title: Orlando Man Sentenced To Over Five Years In Federal Prison For Access Device Fraud And Identity Theft

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Sean White (46, Orlando) to five years and five months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. White pleaded guilty on April 10, 2024. According to court documents, between January and March 2016, White and two affiliates—Jamie Fort and Sena Howell—executed a scheme to defraud several Orlando-area financial institutions. As part of the scheme, White and Fort obtained names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of identity theft victims. They then used these stolen identities to create counterfeit State of Florida driver licenses. White, Fort, and Howell then used the counterfeit driver licenses to obtain financing in victims’ names from federally insured banks. They purchased three luxury vehicles at Orlando-area car dealerships with this financing, including two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and a Cadillac Escalade. They then sold these vehicles for cash. White and his affiliates also used the counterfeit driver licenses to obtain credit and make fraudulent purchases in victims’ names at various retail stores in the Orlando area. Evidence located at White’s residence included stolen personal identifying information of a number of identity theft victims, as well as a book entitled “How to be Invisible.” White eluded arrest for several years after being charged. He was located in 2023 and arrested, at which time he was living under the alias of another identity theft victim. Howell was sentenced in March 2017 to two years and three months’ imprisonment for her participation in the scheme to defraud. Fort was sentenced in October 2017 to five years and five months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the scheme. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chauncey A. Bratt and Michael Sartoian.


title: New Orleans Man Pled Guilty to Federal Charge of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud

component: Criminal Division

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHN M. SPIVEY (“SPIVEY”) , age 53, of New Orleans, pled guilty on July 30 to a conspiracy to commit health care fraud. According to court documents, SPIVEY conspired with his codefendant, JAMIE P. McNAMARA (“McNAMARA”), age 48, of Missouri, to defraud Medicare by billing for cancer genetic testing and cardiovascular genetic testing that was ineligible for Medicare reimbursement. The testing was ineligible because it was not medically necessary and was procured through the payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes. McNAMARA, with the assistance of SPIVEY , operated several laboratories, that obtained doctors’ orders for genetic testing from telemarketers and call centers that used aggressive telemarketing campaigns to induce Medicare beneficiaries to agree to receive genetic testing. Orders for genetic testing were signed by purported telemedicine doctors who were neither the beneficiaries’ treating physicians, nor performed the consultations with the beneficiaries, or even followed up with the beneficiaries post-testing. According to court records, from November 2018 through July 2020, the laboratories operated by McNAMARA submitted over $174 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for genetic testing and received over $55 million in reimbursements. McNAMARA is set for trial in February of 2025. United States District Judge Darrel J. Papillion is scheduled to sentence SPIVEY on April 15, 2025. At sentencing, SPIVEY faces up to ten years in prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain to any defendant or loss to any person. SPIVEY also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant Chief Justin Woodard and Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters, both of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses, Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the Eastern District of Louisiana, are prosecuting the case.


title: Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of tens of thousands of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina. Jasdrual a/k/a “Josh” Perez, 36, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2024. Perez was charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 14, 2022 and has remained in custody since. In September 2019, investigators began a multiyear investigation into a drug trafficking organization led by Perez that was based out of Providence, Rhode Island. This drug trafficking organization was known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. It was learned that Perez used encrypted applications such as WhatsApp and FaceTime to further his drug trafficking activities and supervise his drug trafficking enterprise. In addition, Perez personally participated in the trafficking of kilogram quantities of fentanyl and the pressing of kilograms of fentanyl powder into pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical pills. In February 2022 during a search of the property that Perez and his associates used to manufacture fentanyl pills, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl and pressed fentanyl pills, and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills were seized. During a separate search of Perez’s residence, over $62,000 in drug proceeds were also seized. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston and Providence Field Offices; Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police Department; and Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: West Columbia Man Sentenced to Jail and Fined for Blocking Clinic Access

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Steven Lefemine, 68, of West Columbia was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment and fined $1,000 after being found guilty of a misdemeanor violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinics (FACE) Act. Evidence presented during his trial showed that Lefemine blocked the entrance to the Columbia Office of Planned Parenthood. Testimony from the trial indicated that Lefemine was a frequent protester of the clinic and, on this occasion, physically sought to bar employees and patients from entering the facility. Lefemine recorded his activities and presented the audio/video recordings during the trial. Lefemine was arrested by the Columbia Police Department for trespassing and removed from the site. During the sentencing hearing, United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson noted that Lefemine has multiple previous convictions for similar behavior. The FACE Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in May 1994 in response to the escalation of violence surrounding abortion clinics in the early 1990s. The Act criminalizes violence toward or obstruction of health care facilities or places of worship. This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson prosecuted the case. ### MEDIA CONTACT: Veronica Hill, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office, veronica.hill@usdoj.gov , (803) 929-3000


title: After-Market Firearm Accessory Manufacturer and Distributor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegal Distribution of Firearm Silencers

body_text: BOSTON – A New Hampshire company has agreed to plead guilty to charges that it violated the National Firearms Act (NFA) by distributing interoperable components for firearm silencers. KBC Capital, LLC d/b/a “Lethal Eye” has agreed to plead guilty to 26 counts of transferring a firearm in violation of the NFA. In connection with the plea agreement, KBC has agreed to pay a $260,000 fine, the maximum financial penalty permitted by law. “By making gunshots harder to hear, silencers impede law enforcement efforts to respond to shootings and diminish the effectiveness of gunshot detection technology. This results in slower response time by first responders, which can have a direct impact on saving the lives of people struck by gunfire,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “That is why Congress and federal agencies require manufacturers and distributors of silencers to conform to strict regulatory requirements. By knowingly flouting these regulatory requirements, KBC Capital allegedly flooded the market with these inherently dangerous devices. This case demonstrates our Office’s efforts to attack the problem of illegal guns from all angles.” “Perpetrators engaged in the manufacturing, distributing or possession of illegal silencers pose a significant challenge for law enforcement,” stated James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “We are committed to work with our partners to identify and disrupt these illicit activities so that we can help ensure the safety of our communities.” “KBC Capital was responsible for at least 26 illicit transfers of firearm suppressors to Massachusetts residents. These devices are controlled by law and private companies in the firearms trade have a duty to follow the proper legal channels to ensure a safe, lawful firearms industry,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “This investigation was only made possible through the close collaboration with our partners in law enforcement working together towards our public safety goals.” “The use of the mail to further the illicit trade in firearms and firearms components poses a real threat to the public,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “The Postal Inspection Service is proud to stand with our federal partners and hold this company responsible for its actions.” “This investigation is an example of DEA’s dedication to working with our local, state and federal partners in identifying, targeting and investigating those who are involved in selling dangerous devices.” said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop illegal activities so our communities can be safe places to be.” As part of the plea agreement, KBC Capital admits the facts underlying the government’s allegations. The NFA imposes taxes on the making and transfer of NFA Firearms, as well as a special occupational tax on Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) engaged in the business of importing, manufacturing and dealing in NFA firearms. Only certain classes of FFLs may lawfully manufacture NFA weapons. The NFA requires registration of all NFA firearms with the Attorney General in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). The purpose of the NFA is to regulate transactions in NFA firearms, which are deemed to be more dangerous than those not regulated by the NFA due to their proliferation in criminal activity at the time the NFA was enacted. KBC operated a website using the trade name “Lethal Eye.” KBC sold a variety of firearms accessories. Despite marketing one of these products as a “muzzle break,” this product actually served as a principal part of a firearm silencer. This part was interoperable with other KBC products that, together, along with other generally available consumer products, could be combined to generate a firearm silencer. According to court documents, while doing business as “Lethal Eye,” KBC allegedly sent 26 illegal suppressor parts to Massachusetts residents. On Aug. 18, 2023, a search of Lethal Eye’s principal place of business resulted in the recovery of 327 items classified by ATF as illegal firearm silencers. At no time, was KBC an FFL and at no time did KBC pay the appropriate tax to manufacture a single silencer. The charge of transferring a firearm in violation of the NFA, when charged against a business entity, provides for the maximum penalty of $10,000 per violation, probation of three years and a mandatory special assessment of $400 per count. Acting United States Attorney Levy; ATF SAC Ferguson; HSI SAC Krol; USPIS INC Larco-Ward; and DEA Acting SAC Belleau made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Nashua and Hollis Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Joliet man admits stealing guns in Billings pawnshop burglary

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

body_text: BILLINGS — A Joliet man on Wednesday admitted to stealing firearms from a Billings pawnshop during a burglary, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. The defendant, Lucious Machiavelli, aka Robert Allen Boyden, 47, pleaded guilty to theft from a federal firearms licensee. Machiavelli faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Dec. 4. Machiavelli was detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that on Sept. 11, 2023, Pawnbrokers West, a federal firearms licensee, in Billings, was burglarized shortly before 3 a.m. Ten firearms were stolen during the break in. Law enforcement learned that Machiavelli was involved in the burglary. Five of the stolen firearms were recovered from the residence of a co-defendant, who told law enforcement that Machiavelli had brought the guns to the residence. Another co-defendant told law enforcement that he and Machiavelli went into the pawn shop and stole the firearms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted 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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Justice Department Finds Unconstitutional Conditions at Five Texas Juvenile Justice Facilities

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “Children are committed to TJJD facilities to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that they may return to their communities as law-abiding, productive citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation showed that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation. State officials have an obligation to keep these children safe, to teach them, to provide them necessary health services and to treat them fairly, without discrimination. The Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable children in juvenile facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to remedy these violations, institute needed reform and improve outcomes for Texas children.” The department’s report details findings from a comprehensive investigation of five TJJD youth facilities, including the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Gainesville State School, Giddings State School, McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. The report concludes that: TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by: Exposing them to excessive force and prolonged isolation; Failing to protect children from sexual abuse; and Failing to provide adequate mental health services. TJJD violates the IDEA by failing to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities. TJJD discriminates against children with disabilities in violation of the ADA by: Not providing reasonable modifications necessary to permit their participation in programming required for release and Denying them an equal opportunity to benefit from education. These violations of the Constitution and federal law place children at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm and impede successful outcomes for children. “My office was proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division and with other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in our state on this thorough investigation of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The children in these facilities are uniquely vulnerable to harm and abuse, which hinders their prospects for rehabilitation. They deserve to be protected from harm, to receive adequate mental health care and to receive special education services and reasonable modifications that will give them a chance at productive lives in the community, outside of the walls of these institutions.” “According to our report, TJJD falls short of creating an environment that fosters rehabilitation,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas. “Instead, some of its personnel engage in the use of excessive force and subject children to prolonged isolation, both of which are damaging. Texans know that this is not how we rehabilitate our children. We look forward to working with the State and TJJD to eliminate these issues going forward. Together, I am confident that we can implement practices that result in a better rehabilitative environment at the TJJD and ensure a pathway for children in their care to grow, heal and reach their full potential.” “The conditions in the facilities are unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Our investigation found that children in these facilities face sexual abuse by staff and other children. Tragically, this is not the first investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at TJJD facilities. Since the early 2000s, other investigations by Texas state agencies and the Texas Rangers substantiated sexual abuse allegations of the children at TJJD facilities, yet this horrifying problem persists. Working with Texas’s other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Rights Division and the State of Texas, my office hopes to provide protections to the vulnerable and help right wrongs that have existed for far too long.” “States that receive federal funds to help educate children with disabilities are required to use those funds appropriately for the benefit of these children,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Systematically failing to evaluate children suspected of having disabilities inevitably deprives these children of the special education these funds were meant to provide. Texas received funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but failed to meet their obligation to ensure that children with disabilities would receive adequate education according to their special needs, among other things. Without appropriate services, children with disabilities in Texas juvenile corrections facilities cannot access the general education curriculum, preventing meaningful rehabilitation and progress. We look forward to working with Texas to rectify the issues we identified in our investigation so that these children, through meeting their educational needs, may have a better chance to succeed when they return to our communities.” The Justice Department launched its investigation of TJJD’s juvenile justice facilities in October 2021, under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which authorize the department to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional and federal rights of children confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas investigated the case. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section . You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov . To provide information related to the department’s investigation of TJJD’s facilities please call 1-866-432-0438 or email at TX.Juveniles@usdoj.gov . Spanish translation forthcoming. (La traducción al español estará disponible próximamente.)


title: El Departamento de Justicia descubre condiciones que violan normas constitucionales en cinco centros de justicia de menores de Texas

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy sus conclusiones de que el Departamento de Justicia de Menores de Texas (TJJD, por sus siglas en inglés) está violando la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, así como la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades (IDEA, por sus siglas en inglés) y la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA, por sus siglas en inglés). “Los menores son internados en centros del TJJD para recibir tratamiento y rehabilitación, a fin de que puedan regresar a sus comunidades como ciudadanos respetuosos de la ley y productivos”, declaró Kristen Clarke, la fiscal general adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Nuestra investigación demostró que, lejos de lograr esos objetivos, el TJJD incurrió en un patrón de abuso, privación de servicios esenciales y discriminación relacionada con la discapacidad que perjudica gravemente a los niños y socava su rehabilitación. Los funcionarios del estado tienen la obligación de mantener a estos niños a salvo, de enseñarles, de proporcionarles los servicios sanitarios necesarios y de tratarlos con equidad y sin discriminación. El Departamento de Justicia se ha comprometido a proteger los derechos de los niños vulnerables internados en centros de menores. Esperamos trabajar con los funcionarios del estado para remediar estas violaciones, instituir las reformas necesarias y mejorar los resultados para los niños de Texas”. El informe del departamento detalla los hallazgos de una investigación exhaustiva de cinco centros de menores del TJJD, incluidos el Centro Regional de Menores de Evins, la Escuela Estatal de Gainesville, la Escuela Estatal de Giddings, el Correccional Juvenil Estatal del Condado de McLennan y el Complejo Correccional Juvenil Estatal Ron Jackson. El informe concluye que: El TJJD sistemáticamente viola los derechos constitucionales de los niños en las cinco instalaciones al: Exponerlos a fuerza excesiva y aislamiento prolongado; No proteger a los niños de actos de abuso sexual; y No proporcionar servicios de salud mental adecuados. El TJJD viola la ley IDEA al no proporcionar educación especial y servicios relacionados a los niños con discapacidades. El TJJD discrimina a los niños con discapacidades en violación de la ADA al: No proporcionar las modificaciones razonables necesarias para permitir su participación en los programas requeridos de liberación y Negarles la igualdad de oportunidades para beneficiarse de la educación. Estas violaciones de la Constitución y de la ley federal exponen a los niños a un riesgo considerable de sufrir daños físicos y psicológicos graves e impiden que los niños salgan adelante. “Mi oficina se sintió orgullosa de colaborar con la División de Derechos Civiles y con otras Fiscalías de los EE. UU. de nuestro estado en esta investigación exhaustiva del Departamento de Justicia de Menores de Texas”, dijo Jaime Esparza, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Los niños en estas instalaciones son especialmente vulnerables a sufrir lesiones y abusos, lo que limita sus posibilidades de rehabilitación. Merecen ser protegidos contra cualquier lesión, recibir una atención de salud mental adecuada y recibir servicios de educación especial y modificaciones razonables que les den la oportunidad de llevar una vida productiva en la comunidad, fuera de los muros de estas instituciones”. “Según nuestro informe, el TJJD no consigue crear un entorno que fomente la rehabilitación”, declaró Leigha Simonton, la fiscal federal para el Distrito Norte de Texas. “Por el contrario, parte de su personal emplea fuerza excesiva y somete a los menores a un aislamiento prolongado, lo que resulta perjudicial. Los tejanos sabemos que no es así como rehabilitamos a nuestros niños. Estamos deseosos de trabajar con el estado y el TJJD para eliminar estos problemas en el futuro. Juntos, estoy segura de que podemos implementar prácticas que resulten en un mejor ambiente de rehabilitación en el TJJD y aseguren un camino para que los niños bajo su cuidado crezcan, sanen y alcancen su máximo potencial”. “Las condiciones de estos centros son inaceptables”, declaró Alamdar S. Hamdani, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Sur de Texas. “Nuestra investigación encontró que los niños en estas instalaciones se enfrentan a abusos sexuales por parte del personal así como de otros niños. Trágicamente, esta no es la primera investigación sobre alegatos de abuso sexual en los centros del TJJD. Desde principios de los años 2000, otras investigaciones realizadas por agencias del estado de Texas y los Rangers de Texas corroboraron alegatos de abuso sexual de los niños en los centros del TJJD; sin embargo, este horrible problema persiste. En colaboración con las demás fiscalías de los EE. UU. en Texas, la División de Derechos Civiles y el estado de Texas, mi oficina espera proteger a las personas vulnerables y ayudar a corregir errores que han existido durante demasiado tiempo”. “Los estados que reciben fondos federales para ayudar a educar a los niños con discapacidades están obligados a utilizar esos fondos adecuadamente en beneficio de estos niños”, dijo Damien M. Diggs, el fiscal federal para el Distrito Este de Texas. “No evaluar sistemáticamente a los niños de los que se sospecha que tienen discapacidades, priva inevitablemente a estos niños de la educación especial que estos fondos estaban destinados a proporcionar. Texas recibió fondos al amparo de la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades, pero no cumplió con su obligación de garantizar que los niños con discapacidades recibieran una educación adecuada de acuerdo con sus necesidades especiales, entre otros aspectos. Sin los servicios adecuados, los niños con discapacidades internados en centros correccionales de menores de Texas no pueden acceder al plan de estudios de educación general, lo que impide una rehabilitación y un progreso significativos. Esperamos colaborar con Texas para rectificar los problemas que hemos detectado en nuestra investigación, a fin de que estos niños, mediante la satisfacción de sus necesidades educativas, tengan más posibilidades de triunfar cuando vuelvan a nuestras comunidades”. El Departamento de Justicia inició su investigación de los centros de justicia de menores del TJJD en octubre de 2021, al amparo de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de las Personas Internadas en Instituciones y la Ley de Represión de Delitos Violentos y de Orden Público de 1994, que autorizan al departamento a investigar una pauta o práctica de privación de los derechos constitucionales y federales de los menores internados en centros correccionales gestionados por el gobierno estatal o local. La Sección Especial de Litigios de la División de Derechos Civiles y las Fiscalías de los EE. UU. en Texas investigaron el caso. Si desea obtener más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles y la Sección Especial de Litigios, visite www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. También puede denunciar violaciones de los derechos civiles a la sección completando el formulario de denuncia disponible en https://civilrights.justice.gov . Si desea proporcionar información relacionada con la investigación del departamento sobre los centros del TJJD, llame al 1-866-432-0438 o envíe un correo electrónico a TX.Juveniles@usdoj.gov .


title: Federal Judge Sentences Chicago Man to 40 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Several Children

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to 40 years in prison for recruiting several children to engage in sex acts for money. LENNIE PERRY trafficked at least seven minors under the age of 18. One of his victims was under 14 years old when Perry caused her to engage in a commercial sex act. Perry used websites such as Backpage and Facebook to advertise commercial sex acts and recruit the young victims to work for him. Perry also required that each of his victims have sex with him before he would traffic them to others. Perry arranged for the victims to meet individuals for the commercial sex acts in hotels and residences in Illinois, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Perry, 49, was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges. Six of Perry’s victims testified at trial about their ordeals. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang on Wednesday ordered Perry to pay $523,600 in restitution to his victims. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Lucas Rothaar, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The case was investigated by the FBI Chicago Child Exploitation Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. “Defendant’s actions have created a trauma for the victims that is impossible to truly understand,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Mulaney argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Traffickers operating today should receive the message that if you traffic children in the Chicagoland area, you will receive the fullest punishment prescribed by law.” If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678 or logging on to www.cybertipline.com .


title: Landlord Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – A retired South Georgia school teacher and landlord was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for possessing hundreds of images of child sexual abuse material after police first discovered hidden cameras he had placed inside his rental property’s bathroom recording young children bathing and undressing. David Swanson, 61, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands on July 31. In addition, Swanson will have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. Swanson previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The defendant is not eligible for parole. “Child predators caught secretly filming unsuspecting and innocent young children and possessing all manners of child sexual abuse material will face justice for these crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Law enforcement and prosecutors at every level across the Middle District of Georgia remain tireless in our pursuit of child predators out to harm our most vulnerable citizens.” “The home should be a refuge for a family, particularly children. To violate that sanctuary is unforgivable, especially in such a reprehensible way,” said Jennifer Huerta, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta that oversees Georgia and Alabama. “Let this sentence serve as a reminder that HSI and its law enforcement partners are committed to investigating and holding offenders like Swanson accountable.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a concerned citizen notified Ray City Police on March 1, 2023, that she found a hidden camera in the home she rented from Swanson. The responding officer located a camera hidden in the bathroom’s ceiling plugged into an extension cord that ran through the attic. The officer also found two more cameras hidden in electrical outlets in the same bathroom. The SD cards from the cameras contained images of four children between the ages of one to 12, changing clothes and using the toilet. There was also a video clip of Swanson stepping on the toilet, reaching towards the ceiling and then placing a small black object in his pocket. The numerous videos depicting nude minor children bathing and using the toilet were all recorded between Jan. 21, 2023, and Feb. 28, 2023. Authorities checked Swanson’s other properties in Lowndes County and did not find additional cameras at the other residences. A search warrant was executed at Swanson’s Valdosta residence on March 3, 2023. Agents found approximately 750 images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)—also known as child pornography—on his electronic devices. Some of the material included children nude in bathrooms, as well as minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. A review of Swanson’s laptop showed peer-to-peer programs had been loaded on the laptop and a search of the history revealed evidence of Swanson downloading pre-teen hardcore and evidence of a file named “child porn” that had been downloaded to what appeared to be an external drive. Swanson had recently retired as a teacher in the Lowndes County School System. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Ray City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Former Georgia Teacher Admits to Catfishing Students and Posting  Child Sexual Assault Material on Discord

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A former Sandersville, Georgia, high school teacher pleaded guilty to producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM)—also known as child pornography—in federal court this morning. Michael Allen Dendy, 33, of Milledgeville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on July 30. Dendy faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison up to a maximum sentence of thirty years in prison for production of child pornography and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison up to a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for distribution child pornography. In addition, Dendy faces a maximum term of supervised release of life, and he will have to register as a child sex offender upon release from federal prison. Dendy faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and restitution to victims as determined by the Court. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. “It’s a nightmare for parents to imagine a trusted teacher catfishing students and then posting sexually explicit images of these kids on social media,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Thanks to good police work, a child predator is off the streets and will be held accountable for the suffering and pain he has caused. Furthermore, this case is an important reminder that online predators are a real threat, and parents must exercise vigilance.” “Teachers are supposed to be a safety net for our children, not target and exploit them,” said Jennifer Huerta, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta that oversees Georgia and Alabama. “This plea represents the great work done by HSI and our partners to identify, investigate and prosecute these predators. HSI remains vigilant in protecting our children and holding those accountable those who exploit them.” “Michael Allen Dendy’s guilty plea marks a significant step towards justice for the heinous crimes committed,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran. “We are resolute in our commitment to safeguarding our children and ensuring that those who prey on them are held accountable. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all law enforcement officers, prosecutors and support personnel who worked tirelessly on this case. Your dedication and hard work have made our community safer and brought us closer to justice for the victims.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received multiple complaints in Dec. 2022 regarding child pornography being posted on the social media platform Discord and were informed that several local high school students had their images posted to the platform under “WACO Confessions” without their knowledge or approval. A WCSO investigation found “WACO Confessions” was created by an individual—later determined to be Dendy—under the username “TheOneYouLeftBehind.” The IP address most frequently used to access the account was tracked to Dendy’s residence. Dendy was a teacher at Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia, from Aug. 2020 until his arrest by WCSO deputies on Jan. 20, 2023. Dendy admitted to obtaining nude images of individuals, particularly of underage students at Washington County High School. He confirmed that he would communicate with the students using fake Instagram accounts—posing as a young male and a young female on Instagram—and that he never met with any students in person. Dendy also admitted to creating “WACO Confessions.” A search warrant executed at Dendy’s residence recovered numerous electronic devices containing CSAM and chat conversations between Dendy and several identified victims. Specifically, between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2023, Defendant persuaded a 16-year-old to engage in sexually explicit conduct, film the conduct and share it with Dendy through social media. In a separate incident, on Dec. 11, 2022, Dendy uploaded a video to “WACO Confessions” depicting a minor, who was between the ages of 14 and 15, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Dendy taught at three schools previously: Griffin High School in Griffin, Georgia, from 2018-2020; St. Charles High School in Waldorf, Maryland, from 2017-2018; and Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi, from 2014-2016. Parents and guardians of children who may have encountered Dendy and have concerns related to this investigation can contact the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 1-866-347-2423. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The case is being investigated by WCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with significant assistance from the Leesburg Police Department (Virginia), the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland) and the Middle Judicial Circuit of Georgia District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Justice Department finds that conditions at five Texas juvenile justice facilities, including Gainesville State School in the Eastern District of Texas, violate the Constitution

body_text: PLANO, Texas – The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “Children are committed to TJJD facilities to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that they may return to their communities as law-abiding, productive citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation showed that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation. State officials have an obligation to keep these children safe, to teach them, to provide them necessary health services and to treat them fairly, without discrimination. The Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable children in juvenile facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to remedy these violations, institute needed reform and improve outcomes for Texas children.” The department’s report details findings from a comprehensive investigation of five TJJD youth facilities, including the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Gainesville State School, Giddings State School, McClennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. The report concludes that: TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by: Exposing them to excessive force and prolonged isolation; Failing to protect children from sexual abuse; and Failing to provide adequate mental health services. TJJD violates the IDEA by failing to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities. TJJD discriminates against children with disabilities in violation of the ADA by: Not providing reasonable modifications necessary to permit their participation in programming required for release and Denying them an equal opportunity to benefit from education. These violations of the Constitution and federal law place children at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm and impede successful outcomes for children. “States that receive federal funds to help educate children with disabilities are required to use those funds appropriately for the benefit of these children,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Systematically failing to evaluate children suspected of having disabilities inevitably deprives these children of the special education these funds were meant to provide. Texas received funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but failed to meet their obligation to ensure that children with disabilities would receive adequate education according to their special needs, among other things. Without appropriate services, children with disabilities in Texas juvenile corrections facilities cannot access the general education curriculum, preventing meaningful rehabilitation and progress. We look forward to working with Texas to rectify the issues we identified in our investigation so that these children, through meeting their educational needs, may have a better chance to succeed when they return to our communities.” The Justice Department launched its investigation of TJJD’s juvenile justice facilities in October 2021, under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which authorize the department to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional and federal rights of children confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas investigated the case. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section . You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at https://civilrights.justice.gov . To provide information related to the department’s investigation of TJJD’s facilities, please call 1-866-432-0438 or by email at TX.Juveniles@usdoj.gov . Spanish translation forthcoming. (La traducción al español estará disponible próximamente.) ###


title: Sacaton Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Using an Axe and a Knife Causing Serious Bodily Injury

component: USAO - Arizona

number: 2024-105_Brave Heart

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – He Tehila Brave Heart, 41, originally of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, but living in Sacaton at the time of the offense, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Brave Heart is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. On April 4, 2023, Brave Heart and his wife, Jacqulyn Brave Heart, beat and threatened to kill two victims, causing serious bodily injury. Brave Heart also stabbed one of the victims in the neck with a knife and hit her in the head with an axe. Brave Heart pleaded guilty on April 22, 2024, to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Jacqulyn Brave Heart was sentenced to six years in prison on April 10, 2024, after pleading guilty to the same two charges on January 22, 2024. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01247-PHX-DWL RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-105_Brave Heart # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: New Jersey man sentenced for sexual contact of passenger on airplane to Bozeman

body_text: MISSOULA — A New Jersey man who admitted to sexually assaulting a woman passenger seated next to him on a flight from New Jersey to Bozeman was sentenced on Wednesday to five years of probation, with six months of home confinement, ordered to register as a sex offender and to pay a total of $5,100 in special assessments, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. The defendant, Piyush Mathew, 31, of Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in March to abusive sexual contact in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States as charged in an indictment. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. In court documents, the government alleged that on Sept. 7, 2023, Mathew and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, were seated next to each other on United Airlines Flight 1300 from New Jersey to Bozeman. Doe was seated in the middle seat, while Mathew was seated in an aisle seat. Prior to departure, Mathew raised the armrest between them, and once the plane was in the air, he assaulted Doe for the duration of the flight. Mathew, pretending to be asleep, touched Doe multiple times on different parts of her body, including her thighs, fingers, arms, stomach, and breasts. Doe had hoped to alert the flight crew of Mathew’s behavior, however, Mathew stood immediately behind her for deboarding, and she felt she was unable to tell the flight crew. Instead, Doe approached another male passenger who was in front of them and pretended to know him as a safeguard from Mathew while leaving the plane. The male passenger reported to law enforcement that Doe looked upset and as if she were about to cry. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Gallatin Airport Authority, and Bozeman Airport Police conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Fargo, ND Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm  by a Convicted Felon

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that on August 1, 2024, Kadar Udai Pearson, appeared in federal court at an initial appearance and arraignment hearing. The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota unsealed an Indictment revealing that a federal grand jury indicted Pearson on the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Specifically, on June 5, 2024, the Fargo Police Department identified and arrested Kadar Pearson near the Arbors apartment complex. Pearson was in possession of a loaded pistol. At the time, Pearson was an inmate on escape status with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, under a sentence imposed in October 2023, for his felony convictions of Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl and Theft of a Firearm. The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. 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. PSN is 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. This case is being investigated by the Fargo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jake Rodenbiker and Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein in the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section of the Criminal Division at the United States Department of Justice. # # #


title: Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that Jonathan Wayne Lanaute, age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to bank robbery. According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on the morning of May 3, 2024, Lanaute entered United Community Bank, located on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge, and stated that he needed to cash a check. Lanaute approached a counter and passed a handwritten note to the bank teller which stated “give me all the money in the cash resgister [sic] before everybody die in here.” The teller, fearful of bodily harm, directed the bank’s computer to begin dispensing $100 bills. While waiting for the bills to be dispensed, Lanaute was fidgeting in his sweatshirt pockets as if he had a firearm. Lanaute told the teller to “hurry up, hurry up,” and not to make any moves. The machine dispensed fifty, $100 bills at a time, and ran through four (4) cycles. When complete. Lanaute took the money from the teller and walked towards the bank to leave. Before exiting the building, Lanaute heard the machine continuing to dispense money and he returned to the teller counter to retrieve the additional bills. Lanaute then exited the building with twenty-thousand dollars ($20,000). Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene and retrieved video footage from the bank’s surveillance system. The surveillance footage showed Lanaute entering the bank wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and a black Saints baseball cap, and ultimately fleeing the scene in a dark colored sedan with a spoiler on the rear of the vehicle. Law enforcement identified the vehicle as a dark grey Mitsubishi Lancer which had been reported stolen during an armed robbery near the bank the previous night. The vehicle was identified around the immediate area of United Community Bank and law enforcement visually confirmed the driver to be the same individual identified as the robber from the bank’s video surveillance. Officers attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle. Lanaute refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, Lanaute drove the vehicle into ongoing traffic, ran another motorist off the road, and drove in the wrong direction on the interstate. The pursuit of the vehicle ended when the driver crashed head-on into an innocent motorist on the interstate. After the crash, Lanaute fled on foot. Following a short foot pursuit, Lanaute was apprehended and taken into custody. Lanaute was wearing the same clothing as seen in the bank’s video surveillance. Approximately $8,207.89 was recovered from Lanaute’s person. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Lundin Craig.


title: Montgomery Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Era Relief Fraud

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – On July 31, 2024, 39-year-old Tametria Conner Dantzler, from Montgomery, Alabama, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to loans received through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, announced United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act established the EIDL program, which was directly administered by the Small Business Administration. This financial assistance program was designed to help eligible small businesses by giving them working capital to make regular payments for operating expenses such as payroll, rent or mortgage expenses, utilities, or business debt. According to her plea agreement and other court records, in June of 2020, Dantzler made false statements on EIDL applications. Dantzler claimed she created companies, including Conner Consulting LLC, and represented that the companies met the program requirements for EIDL loans. In all, Dantzler obtained approximately $927,338.47 in grants and forgivable loans to which she was not entitled. She also accepted fees or traded fake “payroll checks” in exchange for assisting others to obtain an additional $1,049,864 in grants and forgivable loans to which they were not entitled. Also in her plea agreement, Dantzler admitted she used some of the proceeds for unauthorized purposes, such as buying a house and paying off a vehicle for her husband. “Government fraud is not a victimless crime,” said United States Attorney Ross. “A financial loss to the United States is a loss to the U.S. taxpayer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with law enforcement partners, will continue efforts to identify and prosecute anyone personally profiting from funds intended to provide relief for businesses.” “I hope those who defrauded the COVID-19 relief programs are noticing the number of people being held accountable in the justice system for their crimes,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners continue initiating new investigations on people who diverted COVID-19 relief money into their own pockets which was intended to help economically stress businesses.” "Tametria Dantzler fabricated documents and created a fraud scheme that diverted critical taxpayer money that was intended to help actual struggling businesses during an unprecedented pandemic for her own self-enrichment," said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge George Richardson with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.” Following her guilty plea, Dantzler faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, plus an order of restitution to her victims. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for Dantzler in the coming months. At that hearing, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Mobile Field Office and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated this case, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick is prosecuting the case. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan  Engages Youth Through Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making)

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan is committed to educating youth on the dangers and consequences of their actions. As part of our prevention outreach efforts, this past school year, the Office partnered with the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to introduce Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making) to elementary school children. Project LEAD provides a curriculum that focuses on the legal and social consequences of juvenile crimes, such as truancy, illicit drug use, and shoplifting, and was introduced at two elementary schools in the city of Detroit this past school year. Additionally, the program focuses on teaching students techniques for resolving conflict, resisting peer pressure, promoting tolerance, respect for diversity, and achieving economic stability. The program concludes with students performing a mock trial and putting into practice what they have learned about the criminal justice system. Bow Elementary School and Pulaski Elementary School, both in the city of Detroit, were selected as part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership’s prevention efforts. Each school is located in the 8th and 9th Precincts, respectively, which are focus areas for our violent crime initiative. The 10-week program consisted of Assistant United States Attorneys serving as facilitators, going into classrooms, and providing lessons on topics such as the Rule of Law, Order in the Court, the Juvenile Justice System, and Conflict Resolution to name a few. The program ended with a mock trial being held at the United States District Court. The students played the role of judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, jurors, bailiff, and witnesses. Project LEAD has been proven effective. A team of researchers conducted an evaluation of the program to gauge its impact on students’ knowledge and attitudes about the legal system, as well as Project LEAD’s capacity as a delinquency prevention model. The results of the study showed that Project LEAD students gain important “protective factors,” which are factors that buffer against the “risk factors” that increase or decrease the risk of youth experiencing or perpetrating violence and may lessen the likelihood of violence victimization and perpetration. Project LEAD gives students the skills and experience to evaluate challenging situations and make good decisions. The program also helps students gain an understanding of the legal system and the reasons behind laws. “We are committed to balancing our investigative and prosecutive efforts with outreach strategies designed to prevent violent crime from happening, especially among our youth,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “We appreciate our partnership with DPSCD and the opportunity to bring this successful, evidence-based program to elementary schools in two Detroit communities with the highest rates of violence. We hope the life skills and tools provided in the Project LEAD curriculum, as well as the positive interactions with law enforcement, will equip students for success in the future. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with DPSCD and partnering with other school districts to bring Project LEAD to multiple elementary schools throughout the District in the new school year.” “It was an honor to participate in Project LEAD this school year. I saw my students come alive and participate in a capacity that allowed them to connect school and real-life situations. They learned a lot about the justice system as they practiced reading and writing skills. The field trip to the courthouse was the ultimate prize, and one I know my students will probably never forget. I am looking forward to participating in Project LEAD next school year,” said Wilma Muhammad, 4th and 5th grade English and Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher at Pulaski Elementary.


title: Justice Department finds conditions at five Texas Juvenile Justice facilities violate the Constitution

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – The Justice Department has announced its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “Children are committed to TJJD facilities to receive treatment and rehabilitation so that they may return to their communities as law-abiding, productive citizens,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our investigation showed that, far from achieving those objectives, TJJD engaged in a pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation. State officials have an obligation to keep these children safe, to teach them, to provide them necessary health services and to treat them fairly, without discrimination. The Justice Department is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable children in juvenile facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to remedy these violations, institute needed reform and improve outcomes for Texas children.” The department’s report details findings from a comprehensive investigation of five TJJD youth facilities, including the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Gainesville State School, Giddings State School, McClennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. The report concludes that: TJJD routinely violates the constitutional rights of children in all five facilities by: Exposing them to excessive force and prolonged isolation; Failing to protect children from sexual abuse; and Failing to provide adequate mental health services. TJJD violates the IDEA by failing to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities. TJJD discriminates against children with disabilities in violation of the ADA by: Not providing reasonable modifications necessary to permit their participation in programming required for release and Denying them an equal opportunity to benefit from education. These violations of the Constitution and federal law place children at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm and impede successful outcomes for children. “The conditions in the facilities are unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Our investigation found that children in these facilities face sexual abuse by staff and other children. Tragically, this is not the first investigation into allegations of sexual abuse at TJJD facilities. Since the early 2000s, other investigations by Texas state agencies and the Texas Rangers substantiated sexual abuse allegations of the children at TJJD facilities, yet this horrifying problem persists. Working with Texas’s other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Rights Division and the State of Texas, my office hopes to provide protections to the vulnerable and help right wrongs that have existed for far too long.” “My office was proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division and with other U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in our state on this thorough investigation of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “The children in these facilities are uniquely vulnerable to harm and abuse, which hinders their prospects for rehabilitation. They deserve to be protected from harm, to receive adequate mental health care and to receive special education services and reasonable modifications that will give them a chance at productive lives in the community, outside of the walls of these institutions.” “According to our report, TJJD falls short of creating an environment that fosters rehabilitation,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas. “Instead, some of its personnel engage in the use of excessive force and subject children to prolonged isolation, both of which are damaging. Texans know that this is not how we rehabilitate our children. We look forward to working with the State and TJJD to eliminate these issues going forward. Together, I am confident that we can implement practices that result in a better rehabilitative environment at the TJJD and ensure a pathway for children in their care to grow, heal and reach their full potential.” “States that receive federal funds to help educate children with disabilities are required to use those funds appropriately for the benefit of these children,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Systematically failing to evaluate children suspected of having disabilities inevitably deprives these children of the special education these funds were meant to provide. Texas received funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but failed to meet their obligation to ensure that children with disabilities would receive adequate education according to their special needs, among other things. Without appropriate services, children with disabilities in Texas juvenile corrections facilities cannot access the general education curriculum, preventing meaningful rehabilitation and progress. We look forward to working with Texas to rectify the issues we identified in our investigation so that these children, through meeting their educational needs, may have a better chance to succeed when they return to our communities.” The Justice Department launched its investigation of TJJD’s juvenile justice facilities in October 2021, under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which authorize the department to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional and federal rights of children confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Texas investigated the case. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section . You can also report civil rights violations to the section by completing the complaint form available at https://civilrights.justice.gov . To provide information related to the department’s investigation of TJJD’s facilities, please call 1-866-432-0438 or by email at TX.Juveniles@usdoj.gov . Spanish translation forthcoming. (La traducción al español estará disponible próximamente.)


title: Former Division Chief of Logistics for Kootenai County EMSS Sentenced in Drug Diversion Scheme

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: COEUR D’ALENE – Scott Higgins, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced yesterday on charges for theft from a program receiving federal funds and acquiring controlled substances by fraud, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Both charges relate to a drug diversion scheme that Higgins carried out over multiple years while employed as the Division Chief of Logistics for Kootenai County Emergency Medical Services System (KCEMSS). According to court records, as the Division Chief of Logistics, Higgins was responsible for purchasing and managing controlled substances on behalf of KCEMSS. Between at least July 2020 and February 2023, Higgins engaged in a fraudulent scheme whereby he ordered on behalf of KCEMSS substantially more opioids than were required and kept the excess for personal use. The total value of the opioids that Higgins wrongfully acquired from this scheme was $13,428.24. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Higgins. Based in part on Higgins’ lack of criminal history, cooperation with the investigation, acceptance of responsibility, and proactive engagement in substance abuse treatment, Higgins was afforded a probationary sentence of 5 years. Should Higgins violate probation, he will be subject to re-sentencing and faces up to 14 years of imprisonment if sentenced consecutively on both counts. Judge Nye also ordered Higgins to pay restitution to KCEMSS. “This case is a reminder of how the opioid crisis impacts our communities in many different ways,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “It demonstrates not only the need for strong enforcement but also the need for all of us to come together to raise awareness about the dangers of opioids as well as the hope that can be found through substance abuse treatment.” “People like Mr. Higgins who work with controlled substances are placed in positions of special trust to safeguard the public’s health and well-being and DEA takes any violation of that trust extremely seriously,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “We are gratified by the accountability the Court imposed on Mr. Higgins for breaking his obligations and we thank the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho for their partnership in this effort.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative work of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to the charges. He also thanked the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Johnson prosecuted this case. ###


title: Belle Vernon Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Charges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 30, 2024, to charges of bank robbery and attempted bank robbery, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Dylan Adams, 29, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak. According to information presented to the Court, on July 9, 2021, surveillance footage from a Monessen, Pennsylvania, bank recorded a male wearing a baseball cap, a mask, and white sneakers walk into the bank and slide a note to the teller demanding $15,000 and threatening to “shoot” if the police were called. In response, the teller provided the male $3,731, and the male fled before law enforcement’s arrival. Forensic evidence identified Adams as the individual who committed the bank robbery, with investigators also finding a photograph of Adams on his social media account that showed the same white sneakers worn during the bank robbery. Following the July 9 bank robbery, law enforcement released still images of the surveillance footage. On July 23, 2021, an employee of a credit union in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, contacted law enforcement indicating that he recognized the male from those still images as someone who had entered the credit union and then left after observing that all of the tellers were occupied with other customers. An employee of the credit union quickly locked the door behind the man, who attempted to re-enter the bank through that and another door, but was told that the bank was closed. Law enforcement again identified Adams as the individual who attempted to commit this bank robbery. Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2024. The maximum penalty at each count is up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Adams.


title: Canadian national admits to attempted coercion and enticement, distribution of child pornography

body_text: BILLINGS — A Canadian national accused of driving to Billings from Canada believing he was going to meet a juvenile girl for sex admitted today to attempted coercion and child pornography crimes, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Andrew Scott Brown, 43, of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement and distribution of child pornography. Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release on the attempted coercion charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the distribution of child pornography charge. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 27, law enforcement, acting in an undercover capacity as a 12-year-old child, posted on social media. Brown responded to the post. The undercover informed Brown that he was chatting with a 12-year-old juvenile, and Brown responded that he could get into a lot of trouble. Over the next several weeks, Brown chatted with the undercover, and the messages were consistently sexual in nature. Brown indicted a desire to get the juvenile girl pregnant, how they were going to end up having sex and that he will go to jail. Brown also sent the undercover a picture of his penis and a video depicting a child being sexually assaulted by an adult man. On May 6, Brown drove from Canada to Billings with the belief he was going to meet the juvenile girl for sex and messaged along the way. Law enforcement arrested Brown when he arrived in Billings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Billings Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 Justice.gov/PSC. XXX


title: Arnold Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Trafficking Cocaine

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 132 months in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Milton Paschal, 44. According to information presented to the Court, from in and around September 2021 to in and around March 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Paschal conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. Further, in and around December 2022, Paschal possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. Paschal was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of cocaine that he distributed to others. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Paschal. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies. 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.


title: San Juan Capistrano Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges for Running Illegal Sports-Betting Business and Cheating on Taxes

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for running an illegal gambling business that took in unlawful sports bets, including from then-current and former professional athletes as well as a former Major League Baseball (MLB) Japanese-language interpreter currently facing prison time. Mathew R. Bowyer, 49, of San Juan Capistrano, has agreed to plead guilty to a three-count information charging him with operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return. Bowyer is expected to plead guilty to the charges on August 9. According to his plea agreement, Bowyer operated an unlicensed and illegal bookmaking business that focused on sports betting and violated a California law that prohibits bookmaking. Bowyer’s gambling business remained in operation for at least five years until October 2023 and at times had more than 700 bettors. He operated this business out of various locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as in Las Vegas. Bowyer also employed agents and sub-agents – including casino hosts – who worked for his illegal gambling business who were paid a portion of the losses that bettors incurred and paid. His unlawful business used several Costa Rica-based websites and a call center so agents and customers could place and track bets. At times, Bowyer operated his illegal business while gambling at a casino – identified in court documents as “Casino A” – and sometimes paid his agents commission in Casino A chips. One of Bowyer’s clients was Ippei Mizuhara, who pleaded guilty on June 4 to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara was the Japanese-language interpreter and de facto manager of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts and failing to pay tax on his gambling income. Law enforcement considers Ohtani a victim. Mizuhara’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25. From September 2021 to January 2024, Mizuhara placed at least 19,000 bets with Bowyer’s illegal gambling business through one of the betting websites Bowyer used for it. During this period, Mizuhara had total winning bets of at least $142,256,769, and total losing bets of at least $182,935,206, leaving Mizuhara owing approximately $40,678,436. On a regular basis during this period, Bowyer would increase Mizuhara’s betting limits. From February 2022 to January 2024, Bowyer directed Mizuhara to make payments of at least $16.25 million to Bowyer-controlled bank accounts, all of which were proceeds of Bowyer’s illegal gambling business. Of these illegal proceeds, Bowyer transferred or directed the transfer of least $9.3 million to a casino in the form of wire transfers as payment for markers for Bowyer and his associates. Other Bowyer gambling business customers included “Individual B,” a professional baseball player for a Southern California-based baseball club, and “Individual C,” a former minor-league baseball player. Bowyer admitted in his plea agreement to knowingly and willfully falsely reporting his taxable income to the IRS on his tax return for the year 2022. On that year’s tax return, Bowyer reported $607,897 in total income. His unreported income for that year was $4,030,938, which was income from his illegal gambling business, including $3.8 million in wire transfers into one of his bank accounts, which he did not declare on his tax return. As a result of the false information Bowyer provided, he owes additional taxes of $1,613,280 for the tax year 2022, not including interest and penalties. Upon pleading guilty, Bowyer will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the money laundering count, up to five years in federal prison for the unlawful gambling business count, and up to three years in federal prison for the false tax return count. As part of his plea agreement, Bowyer will forfeit $257,923 in U.S. currency and $14,830 in casino chips seized by law enforcement in October 2023. He also has agreed to fully cooperate with federal prosecutors and investigators. IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel N. Agress and Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section are prosecuting this case.


title: U.S. Attorney Secures Sentence for Man who Assaulted a Child

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Santa Fe man was sentenced to one year of home confinement followed by two years of supervised probation for assaulting his girlfriend’s son. According to court documents, on June 19, 2021, Luis Xavier Rael , 36, was supervising his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son, who is a member of the Pueblo of Namb é . Rael made the child do a series of physical exercises, which the child did not to complete to Rael ’s satisfaction. Because of this, Rael hit the child with a tree branch and a belt on his butt, lower back, and upper legs. The strikes caused significant bruising to the child. In addition to the confinement and probation, Rael must also complete substance-abuse counseling, mental-health counseling, and make restitution to cover the child’s continued counseling. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Clara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Two Alabama Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Robbing A United States Postal Service Mail Carrier

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marquan Deon Johnson, 25, and Keondre Dashown Daniels, 26, both of Montgomery, Alabama, were sentenced to 60 months’ and 117 months in federal prison, respectively, after previously pleading guilty to using a firearm to rob a United States Postal Service mail carrier and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “The United States mail must be secure and the dedicated employees who deliver it must be safe from violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “These sentences illustrate our resolve to protect the public servants working on behalf of their fellow citizens and should serve as examples of the significant federal penalties associated with acts of armed violence.” On July 21, 2023, a United States Postal Service mail carrier was delivering mail in a residential neighborhood Fort Walton Beach, Florida. As she attempted to deliver mail, a vehicle driven by Johnson, pulled up next to the mail carrier’s vehicle and Daniels exited the vehicle. Daniel’s approached the mail carrier and pointed a handgun at the mail carrier. Daniels grabbed the mail carrier’s wrist and stole her mail key. Johnson and Daniels then fled the scene. Officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department identified the vehicle driven by Johnson from a nearby traffic camera and issued a Be on the Lookout (“BOLO”) alert. A few hours after the robbery, the vehicle was located in Montgomery, Alabama, by the Montgomery Police Department and Johnson and Daniels were arrested. "This case is a testament to the swift and coordinated efforts of law enforcement across state lines and the strong partnerships between federal and local agencies,” said Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community. Let this be a clear message: violence in our community will not be tolerated, and we will make every effort to bring those who commit violent acts to justice." “U.S. Postal Service employees should be free to service our communities without being subjected to acts of violence, especially armed robberies,” said Juan Vargas, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud of its work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our local law enforcement partners on this case. The sentencing of Marquan Johnson and Keondre Daniels upholds the fundamental right of a safe work environment for our nation’s postal employees.” Johnson’s prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release and Daniel’s prison sentence will be followed by 2 years of supervised release. This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, and the Montgomery Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Colombian Man Sentenced for his Participation in Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Colombian man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for is involvement in a money laundering conspiracy. Jose Abril-Sequera, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 50 months in prison today after pleading guilty to money laundering charges. In April 2024, Abril-Sequera pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with participating in a money laundering conspiracy and conducting substantive money laundering transactions. Beginning in 2016 and continuing until 2022, an investigation was conducted into a money laundering organization based primarily in Barranquilla, Colombia. An undercover investigator infiltrated the organization by portraying himself as an international money launderer, able to pick up bulk cash throughout the world, launder the proceeds through his United States based accounts, and send the money to Colombia through the Black Market Peso Exchange, a common method of trade based money laundering used to repatriate the proceeds of drug trafficking to Colombia. Abril-Sequera was a business owner in Colombia who used his business bank account to receive drug proceeds in Colombia. During the course of the conspiracy, Abril-Sequera received over $250,000 million in wire transfers to his account. After receipt, Abril-Sequera withdrew the funds from his account to pay out the money in Colombia to the owners. Abril-Sequera also created fake invoices to mask the true source of the funds and evade anti-money laundering protocols. Abril-Sequera knew that the money involved was the proceeds of drug trafficking and freely discussed working with individuals dealing in hundreds of kilograms worth of drugs and the logistics of laundering the proceeds. Acting United States Attorney Joshua R. Levy and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison

body_text: FORT WAYNE –Deshon A. Jenkins, 37 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distributing a controlled substance and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Jenkins was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on September 7, 2023, Jenkins distributed over 200 grams of methamphetamine. On September 29, 2023, Jenkins was apprehended and found to be in possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute. At the time of his apprehension, Jenkins led officers on a high-speed chase and threw a large bag of methamphetamine from his vehicle. After Jenkins crashed his vehicle, he was taken into custody and the controlled substance was recovered. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin C. Sheridan. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Lame Deer man sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to coerce and pay for sex with minors on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

body_text: BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted to attempting to have sex with two minor girls on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Travis Dean Two Two, Sr., 36, pleaded guilty in March to attempted coercion and enticement and to attempted sex trafficking of a minor. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. “Two Two is a predator who used social media to contact and communicate with juvenile girls for sexually explicit conduct for his own gratification. Prior to the initiation of this case, Two Two was a danger to children, especially girls of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. For at least the next 10 years, he’ll no longer be a threat to them,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. In court documents, the government alleged that from about May 2023 to August 2023, in Lame Deer and Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Two Two communicated through Facebook with a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, who was living on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The communications were made available to law enforcement, and law enforcement obtained consent to take over Doe 1’s account and communicate with Two Two. The communications became increasingly sexual. Two Two requested naked pictures of Doe 1 and made plans to meet with her for sex. Ultimately, Two Two discussed meeting Doe 1 at the MontanaFair in Billings, indicated he wanted to take nude pictures of her and “maybe make a video” of sex acts with her. He noted that he “like[s] them young.” Law enforcement arrested Two Two on Aug. 19, 2023 as he was leaving the MontanaFair. The government further alleged that from about June 2023 until September 2023, at Lame Deer, Two Two attempted to engage a minor girl in commercial sex. In August 2023, law enforcement interviewed a 16-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 2, who indicated she had met Two Two in 2021 and that they had communicated though text messages in the summer of 2023. Doe 2 told law enforcement Two Two provided her with marijuana and that in exchange, Two Two began asking for sex acts to pay for the drug. Doe 2 indicated that she allowed this to occur on a couple of occasions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Northern Cheyenne Investigative Services conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . XXX