title: Couple Sentenced For Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, And Major Fraud Against The United States

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Today, Ricky and Katrina Lanier, 55 and 49, both of LaGrange, N.C., were sentenced by the Honorable Travis McDonough, Chief United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, to serve federal prison terms of 48 months and 24 months, respectively, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and major fraud against the United States. Following their incarceration, the Laniers will each be on supervised release for a period of one year. Chief Judge McDonough ordered forfeiture of the couple’s bank accounts and deferred a ruling on a money judgement until a later date. The couple were found guilty of these offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349, 1343, and 1031 on July 29, 2022, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court. According to evidence presented at trial, the Laniers conspired from 2005 to 2013 to defraud the United States government through a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal contracts intended to be awarded to businesses lawfully participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development program. They falsely represented that JMR Investments and Kylee Construction were eligible for these programs. Their actions also deprived legitimate service-disabled veteran and minority-owned businesses from obtaining government contracts on which they were eligible to bid. Ricky Lanier, who had previously owned and operated an 8(a) business receiving government contracts, became ineligible to participate in the 8(a) program after that business graduated from that program in 2008. Lanier used a long-time friend and service-disabled veteran as the purported owner of Kylee Construction, falsely representing that the friend was involved in the daily management of the business, even while the friend was working for a government contractor in Afghanistan. The Laniers used a minority-owned business run by Ricky Lanier’s college roommate, JMR Investments, as a front to obtain construction contracts from the National Park Service and other federal agencies under the 8(a) program, misrepresenting the friend’s involvement in the management and operation of the business. The scheme also involved sub-contracting most of the work on the contracts in violation of program requirements. As part of the scheme, the Laniers opened and controlled bank accounts into which government money was deposited, and they used those accounts to pay for extravagant vacations; monthly payments on a personal private airplane; a Mercedes Benz; mortgage payments for their personal residence; purchases of additional real estate; and purchases of personal property such as shoes, clothing, food, and souvenirs while on vacation. The Laniers also defrauded the National Park Service in connection with a contract to replace a wastewater treatment facility at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, falsely representing subcontractor costs by over $400,000, resulting in the award of a $1.1 million contract for work on the project that was actually performed by a subcontractor for only $550,000. The Laniers further fraudulently obtained a $1.3 million construction contract at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, which had been set aside for service-disabled veteran owned businesses. As a result of the false representations, Kylee Construction was awarded over $5 million in government contracts and JMR Investments was awarded over $9 million in government contracts. The Laniers received almost $3 million in financial benefit from the scheme. “The defendants’ conduct was especially egregious,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “Of course, the dollar value of the government contracts was quite high, and the defendants obtained enormous personal gains to maintain a lavish lifestyle. More importantly, not only did the defendants steal from the United States, they stole opportunities from scores of honest deserving entities such as legitimate service-disabled veteran-owned businesses who are trying to making a living in the civilian sector after having served the nation honorably.” “Conspiring to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in government contracts from programs designed to benefit service-disabled veteran business owners steals opportunities from the deserving and lines the pockets of the greedy. The VA OIG remains committed to diligently pursuing these cases in an effort to maintain the integrity of VA programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Kim R. Lampkins of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the US Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their joint efforts to achieve justice in this case.” “Illegally obtaining federal contracts steals taxpayer dollars and opportunities from the nation’s small business community,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “OIG is committed to rooting out bad actors and protecting the integrity of SBA programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.” Special Agent in Charge Katherine Balestra, U.S. Department of Interior OIG, recognized the efforts of the investigative team in protecting the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business program. "These investigations are so important to ensure that these federal contracts go to the individuals for whom they are intended," Balestra said. Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to indictment and subsequent conviction of Ricky and Katrina Lanier included the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General (DOI OIG), and Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven S. Neff, Perry H. Piper, and Anne-Marie Svolto represented the United States. ###


title: Battle Creek Woman Charged In $3,500,000 Computer Scam

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Lavonne Kemp alleged to be cash clearinghouse for nationwide “mistaken refund” fraud GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Lavonne Kemp, 67, of Battle Creek was charged in federal court for participating in a conspiracy to commit fraud using the mail. “These allegations are extremely concerning involving an alleged scheme to prey upon unsuspecting victims,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “I implore the public to remain vigilant, wary, cautious, and to always verify suspicious claims or claims that seem ‘too good to be true’ to help protect yourself from falling victim to potential scams or fraud.” According to court documents, Kemp participated in a fraud scheme targeting home computer users across the United States, known as a “mistaken refund” scam. People became victims of the scam when they were deceived by an email message falsely claiming that a bank withdrawal had been made from their bank account to allegedly pay for the installation of computer security software. The message invited anyone disagreeing with the charge to call a “customer service” number. Those who called this number spoke with a person who agreed to immediately reverse the “charge.” During this refund process, the “customer service” co-conspirator indicated that he had mistakenly deposited thousands of dollars into the victim’s account because of a keystroke error. The victim was then induced to rectify this “error” by mailing cash to Kemp’s address in Battle Creek. Between January 2021 and September 2022, Kemp allegedly received approximately $3,500,000 traceable to this fraudulent scheme. Kemp is charged with mail fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. This offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of twice the gross gain or loss caused by the fraud, three years of supervised release following prison, and forfeiture of property. No other members of the conspiracy have yet been charged. “Our agents remain committed to investigating allegations of fraud wherever they may be,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar . “Working with our local partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we can help keep hard-working Americans safe from schemes and hold those behind them to account for their actions.” Kemp had her initial court appearance today in Grand Rapids. Further proceedings will be handled by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney. Prosecution of the case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. The Department of Homeland Security and Battle Creek Police Department are investigating 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: Oregon Man Sentenced in Anabolic Steroids and Pill Distribution Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jonathan R. Stidham, 38, of Eugene, Oregon, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, methamphetamine, N-Ethylhexedrone, and Alprazolam, and conspiracy to launder money. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Stidham to imprisonment for a term of 156 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Stidham will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. Stidham was a leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that produced and distributed anabolic steroids and other controlled substances to customers throughout the country using a private Facebook group as an online storefront and the United States Postal Service to ship the drugs to locations throughout the country. In addition to anabolic steroids, the DTO marketed and sold pharmaceutical drugs described as Xanax and Adderall. Legitimately prescribed pharmaceutical Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance containing amphetamine salts. However, laboratory testing revealed that the pills marketed as “Adderall” by the DTO were counterfeit and contained methamphetamine, also a Schedule II controlled substance. The “Xanax” distributed by the DTO contained N-Ethylhexedrone, a Scheduled I controlled substance. “Xanax” is a brand name for Alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Alprazolam was also confirmed by laboratory testing to be present in substances recovered by investigators. Customers purchasing controlled substances from the DTO were required to use cryptocurrency and cash to pay. The DTO used peer-to-peer digital payments platforms to accept payments for controlled substances from customers and to transfer funds among and between themselves. In addition to the use of digital payments platforms, the DTO used various other methods designed to protect the membership’s anonymity and to provide security for the criminal organization from law enforcement and other criminal organizations. Stidham operated a clandestine laboratory from an apartment he maintained in Eugene, Oregon, specifically for the purpose of producing finished anabolic steroids. Stidham laundered proceeds he received from the sale of steroids and the other controlled substances via a PayPal account through personal business and checking accounts and through a sham corporation incorporated in Oregon in 2017. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case was investigated by the Omaha offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.


title: Court Sentences Colombian Drug Smuggler Caught with Nearly Five and a Half Tons of Cocaine

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: On March 2, 2023, United States District Court Chief Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Fernando Preciado, a Colombian national, to 210 months imprisonment for smuggling 4,951 kilograms of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Preciado had previously pled guilty to the offense. Documents filed with the Court established that on December 13, 2021, while on routine patrol, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a Marine Patrol Aircraft detected a suspicious low profile go-fast vessel west of Malpelo, Colombia. US Coast Guard Cutter JAMES (JAM) diverted to intercept. JAM launched their intercept vessel and helicopter and requested that their command authorize a boarding of a vessel suspected of illicit maritime activity. The approach to the vessel revealed 4 persons on board, to include the defendant. The vessel had four Suzuki 250 horsepower outboard engines. There was no flag flown for the vessel, no vessel registration, and no claim of nationality for the vessel. No crewmembers claimed to be the Master or person in charge of the vessel. The vessel was properly deemed to be a “Vessel Without Nationality” in that it was a vessel aboard which any master or individual in charge failed, on request of an officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable provisions of United States law, to make a claim of nationality or registry for that vessel under Title 46 § 70503. The USCG boarding of the vessel revealed approximately 4951 kilograms of cocaine on board the vessel. The USCG also found an AK-47 assault rifle underneath the bales of cocaine with 20 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Preciado later admitted that he was hired as the navigator for the drug smuggling trip. The other drug smugglers on the boat, Nestor Javier Salazar Montano, Alonzo Escobar-Valenzuela, and Henry Hernandez Garcia, all plead guilty and were previously sentenced by Judge Moorer. In Title 46 of the United States Code, Congress found and declared that (1) trafficking in controlled substances aboard vessels is a serious international problem, is universally condemned, and presents a specific threat to the security and societal well-being of the United States and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States. Title 46 further provides that such offenses may be prosecuted in any United States federal district court. United States Attorney Sean P. Costello praised the exemplary work and dedication of the United States Coast Guard and federal investigators in interdicting and bringing these international drug smugglers to justice, noting “The wholesale value of the massive load of cocaine seized in this case is conservatively valued at approximately 140 million dollars.” Costello added that this is by far the largest seizure his office has prosecuted under Title 46 and represents a significant loss to the drug cartel. The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.


title: Douglas Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Aiding and Abetting and Making False Statements in Connection with the Purchase of Firearms

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Kevin Durazo, 23, of Douglas, Arizona, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 24 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Durazo pleaded guilty to one count of Aiding and Abetting Making False Statements in Connection with Acquisition of a Firearm and one count of Making False Statements in Connection with Acquisition of a Firearm. On October 5, 2021, Kevin Durazo and co-defendant, Mario Edoardo Ramirez Chavez, 22, of Mexico, traveled to Tucson from Douglas, Arizona, for the purpose of purchasing firearms. Durazo provided money to the co-defendant to purchase a 7.62x51mm (.308 WIN) caliber rifle from a licensed firearms dealer for Durazo. The co-defendant purchased the rifle after filling out required paperwork indicating he was the actual buyer of the rifle, when in fact he was acquiring it at the request and direction of Durazo. Durazo then purchased a 9mm pistol from another licensed firearms dealer. Durazo filled out the required paperwork and stated that he was purchasing the firearm for himself, when in fact he was acquiring it for another individual. The two men were subsequently arrested by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the Douglas Port of Entry in their attempt to smuggle the 9mm pistol into Mexico. Chavez, Durazo’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to Smuggling Goods from the United States and Making False Statements in Connection with the Purchase of Firearms. Chavez was sentenced by Judge Hinderaker on October 7, 2022, to 16 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. HSI conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam D. Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-21-02855-TUC-JCH RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-026_Durazo # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Pinon Man Sentenced To 22 Years For  Second Degree Murder In Child Homicide Case

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Ferin Billy Nez, 36, of Pinon, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 22 years in prison. Nez, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder for killing his infant son. On February 27, 2018, Nez had custody of his infant son, when the child became unresponsive and later died. A medical examination revealed that the victim had injuries consistent with having been shaken and thrown. On March 24, 2021, Nez was charged in a six-count indictment with murder and child abuse. He pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder on October 17, 2022. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer E. LaGrange and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-21-08016-PCT-DJH RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-027_Nez # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: SDTX implements voluntary self-disclosure and monitorship selection policies

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas (USAO-SDTX) has implemented a new national policy which details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a USAO, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The policy, which is effective immediately, aims to provide transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate. The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide. It also hopes to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The SDTX also implemented a selection policy for independent corporate monitors, who can be an effective resource in assessing a company’s compliance with the terms of a corporate criminal resolution and reducing the risk of repeat misconduct and compliance lapses. The policy lays out a detailed, mandatory selection process that culminates in U.S. Attorney approval for the appointment of any monitor. In general, the SDTX will favor the imposition of a monitor where there is a demonstrated need for, and clear benefit to be derived from, a monitorship, such as when a company’s compliance program and controls are untested, ineffective, inadequately resourced or not fully implemented at the time of a resolution. This is particularly true if the investigation reveals a compliance program is deficient or inadequate in numerous or significant respects. Conversely, where a company’s compliance program and controls are demonstrated to be tested, effective, adequately resourced and fully implemented at the time of a resolution, a monitor may not be necessary. The scope of any monitorship will be appropriately tailored to address the specific concerns of each individual company. Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ. A company must also disclose all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company who voluntarily self-discloses, as defined in the policy, and fully meets the other requirements of the policy by fully cooperating, timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct and paying appropriate penalties will receive significant benefits. These include that the USAO may choose not seek a guilty plea, not to impose any criminal penalty and/or not to impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50% below the low end of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. The policy identifies three aggravating factors which may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met. These include if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health or the environment; if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required. Instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy. The USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50%, and up to a 75%, reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range and will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. In cases where a USAO and another DOJ are jointly prosecuting a company or where the misconduct the company reports falls within the scope of conduct the VSD covers, the USAO will coordinate with or, if necessary, obtain approval from the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. These policies were prepared by the Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group, a group of United States Attorneys from geographically diverse districts throughout the USAO community, at the request of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and its White Collar Fraud Subcommittee.


title: Federal Public Official Sentenced for Accepting Bribes

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A former General Services Administration (GSA) Official was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for directing government procurement contracts to government contractors. According to court documents, Charles W. Jones, 59, was employed as a Supervisory Construction Control Representative with the GSA in Richmond. He had responsibility for the management and oversight of construction and renovation projects at certain federal buildings throughout the Norfolk, Richmond, and Alexandria areas. Beginning in approximately December of 2015 and continuing through August 2019, Jones received bribes totaling $411,192 from Daniel Crowe, in exchange for awarding them federal construction projects to his companies. In October of 2019, Jones received a cash payment from Jennifer Strickland, the President of SDC Contracting LLC, in exchange for awarding a contract valued at approximately $1,369,501. Crowe and Strickland have previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to related charges. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Carol Fortine Ochoa, Inspector General, General Services Administration (GSA); Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge for the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); and Michael Butler, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. The General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Inspector General provided significant assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-66.


title: United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs Announces Implementation of New Voluntary Self -Disclosure Policy

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy. The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). It provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate, and timely and appropriately remediate. “The Department’s Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy creates specific incentives for corporate leaders to come forward with information about criminal wrongdoing within their companies,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “This is an important step forward for strengthening corporate citizenship and accountability. As with the individuals we prosecute, there are benefits for those companies who take responsibility for their actions and try to make things right.” The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy. Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by—in the absence of any aggravating factor—fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50% below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50% and up to a 75% reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program. In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy. ###


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to a Total of 10 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm and Drug Charges

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dakota F. Brown, 36, of Columbia, was sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a quantity of amphetamine while on federal supervision. Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 4, 2021, a Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputy conducted a traffic stop of Brown’s vehicle following a traffic violation. Brown, the driver, exited the vehicle and removed a fanny pack from across his chest, laying it in the driver’s seat before walking back to talk to the deputy. After deputies smelled marijuana, the vehicle was searched. The search revealed a loaded 9mm firearm, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and amphetamine within the fanny pack that Brown previously removed from his person. After waiving his Miranda rights, Brown admitted that the items were his and that he had bought the gun off the street in December. A ballistics analysis through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) linked the firearm to shell casings recovered from December 2020 shooting in Richland County. Local authorities have arrested another individual for that shooting and have no evidence linking Brown to the incident. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin . Brown, who has been in custody since his January 2021 arrest, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior felony state convictions, which include strong arm robbery, possession of crack cocaine, criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Additionally, at the time of this incident, Brown was on federal supervised release after serving a 108-month sentence from a 2011 federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Brown to 96 months in prison, to be served consecutive to the 24-month sentence he received for violating his terms of supervised release. After completing his 120-month sentence, Brown will be on supervised release for 6 years. 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case. ###


title: Mexican Nationals Charged with Offenses Stemming from Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 69, and APOLINAR FRANCISCO PAREDES ESPINOZA, also known as “Pancho,” 56, both of citizens of Mexico residing in Hartford, were arrested yesterday on federal criminal complaints charging each with offenses stemming from their smuggling of aliens into the U.S., harboring them at their Hartford residence, forcing them to work, and threatening to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest and other living expenses. Sanchez and Paredes appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford who ordered them detained. A bond hearing for Sanchez is scheduled for March 8. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed approximately 10 Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford. The victims typically stated that they had arranged with Sanchez and her associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S. In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico. They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Sanchez’s and Paredes’ residence on Madison Street in Hartford. It is also alleged that after the victims arrived in Hartford, Sanchez informed them that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay her for rent, food, gas and utilities. Sanchez and Parades created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area. In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform work around the house, or to assist Paredes in his job responsibilities without compensation and without having their debt reduced. It is further alleged that Sanchez rarely provided victims with an accounting of their debt. If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that she expected, Sanchez and Paredes would threaten the victims, including threatening to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments. In one instance, Sanchez threatened to call police to say that a victim had tried to rape her. Sanchez and Paredes are charged with conspiracy to smuggle, transport, harbor, and encourage or induce aliens to enter and reside in the U.S., an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; conspiracy to commit labor trafficking, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and extortion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.


title: Two California Men Sentenced To Prison For Conspiracy To Attack Democratic Headquarters In Sacramento

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Today, Ian Benjamin Rogers was sentenced to 108 months in prison and Jarrod Copeland was sentenced to 54 months in prison for their respective roles in crimes including a conspiracy to destroy the Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge. Rogers, 46, of Napa, and Copeland, 39, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty to their crimes on May 26, 2022, and November 16, 2021, respectively. Rogers was sentenced for conspiracy as well as multiple federal weapons violations while Copeland was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy and for obstruction of justice. “The defendants in this case admitted that they intended to destroy the headquarters of a political organization by firebombing it,” said U.S. Attorney Hinds. “Their decision to ‘go to war’ was based on their thought that they would rather destroy their political opponents’ building than acknowledge they lost an election and rely on the political process to make change. Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland will now have plenty of time to reflect on the fact that resorting to violence is not an acceptable means of making political change in our democracy. Prosecution and imprisonment await those who attempt to supplant the political process with fear and violence.” “Rogers and Copeland devised a plan of attack to put innocent lives in danger. Today's sentences make clear that those actions have serious consequences,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. “The FBI’s partnership with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office was critical in thwarting their plot. We will not stop our pursuit of extremists who advocate for violence over constitutionally protected discourse and imperil our communities." Rogers and Copeland entered into separate plea agreements in which they admitted their role in the crimes. Both defendants admitted in their plea agreements that after the 2020 Presidential election they conspired together to destroy the John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento. They admitted that between November 2020 and January 2021 they discussed attacking the Democratic Headquarters building with cans of gasoline, including by throwing gas cans through the front windows of the building and igniting the gasoline to burn down the building. They also acknowledged that Rogers viewed the Democratic Headquarters building on the internet and sent a map of the location to Copeland, discussing the building’s proximity to a fire department and certain law enforcement in devising their plan, all to refine the method of attack to ensure they caused the greatest damage to the building while allowing their escape without detection. Rogers and Copeland also admitted discussing how they would wait until after the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, before carrying out the attack. Papers filed by the government describe how law enforcement officers seized a cache of weapons, including 45 to 50 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and five pipe bombs from Rogers’s home and business on Jan. 15, 2021. Just days earlier, Rogers wrote to Copeland, “after the 20th we go to war.” Rogers admitted in his plea agreement that he had constructed the pipe bombs and anticipated using them against the property of those whose political views differed from his, including the Democratic Headquarters building in Sacramento. He further admitted that he possessed at least three fully automatic machine guns and considered using one of them in the attack on the building. At a hearing for the defendants’ sentencings, Judge Breyer described the defendants’ conduct as “an act of terrorism.” Judge Breyer stated, “this is a very serious offense . . .. But for the intervention of law enforcement, it's the Court's view that there was no impediment to the act of terrorism; and whether it was one or multiple, the evidence that was obtained certainly shows that there was a plan, a design, an opportunity and ability to carry out the firebombing of the Democratic Headquarters located in Sacramento, California, the John Burton Building.” On July 7, 2021, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment charging Copeland with one count of conspiracy to destroy by fire or explosive a building used in or affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) and (n); and one count of obstruction of justice, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c). The grand jury also charged Rogers with the conspiracy charge as well as one count of possession of unregistered destructive devices, in violation of 26 U.S.C.§ 5861(d), and three counts of possession of machine guns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). Copeland pleaded guilty to both charges pending against him. Rogers pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, one count of possession of unregistered destructive devices, and one count of possessing an illegal machine gun. At the sentencing, Judge Breyer dismissed the remaining charges with respect to Rogers. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Breyer also ordered Rogers and Copeland to each serve three years of supervised release, to begin after they serve their prison terms. Rogers has remained in custody since his arrest in January 2021 and Copeland has been in federal custody since his arrest in July 2021. Both defendants will begin serving their prison sentences immediately. The Special Prosecutions Section of the Northern District of California is prosecuting the case, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The FBI’s San Francisco Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the FBI Sacramento Field Office and Napa County Sheriff’s Department.


title: Sherwin-Williams to Pay $1 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising from Bridge Painting Project

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that The Sherwin-Williams Company has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it participated in a scheme to defraud the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in connection with a contract to paint the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge in Philadelphia. Governed by statutes and regulations, the DBE program provides opportunities for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to work on federally funded projects by requiring that government contracts set goals for DBE participation. A government contractor may claim credit toward a DBE goal only if a DBE serves a “commercially useful function” on the project. A DBE does not serve a commercially useful function, however, if it acts as a mere pass-through, or extra participant, through which funds are passed to create the appearance that historically disadvantaged businesses did the work. According to the government’s investigation, this was precisely the case with the Platt Bridge project. In 2011, Hercules-Vimas Joint Venture, LLC was awarded a $42.7 million contract by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) to paint the bridge. The contract, funded largely by the federal government, required that a percentage of work be performed by a DBE. To meet this requirement, Hercules-Vimas subcontracted with Vertech International, Inc., a DBE certified in Pennsylvania, to supply materials. The government contends that this arrangement was a sham. While Hercules-Vimas represented to PENNDOT that Vertech was the paint supplier, the government alleges that it worked directly with Sherwin-Williams, a non-disadvantaged business, to deliver paint and materials to the project site. Vertech merely created invoices designed to conceal the fraud in exchange for a nominal fee. In 2016, the owner of Vertech pleaded guilty to criminal charges associated with his role in the fraudulent scheme, as did a Hercules-Vimas principal in 2017. In addition, the government reached a $310,000 civil settlement of False Claims Act allegations against Hercules-Vimas in 2020. According to the government, Sherwin-Williams’ liability as a third-party supplier arises from its knowing complicity with the fraudulent scheme. The government contends that Sherwin-Williams maintained the ordered supplies in storage and delivered them directly to Hercules-Vimas’s job site, then submitted invoices for payment of paint and supplies to Vertech, with knowledge and intent that Vertech would, in turn, create invoices on Vertech’s letterhead, adding a 1.75% mark-up (representing Vertech’s profit) and submit those invoices to Hercules-Vimas for payment. This scheme, the government believes, enabled Hercules-Vimas to submit a substantially lower bid than competing bidders on the Platt Bridge Project because, unlike Hercules-Vimas’s bid, competing bids included the reasonable market value for commercially useful functions performed by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. “Because of this scheme, legitimate disadvantaged business owners were deprived of the very opportunities the DBE program was designed to create,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Sherwin-Williams must be held accountable because, without its agreement, the scheme would not have worked.” “Preserving the integrity of DBE programs by unraveling the layers of fraudulent activities in federally funded highway projects remains an important point of focus for our Office of Investigations,” said Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Northeastern Region. “The significant financial settlement and compliance program reached today demonstrates our commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners on DBE schemes that adversely impact transportation programs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.” The settled civil claims are allegations only. There has been no determination of civil liability. The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. For the United States Attorney’s Office, Assistant United States Attorneys David Degnan, Eric Gill, and Bryan Hughes handled the investigation.


title: New York Man Indicted for Firearms and Narcotics Trafficking

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man was arrested yesterday in connection with allegedly trafficking drugs and firearms. Jason Lebberes, 31, of Tuckahoe, N.Y., was indicted on one count of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; one count of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident; and one count of transferring a machinegun. Lebberres was arrested in New York this morning and appeared in federal court in the Southern District of New York yesterday. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the indictment, Lebberes sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a privately manufactured firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun” and a Glock switch. A Glock switch is a device that converts firearms into automatic weapons. The investigation revealed that Lebberes had allegedly sold numerous Glock switches to other customers in the past. It is further alleged that, during a search of Lebberes’ residence in Tuckahoe, N.Y. yesterday, a treasure trove of handguns, assault rifles, and ammunition were recovered, several of which appeared to be privately manufactured. A video of Lebberes discharging a handgun out of his car window was also allegedly recovered during the investigation. The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least ten years and up to life years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000,000. The charge of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of transferring a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office; Darnell Edwards, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Evansville Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison After Recording his Sexual Abuse of a Seven-Year-Old Girl

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Shane C. Collins, 34, of Warrick County, Indiana was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, on March 7, 2021, Collins recorded a video of himself engaging in a sex act with a seven-year-old girl. Between March 17 and March 19, 2021, Collins took additional sexually explicit pictures of the child. Collins saved the recordings of his sexual abuse of the child using an internet cloud-based data storage application. “Every child deserves to grow up safe, loved, and free from sexual abuse. Sexual predators like this defendant inflict lifelong trauma on vulnerable victims to satisfy their own criminal lusts,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Every day he is in federal prison is another day we can be certain he will not harm a child. I commend the work of the FBI and the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office for ensuring that the public and the victim are protected from any further abuses by this dangerous pedophile.” “I want to commend both the efforts of the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to put this perpetrator behind bars. These criminal acts are not only horrendous in nature, but knowing this individual participated in taking advantage of a child in our community is very concerning,” said Sheriff Michael Wilder of the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office. “This sentence is an example of great teamwork among local and federal agencies.” “No amount of time in federal prison seems adequate for those who sexually exploit children, but this sentence clearly demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to identify these predators and ensure they can never victimize innocent children again,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge, Herbert J Stapleton. The FBI investigated this case with valuable assistance provided by the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Collins be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for LIFE following his release from federal prison. Collins must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney, Todd Shellenbarger who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc ###


title: CEO of Atlanta engineering firm pleads guilty to failing to pay payroll taxes

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Charles Johnson, Sr., has pleaded guilty for not paying $1.4 million in payroll taxes and for failure to pay employment taxes. “Payroll taxes critically fund social insurance programs, including Social Security and Medicare,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Johnson refused to pay payroll taxes while withholding those funds from his employee’s paychecks for years.” “Johnson’s failure to pay over employment tax withheld from his employees is unlawful and ultimately impacts his employees future Social Security benefits,” said James E. Dorsey, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Johnson pleading guilty today is evidence of IRS Criminal Investigation and its partners working hard to hold employers accountable when they steal from their employees and other honest tax paying citizens.” “The U.S. Department of Labor will use all resources available to hold fiduciaries who fail to work in the interest of plans and participants accountable,” said Mark Seidel, Acting Regional Director of EBSA’s Atlanta Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia. “Getting retirees and workers their contributions in a timely manner is vital to their livelihood. We will remain steadfast in continued work with our federal and state partners to ensure fiduciaries follow the laws or face consequences, including when necessary, debarment from serving as a fiduciary or trustees of any retirement plan. Fiduciaries who need assistance on proper management of employee benefit plans may contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration for compliance assistance.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Charles Johnson, Sr., was the President and CEO of Williams-Russell and Johnson, Inc., an engineering firm headquartered in Atlanta. While running the firm, Johnson failed to pay significant amounts of withheld income and employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service; pension (401(k)) payments to the firm’s retirement plan; and health insurance premiums to the health insurer. These funds were collected and withheld from employee paychecks for multiple years, stretching from at least 2015 to 2019. As president and CEO of the firm, Johnson held a fiduciary responsibility to withhold the required income and employment taxes and pay that amount to the IRS. He was also a plan fiduciary for the retirement and health plans, required to pay the withheld amounts. As a result, Charles Johnson, Sr., 82, of Atlanta, Georgia, was charged via a two-count Criminal Information alleging failure to account for and pay employment taxes and theft from an employee benefit plan. The Information charges that Johnson failed to pay $1.4 million in employment taxes and failed to pay more than $480,000 to the firm’s 401(k) plan and its health insurer for premium payments. He has pleaded guilty to the offense of failure to pay taxes and agreed to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the United States and an additional $210,000 to the employees who participated in the employee benefit plans. This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor-Employee Benefits Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Spencer Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Charges

body_text: BOSTON – A Spencer man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Joseph Michael Smith, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 27 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In November 2022, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Investigators received several tips that CSAM was shared from messenger accounts tied to Smith’s address. During a search of Smith’s residence on Nov. 10, 2021, a drive was seized, and a forensic analysis revealed 35 videos depicting children as young as two-years-old being sexually abused, as well as over 300 images depicting CSAM that had downloaded to, and deleted from, the USB drive. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Spencer Police Chief David Darrin made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Crime Against Federal Officer

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Norman Leon Geipe II, 39, was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for resisting a federal officer causing bodily injury. According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 14, 2021, deputy U.S. Marshals approached Geipe outside a Parkersburg homeless shelter and told Geipe they had an arrest warrant alleging he had failed to register as a sex offender. Geipe physically resisted the attempt to take him into custody and bit the left forearm of one of the deputy U.S. Marshals, breaking the skin and drawing blood. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Marshals Service and the Parkersburg Police Department. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Troy D. Adams and Joseph F. Adams 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. 2:21-cr-98. ###


title: Two Charged with Permit and Driver's License Test Conspiracies at Brockton RMV

body_text: BOSTON – Two individuals have been charged and have agreed to plead guilty in connection with separate conspiracies to knowingly issue passing test scores to individuals who did not actually pass tests at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in Brockton. Mia Cox-Johnson, 43, of Brockton, was charged with two counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. Estevao Semedo, 61, also of Brockton, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud. Plea hearings have not yet been scheduled by the court. According to the charging documents, Cox-Johnson, a former manager of the RMV service center in Brockton, took money in exchange for giving passing scores on learner’s permit tests for both passenger vehicle driver’s licenses and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). It is alleged that between December 2018 and October 2019, Cox-Johnson conspired to take money in exchange for agreeing to give customers passing scores on their multiple-choice learner’s permit tests even if they did not pass. These customers were allegedly told to request a paper test instead of taking the test on the RMV computer. Cox-Johnson scored these customers’ paper tests. On Dec. 28, 2018, Cox-Johnson allegedly accepted $1,000 in cash – delivered from a friend on behalf of another individual – in exchange for giving a passing score to the individual’s relative who had failed the passenger vehicle learner’s permit test six times when taking it in their native language. It is further alleged that Cox-Johnson agreed to score the relative as having passed the permit test regardless of whether they had actually passed. Cox-Johnson did in fact pass the relative’s test, which was taken on paper in English. On Oct. 21, 2019, a customer came to the Brockton RMV and took three multiple-choice tests they needed to pass in order to get a commercial learner’s permit – a prerequisite to taking the road test for a CDL. Cox-Johnson allegedly accepted $200 in cash from an individual to score the customer as having passed the tests even if they did not actually pass. In fact, the applicant failed one of the tests, but it is alleged that Cox-Johnson scored the applicant as having passed all three tests. According to the charging documents, Semedo, the owner of a driving school, conspired to defraud the RMV into issuing driver’s licenses to applicants who did not pass the road test. Specifically, it is alleged that Semedo paid a road test examiner at the Brockton RMV service center to misrepresent to the RMV that certain driver’s license applicants had passed their road test when in fact they had not. Some of the applicants did not even show up to take the test. As a result of the fraud, the RMV mailed driver’s licenses to unqualified applicants. The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiracy to commit extortion each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charging document also seeks a $17,000 forfeiture money judgment against Semedo. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Christopher Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, made the announcement today. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF). Valuable assistance was provided by the Mattapoisett Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Adam Deitch of Rollins’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Reality Show Star Sentenced to Life in Prison for Arranging Nephew’s Murder

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former reality show star was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for arranging the murder of his nephew in St. Louis, Missouri in 2016 for money. James Timothy Norman, 43, was found guilty by a jury in U.S. District Court in September of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Andre Montgomery Jr. on March 14, 2016. Norman and Montgomery appeared on the reality show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. Norman took out a life insurance policy worth $450,000 on Montgomery, then arranged through intermediaries for his nephew’s murder at 3964 Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis. “Tim Norman sought to make $450,000 by having his nephew, Andre Montgomery, killed. Instead, he was caught and will spend the rest of his life in prison. Although Andre’s family was robbed of their loved one, hopefully this result will provide some measure of peace and justice for them,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “Tim Norman portrayed one image to the public, but there were more sinister intentions lurking underneath,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Angie Danis during Thursday’s sentencing hearing. “And the measure of someone’s character is what they do when they think no one is watching. When he thought no one was watching, he planned the execution of his nephew and carried it out.” “Five families, especially that of the victim, are suffering and irreparably harmed as a result of Norman’s plot to have his own nephew murdered,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the FBI St. Louis Division. “At least all his co-conspirators have accepted responsibility. To this day, Norman hasn’t accepted responsibility despite the fact 12 jurors unanimously convicted him after seeing and hearing seven days of evidence in trial.” U.S. District Judge John A. Ross sentenced the shooter, Travell Anthony Hill, of St. Louis, to 32 years in prison in October. Hill now 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and one count of murder-for-hire and admitted fatally shooting Montgomery with a .380-caliber handgun after being told of his location by a woman who knew both Montgomery and Norman. Hill was later paid $5,000. The woman, Terica Taneisha Ellis, now 39, from Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced to three years in prison in January. Ellis pleaded guilty to the murder-for-hire conspiracy charge and admitted that Norman paid her $10,000 to find Montgomery and pass on his location. Ellis admitted knowing Norman was going to take some form of action, but she did not know Montgomery would be shot. A fourth person, insurance agent Waiel “Wally” Rebhi Yaghnam, was sentenced to three years in prison in November. Yaghnam pleaded guilty to a charge of wire and mail fraud conspiracy and admitted fraudulently helping Norman apply for multiple insurance policies beginning in October 2014. Yaghnam then helped Norman file a claim on Montgomery’s life insurance policy after Montgomery’s death. The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angie Danis and Gwendolyn Carroll are prosecuting the case.


title: Leader of Multi-Kilo Meth Distribution Ring Pleads Guilty, 16 Co-Defendants Admit Guilt Resulting from OCDETF Investigation

component: Criminal - Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

body_text: MACON, Ga. – Multiple defendants connected to a methamphetamine trafficking ring centered in Milledgeville, Georgia, that was responsible for distributing a total of five kilograms of methamphetamine pleaded guilty to their crimes recently resulting from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. Jarvis Havior aka “J Bo,” 31, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Feb. 16 before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell. Havior faces a minimum of ten years in prison to a maximum of life imprisonment to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a $10,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 3. “Through the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, law enforcement agents coordinated a successful take-down of a drug trafficking network pushing high volumes of methamphetamine into the Milledgeville area,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Local, state and federal law enforcement are helping us hold those distributing large quantities of the most deadly and addictive illegal drugs accountable at the federal level.” “Those who distribute methamphetamine pose a grave danger to the community. These traffickers can no longer deliver dangerous drugs on the streets and must now face the consequences of their actions,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The dangers associated with meth remain one of the most significant drug threats facing our community,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “With the help of our federal, state and local partners, this is a significant amount of poison that will not make it into our communities, driving crime and violence.” “Illegal drugs are dangerous and threaten the safety of Georgia communities. The GBI is committed to getting these drugs off the streets by bringing to justice all those that take part in the illegal drug trade, from the supplier down to the dealer,” said GBI Director Mike Register. According to court documents, agents with DEA, GBI and the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force (OCDETF) received credible information in June 2020 from multiple confidential sources that Havior was leading a multi-kilogram methamphetamine distribution ring operating in the Milledgeville community. A subsequent investigation determined the location of distribution “trap” houses and “stash” houses for bulk narcotics and cash that Havior and his criminal associates maintained. On April 5, 2021, agents determined that Havior was going to replenish his methamphetamine supply at a location in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he had previously traveled to for suspected drug re-supply runs. Agents observed Havior meet a man at a Publix parking lot in Stone Mountain and receive a fully laden green Publix bag. Havior traveled to a restaurant in Covington, Georgia, and gave the bag to co-defendant Anrico Taylor. Both defendants departed the restaurant in their respective vehicles and traffic stops were conducted on them in Baldwin County, Georgia. Taylor attempted to flee with the Publix bag, ripping apart several smaller bags of methamphetamine as he ran from officers, amounting to approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine spread on the ground. In total, four kilograms of methamphetamine was found inside the green Publix bag. In all, the drug trafficking ring is responsible for distributing at least five kilograms of methamphetamine. The following co-defendants entered guilty pleas and will be sentenced at a later date: Dawn Carey, 47, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison; Nicholas Cuevas-Flores, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison; Bruce Harrison, 39, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of life in prison; Paul Collins, 59, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Arturo Marshall aka Turo, 41, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Annie Collins, 21, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Tyrone Hitchcock aka T Y, 48, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Alicia Nugent, 38, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Anrico Taylor aka Rico, 34, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Amber Vanclief, 32, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison; Matthew Cameron, 47, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and faces a maximum of ten years in prison; Paris Binion, 30, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful use of a communications facility and faces a maximum of four years in prison; Lamont Jackson, 48, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful use of a communications facility and faces a maximum of four years in prison; Perry Miller, 27, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a communications facility and faces a maximum of four years in prison; Macarthur Reeves aka Mac, 67, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a communications facility and faces a maximum of four years in prison; and Ryan Rickard, 49, of Milledgeville, pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful use of a communications facility and faces a maximum of four years in prison. The following co-defendants remain at large and are charged with the following crimes: Dwight Turner aka “Wight,” 57, of Milledgeville, is charged with one count conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and two counts distribution of methamphetamine and faces a maximum of life in prison; Paul Bentley aka “Old School,” 56, of Milledgeville, is charged with one count conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison; and Noe Canela, 34, of Lilburn, Georgia, is charged with one count conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison. An indictment is merely an accusation of a crime; any and all defendants remain innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law. Individuals with information regarding the whereabouts of Turner, Canela and Bentley can contact the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office at (770) 216-3000 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case is being investigated by DEA, FBI, GBI, Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, Baldwin County Sherriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Milledgeville Community Supervision Office, Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Atlanta-Carolina’s HIDTA Office and Gwinnett Metro Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Kalim is prosecuting the case.


title: West Virginia Straw Purchaser Sentenced for Role in Beckley-to-Philadelphia Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Brandon Lawson, 33 of Oak Hill, was sentenced today to 18 months of incarceration, including nine months in prison and nine months on home detention with electronic monitoring, to be followed by three years of supervised release for transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident. Lawson admitted to a role in a conspiracy to traffic over 140 firearms from the Beckley area to Philadelphia. According to court documents and statements made in court, Lawson admitted to transferring a Ruger, Model LC9S, 9mm pistol to trafficking conspiracy ringleader Bisheem Jones, also known as “Bosh,” in Beckley on March 11, 2021. Lawson further admitted to aiding and abetting his spouse, Megan Bickford, 34, of Oak Hill, in the illegal purchase of firearms for the trafficking conspiracy during 2020 and 2021. The trafficking conspirators recruited Bickford and other straw purchasers from within the Southern District of West Virginia. Jones or an intermediary told the straw purchasers which firearms to buy and provided the money for the purchases. Of the over 140 firearms trafficked by Jones and his co-conspirators between early 2020 and mid-2021, approximately 45 were recovered at crime scenes primarily in Philadelphia. These firearms have been connected to two homicides, crimes of domestic violence, and other violent offenses. Three firearms straw purchased by Lawson were recovered by Philadelphia police at crime scenes. Lawson and Bickford are among 18 defendants who pleaded guilty in connection with the firearms trafficking. After five days of trial, a federal jury found Jones, 37, of Philadelphia, guilty on December 16, 2022, of conspiracy to travel interstate with the intent to deal in firearms without a license, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and interstate travel with the intent to deal in firearms without a license. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Philadelphia Police Department. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Negar M. Kordestani and Steve Loew prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 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. 5:22-cr-79. ###


title: Man Admits Methamphetamine Sales, Gun Charge

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man arrested at a St. Charles County motel with an assault rifle and a ballistic vest labeled “Police” pleaded guilty to drug and gun charges Thursday. Brett A. Stone, 42, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel to two counts of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On July 7, 2020 members of the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force learned that Stone was selling drugs at a St. Charles County motel and had a gun. Investigators conducted surveillance and saw Stone walking around the outside of the hotel, carrying an assault-type weapon and wearing a ballistic vest with the words “Police” on the back, Stone’s plea agreement says. The investigators then detained someone who left Stone’s hotel room and found about 12 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a firearm. Stone was taken into custody outside his hotel room, and a woman who told authorities she was there to buy methamphetamine was arrested inside the room. A court-authorized search of that room found a stolen AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, a muzzle loader pistol, the ballistic vest, ammunition, a money counter, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Stone was released while charges were being sought. On Oct. 13, 2020 a confidential informant bought $300 worth of methamphetamine from Stone. Stone is scheduled to be sentenced June 1. The methamphetamine charges each carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both. The gun charge carries a penalty of at least five years in prison. The St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D’Agrosa is prosecuting the case.


title: Two Suburban Chicago Residents Charged With $742,000 COVID-Relief Fraud

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago, Illinois, returned an indictment in February, which was unsealed on March 1, charging two suburban Chicago residents with a total of 15 counts of wire fraud for allegedly fraudulently obtaining at least $742,000 in small business loans and grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to the indictment, beginning around March 2020, and continuing until around March 2021, TE DORA BROWN, 43, of Palos Park, Illinois, and CHRISTOPHER SCOTT, 43, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, participated in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Brown is charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, and Scott is charged with 9 counts. As part of the scheme, the indictment alleges the defendants submitted to the SBA numerous applications for loans on behalf of businesses and entities purportedly owned by the defendants. The applications are alleged to have contained materially false statements and misrepresentations concerning, among other things, the purported entities’ number of employees, gross revenues, payroll, operating expenses, type of business, and existence as companies with ongoing operations. The indictment alleges that Brown and Scott knew at the time that the fictitious entities through which they applied had no employees or payroll, and that they intended to use the loan funds for their personal use and benefit. Brown and Scott were arraigned in federal court in Chicago on March 1, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole. The indictment is announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas Zloto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the United States Secret Service. Substantial assistance was provided by the SBA-Office of Inspector General. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandro G. Ortega. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 is encouraged to report it to the Department of Justice by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or filing an online complaint at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: St. Louis Lawyer Admits Faking Legal Documents for At Least 30 Clients

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A lawyer from St. Louis, Missouri on Thursday admitted faking legal documents and forging judges’ signatures in cases involving at least 30 clients. Andrew Gavin Wynne, 35, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk to five felony counts of identity theft. Wynne admitted that while representing at least 30 clients, he created fictitious documents with forged signatures of judicial officers in St. Louis and St. Louis and St. Charles counties. Included among those were bogus court orders, judgments and emails authored by at least ten separate judges, Wynne’s plea agreement says, some of which purportedly awarded money to his clients. In one example in the plea agreement, Wynne sent an email to a client on Feb. 28, 2020 that included a fictitious judgment and decree of dissolution with a forged judge’s signature. That divorce decree said Wynne’s client's marriage was dissolved and the parties would have joint legal and physical custody of the minor children. The decree also said the client was owed $900 per month child support, $5,000, a vehicle and other assets. On July 21, 2020, Wynne emailed another client an order with a forged judge’s signature that claimed $20,200 in payments were owed to that client. On both occasions, Wynne told his clients not to discuss the documents that he’d sent. Wynne admitted that his crimes caused a loss of between $250,000 and $550,000. On Oct. 27, 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court suspended Wynne’s law license after the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel said there was probable cause to believe he posed “a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public” due to misconduct. He was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Feb. 9, 2022. Wynne is scheduled to be sentenced June 1. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 million fine or both. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Wiseman and Kyle Bateman are prosecuting the case.


title: Former Louisiana Resident  Charged With Cares Act Fraud

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BRANDI WEBER , age 28, formerly of New Orleans, LA and now residing in California, was charged on March 1. 2023 in a one-count bill of information with making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. On March 27, 2020, The CARES Act established several new temporary programs and provided for the expansion of others to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these programs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorized forgivable loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to small businesses to retain workers and maintain payroll, make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. According to the charging documents, WEBER made false statements to an approved lender on or about April 2, 2021, for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a PPP loan, which she later received in the amount of approximately $10,302.00. WEBER stated in her PPP application that she was a self-employed esthetician impacted by the pandemic when, in truth, she had no such business in 2020. WEBER faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements count. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee due after conviction. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. For more information on the Department of Justice’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 . U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General – Criminal Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. brandi_weber_boi_redacted_sanitized.pdf


title: Three Plead Guilty to Healthcare Fraud in Schemes That Totaled $6.5 Million Dollars in Fraudulent Claims

body_text: CHICAGO — A Chicago-area physical therapist, health care professional, and a personal trainer have pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud each for scheming to defraud private insurers for payment of physical therapy and other services that were never rendered. INESSA KATSNELSON, 55, of Glenview, also known as “Inessa Blinov,” “Inessa Danuchevsky” and “Inna,” a personal trainer and singer who worked out of a gym in Northbrook, participated in a scheme to defraud private health and auto insurers through multiple entities from 2006 to October 2018. Katsnelson provided names and insurance information for purported patients to those entities, knowing the entities would submit fraudulent claims to insurance companies for services never provided. In exchange for the use of their information, Katsnelson provided to some of the individuals she referred certain benefits, including free personal training sessions, massages, and the exhaustion of their annual health insurance deductibles, at no cost to them, through the fraudulent billing practices. MAYA YAKUBOVICH, 56, of Arlington Heights, who worked as a medical claims biller for various health care facilities in Buffalo Grove, Northfield, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Des Plaines, and Glenview, participated in the scheme with Katsnelson and others. From approximately 2006 to October 2018, Yakubovich knowingly prepared and submitted fraudulent claims, and at times created false medical records to support the claims. Yakubovich also provided names and insurance information for purported patients to one of the entities, and then submitted fraudulent claims to insurance companies for services never provided to the purported patients. BEATTA KABBANI, 55, of Glenview, who was a licensed physical therapist, president, and secretary of a medical group located in Northfield and Glenview, pleaded guilty in a separate case based on her involvement in a related scheme. Between September 2011 and November 2016, Kabbani fraudulently submitted, and caused to be submitted, fraudulent claims to insurance companies. The claims falsely represented that certain healthcare services were provided to patients, when Kabbani knew that those services were not actually provided. The fraudulent claims identified Kabbani, a medical doctor, and another therapist as the service providers on dates when these three providers were not present at the healthcare facility. To substantiate the fraudulent claims Kabbani created, and caused the creation of, false medical records. Katsnelson, Yakubovich, and Kabbani, along with their co-schemers, received a portion of the fraudulently obtained funds. In total, the indictment against Katsnelson, Yakubovich, and others alleges that nine insurance companies were defrauded out of approximately $6.5 million. Co-schemers whose charges are still pending are TETYANA VORONKINA, a medical claims biller, also known as “Tanya Voronkina,” 60, of Mundelein, and massage therapist VIKTOR DANCHUK, 62, of Roselle. Sentencing for Katsnelson is scheduled for May 26, 2023 before U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Yakubovich’s sentencing is scheduled for May 24, 2023 before U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman. Kabbani’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The plea agreements are announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago; Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heidi Manschreck and Chester Choi.