title: Three Defendants Convicted At Trial In $7.9 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that a jury returned a guilty verdict against JACOB CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) that resulted in a loss to the SBA of approximately $7.9 million. The defendants were found guilty of all counts following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As the jury’s swift verdict shows, the proof at trial was overwhelming. The defendants schemed to steal from a taxpayer-funded program that was intended to help small businesses that were in desperate need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let this be a lesson that my Office will continue to work to bring justice to those who exploit and defraud government programs during a national emergency. We thank the FBI for their partnership in investigating and prosecuting the alleged scheme.” According to the Indictment, statements made in public court proceedings and filings, and the evidence at trial: The SBA is a federal agency of the Executive Branch that administers assistance to American small businesses. This assistance includes making direct loans to applicants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) Program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded SBA’s EIDL Program to provide small businesses with low-interest loans of up to $2 million prior to in or about May 2020 and up to $150,000 beginning in or about May 2020 in order to provide vital economic support to help overcome the loss of revenue small businesses were experiencing due to COVID-19. Applicants seeking a loan under the EIDL program were also permitted to request and receive an advance of approximately $1,000 per employee, for an amount up to $10,000, which the SBA generally provided while the loan application was pending. From March through July 2020, CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN used the identities of more than 1,000 other individuals (the “Applicants”) to submit more than 1,000 online applications to the SBA, seeking over $10 million in funds through the SBA’s EIDL Program (the “EIDL Applications”). In connection with the EIDL Applications, CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN falsely represented to the SBA that the Applicants were the owners of businesses with 10 or more employees. However, that was a lie – the individuals did not own businesses or employ people. Based on the fraudulent EIDL Applications, the SBA made advance payments of approximately $7.9 million to the Applicants, who then kicked back a portion of the advance payments to CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN. After collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickback payments, CARTER, QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN took photographs of their stacks of cash, purchased expensive jewelry, and CARTER leased a Lamborghini. * * * CARTER, 38, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, and QUADRI SALAHUDDIN, 28, and ANWAR SALAHUDDIN, 38, both of Mount Vernon, New York, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence. The maximum and mandatory potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman, Courtney L. Heavey, and Jared D. Hoffman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of paralegal specialist Liam Ronan.


title: Firearms Trafficker Pleads Guilty to 27 Counts Related to Unlicensed Firearms Sales and Possession of Illegal Weapons

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joshua Markanson, 32, of Victorville, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to unlawfully manufacture and deal firearms, unlawfully manufacturing and dealing in firearms, engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing firearms without registering and paying taxes, possession of unregistered firearms, and possession of unserialized firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between Nov. 13, 2017, and Dec. 14, 2017, Markanson entered into a conspiracy to manufacture and sell firearms outside of lawful channels. An undercover agent and a confidential informant working for law enforcement purchased over 30 guns from the conspirators during the course of six undercover transactions. This included six unserialized short-barrel rifles and six unserialized silencers. This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Lee and Cameron Desmond are prosecuting the case. Co-defendant Donte Robins was convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully deal firearms without a license and was sentenced to nine months in prison. Co-defendant Rayshawn Wray was convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully deal firearms without a license and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Markanson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on May 2, 2024. Markanson faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of conspiracy to unlawfully manufacture and deal firearms and the unlawful dealing and manufacturing firearms count. He faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and the count of possession of an unserialized firearm. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 60 Months for Alien Smuggling and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Rey Felix-Rubio, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and unlawful possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. As part of his earlier guilty plea, Felix-Rubio, an illegal alien who entered the United States unlawfully in 2021, admitted that in February 2023, he traveled to the northern border in Chateauguay, New York, where he smuggled five Mexican citizens into the United States for profit. Felix-Rubio smuggled the aliens while unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm as an illegal alien. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 1-year term of supervised release following Felix-Rubio’s release from prison. Felix-Rubio will be taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation proceedings following his release from prison. HSI and the Border Patrol investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt prosecuted the case.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Alexander Horse, 22, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024 in federal court in Lincoln for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Horse to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Horse’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On September 5, 2022, around 3:35 am, Horse was dropped off at a McDonald’s parking lot in Lincoln just before another car arrived. Two occupants with firearms got out and began shooting at Horse who retreated on foot through the drive-through. Circumstantial evidence collected by police showed that Horse returned fire with his own gun. The two individuals shooting at Horse fled the scene before police arrived. A witness at the scene said Horse asked her to hide his gun from police after the shooting. Police arrived, located the gun in the witness’s car, and found it to be a Beretta model 950 BS semiautomatic .25 caliber pistol. The gun was covered in Horse’s blood according to DNA analysis. Two different calibers of casings were collected at the scene; three were .25 caliber. Ballistics analysis confirmed the .25 caliber casings were fired from Horse’s Beretta model 950 BS semiautomatic .25 caliber pistol. Horse was shot multiple times and suffered injuries from the shooting. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Horse’s phone and located videos showing Horse shooting firearms on occasions other than September 5. At the time of the crime, Horse was a convicted felon out of Lancaster County, Nebraska, and was serving a term of post-release supervision for those felony convictions. As a felon, he was not permitted to possess a firearm. Horse’s sentence was enhanced because he possessed more than three firearms, and at least one was a semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a large capacity magazine. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the FBI. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Kansas Woman Sentenced for Witness Retaliation Plot

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jennifer Norwood, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, in federal Court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings, conspiracy to assault a witness, and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Norwood to 37 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Norwood’s release from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. In the fall of 2021, Johnny Dolph (hereinafter “Dolph”) was being investigated by the United States Secret Service for financial crimes to include crimes involving counterfeit currency and checks. Dolph claims to be a “shot caller” in the Irish Mob Gang, a street gang that originated in Oklahoma. In September 2021, Victim 1’s husband came to Nebraska to assist Dolph in his forgery activities. Victim 1’s husband was stopped by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office in September 2021 and found to be in possession of numerous forgery related items to include counterfeit currency, forged Treasury checks, and document making implements. Following Victim 1’s husband’s arrest, Dolph and Jennifer Norwood A/K/A Jennifer Dolph (hereinafter “Norwood”) began contacting Victim 1 in attempts to prevent her from cooperating with law enforcement. Dolph believed Victim 1 and Victim 1’s husband were cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, Dolph put a “green light” on Victim 1 and her husband. Victim 1 reported receiving threatening communications from Dolph and Norwood. Dolph, Norwood, and others began researching and attempting to locate where Victim 1 was located. In the fall of 2021, Norwood conducted a straw-purchase for Dolph a Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun from gunbroker.com. The transfer was completed on October 25, 2021. A straw purchase is an illegal purchase of a firearm by one person for another. Dolph was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to eleven felony convictions in Oklahoma and Kansas as well as due to two misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in Kansas. In October 2021, a search warrant was obtained through the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for Dolph’s apartment in Omaha. This search warrant was signed by a United States magistrate judge and the affiant for the warrant was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service. Following the execution of the search warrant, Dolph and Norwood began researching the affiant agent and magistrate judge listed on the search warrant. Dolph and Norwood also reached out to individuals outside of Nebraska providing information about Victim 1, where Victim 1 resides, and where family members of Victim 1 lived. On November 19, 2021, Dolph contacted Kate Ruth A/K/A Kate Winter A/K/A Kate Hill (hereinafter “Ruth”) and requested that she travel from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska to attempt to carry out his “green light” on Victim 1. Dolph instructed Ruth to go to Greyhound and attempt to pick up a ticket that had been purchased in a third party’s name. Ruth was instead driven to Nebraska from Kansas by Gibson. Gibson obtained a red pickup truck to drive she and Ruth to Omaha. During the drive to Nebraska, Dolph sent Gibson and Ruth money for gas over CashApp, inquired to the status of their travel, and provided directions on where to park once they arrived at his apartment. Dolph and Norwood let Gibson and Ruth stay at their apartment in Omaha. While there, Dolph, Norwood, Gibson, and Ruth researched Victim 1. At Dolph’s direction, Ruth and Gibson drove to a residence in Omaha at which Victim 1 was believed to be staying. On March 1, 2022, law enforcement attempted to arrest Dolph on a state warrant. Dolph was located and the Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun that Norwood had illegally purchased for him was recovered. Following his arrest on the state warrant, Dolph was Federally indicted for the firearms charges and was incarcerated at the Douglas County Correctional Center. On March 30, 2022, at 19:58 hours and at 20:14 hours, Dolph called Norwood. Dolph used his assigned inmate PIN number and called Norwood at her known phone number. Inmates are advised that all non-attorney calls are recorded. In the calls, Norwood told Dolph that she was going to their trailer per his earlier request. The trailer was later identified and located at a storage facility in Omaha. Dolph then provided step-by-step instructions over the phone to Norwood on how to retrieve an item that was concealed in an air compressor in the trailer. Dolph instructed Norwood to burn the item using gasoline and a blow torch. During the call, Dolph was very agitated that the item be destroyed and said it will send him to prison. Dolph also expressed concern that Norwood did not destroy it and was going to turn it over to law enforcement. Dolph then asked Norwood to take a picture of the item burning to prove to him that she destroyed it. An image of the item burning was found on Norwood’s phone. The individual from Kansas was sentenced in 2022 to time-served after serving a nine-month sentence for possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a document making implement or authentication feature and is currently serving a five-year term of supervised release. On August 17, 2023, Dolph was sentenced to a total of 150 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm following a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; 2 counts of false statement during the purchase of a firearm; conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings; tampering with documents or proceedings; 2 counts of conspiracy to assault a witness; and 2 counts for attempted assault of a witness. On November 21, 2023, Gibson was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to assault a witness and attempted assault of a witness. Ruth is currently pending trial and are presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the Omaha Police Department, and the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.


title: Omaha Nation Man Sentenced for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dante Stabler, 23, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Stabler to 72 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stabler’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. On February 22, 2023, on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, Stabler and another man got into an altercation over Stabler allegedly taking a vehicle from the other man without his permission. The man confronted Stabler and Stabler fired a handgun at the man as he approached him. The man continued to approach Stabler and the two ended up in a physical altercation, falling into the open door of a minivan. The minivan, driven by an unknown person, sped away with the two still struggling. Stabler fired the gun again, shooting the man in the pinky finger. The man was able to get out of the moving van and then went to the hospital. The initial altercation and the two falling into the van were caught on video by another witness. This case was charged in federal court because an assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country is a felony level assault under the Major Crimes Act. This case was investigated by Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and the FBI.


title: New Mexico Couple Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine Charge

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Valerie Braswell, 43, and Michael Braswell, 42, of Taos, New Mexico, were sentenced February 9, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Valerie Braswell to 30 months’ imprisonment, and Michael Braswell to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Valerie’s release from prison, she will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. After Michael’s release he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On May 31, 2022, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness who arranged for the delivery of 5 kilograms of methamphetamine to an Omaha location. Surveillance officers observed the Braswells arrive at the meet location in a vehicle where Michael exited the vehicle, removed a bag from the backseat and delivered it to the cooperating witness. Valerie was identified as the driver from surveillance cameras. The cooperating witness was wearing a recording device that captured Michael handing him a box containing 5 pounds of meth. On July 10, 2022, the Braswells were stopped in Missouri and found in possession of approximately 3 grams of meth and a firearm (found on the passenger seat where Michael was sitting). After their arrest, Michael admitted they were coming back from a methamphetamine delivery and had made at least 4 other trips delivering approximately 10-15 pounds of methamphetamine on each trip. Valerie denied any knowledge of methamphetamine but did admit to going on prior trips with Michael. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Franklin, Indiana, Man Sentenced to 172 Months in Prison for Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: URBANA, Ill. – A Franklin, Indiana, man, Dylan B. Clark, 20, of the 1500 block of South Highland Drive, has been sentenced to 172 months in prison, to be followed by ten years of supervised release, for transporting a minor across state lines, with intent to engage in sexual activity. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Clark, who was 19 years old, traveled from his home in Indiana into Illinois to pick up an 11-year-old girl, returning with her to his home, where he engaged in sexual conduct with the child. During the hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Colin S. Bruce noted that the offense was “horrific,” and that Clark had irrevocably scarred a child through his actions. Clark has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service since his arrest on September 2, 2022. He pleaded guilty to the offense on September 8, 2023. The statutory penalties for transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity are a prison term of not less than 10 years and a term of supervised release of not less than five years. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of Illinois and elsewhere continues to fight to protect this nation’s children from sexual abusers. Through the hard work of specialized agents within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and close cooperation with local law enforcement agencies across Illinois and Indiana, justice was gained for the minor victim in this tragic case,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel E. Ritzer. “A child’s vulnerability can easily be exploited by offenders like Clark. Even though this sentence reflects the magnitude of his criminal conduct, it cannot undo the impact suffered by an 11-year-old child,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “The FBI is committed to ensuring that those intent on harming children will instead spend their days behind bars.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, Vermilion County (IL) Sheriff’s Department, and the Johnson County (IN) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel E. Ritzer represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Clark was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: MOBILE WOMAN SENTENCED FOR LYING TO BANKRUPTCY COURT

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A United States District Judge sentenced a woman to five years of probation for lying in a Bankruptcy Court proceeding. According to court documents, in April 2023, Lucinda “Lou” Miller, 48, of Mobile, was convicted of making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding. United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced her to be supervised by a United States Probation officer for five years, the first year of which she will be on home confinement with electronic montoring. According to court records filed in connection with her guilty plea, Miller was in Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2020, when she obtained the court’s permission to buy a car. In a written order, the bankruptcy judge authorized Miller to spend no more than $18,000 on this purchase. In a ploy to unlawfully squat in a home, Miller offered to purchase a home for $450,000. When the seller’s realtor pressed Miller’s realtor to provide proof of funds for the purchase, Miller delivered to her realtor a falsified order purporting to authorize her to purchase a home for up to $500,000, altered from the legitimate order permitting her to buy a car. Miller’s realtor then provided the false court order to the seller’s realtor. The seller’s realtor contacted the Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s office to verify the order's validity. The clerk’s office notified the court of the fake order, and ultimately, Miller lied under oath in a bankruptcy proceeding when she said she knew nothing about it. Miller, who has filed for bankruptcy in Mobile eleven times since 1995, has been barred by the bankruptcy court judge whose order she faked from filing for bankruptcy anywhere in the United States for 30 months due to her abuse of the bankruptcy court proceedings. “The bankruptcy court is a mechanism for people in financial trouble to seek a fresh start by liquidating their assets or getting the court’s protection to extend the time to pay back their creditors,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. “This defendant abused the bankruptcy court and exploited its authority for her own benefit when she ginned up a bogus court order and then lied about it under oath. With our law enforcement partners, we stand ready to protect bankruptcy proceedings by prosecuting those who lie and jeopardize the court system's integrity.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex F. Lankford prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Bankruptcy Fraud or lying under oath in bankruptcy proceedings can be reported to FBI Mobile at 438-3674.


title: Trussville Man Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million-Dollar Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Another individual has pleaded guilty in a series of related cases involving multi-million-dollar health care fraud conspiracies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles. John Alan Robson , 40, of Trussville, pleaded guilty yesterday to health care fraud conspiracy. According to the plea agreement, Robson was a sales representative who marketed to doctors’ offices various health care products and services, including topical prescription creams from specialty pharmacies, durable medical equipment (DME), and electro-diagnostic testing. Robson was paid fees for the prescriptions, DME, and tests he generated from doctors. From at least 2014 through 2018, Robson conspired with others to pay and receive kickbacks to induce medical providers to issue medically unnecessary prescriptions and order medically unnecessary goods and services, which were then billed to Medicare and other health insurers. Two of the sales reps named in Robson’s indictment as having engaged in the same conspiracy conduct have previously pleaded guilty to related crimes. Brian Bowman , 42, of Gadsden, and James Ewing Ray , 53, of Gadsden, each pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy. As part of their respective plea agreements, Bowman agreed to forfeit more than $7.6 million, Ray agreed to forfeit more than $800,000, and Robson agreed to forfeit more than $1 million. All three will be ordered, at sentencing, to pay restitution to the victims of their crimes. Dozens of defendants have been convicted in related cases. Pharmacy cases. Among the medically unnecessary items Bowman, Ray, and Robson marketed were topical creams for specialty pharmacies including Global Compounding Pharmacy and Watson Rx Solutions. Bowman, Ray, and Robson were paid commissions to induce these prescriptions to be issued. According to Robson’s plea agreement, he and other marketers got blank pre-signed prescriptions from doctors and then completed the prescriptions to ensure the prescriptions would be paid for by insurance, regardless of whether the drugs were medically necessary for patients’ needs. Robson and other marketers also marked specific drugs or drug formulations to make sure insurance would pay for them. And they assured patients and providers that the pharmacies would not insist on collecting copays, which might discourage patients from getting the prescriptions filled. Sales reps also got prescriptions for themselves—regardless of whether there was a medical need—and Bowman, Ray, and Robson were paid commissions on those prescriptions. More than two dozen defendants have been convicted in connection with the fraud at Global Compounding Pharmacy. Jason Akin , 46, of Florence, has pleaded guilty to health care fraud in connection with the fraud at Watson Rx Solutions. QBR cases. Another service Bowman, Ray, and Robson marketed was electro-diagnostic testing, specifically, nerve conduction testing, provided by a Huntsville-based electro-diagnostic testing company called QBR, or Diagnostic Referral Community. Bowman, Ray, and Robson received per-patient payments from QBR for inducing medical providers to order tests from QBR. Medical providers received payments from QBR too; the payments were disguised as hourly payments for the ordering physician’s time and staff’s time, but in reality they were per-patient kickbacks. Dr. Eric Beck , 65, of Huntsville, pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy for his role in the fraud at QBR. John Hornbuckle , 54, of Huntsville, pleaded guilty to health care fraud and kickback conspiracy offenses for his role, as QBR’s CEO, in orchestrating the fraud. Medical practice cases. Defendants associated with multiple medical practices have also been convicted in related cases. In one case, a jury convicted Dr. Mark Murphy , 66, and his wife Jennifer Murphy , 66, both of Lewisburg, Tennessee, of drug distribution, fraud, and kickback crimes. The Murphys operated North Alabama Pain Services, which closed its Decatur and Madison offices in early 2017. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Murphys took kickbacks from QBR of more than a million dollars. In return, Dr. Murphy ordered electro-diagnostic tests from QBR for his patients, regardless of whether there was a medical need for those tests. Dr. Murphy also pre-signed prescriptions for expensive specialty topical creams, sprays, and patches, which patients then received whether they wanted the products or not. In another case, David Lyle Shehi , 43, of Rainbow City, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay kickbacks and commit health care fraud. Shehi owned Etowah Pain, a pain clinic in Rainbow City, and pleaded guilty to receiving kickbacks in exchange for his practice’s ordering items or services that would be billed to Medicare and other health insurance programs. Mark Murphy and Jennifer Murphy were each sentenced to twenty years in prison. Hornbuckle was sentenced to eighty months. Bowman, Ray, Robson, Shehi, and Akin are all awaiting sentencing. Other co-conspirators have already been sentenced. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit health care fraud is ten years in prison. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys J.B. Ward and Don Long are prosecuting it. See related press here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/pain-clinic-owners-sentenced-unlawfully-distributing-opioids-and-multimillion-dollar https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/etowah-pain-clinic-owner-pleads-guilty-multi-million-dollar-kickback-and-health-care https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/multiple-defendants-sentenced-major-compounding-pharmacy-fraud-conspiracy https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/new-hope-man-sentenced-his-role-multi-million-dollar-kickback-and-health-care-fraud


title: Piedmont Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: GREENVILLE, S.C. — Randy James Kennedy, 35, of Piedmont, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Evidence presented to the court showed that Kennedy obtained methamphetamine through the mail and directed others on its handling and distribution. While in jail on state charges, Kennedy attempted to have drugs brought into the jail by others. Kennedy had multiple prior drug and firearms related convictions at the time he committed the federal offense. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Kennedy to 216 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case. ###


title: C-Block Member Sentenced to 384 Months in Federal Prison

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

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced today to 384 months in federal prison after a jury convicted him of charges related to firearms straw purchasing and illegally possessing firearms and a machinegun. According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, believing that a group of people contained a rival gang member, Dontavius Rashawn Sharkey, age 27 and a member of the C-Block gang, open-fired with two firearms into a crowd of people attending a baby shower at a Des Moines apartment complex. Three teens were struck by Sharkey’s bullets, causing serious injuries to each. All three survived. As noted in the government’s sentencing memorandum, “[h]is motive, that a rival gang member happened to be in that crowd, was unconscionable.” Following the shooting, Sharkey, a convicted felon, recruited an individual to illegally purchase him multiple firearms from various gun stores in the Des Moines area. One of those firearms was recovered by law enforcement on November 2, 2022, during a search warrant at Sharkey’s Des Moines residence. During that search warrant, Sharkey ran from police with this loaded firearm, which he had converted to a machinegun with an auto-switch. Sharkey was captured by an ATF K-9. Twenty-four months of his sentence resulted from the revocation of his federal supervised release. Sharkey was serving a term of federal supervised release at the time he committed these crimes. He had been released from federal prison on February 17, 2022, after serving a 60-month sentence for felon in possession of a firearm. After completing his term of imprisonment, Sharkey will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. “The Des Moines Police have enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with the ATF, FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office,” stated Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert. “This partnership continues to pay dividends in our community, whereas violent criminals are held accountable for their actions. The collective efforts in this particular case are certainly impressive, and we vow to continue pooling our resources in a relentless pursuit of those individuals who compromise the safety our of citizens through gun violence.” “The ATF has no greater mission than keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. This case not only demonstrates the lengths to which criminals will go to acquire firearms, but more importantly, ATF’s expertise and commitment to investigating such violations of federal law,” said Bernard Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division, ATF. “With our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, we will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who disregard the safety of our communities to justice.” United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin M. Herrera and Adam J. Kerndt prosecuted the case This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department – Intelligence Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Des Moines Police Detective/ATF Task Force Officer Brian Minnehan was the lead agent in the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Lake County Man Arrested For Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Frank Thomas Diviak (23, Altoona) on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of stolen firearm, and stealing a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. If convicted, Diviak faces up to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and up to 10 years in prison each for possessing the stolen firearm and stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on December 20, 2023. According to court records, Diviak was previously convicted of three state felonies, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. On December 4, 2023, Diviak went into a Lake County pawn shop, took a revolver off a display, and put it in his pocket. He fled the store on his bicycle but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement. As Diviak raised his hands to surrender to the officers, the stolen revolver fell out of his clothing and onto the ground. As a convicted felon, Diviak is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eustis Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Ex-FBI Agent Sentenced to 7+ Years in Prison for Secret Probation Scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A retired FBI agent who convinced a Granbury woman she was on “secret probation” and conned her out of more than $700,000 was sentenced Tuesday to 87 months in prison followed by a term of three years supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. In August 2023, after 12 days of trial, a federal jury convicted William Roy Stone, Jr., 65, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity, and one count of false impersonation of a federal officer. He was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ada Brown. Coconspirator Joseph Eventino DeLeon, 64, was also convicted at trial of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Mr. DeLeon is scheduled to be sentenced March 5, 2024. According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Stone convinced his victim, C.T., that she was under “secret probation” for federal drug crimes in “Judge Anderson’s court in Austin, Texas.” He and Mr. DeLeon told the victim that the fictious federal judge had appointed the two of them to administer the conditions of her six year “secret probation.” They required her to text them written reports of her daily activities, and to compensate them for their supervisory services, as well as any expenses they incurred. Copies of the multiple six figure checks she wrote them were admitted into evidence at trial. Over the course of eleven months, C.T. gave Mr. Stone more than $700,000 and Mr. DeLeon more than $50,000. Mr. Stone and Mr. DeLeon insisted that C.T. was prohibited from disclosing her probation status to anyone, and would risk imprisonment and loss of her children if she did not comply with the terms of her probation. When C.T. began to question the situation, Mr. Stone assured her everything he’d done was “legit.” In order to further convince her the probation was real, the defendants monitored her cell phone communications, conducted physical surveillance of her, stated they had discussed C.T.’s probation with a psychiatrist, enlisted another person to impersonate the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration “Intelligence Center” in a message inquiring about C.T., and even placed spoof calls between Mr. Stone, C.T., and the fictitious Judge Anderson. They urged her to distance herself from her family, claiming her family members wanted to take her inheritance away from her, and persuaded her to transfer her inherited assets out of a trust and into an account under her own name. At one point, they claimed Judge Anderson would discharge C.T.’s probation if C.T. agreed to marry Mr. Stone. Mr. DeLeon even carried a weapon in C.T.’s home while purportedly providing “protective services” for her. The Texas Rangers and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Mr. Stone retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in October 2015. The Bureau provided valuable assistance during the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenna Rudoff, Donna Strittmatter Max, and Marcus Busch prosecuted the case with the support of Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Miller and Appellate Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Pryor; Assistant U.S. Attorney Dimitri Rocha is handling the forfeiture.


title: Justice Department Announces Plan to Administer Grant Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2024 to Strengthen Community Safety

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department today announced its annual plan for making anticipated grant funding available this fiscal year to advance public safety activities and improve justice system outcomes. The Department is inviting community-based organizations; state, local, Tribal, and territorial government agencies, including law enforcement agencies; research institutions; and nonprofit entities to apply for funding from more than 200 grant programs, administered by its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). As in prior years, the awards will be made later this year, subject to appropriations, and will build on almost $5.8 billion in grants awarded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. “Every person, in every neighborhood, deserves to be safe and feel protected,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In the coming year, the Justice Department plans to put more resources directly into the hands of our law enforcement and community partners working to drive down violent crime and improve public safety. We encourage police departments, community organizations, and other partners to apply for this funding through the Justice Department’s more than 200 grant programs.” “These critical resources will make a profound difference in lives of Americans across the country, from funding more officers on the beat to helping survivors of domestic violence seek shelter,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Community-based organizations, crisis centers, law enforcement agencies, and more will benefit from these investments, and our communities will be safer because of them.” Funding awarded by the Department’s three grantmaking components covers a wide range of public safety activities, from law enforcement hiring and community violence intervention to justice system-behavioral health partnerships, school safety measures, and programs designed to curb domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Program solicitations will invite proposals from eligible applicants for competitive and formula grant funding. “The anticipated investments in this year’s Program Plan demonstrate the Justice Department’s continued commitment to helping our community and law enforcement partners across the country advance community safety, justice, and wellness,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “I am grateful to the dedicated employees in our three grantmaking offices who work hard every day to administer our grants and support applicants and grantees throughout the process.” Published annually, the Justice Department Program Plan outlines funding opportunities that the Department intends to provide to enhance community safety and trust and improve the criminal, civil, and juvenile justice systems; assist victims of crime; provide training and technical assistance to state, local, Tribal, and territorial government agencies, as well as to community-based organizations; and conduct research and collect national statistics. The Program Plan provides summary details of the funding opportunities each grantmaking component has released or anticipates releasing this fiscal year. The Plan is searchable by component or office, keyword, eligible applicant category, and expected release date. Funding amounts in the FY 2024 Plan and other relevant information are subject to the availability of appropriations and potential legislative changes and may be updated frequently. Potential applicants can request to be notified of the release of solicitations and of updates through email subscription services available from the COPS Office , OJP , and OVW . To learn more about where to find DOJ funding opportunities and how to apply, visit the JustGrants Resources Application Submission Training page . Information about FY 2023 awards can be found on the COPS Office , OJP , and OVW websites.


title: Final Defendant Sentenced in Heroin Conspiracy After 8 Years on the Run

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Corey Xavier Baldwin, 56, of Concord, North Carolina, was sentenced to 53 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Evidence presented to the court showed that Baldwin was one of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a drug trafficking investigation in the Columbia area. Six of the 10 defendants were arrested in April 2014, while four remained fugitives, including Baldwin. Baldwin remained a fugitive until his September 2022 arrest by the United States Marshals Service in Concord, North Carolina. Two other fugitives were arrested in 2017 in Texas, and one was arrested in May 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. The 2013 investigation revealed that a group of individuals was obtaining heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Several packages sent through the mail, destined for Columbia, and containing heroin, were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. Evidence also showed that the co-defendants later traveled to New York to obtain heroin and transported it back to Columbia where it was distributed. Baldwin, who came to Columbia in 2013 after a prison sentence in Ohio for a 1994 aggravated murder conviction, participated by transporting money to New York during the trips to obtain heroin and assisted in the distribution of heroin in the Columbia area. Nine of Baldwin’s co-defendants earlier pled guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and were sentenced as follows: Eric Shawn Bradley of Columbia was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment with eight years of supervised release; Michael Glover of Columbia was sentenced to 324 months imprisonment with eight years of supervised release; Jihad Salahadeen Pollard of Columbia was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment with four years of supervised release; Kenneth Crawford, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and formerly of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with eight years of supervised release; Charles Raheem Bradley of Columbia was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with six years of supervised release; Anthony Troy Glover of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with eight years of supervised release; Larry Grover Bookman of Columbia was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment with six years of supervised release; Jessany Lyons of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with three years of supervised release; and Dockim Deeshawn McKnight of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment with four years of supervised release. The New York heroin suppliers were charged and convicted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York for their role in the drug conspiracy. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Baldwin to 53 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This OCDETF case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which was comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The United States Marshals Service and the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force-Charlotte Office assisted in locating the four fugitives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case. ###


title: Vermillion Parish Man Sentenced to 192 Months in Federal Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Jeremy Melancon, 47, of Kaplan, Louisiana, to 192 months in federal prison following his conviction for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Court further sentenced Melancon to serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on June 1, 2023, Melancon met with an undercover law enforcement officer in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant and distributed at least 18 grams of crystal methamphetamine to the undercover officer. A few hours later, in the parking lot of a retail store, Melancon met the same undercover officer and distributed at least 222 grams of crystal methamphetamine to the officer. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wallace.


title: Human Smuggling Organization Leader Sentenced in San Antonio

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Kaufman man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 97 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens. According to court documents, Fredi Zagala-Servin, 40, was a longtime leader and organizer of a human smuggling organization (HSO) that smuggled hundreds of undocumented noncitizens from Laredo to San Antonio inside tractor trailers. He would speak with a co-conspirator in Mexico and provide another co-conspirator with pick-up locations for the drivers to load migrants into the tractor trailers in Laredo. He would then monitor the load throughout the transport and relay updates between the parties. Zagala-Servin was involved in the coordination of at least 10 human smuggling events for financial gain with the HSO. He was arrested June 23, 2022 and has remained in federal custody. In May 2021, the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Division began investigating the criminal activity of the HSO. HSI was able to link at least 19 human smuggling events involving the actual apprehension of more than 900 aliens to the HSO. Between May 2021 and June 2022, HSI interdicted nine of the HSO's tractor trailers carrying smuggled noncitizens. The loads ranged from approximately 30 to more than 100 migrants travelling in a single trailer. In addition to imprisonment, Zagala-Servin was ordered three years supervised release and a money judgement of $410,250. “This human smuggling organization put the lives of hundreds of migrants in jeopardy by transporting them across south Texas in tractor trailers,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “It is important that people like this defendant, who endanger those lives for profit, are held accountable by our justice system. I commend our partners at HSI and all of Joint Task Force Alpha for their investigative skills and their tireless efforts to uncover this criminal conspiracy.” “This sentencing sends a clear message to those thinking of engaging in human smuggling activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for the HSI San Antonio Division. “HSI and our law enforcement partners take an aggressive stance against human smuggling, and we will continue to work together to investigate and ultimately dismantle these criminal organizations.” HSI and JTFA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Brown prosecuted the case. These charges resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is part of the JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. JTFA is comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of New Mexico, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California. Dedicated support is also provided by numerous components of the Criminal Division that are part of JTFA, led by HRSP, and supported by ODPAT, the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 270 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; over 210 convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. ###


title: Former Rowan County Teacher Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: COVINGTON, Ky. – A Morehead, Ky., man, Andrew Zaheri, 40, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to production of child pornography. According to his plea agreement, in the summer of 2022, Zaheri began a sexual relationship with a minor student at the high school where he was employed as a teacher. The relationship continued through the school year and included Zaheri engaging in sexual acts with the victim during school hours. Zaheri admitted that, during the course of the relationship, he produced sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victim using his cell phone. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by FBI and Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Zaheri is scheduled to appear for sentencing on May 14 in Ashland, Ky. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . — END —


title: Former Chatham Housing Executive Sentenced

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO – A Durham, North Carolina woman was sentenced today to 30 months in prison, after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud that victimized the Chatham County Housing Authority, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). JOANN JOHNSON DAVIS, age 65, was sentenced to a 30-month term of imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $194,136 by the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC. DAVIS will be subject to supervised release for 2 years following her release from prison. She pleaded guilty on May 1, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, DAVIS and others engaged in a bid-rigging, no-work jobs conspiracy between 2016 and 2020 while DAVIS served as the Executive Director of the Chatham County Housing Authority (CCHA). The CCHA is a Public Housing Authority (PHA) that received funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including under HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, colloquially known as Section 8, which assists low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with affording decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. HUD regulations require PHAs to contract out micro-purchase and small-purchase jobs at a reasonable cost. DAVIS used her authority as executive director of the CCHA to direct these contracts to various friends and relatives by creating false bid proposals to “compete” with them, thereby demonstrating “reasonable” cost. DAVIS and various co-conspirators used stolen identities and company letterhead of actual people and businesses to give the false bid proposals the appearance of legitimacy. DAVIS would then select the bid proposal submitted by her friend or family member as the winner and award the CCHA contract to that individual, knowing there had been no assessment of “reasonable” cost, and regardless of whether that friend or family member was qualified to perform the contracted work. Often, no work at all was performed under these contracts. Regardless, the CCHA would pay the friend or family member. In total, between 2016 and 2020, DAVIS awarded CCHA contracts to no fewer than thirteen friends and relatives without any competitive bidding process, and the CCHA paid more than $200,000 to DAVIS’ friends and relatives for alleged contract work. DAVIS sometimes received kickbacks from these individuals in exchange for rigging the bid process and directing payment to that person for jobs not performed. “Access to decent, safe, and sanitary housing is a basic human need,” said U.S. Attorney Hairston. “Misappropriating funds intended to help people afford decent housing is unconscionable, and we are grateful to the agencies that investigated this conduct and helped hold this defendant accountable.” “Safeguarding taxpayer funded programs and resources that benefit low-income families in our communities is vital to the success of HUD’s programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to work closely with Federal prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and state and local partners to aggressively investigate those who threaten HUD programs.” “JoAnn Davis was entrusted to spend money intended to help improve the lives of others. She abused that trust by misusing the government funding to enrich her own life and the lives of her family and friends. The FBI is committed to hold accountable anyone who commits this type of fraud," said Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI Special Agent in Charge. A co-defendant, Clintess Roberta Barrett-Johnson, age 55, of Durham, NC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced on November 13, 2023, to four years’ probation and ordered to pay $57,179.00 in restitution. Another co-defendant, Mi’chelle Necole Bell-Johnson, age 34, of Charlotte, NC, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced on September 18, 2023, to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $83,977.50 in restitution. The case was investigated by the HUD Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney JoAnna G. McFadden. ###


title: Justice Department Secures Language Access Agreement with Sheriff’s Office in Washington State

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today an agreement to resolve allegations that the King County, Washington, Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) discriminated against people who are limited English proficient (LEP), in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under the terms of the agreement, KCSO has agreed to take a number of steps to improve language access for individuals with LEP. Title VI prohibits race, color and national origin discrimination (including discrimination on the basis of English proficiency) by entities that receive federal financial assistance. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that our law enforcement agencies are able to protect and serve all people in their community, including crime victims, regardless of their ability to speak English fluently,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement agreement will enhance public safety, and improve delivery of language services for people with limited English proficiency in King County.” “Today’s agreement with the King County Sheriff’s Office helps build community trust,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington. “I am pleased that as soon as the problem was presented to the Sheriff’s Office, the agency realized it had to improve policies around language access and immediately agreed to make changes.” Today’s agreement details a two-year plan to phase in a series of language access supports to improve communication between KCSO deputies and individuals with LEP. Under the agreement, KCSO has agreed to hire a language access program manager; develop interim and final directives prohibiting the use of children, family, bystanders and other unqualified individuals for language assistance; engage in outreach with community members and stakeholders; develop a robust training program and ensure an accessible complaint process. The Justice Department began engaging with KCSO after a community-based organization raised concerns about an incident between a KCSO Deputy and a resident with LEP. The Justice Department provided technical assistance to KCSO, which resulted in this settlement agreement. This agreement was jointly negotiated by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. The agreement is part of the department’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI), a nationwide effort to assist law enforcement agencies to overcome language barriers in their day-to-day work. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, provides technical assistance resources and tools that can help state and local law enforcement provide meaningful language access to individuals with LEP, affirmatively engages law enforcement agencies that want to review, update and/or strengthen their language access polices, plans and training and strengthens the connection between law enforcement agencies and LEP community stakeholders and LEP populations. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov . More information on LELAI is available at www.lep.gov/law-enforcement . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con la Oficina del Sheriff en el estado de Washington sobre el acceso lingüístico

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy un acuerdo para resolver las acusaciones de que la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de King, Washington (KCSO, por sus siglas en inglés), discriminaba a personas con un dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés), en contra del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964. En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, KCSO ha acordado tomar una serie de medidas para mejorar el acceso lingüístico para las personas LEP. El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel y nacionalidad de origen (incluida la discriminación con base en el dominio del inglés) por parte de entidades que reciben apoyo financiero federal. «El Departamento de Justicia se compromete a garantizar que nuestros organismos encargados del cumplimiento de la ley puedan proteger y servir a todas las personas de su comunidad, incluidas las víctimas de delitos, independientemente de su capacidad para hablar inglés con fluidez», dijo Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Este acuerdo conciliatorio mejorará la seguridad pública y la prestación de servicios lingüísticos para personas con un dominio limitado del inglés en el Condado de King». «El acuerdo de hoy con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de King ayuda a generar confianza en la comunidad», comentó Tessa M. Gorman, la Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Oeste de Washington. «Me complace que tan pronto como se presentó el problema ante la Oficina del Sheriff, la agencia se dio cuenta de que tenía que mejorar las políticas sobre el acceso lingüístico y acordó inmediatamente realizar cambios». El acuerdo de hoy detalla un plan de dos años para la introducción de una serie de apoyos de acceso lingüístico para mejorar la comunicación entre los sheriffs adjuntos de la KCSO y las personas LEP. En virtud del acuerdo, la KCSO ha acordado contratar a un gerente del programa de acceso lingüístico; desarrollar directivas provisionales y finales que prohíban el uso de niños, familiares, transeúntes y otras personas no cualificadas para el apoyo lingüístico; participar en actividades de alcance comunitario con miembros de la comunidad y partes interesadas; desarrollar un programa de formación sólido y garantizar un proceso de reclamación accesible. El Departamento de Justicia comenzó a interactuar con la KCSO después de que una organización comunitaria planteara inquietudes sobre un incidente entre un sheriff adjunto de la KCSO y un residente LEP. El Departamento de Justicia proporcionó asistencia técnica a la KCSO, lo que dio lugar a este acuerdo conciliatorio. Este acuerdo fue negociado conjuntamente por la División de Derechos Civiles y la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Oeste de Washington. El acuerdo forma parte de la Iniciativa del Orden Público para el Acceso Lingüístico (LELAI, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento, un esfuerzo nacional para ayudar a las agencias del orden público a superar las barreras lingüísticas en su trabajo diario. La iniciativa, dirigida por la División de Derechos Civiles en asociación con las Fiscalías Federales, proporciona recursos de asistencia técnica y herramientas que pueden ayudar a las fuerzas del orden público estatales y locales a proporcionar un acceso lingüístico significativo a las personas LEP, trabaja afirmativamente con las agencias de aplicación de la ley que desean revisar, actualizar o fortalecer sus políticas, planes y capacitación de acceso lingüístico y fortalece la conexión entre las agencias de aplicación de la ley y las partes interesadas de la comunidad LEP y las poblaciones LEP. Puede encontrar información adicional sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/es/crt e información sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y el Título VI está disponible en www.lep.gov . Encontrará más información sobre LELAI en www.lep.gov/law-enforcement . Los miembros del público pueden denunciar posibles infracciones de los derechos civiles en civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: 법무부, 워싱턴 주 보안관 사무실과 언어 접근성 협약 체결

body_text: 워싱턴 법무부는 오늘 워싱턴 주, 킹 카운티 보안관 사무실(KCSO)이 1964년 민권법 제6조를 위반하여 영어 능력이 제한된 사람(LEP)을 차별했다는 의혹을 해결하기 위한 협약을 발표했다. 협약 조건에 따라, KCSO는 LEP 사용자를 위한 언어 접근성을 개선하기 위한 여러 조치를 취하기로 합의했다. 타이틀 VI는 연방 재정 지원을 받는 기관의 인종, 피부색, 출신 국가에 따른 차별(영어 능력에 따른 차별 포함)을 금지하고 있다. 법무부 민권국의 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 차관보는 "법무부는 법 집행 기관이 영어 구사 능력에 관계없이 범죄 피해자를 포함한 지역 사회의 모든 사람들을 보호하고 지원할 수 있도록 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 이번 협약으로 공공 안전이 강화되고 킹 카운티의 영어 능력이 부족한 사람들을 위한 언어 서비스 제공이 개선될 것입니다."라고 말했다. 워싱턴 서부 지역의 테사 엠. 고먼 미국 연방 검사는 "오늘 킹 카운티 보안관실과의 협약은 지역 사회의 신뢰를 구축하는 데 도움이 될 것입니다. 보안관실에 문제가 제기되자마자 해당 기관에서 언어 접근성 관련 정책을 개선해야 한다는 사실을 깨닫고 즉시 변경에 동의하게 되어 기쁘게 생각합니다."라고 말했다. 일련의 언어 접근 지원을 통한 KCSO 보안관보와 LEP를 가진 개인 간의 의사 소통을 개선하는 것을 목표로 오늘 체결한 협약은 2년간의 단계적인 실행 계획을 상세히 담고 있다. 이 협약에 따라 KCSO는 언어 접근 프로그램 관리자를 고용하고, 언어 지원을 위해 아동, 가족, 구경꾼 및 기타 자격이 없는 개인이 이용하는 것을 금지하는 임시 및 최종 지침을 개발하며, 지역 사회 구성원 및 이해 관계자와의 소통을 강화하고, 강력한 교육 프로그램을 개발하며, 접근 가능한 민원 절차를 보장하기로 합의했다. 법무부는 한 지역 사회 기반 단체가 KCSO 보안관보와 LEP 거주자 간의 사건에 대해 우려를 제기한 후 KCSO와 협력하기 시작했다. 법무부는 KCSO에 기술 지원을 제공하여 이번 협약에 이르게 되었다. 이 협약은 민권부와 미국 워싱턴 서부 지방 검찰청이 공동으로 협상한 결과이다. 이 협약은 법 집행 기관이 일상 업무에서 언어 장벽을 극복할 수 있도록 지원하기 위한 전국적인 노력인 법무부의 법 집행 언어 접근 이니셔티브(LELAI)의 일환이다. 민권국이 미국 검찰청과 협력하여 주도하는 이 계획은 기술 지원 자원 과 도구 를 제공한다. 이 두 가지를 제공함으로써, 주 및 지역 법 집행 기관이 LEP를 가진 개인에게 의미 있는 언어 접근을 지원한다. 이 계획의 목적은 언어 접근 정책, 계획 및 교육을 검토, 업데이트 및/또는 강화하려는 법 집행 기관을 적극적으로 참여시키고, 법 집행기관과 LEP 지역 사회 이해 관계자 및 LEP 인구 간의 연결을 강화하기 위함이다. 민권국 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt 에서 민권국에 대한 추가 정보를 확인할 수 있으며, 제한된 영어 능력 및 타이틀 VI에 대한 정보는 www.lep.gov 에서 확인할 수 있다. LELAI에 대한 자세한 정보는 www.lep.gov/law-enforcement 에서 확인할 수 있다. 일반인은 civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 에서 민권 침해 가능성을 신고할 수 있다.


title: Министерство юстиции США заключило соглашение о языковом доступе с Управлением шерифа в штате Вашингтон

body_text: Сегодня Министерство юстиции США объявило о заключении соглашения об урегулировании обвинений в том, что Управление шерифа округа Кинг, штат Вашингтон (KCSO), дискриминировало лиц с ограниченным знанием английского языка (LEP) в нарушение раздела VI Закона о гражданских правах 1964 года. По условиям соглашения, KCSO согласилось предпринять ряд шагов для улучшения языкового доступа для лиц с ограниченным знанием английского языка (LEP). Раздел VI запрещает дискриминацию по признаку расы, цвета кожи и национального происхождения (включая дискриминацию по признаку владения английским языком) организациям, получающим федеральную финансовую помощь. «Министерство юстиции США стремится к тому, чтобы наши правоохранительные органы могли защищать и обслуживать всех лиц в их местных сообществах, включая жертв преступлений, независимо от их способности свободно говорить по-английски», — заявила помощник Генерального прокурора США Кристен Кларк (Kristen Clarke) из отдела по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции США. «Это соглашение повысит уровень общественной безопасности и улучшит предоставление языковых услуг лицам с ограниченным знанием английского языка в округе Кинг». «Сегодняшнее соглашение с Управлением шерифа округа Кинг способствует укреплению доверия в обществе», — отметила Прокурор США по Западному округу штата Вашингтона Тесса М. Горман (Tessa M. Gorman). «Я удовлетворена тем, что, как только проблема была представлена Управлению шерифа, ведомство осознало, что ему необходимо усовершенствовать политику в области языкового доступа, и сразу же согласилось внести изменения.» Сегодняшнее соглашение предусматривает двухлетний план поэтапного внедрения ряда средств языковой поддержки для улучшения общения между сотрудниками KCSO и лицами с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком. В рамках этого соглашения KCSO обязалось нанять менеджера программы по обеспечению языкового доступа; разработать промежуточные и окончательные директивы, запрещающие использовать для оказания языковой помощи работу детей, членов семьи, посторонних лиц и других неквалифицированных лиц; провести разъяснительную работу с членами сообщества и заинтересованными сторонами; разработать эффективную программу обучения и обеспечить доступный процесс рассмотрения жалоб. Министерство юстиции США начало взаимодействовать с KCSO после того, как общественная организация выразила обеспокоенность по поводу инцидента между помощником шерифа KCSO и жителем с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком. Министерство юстиции США оказало техническую помощь KCSO, в результате чего было заключено мировое соглашение. Это соглашение было заключено совместно Отделом по гражданским правам и Прокуратурой США по Западному округу штата Вашингтон. Соглашение является частью Инициативы по обеспечению языкового доступа в правоохранительных органах (LELAI), общенациональной инициативы по оказанию помощи правоохранительным органам в преодолении языковых барьеров в их повседневной работе. Эта инициатива, возглавляемая Отделом по гражданским правам в партнерстве с Прокуратурами США, предоставляет ресурсы технической помощи и инструменты , которые могут помочь штатным и местным правоохранительным органам обеспечить полноценный языковой доступ для лиц с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком, привлекает правоохранительные органы, которые хотят пересмотреть, обновить и/или укрепить свою политику, планы и обучение в области языкового доступа, а также укрепляет связь между правоохранительными органами и заинтересованными лицами из сообщества лиц с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком и населением с ограниченным уровнем владения английским языком. Дополнительную информацию об Отделе по гражданским правам можно найти на его веб-сайте www.justice.gov/crt , а информацию об ограниченном владении английским языком и разделе VI: www.lep.gov . Дополнительная информация об инициативе LELAI выложена по ссылке: www.lep.gov/law-enforcement . Представители общественности могут сообщить о возможных нарушениях гражданских прав по следующей ссылке: civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: Waaxda Caddaaladdu waxay Heshiis Helitaan Luuqadeed La Gashay Xafiiska Sheriff ee Gobolka Washington

body_text: Waaxda Caddaaladda ayaa maanta ku dhawaaqday heshiis lagu xallinayo eedeymaha sheegaya in Xafiiska Sheriff ee Degmada King ee Washington (KCSO) uu takooray dadka aqoontooda Ingiriisiga ay xaddidan tahay (LEP), taasoo xadgudub ku ah Qodobka VI ee Xeerka Xuquuqda Madaniga ee 1964. Sida uu dhigayo xeerka heshiiska, KCSO waxay ogolaatay inay qaado tallaabooyin dhowr ah oo lagu wanaajinayo helitaanka luqadda ee shakhsiyaadka ah LEP. Qodobka VI waxa uu mamnuucayaa takoorka ku salaysan isirka, midabka iyo asalka qaranka (ay ku jirto takoorida ku salaysan aqoonta Ingiriisiga) ee ay sameeyaan hay'adaha hela kaalmada maaliyadeed ee federaalka. “Waaxda Cadaaladda waxaa ka go'an in ay hubiso in hay'adahayada sharci fulinta ay awoodaan in ay ilaaliyaan oo ay u adeegaan dhammaan dadka ku nool bulshadooda, oo ay ku jiraan dhibanayaasha dambiyada, iyada oo aan loo eegin awoodda ay u leeyihiin in ay si fiican ugu hadlaan Ingiriisiga,” ayuu yiri Kaaliyaha Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud Kristen Clarke oo ka tirsan Waaxda Caddaaladda Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga. “Heshiiskan xalintu waxa uu wanaajin doonaa badqabka dadwaynaha, wuxuuna wanaajin doonaa bixinta adeegyada luqadda ee dadka aan ku hadlin luuqadda Ingiriisiga ee ku nool Degmada King.” “Heshiiska maanta lala galay Xafiiska Sheriff ee Degmada King wuxuu gacan ka gaysanayaa dhisitaanka kalsoonida bulshada,” ayuu yiri Xeer Ilaaliyaha Mareykanka Tessa M. Gorman ee Western District of Washington. “Waan ku faraxsanahay in isla markii dhibaatada loo soo bandhigay Xafiiska Sheriff, ay wakaaladu ogaatay inay tahay in ay hagaajiso siyaasadaha ku saabsan helitaanka luqadda waxayna isla markiiba ogolaatay inay isbeddel sameyso.” Heshiiska maanta ayaa faahfaahinaya qorshe laba sano ah oo lagu wajihi doono taageerooyin xiriir ah oo luuqadeed si loo horumariyo xiriirka ka dhexeeya ku xigeennada KCSO iyo shaqsiyaadka ah LEP. Sida ku cad heshiiska, KCSO waxay ogolaatay inay shaqaalaysiiso maamulaha barnaamijka helitaanka luqadda; dhisidda amarro ku meel gaadh ah iyo kuwa kama dambaysta ah ee mamnuucaya u adeegsiga carruurta, qoyska, dadka qalaad iyo shakhsiyaadka kale ee aan u qalmin bixinta adeegyada luqadda; la xiriiridda xubnaha bulshada iyo daneeyayaasha; dhisidda barnaamij tababar oo balaaran iyo hubinta habraac cabasho oo la heli karo. Waaxda cadaaladda ayaa bilowday la shaqeynta KCSO kadib markii urur bulshada ku salaysan uu soo saaray walaacyo ku saabsan dhacdo dhexmartay ku xigeenka KCSO iyo degane ah LEP. Waaxda cadaaladda ayaa caawimo farsamo siisay KCSO, taas oo keentay in heshiiskan la dejiyo. Heshiiskan waxaa si wadajir ah uga wada gorgortamay Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah iyo Xafiiska Xeer Ilaaliyaha Maraykanka ee Western District of Washington. Heshiisku waa qayb ka mid ah Hindisaha Sharci-Fulinta ee Helitaanka Luuqadda ee waaxda (LELAI), dadaal qaranka oo dhan ah oo lagu caawinayo hay'adaha fulinta sharciga si ay uga gudbaan caqabadaha luqadda ee shaqadooda maalinlaha ah. Hindisaha, oo ay hogaaminayso Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah iyada oo lala kaashanayo Xafiisyada Xeer Ilaaliyaha Mareykanka, waxay bixisaa khayraadyada kaalmada farsamada iyo agabyada ka caawin kara fulinta sharciga gobolka iyo deegaanka inay si macno leh luqad u helaan shaqsiyaadka ah LEP, waxay si cad ula hawlgalaan hay'adaha fulinta sharciga ee doonaya dib-u-eegista, cusboonaysiinta iyo/ama xoojinta siyaasadoodda helidda luuqadooda, qorshayaashooda iyo tababaradooda waxayna xoojiyaan xiriirka ka dhexeeya wakaaladaha fulinta sharciga iyo daneeyayaasha bulshada LEP iyo dadka LEP. Macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan Qaybta Xuquuqda Madaniga ah ayaa laga heli karaa mareegteeda oo ah www.justice.gov/crt iyadoo macluumaadka ku saabsan aqoonta Ingiriisiga xaddidan iyo Qodobka VI laga heli karo www.lep.gov . Macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan LELAI ayaa laga heli karaa www.lep.gov/law-enforcement . Xubnaha ka tirsan ee dadweynaha waxay ku soo wargelin karaan xadgudubyada xuquuqda madaniga ee suuragalka ah barta civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: Sở Tư Pháp Ký Thỏa Thuận Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng tại Tiểu Bang Washington

body_text: Sở Tư Pháp hôm nay công bố thỏa thuận để giải quyết cáo buộc rằng Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng của Quận King (KCSO), Washington phân biệt đối xử với những người có khả năng Tiếng Anh hạn chế (LEP), vi phạm Tiêu Đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền Năm 1964. Theo các điều khoản của thỏa thuận, KCSO đã đồng ý thực hiện một số bước để cải thiện việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho các cá nhân LEP. Tiêu Đề VI cấm phân biệt chủng tộc, màu da và nguồn gốc quốc gia (bao gồm cả phân biệt đối xử dựa trên khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh) bởi các tổ chức nhận hỗ trợ tài chính từ liên bang. “Sở Tư Pháp cam kết đảm bảo rằng các cơ quan thi hành pháp luật của chúng ta có khả năng bảo vệ và phục vụ tất cả mọi người trong cộng đồng của họ, bao gồm cả tội phạm, bất kể khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh của họ,” Trợ Lý Tổng Chưởng Lý Kristen Clarke của Sở Tư Pháp đã nói. “Thỏa thuận dàn xếp này sẽ nâng cao an ninh công cộng và cải thiện việc cung cấp dịch vụ ngôn ngữ cho những người có khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh hạn chế ở Quận King.” “Thỏa thuận hôm nay với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng Quận King giúp tạo dựng niềm tin trong cộng đồng,” Công Tố Viên Hoa Kỳ Tessa M. Gorman tại Quận Tây Washington cho biết. “Tôi rất vui mừng là ngay sau khi vấn đề được đưa ra cho Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng, cơ quan này nhận ra rằng cần phải cải thiện chính sách về việc tiếp cận ngôn ngữ và ngay lập tức đồng ý thực hiện các thay đổi.” Thỏa thuận ngày hôm nay ghi chi tiết một kế hoạch kéo dài hai năm để áp dụng một loạt các hỗ trợ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ nhằm cải thiện giao tiếp giữa các cảnh sát viên của KCSO và các cá nhân LEP. Theo thỏa thuận, KCSO đã đồng ý thuê một quản lý chương trình tiếp cận ngôn ngữ; xây dựng các chỉ thị tạm thời và cuối cùng để cấm sử dụng trẻ em, gia đình, người ngoài cuộc và những người khác không đủ điều kiện nhận hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ; thực hiện hoạt động tiếp xúc các thành viên cộng đồng và các bên liên quan; phát triển một chương trình đào tạo thiết thực và đảm bảo quy trình khiếu nại dễ tiếp cận. Sở Tư Pháp bắt đầu tiếp xúc với KCSO sau khi một tổ chức cộng đồng nêu ra lo ngại về một sự việc giữa một Nhân Viên Cảnh Sát KCSO và một cư dân LEP. Sở Tư Pháp đã cung cấp hỗ trợ kỹ thuật cho KCSO, kết quả là có thỏa thuận dàn xếp này. Thỏa thuận này đã được đàm phán chung bởi Phòng Dân Quyền và Văn Phòng Công Tố Hoa Kỳ tại Quận Tây Washington. Thỏa thuận này là một phần của Sáng Kiến Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Hành Pháp (LELAI) của sở, một nỗ lực quốc gia để hỗ trợ các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật vượt qua các rào cản ngôn ngữ trong công việc hằng ngày. Sáng kiến này, do Phòng Dân Quyền dẫn đầu và phối hợp với Văn Phòng Công Tố Hoa Kỳ, cung cấp các nguồn lực hỗ trợ kỹ thuật và công cụ có thể giúp cơ quan thực thi pháp luật cấp tiểu bang và địa phương cung cấp khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ có ý nghĩa cho các cá nhân LEP, tích cực hợp tác với các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật muốn rà soát, cập nhật và/hoặc củng cố các chính sách, kế hoạch và đào tạo về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của họ, và củng cố mối liên kết giữa các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật và các bên liên quan của cộng đồng LEP và những nhóm dân số đó LEP. Thông tin thêm về Phòng Dân Quyền có trên trang web của cơ quan này tại địa chỉ www.justice.gov/crt và thông tin về khả năng sử dụng Tiếng Anh hạn chế và Tiêu Đề VI có tại www.lep.gov . Các thông tin khác về LELAI có tại www.lep.gov/law-enforcement . Công chúng có thể báo cáo các trường hợp có khả năng vi phạm về dân quyền tại civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: 司法部与华盛顿州警长办公室达成语言协助协议

body_text: 司法部今天宣布达成一项协议，撤销针对华盛顿金县治安官办公室 (KCSO) 歧视英语水平有限 (LEP) 人士的指控。该办公室被指控违反了 1964 年《民权法案》第六章。 根据协议条款，KCSO 同意采取一系列措施来改善 LEP 个人的语言使用能力。第六章禁止接受在联邦财政援助的实体中出现基于种族、肤色和国 籍的歧视（包括基于英语水平的歧视）。 司法部民事部门助理总检察长克里斯汀·克拉克(Kristen Clarke) 表示：“司法部致力确保执法机构能够保护和服务社区中的所有人，包括犯罪受害者，无论他们是否能够流利地说英语。”“这项和解协议将增强公共安全，并改善为金县（King County）英语水平有限的人们提供的语言服务。” “今天与金县治安官办公室达成的协议有助建立社区信任，”华盛顿西区联邦检察官泰莎· M·戈尔曼表示。“当问题上报到治安官办公室后，KCSO 便意识到自己必须改善语言协助方面的政策，并马上同意做出改变。对此我感到很高兴。” 本日达成的协议详细介绍了一项为期两年的计划，该计划将分阶段提供一系列语言协助支持，以改善 KCSO 代表与 LEP 个人之间的沟通。根据协议，KCSO 同意聘请一名语言协助项目经理，并制定临时和最终指令，禁止儿童、家庭、旁观者和其他不合格的个人提供语言援助。此外，KCSO佳将会与社区成员和利益相关者进行外展活动，同时制定健全的培训计划，并确保建立无障碍投诉流程。 在收到一个社区组织对 KCSO 专员与 LEP 居民之间发生的事件表示担忧后，司法部开始与 KCSO 接触。司法部向 KCSO 提供了技术援助，最终达成了这项和解协议。 本次协议是由民权部门和美国华盛顿西区检察官办公室共同谈判达成。该协议是该部门执法机构语言通达倡议 (LELAI) 的一部分。该计划是一项全国性行动，旨在协助执法机构克服日常工作中可能遇到的语言障碍。该计划由民权部门与美国检察官办公室合作牵头，提供 技术援助资源 和 工具 ，帮助州和地方执法部门为 LEP 个人提供有意义的语言协助，并积极吸引那些希望审查、更新和/或加强其语言协助政策 、计划和培训的执法机构，同时加强执法机构与 LEP 社区利益相关者和LEP 人群之间的联系。 有关民权部门的更多信息，请访问： www.justice.gov/crt 。有关英语水平有限和第六章的信息，请访问： www.lep.gov 。有关 LELAI 的更多信息，请访问 www.lep.gov/law- enforcement 。如果需要举报可能侵犯公民权利的行为，请访问： civilrights.justice.gov/repo rt/ 。


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Hotel in Austin to Ensure Access for People with Disabilities

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – The United States reached a letter agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District, to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The agreement requires the hotel to train its staff and provide equal service to customers with disabilities. The Department of Justice received an ADA complaint alleging that after reserving an accessible room, when an individual with a disability attempted to check-in, the Hilton Garden Inn provided a standard room that lacked bathroom grab bars or shower accommodations. This left the complainant without a usable bathroom during her stay. The complaint prompted an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The ADA requires that hotels provide access to individuals with disabilities, including honoring reservations, providing fully accessible rooms, and making accommodations. “For people with disabilities, travel can be stressful due to concerns that they won’t have basic accommodations, such as a place to sleep at night or access to appropriate hygiene facilities,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “People with disabilities should not be denied these necessities in lodging. The ADA ensures that all people traveling with disabilities who are traveling can find hotels that will provide equal access to their rooms and facilities.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane Noble represented the government during the resolution process. For more information about the ADA, visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint . The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Cumberland County Man Sentenced To 28 Months’ Imprisonment For Fraud And Identity Theft Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Zedan RaShwan, age 25, formerly of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, to 28 months of imprisonment, for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft offenses. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, RaShwan pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to use the stolen identities and DEA registration numbers of healthcare providers to order fraudulent prescriptions at various pharmacies. RaShwan and his coconspirators obtained and distributed those prescription medications, which included the controlled substances and prescription medications Promethazine with Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Clonazepam. RaShwan has been in custody since pleading guilty on March 1, 2023. The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of the Inspector General, and by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Indictment Charges Hartford Man on Supervised Release with Firearm and Drug Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging STANDFORD SMITH , also known as “Pops,” 34, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in March 2021, Smith was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 55 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for his role in a gun trafficking ring and for distributing crack cocaine. He was released from prison in February 2022. On June 2, 2023, Smith was arrested by Hartford Police after he was found in possession of distribution quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, and a loaded Ruger LCP Max .380 caliber firearm. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. The indictment, which was returned on January 23, 2024, charges Smith with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Smith has been detained since his arrest. He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A charge is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins, through Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Trempealeau Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Stealing Firearms from Rockland Gun Store

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Nehemiah Sample, 27, Trempealeau, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 2 years in federal prison for stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Sample pleaded guilty to this charge on October 31, 2023. On April 25, 2023, Sample and two other individuals broke into a gun store in Rockland, Wisconsin, and stole 41 firearms. Officers conducting surveillance later that day saw Sample driving a pickup truck and, when they tried to stop him, he fled. Officers later found the truck abandoned in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with three of the stolen handguns in a bag on the backseat. Sample fled to Arkansas, where he was found in Lake Village trying to sell firearms out of his car. When Lake Village officers attempted to arrest Sample, he fled into a scrap yard. He was eventually taken into custody and officers found a handgun on him, one abandoned in the scrap yard, and five other firearms in his vehicle. All the firearms had been stolen from the Rockland gun store. At sentencing Judge Conley said that Sample’s decision to sell these stolen guns on the street, including to felons, was an aggravating factor that required a significant sentence. Codefendant Mackey K. Drake pled guilty to possessing firearms as a felon on January 17, 2024. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 3, 2024. The case against codefendant Robert E. Benson remains pending and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty. The charge against Sample was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Village, Arkansas, Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan handled the prosecution. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.


title: New York Man Sentenced for $600,000 COVID Fraud Using Stolen Identities

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A New York man was sentenced yesterday to 42 months in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme to obtain pandemic benefits using the stolen identities of at least 20 other people. According to court documents, Obinna Nwafor, 50, engaged in a scheme to obtain various pandemic loans using the identities of others who were unaware of this activity. In September 2020, L.H., a resident of Norfolk who also serves as a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, received a statement from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at her home address, indicating that she owed a payment on a loan received under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). L.H. reported this information to law enforcement, which led to the investigation in this case. Further investigation revealed that an application for an EIDL loan in the amount of $150,000 had been submitted to the SBA in August 2020, using L.H.’s name and other confidential personal identifiers, including her Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. Loan documents were electronically signed in L.H.’s name, and loan proceeds in the amount of $149,900 were disbursed to an account that did not belong to L.H and was controlled by Nwafor. After this information came to light, further investigation revealed several related EIDL loans fraudulently obtained by Nwafor, including a $150,000 loan obtained in Virginia resident K.G.’s name. Like L.H., K.G.’s Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number had been used on the loan application. Similarly, K.G. had not applied for an EIDL loan or authorized anyone to apply for a loan on her behalf. Within days of the loan proceeds disbursement, Nwafor moved the funds to other accounts he controlled, including an account held jointly with his spouse, a bank account held in the name of a Nigerian entity in which Nwafor held an interest, and nearly $75,000 to an account belonging to a romance fraud victim, who had been misled as to the origin of the funds. Further investigation also revealed that Nwafor had received approximately $300,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits in the names of at least eighteen other people. Those funds had been deposited into approximately six different bank accounts owned and controlled by Nwafor. When Nwafor was told by Wells Fargo that these funds were being returned to the originating state unemployment offices, Nwafor frantically worked with other individuals in an attempt to convince the bank not to return the funds. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson C. Yates and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Samuels 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. 4:23-cr-21.