title: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Offense Related to Dentistry Practice

body_text: An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to not paying more than $750,000 in employment taxes and not filing employment tax returns. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2014 through 2020, Eric Moesle, of Pickerington, served as the office manager for Elemental Dental in Pataskala, Ohio. At Elemental Dental, Moesle was responsible for payroll, bookkeeping and tax return preparation. During that period, at Moesle’s direction and with his full knowledge, Elemental Dental was withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from its employees’ wages, which were reflected on paystubs and Forms W-2 issued to employees. However, from 2014 through 2020, Elemental Dental did not pay over those taxes to the IRS nor did it file employment tax returns. During the same period, the business also failed to pay over the employer’s share of those taxes. When interviewed by IRS representatives in 2022, Moesle falsely claimed that he did not know that the employment taxes had not been paid and that Elemental Dental’s employment tax returns and Forms W-2 had not been filed, and falsely stated that any such failures or omissions were unintentional. In all, Moesle’s criminal conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of $760,255. The plea was offered today to U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King for the Southern District of Ohio. Once accepted by a U.S. district court judge, a sentencing date will be set. Moesle faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Hayter Whitman and Jeffrey McLellan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Pleasant Gap Man Charged With Attempted Enticement Of A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Morelli, age 55, of Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania, was charged in a criminal information on August 6, 2024, with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information charges Morelli with knowingly using a facility of interstate and foreign commerce to attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in prostitution and sexual activity for which any person can be charged under Pennsylvania criminal laws, specifically aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and statutory sexual assault under Pennsylvania criminal laws. The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the 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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Clinton Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years for Child Pornography

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Clinton, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography over the internet. Roger Lee Kempke, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, July 31, to 25 years and five months in federal prison without parole. The court sentenced Kempke to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration and ordered him to pay $81,000 in restitution to his victims. Kempke, who has a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2023, to one count of receiving child pornography. Kempke admitted that he uploaded an image of child pornography to Microsoft’s Bing Image search on March 16, 2022. A Cyber Tip was issued to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol. On June 7, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kempke’s residence, which was within 1,000 feet of three different elementary and high schools. Officers seized three desktop computers and numerous USB thumb drives. Investigators found 5,521 images and nine videos of child sexual abuse material on Kempke’s electronic devices. A forensic examination of one of the hard drives in Kempke’s desktop computers found that, on three separate occasions in November 2021, Kempke downloaded hundreds of files of child pornography. He saved these images to a USB storage device that was connected to his computer. One of the USB drives contained thousands of images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 10 and infants. Officers also found 16 marijuana plants in Kempke’s residence, along with other equipment consistent with growing, harvesting, and consuming marijuana. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Project Safe Childhood 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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Ohio Doctor Sentenced for Conspiring to Accept Kickbacks in Connection with Fraudulent Telemarketing Scheme that Harmed Medicare and TRICARE Patients in Eastern Washington

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Thomas Andrew Webster, M.D., age 51, of Sylvania, Ohio, pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks in connection with a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme throughout Washington and in other states. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 24 months in federal custody to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution of $839,566.44. In addition, Judge Dimke imposed a fine of $50,000. The Medicare program provides health insurance coverage for elderly and disabled Americans. The Department of Defense’s TRICARE program provides health benefits to United States Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Medicare and TRICARE provide health insurance coverage for eligible health services, including, under certain conditions, for durable medical equipment. Durable medical equipment are supplies ordered by a health care provider for a patient’s everyday or extended use, such as oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches, or blood testing strips for diabetics. For durable medical equipment to qualify for reimbursement, the durable medical equipment is required to be ordered by a physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific illness or injury and is required to be part of the course of that treatment. During the relevant time period, Dr. Webster lived in Olympia, Washington, and was a licensed physician in Washington. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, between May 2021 and September 2023, Dr. Webster participated in a telemarketing scheme and conspiracy. A company identified as “Company A” obtained Medicare and TRICARE beneficiary information by using telemarketers to contact patients in Eastern Washington and elsewhere to obtain their personal and health information. Company A then used the information to create a fake medical record that falsely and fraudulently reflected doctor visits and treatment supposedly performed by Dr. Webster that did not exist, and fraudulent medical orders for durable medical equipment. Dr. Webster then signed the fraudulent medical documentation and durable medical equipment orders, which were then sold by Company A to companies that used the orders to falsely bill Medicare and TRICARE. Company A and Dr. Webster also falsely and fraudulently billed Medicare and TRICARE for the fictitious doctor visits and exams that did not take place. Medicare and TRICARE paid more than $14.6 million for durable medical equipment fraudulently ordered by Dr. Webster for more than ten thousand beneficiaries in Eastern Washington and elsewhere, including beneficiaries who lacked the limb for which Defendant supposedly performed the exam and ordered the durable medical equipment, because it had been previously amputated. Dr. Webster also admitted to directly receiving at least $839,565 from Medicare and TRICARE for fraudulent doctor visits and exams that never took place. As part of the sentence, the court also ordered forfeiture of funds in Dr. Webster’s bank and investment accounts representing the proceeds of his criminal conduct, and ordered Dr. Webster to pay restitution to the Medicare and TRICARE programs. “By placing his personal financial benefit ahead of his duty to patients, Dr. Webster violated the oath he took as a doctor and caused more than $14.6 million dollars to be lost from critical health care programs designed to care for elderly and disabled Americans, as well as for military servicemembers and their families,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Telemarketing schemes that target and exploit the elderly and our servicemembers are especially pernicious because they prey on those who are often most in need of a doctor’s independent judgment that is not tainted or biased by the doctor’s own personal financial interest.” “Illegal kickback arrangements can corrupt the legitimate medical decision-making process and undermine the integrity of federal healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s sentence demonstrates the commitment of HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners to hold those who exploit these programs for personal gain accountable.” “Today’s sentencing is a clear signal that those who corrupt federal healthcare programs, including the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program, will be held accountable.” said Bryan D. Denny, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Dr. Webster’s greed siphoned off tax dollars meant to provide health care for members of the U.S. Military and their families. DCIS and our investigative partners will relentlessly pursue those who steal from the government at the expense of taxpayers, our nation’s warfighters, and their families.” “I want to especially thank and commend the outstanding investigative work by our partners with HHS-OIG and DCIS,” continued U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Their skill and dogged determination throughout this complex investigation made this result possible. We will continue to work hand-in-glove with our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable.” The case was investigated by HHS OIG’s Seattle Field Office and DCIS’ Western Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States; Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Donovan is handling the forfeiture action.


title: Arapahoe man sentenced to nine years in federal prison for aggravated child abuse, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Truman Sitting Eagle, 36, of Arapahoe, Wyoming, was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to reimburse Medicaid of Wyoming over $33,000 in medical expenses for the victim’s care. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Aug. 6 in Cheyenne. According to statements provided at the hearing, Truman and his wife, Kandace Sitting Eagle, abused their child for months beginning in at least October and lasting until December 12, 2023 when an Arapahoe school resource officer conducted a welfare check on a 13-year-old student that had not been to school in over a month. He eventually found the child in a crawl space under the trailer where the parents, Kandace and Truman Sitting Eagle, were hiding the child. Truman had repeatedly lied to the resource officer and Wind River Police Department regarding the whereabouts and welfare of the child. The investigation proved that the child had suffered weeks of physical beatings with a metal rod and other instruments, isolation, starvation, and psychological abuse at the hands of Kandace and Truman. Judge Johnson increased the sentence from the advisory guideline range of 70 to 87 months to 108 months based on Truman’s extensive criminal history, the severity of the abuse, and the impact of the abuse on the victim and the rest of the five children in the home. Kandace Sitting Eagle was convicted by a federal jury on June 13 after a four-day trial. Her sentencing is set for August 29, and she faces no less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors in that case. This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook. Case No. 24-CR-03


title: Duo plead guilty to armed robberies in Forsyth and Randolph Counties

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO – Two Anson County residents pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robberies and firearms charges, announced Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. BRANDON DRELLE WALL, age 35, of Wadesboro, North Carolina, and WILLIAM CHAVIS DUNLAP, JR., age 29, of Morven, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to robbing a sweepstakes business in Winston-Salem in June 2022, and another in Liberty in August 2022. The defendants also pleaded guilty to one count each of brandishing a firearm in connection with the robbery in Liberty. According to court documents, WALL and DUNLAP wore masks and threatened employees with guns in an effort to gain access to business safes. During the robbery in Liberty, the defendants also forced patrons to the floor at gunpoint. WALL and DUNLAP took a phone, wallet, $1400, and two guns in the Winston-Salem robbery. A total of $8,650 was stolen during the Liberty robbery. After his arrest, WALL admitted he also robbed a gas station in Richmond County, and DUNLAP admitted to robbing a discount store in Anson County. DUNLAP pleaded guilty yesterday and his sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 31, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. WALL pleaded today and his sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 31, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Both sentencing hearings will be held in Greensboro, North Carolina, before United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. At sentencing, each of the defendants faces a sentence of not less than seven years to life in prison, a period of supervised release of up to five years, fines, and other monetary penalties. In addition, WALL and DUNLAP agreed to forfeit their interests in seven firearms plus multiple magazines and rounds of ammunition. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case is being investigated by the Liberty Police Department, Winston Salem Police Department, Anson County Sheriff's Office, Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Wadesboro Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Courtney. ###


title: Fort Washakie man sentenced for assault with a golf club

body_text: Aaron Clair Bigknife, age 58, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on August 6 in Cheyenne. According to the complaint filed in the case, Bigknife was at a friend’s house playing cards on the night of August 27, 2023, when he hit one of his friends in the head with a golf club. The attack was unprovoked. When detectives interviewed Bigknife he admitted to drinking heavily before arriving at his friend’s house and continued to drink when he got there. He claimed to not remember anything that happened until he was arrested by the police. This crime was investigated by the FBI and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore. Case No. 23-CR-00134


title: Evelyn Blevins Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme

body_text: Chattanooga, Tenn. – On August 7, 2024, Evelyn Blevins, 48, of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable Curtis L. Collier, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following her incarceration, she will be on 5 years of supervised release. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Blevins pled guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1028A, for her involvement in a scheme to defraud COVID-19 unemployment programs in several states. In addition, Blevins was ordered to pay $109,683 in restitution to the Tennessee and California Departments of Labor, and to forfeit to the United States $109,683 as part of a money judgment. According to court documents, from June 2020 through August 2021, Blevins conspired with others to devise a scheme in which she defrauded the United States government and the governments of Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and California to obtain money from the states’ COVID relief programs in the form of unemployment insurance proceeds funded by the United States government. Specifically, Blevins acquired personal information from others and used it to fraudulently make mass online applications for money earmarked by the states to provide unemployment insurance relief for those affected by the national pandemic. She falsely claimed in the applications that the individuals whose personal information was reflected on the applications worked in those states. The states then mailed debit cards to addresses in the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Blevins would receive a percentage of the payout of the fraudulent claim. The defendant was personally responsible for the fraudulent distribution of nearly $110,000 of unemployment protection insurance funds. The scheme itself involved the fraudulent distribution of over $550,000 in unemployment protection insurance funds. “The defendant selfishly sought to take advantage of federal and state efforts to provide relief to those most harmed by the COVID pandemic,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III. “We remain committed to partnering with all law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those who steal from federal relief plan programs, depriving others who are most in need.” “The defendant’s actions cheated a program designed to assist people who were suffering as a result of the COVID pandemic,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge, Joseph E. Carrico. “Today’s sentencing exemplifies the continued commitment of the FBI and our federal and state law enforcement partners to hold those who engage in COVID relief fraud accountable for their actions.” Assistant United States Attorney Steven Neff represented the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the FBI as part of the Smoky Mountains Financial Crimes Task Force. 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, among other methods, 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 at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . ###


title: Mexican National Charged With Illegal Reentry

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Virgilio Cisneros-Mayo, age 45, of Mexico, was indicted on August 7, 2024, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Cisneros-Mayo was previously removed from the United States on July 12, 2021 through Brownsville, Texas, and it is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. The indictment also alleges that on June 28, 2024, Cisneros-Mayo was encountered in York County, Pennsylvania. This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Defendant Received Nearly $500,000 of $2M Sought From IRS

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - A Florida woman pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns with the IRS to fraudulently obtain tax refunds. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2020, surgical technologist Yolanda Samantha Dewar, of Sunrise, created a trust and sought fraudulent refunds from the IRS. Dewar filed four false tax returns on behalf of the trust she created to seek nearly $2 million in tax refunds. Dewar continued filing such returns even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous and had no basis in law. In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to Dewar’s false claims. According to the indictment, Dewar allegedly used a portion of those tax refunds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home. Dewar is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-60051. ###


title: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Receives National Award For Outstanding Service, Leadership Advancing The Role Of Women In Federal Law Enforcement

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus received a national award for her exceptional service in the field of federal law enforcement and her leadership advancing the role of women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and beyond. “First Assistant Jennifer McManus represents the best of federal law enforcement, and I am so grateful for the more than two decades she has devoted to protecting the people of Michigan,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “In addition to her legal brilliance, helping us navigate our toughest challenges, Jennifer has been a trailblazer in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, ensuring full opportunities for women to serve and lead at every level.” First Assistant McManus was recognized by Women in Federal Law Enforcement ( WIFLE ), a national organization that advocates for gender equity in federal law enforcement. WIFLE President Catrina Bonus presented McManus with the prestigious WIFLE Award for Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee. This award recognizes individuals who have shown a sustained level of superior performance throughout their career and who serve as role models for women in law enforcement. The presentation took place today at a luncheon in the Washington, D.C. area as part of the organization’s annual conference. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten accompanied McManus at the ceremony. McManus completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1994 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1997. After a few years in private practice, she moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids in 2003 and began service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. She served short stints in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions as a trial attorney and was then promoted to Appellate Chief in 2009, a position she held for the next thirteen years. In 2022 she began service in her current position as First Assistant U.S. Attorney, reporting directly to the U.S. Attorney and managing all aspects of the Office’s work. Throughout her career, McManus’s sharp legal mind, her sweeping grasp of federal criminal law, and her written advocacy have protected the public from some of the most serious threats in our District. In addition, as a manager and role model, McManus has helped create opportunities for women in the U.S. Attorney’s Office at every level. Although women have long been under-represented in the legal profession, today nearly 50% of the attorneys in the Office are women. She helped put in place flexible work policies that allow employees to balance their many responsibilities while excelling at work. Outside the Office, McManus served as President of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association from 2012-13 and was only the second woman in the organization’s history to hold that role. Image of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus. Image of U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. McManus at the WIFLE Awards Ceremony. ###


title: Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Travell Lamar Johnson, 45, of Big Chimney, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 14, 2023, Johnson sold approximately 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Charleston gas station. Johnson admitted to the transaction and to arranging it beforehand with the confidential informant. The confidential informant arranged two additional fentanyl transactions with Johnson that month. Johnson sold the confidential informant approximately 4.8 grams of fentanyl at the Charleston gas station for $500 on June 16, 2023. Johnson agreed to sell 10 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on June 21, 2023, at the same location. Co-defendant Alexis Nicole Davis stopped that transaction after recognizing the would-be buyer as a confidential informant. Law enforcement officers apprehended Johnson and Davis following the interrupted drug transaction and seized approximately 9.8 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl. Johnson has a long criminal history that includes at least six prior convictions for drug-related offenses and other crimes. Davis, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and awaits sentencing. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department-Special Enforcement Unit and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-177. ###


title: Inmate indicted for escape

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: A federal grand jury in Wichita, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a man with escaping from a federal detention center. According to court documents, Lee Owen Hallford, 42, is charged with one count of escape from custody. Hallford is accused of unlawfully leaving the custody of the Bureau of Prisons while at the Residential Reentry Center — Correctional Solution Group, LLC in Wichita. He was detained based on a conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country. The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lanny Welch and Aaron Smith are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Fraud Ringleader and Former Fugitive William Mize Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that William Oldham Mize pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax fraud, and failing to appear at court proceedings. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Mize’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 6, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. According to the plea agreement and other court filings, Mize was the ringleader of a massive insurance fraud scheme to intentionally cause automobile and boat collisions as well as staged home “accidents” in order to file false and fraudulent insurance claims and collect the proceeds. According to court documents, the scheme took place between 2013 and 2018, involved numerous staged collisions in Washington and Nevada, and obtained more than $6 million, most of which was kept by Mize. Mize originally appeared in federal court on his indictment on January 9, 2019. Following his initial appearance, he was released pending trial. In July 2019, Mize fled from supervision and became a fugitive, living under a number of false identities. On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Mize in Jacksonville, Florida based on a lead that Mize, using a false identity, was attempting to sell a yacht in which was living in the Jacksonville area. Mize was then located and arrested at a marina in central Florida and transported to Eastern Washington, where he has remained in custody. U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “Mr. Mize attempted, but ultimately failed, to avoid the consequences of his fraudulent and dangerous schemes. Over the course of several years, Mr. Mize defrauded insurance companies out of millions of dollars by staging fake accidents that caused real, physical harm to his co-conspirators and others. These schemes greatly increase insurance premiums and costs for everyone, making it more expensive for ordinary Americans to own a car and to have reliable transportation for themselves and their families. I am grateful for the excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in my office, as well as the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals to locate and return Mr. Mize to the Eastern District, where he finally will be held accountable for the great harm caused by his fraudulent scheme.” “This case demonstrates the dedication of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigation, and all our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters and fugitives accountable no matter how long the process takes or how far they run,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Mr. Mize pleaded guilty today after a multi-year, multi-million dollar scheme, followed by years of hiding from the law.” “Preventing auto accidents requires communal effort, and safety is something we all strive for. Mr. Mize, on the other hand, chose to travel a different path,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), Seattle Field Office. “Going on the run, Mr. Mize tried to escape the consequences of his actions. Today, however, is the end of the road, and Mr. Mize is being held accountable for his crimes.” “The United States Marshals Service worked as one team with the IRS and the FBI in this case to relentlessly pursue this fugitive until he was apprehended, in spite of his resources and intent to avoid capture, stated Gavin K. Duffy, Chief Deputy United States Marshal for Eastern Washington. “While this case has garnered significant attention, the partnership and teamwork between local, state, and federal agencies occurs every day in Eastern Washington to maximize both the benefit to our community and to ensure the Rule of Law is maintained.” The FBI, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Four Individuals Charged in Connection with Armed Robbery of U.S. Postal Service Employee

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Four Essex County, New Jersey, men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Troy D. Corbett Jr., 28, Dyshawn Williams, 28, and Antwuan Brown, 24, all of Newark, are charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Corbett and Williams are also charged with assaulting or impeding a federal officer using a deadly weapon. Brown and Karieem Stamps, 25, also of Newark, are charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Corbett is also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stamps is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Corbett, Williams, and Stamps were arrested in Newark on Aug. 1, 2024, and made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court. Corbett, Williams, and Stamps were detained. Brown was arrested on Aug. 1, 2024, in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, and made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler in North Carolina federal court. Brown was detained. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court: In November 2023, three individuals – including Corbett and Williams – robbed a U.S. Postal Service employee at gunpoint in Newark. The assailants stole the victim’s cell phone, keys, and wallet – including a credit card and debit card. The robbery impeded the victim from delivering mail, which interfered with interstate commerce. Shortly after the robbery, Stamps and Brown used the stolen debit card to make separate purchases. Both transactions passed through servers located outside of New Jersey. On Jan. 18, 2024, Corbett – who was convicted of felony offenses in 2018 – possessed a distribution quantity of suspected methamphetamine and a pistol loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition that was manufactured outside of New Jersey. On Aug. 1, 2024, Stamps – who was convicted of a felony offense in 2020 – possessed a Glock 29 Gen5 handgun with an extended magazine and approximately 25 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition. The counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and assaulting or impeding a federal employee carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The counts of wire fraud carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The counts of aggravated identity theft carry a mandatory two-year prison sentence. The counts of possession of ammunition or a firearm by a convicted felon carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence – which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed – and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé; officers of the New Jersey State Parole Board, under the direction of Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri Jr.; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs of the General Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. corbettetal.complaint.pdf


title: Investment Banker Sentenced to Prison for Violating Consent Judgement

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for violating a consent judgment that prohibited him from participating in the offer or sale of securities. Craig Medoff, 64, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Medoff was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine. In May 2024, Medoff pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt for violating a court order. Medoff was a long-time investment banker who previously worked at multiple investment firms, including Nova Capital International, LLC and Sabrex Development, LLC. In 2012, Medoff was accused of securities fraud in a lawsuit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC v. BioChemics, Inc., et al. , 12 Civ. 12324 (D. Mass.). In 2016, Medoff resolved the civil case against him by agreeing to a consent judgement that prohibited Medoff from participating in the offer or sale of securities for a period of 10 years. Shortly thereafter, Medoff created Nova Capital International, LLC, as well as an alias, “Alexander Carlin,” that he used to continue operating in the securities industry notwithstanding the consent order. Between 2016 and 2023, Medoff used his company and alias to operate as an investment banker on behalf of multiple private companies that were raising money through the sale of securities. In total, Medoff’s company received millions in income, more than $1.6 million of which went to Medoff personally. In September 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a motion seeking an order of civil contempt and sanctions based on Medoff’s violation of the 2016 consent judgment. In February 2024, the Court found that there was probable cause to believe Medoff knowingly and willfully violated the 2016 consent judgment, charged Medoff with criminal contempt and appointed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts to prosecute the case. In May 2024, Medoff pleaded guilty to the criminal contempt charge. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil case remains ongoing. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy made the announcement. The Securities and Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance in the criminal case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie A. Wright and Christopher J. Markham of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: St. Louis Man Admits Committing Pandemic Loan Fraud

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man on Wednesday admitted fraudulently obtaining $41,484 in loans intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic. Robert Baines, 44, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two felony counts of wire fraud. He admitted fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2021. He also agreed to pay full restitution. Baines applied for a first draw PPP loan on March 31, 2021, and a second draw PPP loan on April 9, 2021. In the loan applications, Baines falsely claimed that he was self-employed and had earned gross income of $99,563 in 2019. He submitted a forged IRS form with his applications to bolster his claims. Baines was not self-employed and did not earn any of the claimed self-employment income. In his application for the second-draw loan, Baines falsely claimed that he’d suffered at least a 25% reduction in gross income between 2019 and 2020. The PPP loans were designed to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and, accordingly, were to be used for business-related purposes, such as to cover payroll, utilities, and rent or mortgage payments. Instead, Baines instead used the money for restaurants, travel, clothing and other retail items. Baines is scheduled to be sentenced November 12. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both prison and a fine. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.


title: Shelby County felon sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun violations

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

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Timpson man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Austin Yarbrough, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on August 7, 2024. According to information presented in court, from 2021 through 2023, law enforcement conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating throughout East Texas. Yarbrough was identified as a member of that organization and a distributor of methamphetamine, as well as a firearms trafficker. As a member of the organization, Yarbrough would receive methamphetamine transported by his co-conspirators and then distribute the methamphetamine in the Timpson area. On multiple occasions, law enforcement conducted operations leading to the purchase of methamphetamine and firearms from Yarbrough, including a modified .45 caliber rifle with a shortened barrel and an adjustable stock. Further investigation revealed Yarbrough has previous felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a building, and bail jumping. As a convicted felon, Yarbrough is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Angelina County Sheriff's Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; and FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald S. Carter.


title: Significant sentence handed to Corpus resident for Stripes robbery and bystander shooting

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 22-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced for the robbery and shooting at a Stripes convenience store, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jose Valdez pleaded guilty April 29. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Valdez to serve 51 months in federal prison for the robbery as well as a consecutive 120 months for the shooting. His total 171-month sentence will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony from the victim of the shooting, who testified about lingering effects of his injury more than a year later. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that the crimes Valdez committed were some of the most serious crimes the federal court considers. “The Stripes store is a Corpus Christi original, a place patrons can find gas, a quick snack and a clerk’s welcoming words. No one, however, should ever have to find themselves at the wrong end of a violent criminal’s gun, turning those patrons into victims,” said Hamdani. “Today’ s sentence represents how multiple lives were put at risk only because they happened to cross paths with Jose Valdez and his gun at a local Stripes.” On June 29, 2023, Valdez approached a Stripes convenience store on Port Street in Corpus Christi at approximately 6:40 a.m. carrying a handgun into the store. Valdez entered, pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. At the same time, three customers entered the store and observed the robbery taking place. Valdez ordered them to leave. As they were exiting the store, he shot one of the men in the leg. All three men exited with the two uninjured men taking the third to the hospital for treatment. Valdez turned back to the clerk and demanded she empty all the registers in the store. Valdez took the money, ran out of the store, got into a silver car and drove away. Law enforcement had ongoing investigations on other aggravated robberies in Corpus Christi and identified Valdez from the Stripes surveillance footage. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case along with assistance from the Corpus Christi Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Highlights Success of Drug Distribution Prosecution Efforts in Southern Idaho

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BOISE – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the results of three separate drug distribution cases in Southern Idaho today. “The case results announced today reflect stellar work by our prosecutors and staff,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Together with our law enforcement partners, our office is rising to meet the challenge that drug trafficking poses to communities in Idaho. The partnerships that drive these cases will continue to make our state a terrible place for drug dealers to do business.” 1. Large Scale Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison In one case, Luis M. Villalobos-Galdamez, 27, an immigrant from El Salvador who was living in California at the time of his arrest, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill to 120 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, on May 16, 2023, a detective from Deschutes County, Oregon, contacted the Idaho State Police (ISP) regarding a car traveling from California and heading towards the Magic Valley that was suspected of carrying a large quantity of controlled substances. The detective explained that they were investigating an individual named “Luis” who was believed to be a passenger in the car. An ongoing Deschutes County investigation showed that Villalobos-Galdamez had previously supplied large quantities of methamphetamine to Deschutes County and possibly Idaho on previous occasions. Based on this information, ISP detectives quickly worked to locate the car. After the car passed into Idaho, a traffic stop was conducted. During a subsequent search, police found 10 pounds of methamphetamine hidden under the spare tire in the trunk. More drugs were found hidden in the center console and backseat. In total, 21.46 pounds of methamphetamine was seized from Villalobos-Galdamez. “This case highlights the importance and effectiveness of partnerships in our criminal justice system. It takes all of us to ensure we continue fighting to keep drugs out of our communities,” said Deschutes County Sheriff L. Shane Nelson. Judge Winmill also ordered Villalobos-Galdamez to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. It is expected that he will be deported to El Salvador upon his release from prison. Villalobos-Galdamez pleaded guilty to the federal charge in April 2024. U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Idaho State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon, for their collaboration in this investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Booker. 2. Nampa Man Convicted of Distribution of Methamphetamine Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison In a separate case, Oswald Charles Reyna, 67, of Nampa, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison following his conviction for distribution of methamphetamine. According to court records, Reyna sold individuals methamphetamine on July 31, August 7, and August 21, in 2023, at his home in Nampa. On August 26, 2023, Reyna was contacted by police officers in Fruitland, Idaho while meeting with another individual and a juvenile for an apparent drug deal at 2:00 a.m. After a positive alert for the presence of the odor of controlled substances emanating from Reyna’s vehicle by a drug detecting K9, investigators searched his vehicle and found approximately five ounces of methamphetamine. Reyna, who has a 26-year history of trafficking controlled substances pleaded guilty to this fifth drug trafficking offense on May 9, 2024. “I’m proud of the teamwork that went into this investigation to put a career criminal behind bars,” said Nampa Police Chief Joe Huff. “We all need to take a stand and speak up when we see unlawful activity happening. We need to let these criminals know that their illegal activity has no business in our community.” “Methamphetamine traffickers like Mr. Reyna prey on our communities for their own gain,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “DEA and our partners at the Nampa Police, the Fruitland Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office work hard to stop methamphetamine traffickers and ensure they are held accountable for their actions. Our community is a little safer because of Mr. Reyna’s sentence in this case.” Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Reyna to pay a $500 fine, to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence and entered a final order of forfeiture for Reyna’s Nampa home that he used for his drug deals. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of DEA, the Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, and the Fruitland Police Department, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case. 3. Canyon County Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years for Distributing Fentanyl In another case, Aaron Vincent Fretz, 41, of Nampa, was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl. According to court records, in August 2023, Fretz sold a total of 5.5 grams of fentanyl and 84.1 grams of methamphetamine to another person on two occasions. Fretz has a lengthy criminal history, which includes convictions for felony possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl, grand theft, and misdemeanor convictions for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. “This case highlights the tireless efforts of the City County Narcotics Unit and our federal law enforcement partners when it comes to combatting the sale of illicit drugs in our community,” said Canyon County Sheriff and National Sheriffs’ Association President Kieran Donahue. “We must continue the fight against the bad actors who are actively trying to poison our citizens with dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine.” “I am proud that as Idahoans, we are united in our efforts of upholding the rule of law and keeping our communities safe,” said Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram. “Through our relentless pursuit of justice by collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners, we can sleep well at night knowing that Idaho is safer with us all working together.” Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Fretz to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Fretz pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of City County Narcotics Unit for their investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie C. Chong prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney position. ###


title: Rochester Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of a Firearm, Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Rochester man has been indicted on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on or about April 28, 2024, Liban Abdikadar Abdullahi, 29, knowingly possessed a 9mm Glock model 43 semiautomatic pistol. Abdullahi also possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and carried the Glock pistol to further his drug trafficking crime. Because Abdullahi has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. The indictment charges Abdullahi with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Abdullahi made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Readout of Justice Department Officials’ Participation in National Night Out

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Yesterday, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer participated in the 41st Annual National Night Out (NNO). Their participation in NNO events highlights the Justice Department’s partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement that have played key roles in its Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime , which focuses federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Established in 1984 from a Justice Department Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant, NNO aims to build relationships with and between communities and law enforcement, promote police-community partnerships, and enhance neighborhood camaraderie. The community-building campaign provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. This year, NNO takes place as violent crime continues to decline nationwide, following an uptick during the pandemic in 2020. FBI data shows a decrease in violent crime in communities across the country in 2023 compared to the previous year, including an over 13% reduction in homicides. That is the steepest yearly decline in homicides, in over 50 years. Early data from 2024 indicates that this trend is continuing. “Each year, National Night Out gives communities across the country the chance to celebrate and strengthen their partnerships with law enforcement,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This was a particularly meaningful National Night Out because it came after our country experienced one of the lowest nationwide violent crime rates in 50 years this past year. The Justice Department will never stop working to build on this progress because every person, in every neighborhood, in every community deserves to be safe from violent crime.” The Attorney General participated in National Night Out events in Des Moines, Iowa. He was joined by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kahl for the Southern District of Iowa at an event hosted by the Urbandale Police Department, where they had an opportunity to engage with local law enforcement and community members. This week, Attorney General Garland met with prosecutors and law enforcement partners from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Nevada, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Northern District of Iowa, and Southern District of Iowa. The Attorney General met with U.S. Attorney Jason Frierson for the District of Nevada and discussed his Office’s work as part of the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program (OCDETF), which seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal and drug trafficking organizations. In Wisconsin, he spoke with federal, state, and local law enforcement leaders, including Milwaukee Sheriff Denita Ball and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, about efforts to continue to decrease violent crime and reduce fentanyl on streets in the Milwaukee area. Attorney General Garland also touted the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northen District of Iowa to secure sentences for multiple gun and drug crime offenders. Deputy Attorney General Monaco attended two National Night Out events in Cincinnati with U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. She visited the Westwood and Roselawn neighborhoods, where she spoke with local community leaders and law enforcement officials about how they are partnering together to keep Cincinnati safe. Prior to her NNO stops, the Deputy AG attended roll-call at the Cincinnati Police Department’s (CPD) Third District to thank the women and men of the force for their commitment to public safety. While in Cincinnati, the Deputy AG visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio to hear from the dedicated prosecutors and professional staff of the office about their work to carry out the Justice Department’s mission, especially tackling violent crime. The Deputy AG also toured the Cincinnati Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), which imbeds ATF special agents and analysts with local law enforcement and prosecutors to swiftly identify unlawfully used firearms and their sources. Like the many other crime gun intelligence centers nationwide, the Cincinnati CGIC harnesses cutting-edge technologies – including the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and eTrace systems — to rapidly develop and pursue investigative leads in order to drive case clearance rates up, which in turn can help drive violent crime rates down. Prior to traveling to Cincinnati, the Deputy Attorney General delivered the keynote address at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, where she emphasized the crucial role women in law enforcement play in protecting communities nationwide. Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer joined U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Special Agent in Charge Benny Mims of the ATF Charlotte Field Division, and U.S. Marshal Glenn McNeill Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina to attend two National Night Out events in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Acting Associate Attorney General visited Tarboro Road Community Center and The Village at Washington Terrace, where he met with law enforcement partners and community members and discussed issues of importance in Raleigh. In addition to the federal, state, local, and Tribal partners, the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country are invaluable partners in the Department’s work to combat violent crime. All of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices visited this week by the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Acting Associate Attorney General maintain ongoing participation in the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative , which builds on existing programs in each district to reduce gun violence, gun crime, and sustain those reductions. Editor’s Note: A previously posted photo was removed at the request of the subject(s).


title: Real Estate Professional Pleads Guilty To $55 Million Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Tjoman Buditaslim pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco yesterday to wire fraud conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Kaminsky; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Steve Sherwood; and Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Herminia Neblina. In his plea agreement, Buditaslim, 52, of Daly City, California, admitted that from 2018 through 2022 he conspired with others—including Jose Tellez, Jose de Jesus Martinez, and Travis Holasek, all of whom previously pleaded guilty—to originate 102 home mortgage loans worth more than $55 million based on false and fraudulent loan application information, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Buditaslim admitted he worked with his co-conspirators to create fraudulent documents—including judicial divorce decrees, alimony/child supports checks, bank statements, and loan applications—and submitted those documents to multiple loan companies, which relied on falsely inflated income information in the fraudulent documents to extend mortgages. Buditaslim also admitted that many of the mortgage loans were insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), and he admitted that the FHA lost approximately $486,484.38 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure. Tellez, 27, of San Jose, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Tellez admitted in his plea agreement that, from 2019 through 2022, he worked as a loan officer at a mortgage company, where his job was to receive home mortgage loan applications and supporting documentation to determine if applicants qualified for mortgages based on his employer’s and FHA rules and guidelines. He also admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, he helped originate approximately 30 home mortgage loans worth more than $17 million based on what he knew to be false and fraudulent income information in loan applications submitted by Buditaslim and others working with him. He also admitted that he knew he was required to stop and flag applications that contained false and fraudulent representations about income, but that he instead knowingly assisted in originating and funding the fraudulent loans and that he earned a commission on each of the 30 fraudulent loans he helped originated. Finally, Tellez admitted that many of the mortgage loans he helped originate were insured by the FHA, which he admitted lost approximately $265,457 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure. Martinez, 59, of Daly City, also pleaded guilty on July 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. In his plea agreement, Martinez admitted that, from 2018 through 2022, he worked as a licensed real estate agent representing buyers looking to purchase homes. Martinez further admitted that, to earn commission payments for himself, he referred clients he knew would not otherwise qualify for home mortgage loans to Buditaslim, who he knew would qualify the clients for home mortgage loans based on false and fraudulent loan application materials and information. Ultimately, Martinez admitted that as a result of his involvement in the conspiracy, his clients fraudulently received 49 loans worth a total of approximately $27.7 million for which he earned nearly $590,000 in real estate broker commissions. Finally, Martinez admitted that many of the mortgage loans his clients obtained as part of this scheme were insured by the FHA, which he admitted lost approximately $265,457 to keep some of the fraudulent loans from going into foreclosure. “These defendants used their professional knowledge of the mortgage industry to perpetrate a fraud on unsophisticated home buyers, funneling these victims into loans for which they were not qualified,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “My office is committed to protecting all victims of fraud, whether federal agencies, Northern California residents, or—as happened here—both.” “The defendants took advantage of their knowledge and training in the mortgage industry to circumvent the rules and abused the positions of trust they held as real estate professionals and gatekeepers of FHA-insured loans in order to line their own pockets,” said Western Region Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Kaminsky with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “They created and passed false documents to qualify individuals unaware of their schemes for loans those individuals would not have otherwise qualified for. HUD OIG will continue to work with its prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs.” “FHFA OIG will vigorously investigate criminal offenses that impact the integrity of the residential mortgage market. In this case, a loan officer and real estate broker each had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead chose to engage in mortgage fraud, and some of those loans were later sold in mortgage-backed securities,” said Herminia Neblina, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Western Region. “We are proud to have partnered with our colleagues and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the effort to prosecute these financial criminals.” Buditaslim, Tellez, and Martinez, and Holasek, 51, of San Francisco, were originally indicted by a federal grand jury on November 7, 2023. All four defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. All of the defendants were also charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343: Buditaslim and Tellez were each charged with five counts of wire fraud; Holasek was charged with four counts of wire fraud; and Martinez was charged with three counts of wire fraud. Buditaslim, Holasek, and Martinez were also each charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). Buditaslim, Tellez, and Martinez are scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2024, in San Francisco by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, Senior U.S. District Court Judge. They each face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the crime, plus restitution, following their wire fraud conspiracy convictions. However, any sentence will 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. Holesek’s next scheduled appearance is for a status conference before Judge Breyer on November 6, 2024. The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud and General Crimes Sections of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Christiaan Highsmith is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Lance Libatique and Aarian Beti. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by FHA-OIG, HUD OIG, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the California Department of Justice.


title: Former resident of McNeil Island Special Commitment Center indicted for receipt and possession of images of child sexual abuse

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 71–year-old Skagit County man was indicted this week by the federal grand jury for receipt and possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Alan Lewis Meirhofer was originally charged in state court after a teen boy saw images of child sexual abuse on a phone he borrowed from Meirhofer. The teen gave the phone to his mother, who called police. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Meirhofer allegedly befriended teen boys in the Skagit County area by inviting them to hang out at his residence, where he provided them “gifts’ such as food, clothing, alcohol, cash, and marijuana. When one of the boys borrowed the phone, he noticed that Meirhofer had sent members of a group chat, images of his friends. The teen also saw images of child sexual abuse on the phone. Meirhofer was arrested in March 2021 and his electronic devices were seized. The FBI asked the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, (NCMEC) for any cyber tips associated with internet accounts linked to Meirhofer. There were more than a dozen reports of images of child sexual abuse linked to accounts controlled by Meirhofer. On July 17, 2024, Meirhofer was taken into federal custody. Due to prior convictions, Meirhofer faces increased penalties if convicted. In 1988 Meirhofer was convicted of burglary, kidnapping and rape. In 1990, Meirhofer was convicted of Burglary in the First Degree While Armed with a Deadly Weapon and Assault in the Second Degree. Meirhofer was civilly committed to the sexually violent predator Civil Commitment Center on McNeil Island. He was released in 2017 as a registered sex offender level 3, the level with the highest risk of reoffending. If convicted Meirhofer faces a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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 Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, and the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson. 17_indictment.pdf


title: Alleged Fentanyl Trafficker Extradited from Honduras to the United States to Face Federal Charges

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Honduran national under federal indictment for conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl was extradited from Honduras to the United States this week to face charges in the District of Oregon. Orbin Alfredo Velasquez Layaire, 38, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, in September 2022, as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that Velasquez was actively involved in distributing fentanyl in Oregon. Investigators soon learned that Velasquez ran a dispatch-style organization that received and processed drug orders from customers in and around Portland. In early 2023, investigators learned Velasquez had fled to Honduras. On November 15, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Velasquez with conspiring to distribute fentanyl. On June 13, 2024, Velasquez was arrested in Honduras. On August 6, 2024, he was extradited to the United States. Velasquez made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a 5-day jury trial scheduled to begin on October 8, 2024. This case was investigated by DEA with assistance from the DEA Tegucigalpa, Honduras Country Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Paul T. Maloney, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Honduran authorities to secure Velasquez’s arrest and extradition. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A felon and drug user who possessed a firearm was sentenced on August 1, 2024, to 63 months in federal prison. Christopher King, age 52, of Cedar Rapids, received the sentence after a February 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, King admitted that, in February 2023, he possessed a Glock pistol after having been convicted of two felonies and while being an unlawful drug user. King was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. King was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the High Risk Unit of the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is CR 23-62. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced for  Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

body_text: A man who possessed a firearm while on probation for a felony conviction was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison. Marshaun Daniel DeMoss, age 23, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 20, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. At the guilty plea, DeMoss admitted that on October 27, 2023, he knowingly possessed a firearm, a Taurus G3 9x19mm caliber pistol, as a felon. Specifically, during a fight with his girlfriend, DeMoss assaulted, strangled, and hit her in the head with the firearm. When his girlfriend fled in her vehicle, DeMoss followed in his car and pointed the firearm out the car window at her. After his girlfriend reported the assault to police, officers stopped DeMoss’s car and found a loaded Taurus G3 pistol with an extended magazine with a round in the chamber. At the time of the incident, DeMoss was on probation on a state felony conviction for trafficking in stolen weapons. He was also on probation for domestic abuse assault. DeMoss was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. DeMoss was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. DeMoss is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-01. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former Contracting Officer for Department of Defense Sentenced for Conspiracy to Defraud the Government

body_text: BOSTON – An Uxbridge man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to defraud the government of thousands of dollars between 2014 to 2018. Thomas Bouchard, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 12 months and one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release. In April 2023, Bouchard pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of government funds. Bouchard was arrested and charged in July 2020 along with co-defendant Chantelle Boyd. “Those of us who are privileged to work in public service owe a duty to the taxpayers to act with integrity at all times. This defendant clearly failed in adhering to this solemn oath and abused his position of trust to line his own pockets, hire a friend into a phantom position and enjoy junkets all on the taxpayer’s dime. He will now pay the price for his inexcusable conduct,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “GSA OIG special agents are committed to working with DOJ and investigative partners to ensure that taxpayer dollars are properly spent and protected," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dattoria of the GSA Office of Inspector General, Northeast Division.” “Investigating individuals who hold positions of trust and misuse Department of Defense (DoD) funds is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)," stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates our commitment to work with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to protect DoD assets and programs.” Bouchard was the Contracting Officer in charge of the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, a full-service contracting organization for the Department of Defense. In 2014, Bouchard used his long-standing relationship with Evolution Enterprise, Inc., a government contractor, to have Boyd hired for a “no show” job as an assistant that specifically supported Bouchard. Boyd’s position cost the Department of Defense more than $490,000 during her time at Evolution from 2014 to 2018, during which Boyd performed little if any useful function. Bouchard and Boyd took numerous government-funded trips, ranging in duration from two to 15 days, under the guise that they were work related. This included 31 trips to Orlando, Fla., among other locations such as Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Stafford, Va., during which Boyd performed little if any work. For many of the trips, Bouchard and Boyd stayed in the same hotel room and spent time at the pool and Disney parks – all during business hours. In order to conceal the personal nature of the trips, Bouchard altered, created and approved false travel to reimburse the Boyd for out-of-pocket expenses. On April 3, 2023, Boyd pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of theft of government funds and false declarations. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 14, 2024. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; GSA OIG SAC Dattoria; DCIS SAC Hegarty; and Michael Conner, Special Agent in Charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Major Procurement Fraud Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher, Jr. of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky to Participate in National Night Out Community Events

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky will join law enforcement, community leaders, and residents across the country for National Night Out to support safer streets and making our communities stronger. Today, National Night Out events will be held in communities across the Commonwealth, including five neighborhood events hosted by the Louisville Metro Police Department. To connect with community members across Louisville, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will host a resource booth at LMPD’s Eighth Division event at Walker Warren Park in the Douglas Hills neighborhood and attend LMPD’s other neighborhood events across the City. “We look forward to participating in National Night Out again this year and building stronger partnerships between federal and local law enforcement and the communities we serve,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “With our shared commitment to creating safer neighborhoods, we can all help to prevent crime.” Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization. For more information, visit https://natw.org/ . ###


title: Zimbabwe National Found Guilty of Laundering More Than $1.2 Million

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – Following a five-day trial, Sherlyn Sims, a/k/a “Sherlyn Dzinzi,” was found guilty by a jury of conspiring to launder, and laundering, proceeds generated from numerous romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes. These computer-enabled crimes resulted in more than $1.2 million being diverted to bank accounts controlled by Sims, after which she quickly transferred, withdrew, and spent the funds. “The fraud schemes that Sims perpetrated in this case have become an epidemic in this country,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our vulnerable elderly population are often targeted in these crimes, resulting in significant financial loss and unimaginable emotional suffering. The jury’s verdict has ended Sims’s attempts to evade culpability for the role that she played in carrying out these schemes.” “This case serves as a reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by criminals and the need for vigilance in the digital age,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. “The consequences of this type of fraud scheme are far-reaching, affecting not only people here in Georgia, but also around the world.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Sherlyn Sims was charged with conspiracy and money laundering related to the receipt of funds stolen from dozens of victims between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims and her co-defendants registered sham businesses, including Grace Trading, LLC, a company Sims registered in the state of Georgia. Grace Trading and the other sham businesses had no legitimate earnings, did not have physical premises, and did not pay wages to employees. Once the businesses were registered, business bank accounts were opened in the companies’ names at various financial institutions. For instance, two days after Grace Trading became registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, Sims opened business bank accounts at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and Bank of America. Shortly after the accounts were opened, fraud victims were duped into depositing approximately $200,000 into Grace Trading’s bank accounts. Sims quickly wired the fraud proceeds to China and other foreign countries, withdrew cash from the accounts, and transferred or spent the remaining funds. Over the following seven months, more than $1.2 million in fraud proceeds were deposited into these accounts from romance scams and business email compromise schemes. One of the incidents involved a scam that tricked a victim into sending the earnest money deposit for the purchase of a new home to Sims’s Grace Trading account. Sims was not deterred when the banks closed Grace Trading’s accounts, as she would open a new bank account in the sham business’s name. Sims also used Grace Trading to obtain a fraudulent COVID-loan from the Small Business Administration. Multiple romance fraud victims testified at trial. The victims recounted how they met male strangers online and were soon convinced they were in a romantic relationship with the men, even though the victims were in communication with the individuals for months without meeting in person. Often these men claimed that they wanted to start a life with the victims and were eager to live with them as soon as some kind of issue was resolved. For example, one romance fraud victim was persuaded to send nearly $100,000 to one of Sims’s accounts because her boyfriend (one of the men online) claimed that he was traveling to Boston but had been detained by customs officials and would not be released until his taxes were paid. This victim depleted her life savings and borrowed from friends and family trying to help the man pay his taxes and be released from detention. Sherlyn Sims, a/k/a “Sherlyn Dzinzi,” 33, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones. Sims was found guilty by a federal jury on July 31, 2024. Co-defendant Bright Eigbedion, 36, of Kearns, Utah, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Jones. Eigbedion was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 27, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Co-defendant Presley Ihimekpen, 37, of Duluth, Georgia, was previously sentenced by Judge Jones on August 1, 2024, to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims. Ihimekpen was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 27, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Kelly K. Connors are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes. For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on 59th Anniversary of the Voting Right Act

body_text: The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law 59 years ago in the wake of a generations-long struggle to make real the promise of the 15th Amendment: that no American citizen be denied the right to vote on account of race. The Act gave the Justice Department some of its most powerful tools to protect the right to vote. Between 1965 and 2013, the Department was able to block more than 3,000 restrictive voting changes in jurisdictions with a history of suppressing the vote because of the law. But court decisions in recent years drastically weakened the protections of the Voting Rights Act. Since those decisions, there has been a dramatic increase in legislative measures that make it harder for millions of eligible voters to vote and to elect the representatives of their choice. The Justice Department is not standing down in the face of those restrictions. We are challenging discriminatory, burdensome, and unnecessary restrictions on access to the ballot. We are working to block discriminatory redistricting plans. We are working with jurisdictions to ensure that their voting centers are accessible to voters with disabilities. We are defending the constitutionality of several Voting Rights Act provisions, including the prohibition on voter intimidation. And we continue to urge Congress to restore the provisions of the Voting Rights Act that courts have weakened, to ensure that we have the authorities we need to protect voting rights. At the same time, efforts to undermine the right to vote have expanded to include a disturbing rise in threats of violence against the citizens we rely on to fairly administer voting — state and county elected officials, career administrators, and even volunteer poll workers. The Justice Department has used and will continue to use every authority we have to protect the right to vote, and to protect the public servants who make voting possible. We are aggressively investigating and prosecuting threats of violence targeting election workers, officials, and volunteers. While there are many things open to debate in our country, the right to vote must not be one of them. The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, the right from which all others flow. The Justice Department will never stop working to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a vote that counts.”


title: Former Vicksburg National Military Park Employee Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Vicksburg woman pled guilty to stealing park admission fees while she was employed as a Supervisory Fee Management Specialist at the Vicksburg National Military Park. According to court documents and statements made in court, Yolanda Ward, 40, of Vicksburg, confessed to removing cash deposits from a safe and keeping the money for personal use while she was employed as a supervisor at the military park from 2017 to 2019. Ward was responsible for depositing the fees. Ward stated that she used the stolen funds to pay her bills and gamble at the local casino. Ward also provided the park’s stolen funds to her family members to gamble at the casino. Ward pled guilty today to theft of government funds. She is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Katherine Balestra of the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, and Superintendent Carrie Mardorf of the Vicksburg National Military Park made the announcement. The Department of Interior Office of Inspector General is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Stuart and Kimberly Purdie are prosecuting the case.


title: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Violation

component: Tax Division

body_text: A New York man pleaded guilty today to failing to collect and pay over employment taxes from wages of his company’s employees. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2015 and 2021, Nicholas Arcuri, of Staten Island — owner and president of Capri Upholstery Custom Furnishing LLC — paid approximately $2.6 million in off-the-books cash payroll to employees, from which he did not withhold from his employees’ wages any Social Security, Medicare or income taxes or pay over those taxes to the IRS. Arcuri concealed the cash payroll from his return preparer, knowing that he was required to pay taxes. In total, Arcuri caused a tax loss to the IRS of $486,753. Arcuri is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Richard J. Kelley and Jeffrey A. McLellan of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.