director Ron Lafferty of the Barren River Drug Task Force made the announcement. According to the indictment, on June 6, 2023, Corey Shirley, 29, possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Monroe County, Kentucky. Shirley also distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on December 21, 2021, in Monroe, County, Kentucky. Yesterday, Shirley made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is being investigated by the DEA Bowling Green Post of Duty Office and the Barren River Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Morris County Sonography Company Enters into Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Agrees to Pay $95,000 to Settle Kickback Allegations

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, sonography company has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to resolve criminal charges relating to kickback allegations and will pay $95,000 to resolve the civil claims, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. As part of the resolution, a criminal information was filed on Aug. 17, 2023, charging H&D Sonography LLC of Parsippany, New Jersey, with this conduct. H&D entered into a three-year DPA that requires it to abide by certain measures to avoid conviction. H&D also entered into a civil settlement agreement under which it has agreed to pay $95,000 to the United States to resolve civil claims under the federal False Claims Act. The criminal matter has been assigned to the U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court. Criminal Resolution According to H&D’s admissions in the DPA: From January 2015 through December 2018 in the District of New Jersey, H&D and others agreed to pay rent in excess of reasonable value to physicians to induce the physicians to refer patients for diagnostic testing to H&D. These agreements called for inflated rent payments from H&D to the physicians, purportedly to use space in the physicians’ offices for a set number of hours each week in order to perform diagnostic tests. H&D agreed to pay for significantly more hours than the technicians actually used, as a method to funnel payments to physicians. H&D structured the payments as sublease payments for the physicians’ shared offices. The sublease payments that H&D paid the physicians were more than the value of the total rent that the physicians actually paid for the shared offices. After H&D began making payments, the physicians in receipt of those payments began to refer patients to H&D for diagnostic tests, which were then billed to Medicare. Civil Resolution According to the contentions of the United States set forth in the civil settlement agreement: From Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2018, H&D knowingly and willingly paid renumeration to referring physicians in the form of space rental payments that were above fair market value and commercially unreasonable for the purpose of inducing diagnostic testing, in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The civil allegations were originally made in a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act brought by Dr. Richard Chesbrough. The Act permits private parties to sue for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Chesbrough will receive approximately 17 percent of the proceeds of the civil settlement. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, with the investigation leading to the resolution. The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit; the civil case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit. hd.complaint.pdf hd.settlement.pdf hd.dpa_.pdf


title: Girlfriend of California Source of Fentanyl Conspiracy Sentenced to 9 Years

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – A California woman, who helped her boyfriend ship thousands of pressed fentanyl pills to members of a Southwest Virginia drug dealing conspiracy, was sentenced yesterday to nine years in federal prison. Destiny Raeann Perez, 23, of Turlock, California, pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. According to court documents, during the conspiracy, Perez was based in California and assisted her boyfriend, Alexander Ortiz, with the packaging of thousands of pressed fentanyl pills for distribution. Perez organized pill orders and mailed drug parcels from California to customers located throughout the United States, including to drug dealers Paul Perkins and Aaron Stidham in Southwest Virginia. Ortiz and Perez estimated they made over $500,000 selling pressed fentanyl pills via social media. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Atlanta Division, made the announcement. The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.


title: Abingdon Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – An Abingdon man, who conspired with two other people to distribute methamphetamine throughout southwest Virginia, was sentenced Tuesday to 90 months in federal prison. Charles Snead, 68, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possessing with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Snead’s co-conspirators, Chelsey Lynn Doss and William Whitt, were sentenced in March 2023 to 10 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy. According to court documents, Doss and Whitt were sources of methamphetamine for Snead, who had been selling methamphetamine in and around Abingdon for months. In July 2022, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at Snead’s home and found one-quarter pound of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Jared Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit D. Pierce prosecuted the case.


title: Tompkinsville Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Tompkinsville, Kentucky man was sentenced yesterday to 11 years and 1 month in prison for methamphetamine trafficking. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Director Ron Lafferty of the Barren River Drug Task Force made the announcement. According to court documents, on June 10, 2022, and July 7, 2022, in Monroe County, Kentucky, Chad Emberton¸ 45, distributed five grams or more of methamphetamine to another person. Following release from his 11-year and 1-month prison sentence, Emberton was ordered to serve 4 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the DEA Bowling Green Post of Duty Office and the Barren River Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case. ###


title: Martinsville Man Sentenced to 48 Months for Illegal Gun Possession

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Martinsville, Virginia man, who police found lying next to a vehicle and unconscious, was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. David Charles Donavon, Jr., 35, pled guilty in March 2023 to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously-convicted felon. According to court documents, in July 2022, Martinsville Police officers were called to check on a man lying next to a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed Donovan lying unconscious on the ground. While police were checking on his well-being, they observed a 9mm semiautomatic pistol inserted into his waistband with a magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition. Further investigation into his identity revealed that Donovan was a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing a firearm. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Martinsville Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Parker Gochenour, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case.


title: Two Men Sentenced in Large Drug Conspiracy

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken and U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier, sentenced two men, convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Both sentencings took place on August 11, 2023. Jose Arguello, 37, of Rapid City, South Dakota, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Arguello was sentenced by Judge Viken. Fernando Valenzuela, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Valenzuela was sentenced by Judge Schreier. Arguello and Valenzuela were indicted, along with several others, for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance in the spring of 2021, and each pleaded guilty in May of 2023. Beginning around July 2020, methamphetamine was trafficked into South Dakota from Arizona and Mexico through coordination by Jose Arguello, Fernando Valenzuela, and several other persons. Arguello served as lead organizer of the conspiracy and recruited and coordinated others to send money packages through the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and other mail carriers. At times, money was also wired to various locations. All of the money sent was to obtain large volumes of methamphetamine. When the bulk quantities of methamphetamine arrived in the Rapid City area, Arguello divided and packaged it and dispersed it to multiple sub-distributors for further distribution in the Black Hills. Some members of the conspiracy, including Kevin Dunn, expanded the group’s methamphetamine trafficking activities to North Dakota. Dunn was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison in January of 2023, by Judge Viken. In addition to the large volume of methamphetamine that was distributed through the course of this conspiracy, multiple firearms were also possessed in furtherance of the conspiracy. In total, four members of the conspiracy have been sentenced, three have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, one still has a pending warrant, and one is set for a trial at the end of August of 2023. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Nelson prosecuted the case. Arguello and Valenzuela were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Florida Man Sentenced To 48 Months In Federal Prison For Using Counterfeit U.S. Passport Cards In Check-Cashing Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced that Robert Allen Naber of Melbourne, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for fraudulent use of U.S. passport cards in the execution of bank check fraud. Naber could potentially serve a much longer time in prison because U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker ordered his federal sentence to run consecutively to two Iowa state prison sentences for similar conduct. "Counterfeiters target the U.S. passport card because it is a lesser-known identity document and cheaper than other identifying documents to produce,” said U.S. Attorney Totten . “I applaud the investigative work that went into this case to hold Mr. Naber accountable as a fraudster, to prevent further financial losses to banks, and to protect unsuspecting individuals from becoming victims of identity theft.” According to court records, beginning in January 2022, Naber obtained counterfeit U.S. passport cards with the names and other details of victims whose personal identifying information had been stolen and posted on the Dark Web. He also obtained their bank account information and created forged checks in their names. The counterfeit cards contained the victims’ personal information but had Naber’s photograph on them. Naber then used the cards to cash forged checks from bank accounts in Iowa, North Carolina, and Kent County, Michigan. He was briefly arrested after cashing checks in Iowa, but absconded from bond and continued his criminal activity. The scheme ended in August 2022, when Naber was arrested in Locust, North Carolina while he was attempting to cash a check there. He was transferred to the Western District of Michigan for federal prosecution based on checks he passed in Kent County. “Individuals and organized criminal groups are using counterfeit U.S. passport cards with increasing frequency in identity theft and related fraud schemes targeting financial institutions and retailers,” said U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service Detroit Resident Agent-in-Charge Matt Kupec . “The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to working with our partners to stop crimes that have the potential to result in millions of dollars in losses throughout the Midwest Region.” The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Grand Rapids Police Department, the Greenfield, Wisconsin Police Department, the Des Moines, Iowa Police Department, and the Locust, North Carolina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay West prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Mexico Man Sentenced as Part of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Sonora, Mexico, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 11, 2023. Miguel Armenta Rivas, 39, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Rivas was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in August of 2021. He pleaded guilty on April 13, 2022. As part of his role within the drug trafficking organization, Rivas coordinated with other co-conspirators and would transport large quantities of methamphetamine from Arizona and other places outside of South Dakota into the Rapid City, South Dakota area. Rivas also coordinated with others regarding the storage and distribution of the methamphetamine once it arrived in South Dakota. The conspiracy lasted more than a year’s time frame. In August of 2021, agents conducted a search warrant of multiple locations in the Rapid City area tied to the conspiracy and located over 70 pounds of methamphetamine, multiple pounds of heroin and cocaine, as well as thousands of fentanyl pills, approximately $144,000, and thirteen firearms. One co-conspirator, Noel Rivera, has also been sentenced. Rivera was sentenced in December of 2022 to 17.5 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Another co-conspirator is awaiting trial. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Nelson prosecuted the case. Rivas was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mission Man Convicted of Assaulting a Federal Officer

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Wilson Brave Heart, age 50, of Mission, South Dakota, of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on August 16, 2023. The charges carry a maximum penalty of eight years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Brave Heart was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. On March 11, 2023, Brave Heart was arrested by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services officers and charged with domestic abuse. He was then transported by an officer to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Correctional Facility. While he was completing intake processing at the Adult Correctional Facility, Brave Heart spit in the face of the arresting officer. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. A sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Sturgis Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Bank Robbery. The sentencing took place on August 10, 2023. Deric Dufek, 33, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crimes Victim Fund. Dufek was indicted for Bank Robbery by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty in June of 2023. On March 14, 2022, Dufek entered Great Western Bank in Spearfish, South Dakota, wearing a mask. Dufek proceeded to go to a bank teller window and showed the teller a note reading "give me the money OR DIE" demanding money from the teller. The teller, believing the defendant had a gun, produced stacks of money to the defendant. The defendant fled Spearfish but was apprehended by law enforcement in Deadwood, South Dakota, later the same day. This case was investigated by the Spearfish Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Nelson prosecuted the case. Dufek was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mexican Man Sentenced to Over 30 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to  Distribute a Controlled Substance

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. Diego Martin Duran Acosta, age 32, was sentenced to 33 years and nine months in federal prison and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Duran Acosta was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 14, 2022. The conviction stemmed from incidents when Duran Acosta distributed methamphetamine. He voluntary joined an agreement with others to have the methamphetamine sold to him so he could resell it and share with other co-conspirators. A search warrant was obtained for his hotel room on September 20, 2021. Law enforcement discovered approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Alexandria, MN, the West Central MN Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. Duran Acosta was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.